Whit is no ordinary teenager. An innocent in the ways of the world, an ingenue when it comes to pop and fashion, she does however rejoice in the exalted status of Elect of God of the Luskentyrian Sect. A month before their four-yearly Festival of Love, the Luskentyrians are thrown into crisis when their Guest of Honour renouces her faith and refuses to attend. Isis’ standing in the community, coupled with the fact that the apostate is her cousin Morag, swiftly marks her out as the person to venture out among the Unsaved and bring the fallen one back into the fold.
Whit
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** 'Fierce contemporaneity, an acrobatic imagination, social comment, sardonic wit...the peculiar sub-culture of cult religion is a natural for Banks, and Luskentyrianism is a fine creation' THE TIMES ** 'One of the most relentlessly voyaging imaginations around' SCOTSMAN ** 'Entertaining...comically inspired' GUARDIAN ** 'A nineties Robert Louis Stevenson.' INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY
--This text refers to the
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* Paperback reissue of a modern 'Pilgrim's Progress' - Iain Banks' WHIT.
--This text refers to the
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Craobh Rua
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
Iain Banks first novel, The Wasp Factory, was published in 1984. In the years since, he's won critical acclaim, topped best-seller lists and has even written Science Fiction books under the cunning nom-de-plume 'Iain M. Banks'. He's also seen this book, "The Crow Road", adapted for television by the BBC in 1996. "Whit" is his eighth non-sci-fi book, was first published in 1995 and comes with the subtitle "Isis Amongst the Unsaved".
The book's central character is Isis Whit, commonly called Is - though more formally known as Blessed or Beloved Isis. Isis is a Luskentyrian, a member of a religious sect founded by her grandfather, Salvador. Like him, she is very important to the faithful - she holds the position 'Elect of God' and is a future leader of the Luskentyrians. Home is High Easter Offerance - located in Scotland, on the banks of the River Forth. The book opens in May 1995, when Isis is nineteen years old and with the Festival of Love approaching. The Luskentyrians consider people born on the 29th of February very special - the Blessed Isis herself was born on that date. As a result, a Festival of Love is held every four years - at the end of May in the year preceding a Leap Year. As the end of May is nine months before the end of February and it is a Festival of Love, I'm sure you can figure out what happens at it...
Isis' cousin, Morag - while not strictly considered a missionary - has been living in London for six years. Based on her letters, it appears she has become a successful musician - an internationally renowned baryton soloist, no less. She had been due to return to High Easter Offerance for the festival, where she would have been the Guest of Honour.
... Read more ›8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
It's hard to pigeonhole Iain Banks. As a writer he's traversed the entire literary landscape of Scotland in every medium from science fiction through thrillers, warped social satire, and even the literary equivalent of the road movie, if you count "Raw Spirit". "Whit" has a little bit of all of the above. Its leading character is also unlike almost all other Banksian narrators: the teenage Isis Whit, brought up in a remote commune by an other-worldly religious cult, is a far cry from the cynical, dysfunctional individuals who are Banks's stock in trade. In fact she's more like a modern-day Alice exploring a Wonderland of modern technology, habitual dishonesty, sexual weirdness, and unconventional spirituality. Her breathless naivety as we follow her travels through her own wide eyes paints a remarkable picture of life in modern Britain, and colours a mystery as gripping as that of "The Crow Road" and just as enchanting. Of course, by the book's end, Isis has had to come to terms with the realisation that all is not necessarily as it seems in Paradise; she leaves us older and wiser, but not, we hope, disillusioned.
For me this is easily one of Banks' best books. It's the only one of his that you might seriously contemplate lending to your grandmother and is much more accessible to the Banks newcomer than much of his work. The mystery element which pervades the story is fascinating, making this an un-put-downable read. And there are enough searching questions about life, God and the world we live in to make this much more than just another mystery story. The quirks of Banks' writing style and the weirdness of his characters come across in the most engaging way. 450 pages will pass like they're 100.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By degs
Format:Hardcover
Banks does an excellent job here of turning what is in essence a simple story into a fascinating and enjoyable journey. Isis is supremely-well depicted, the events richly and vividly portrayed, and some of the characteristics of those involved so believeable that you could not help but feel real empathy (or disdain, depending on who it was) for the main players.
But it is at the higher levels where you find the true value of this book, because it forces open even closed minds on the trickiest of subjects, introducing it as it does in a dismarming, balanced, entertaining and unprejudiced way, lightly tugging at one's conscience and provoking a very considered personal response.
Cleverly done, as one would perhaps expect, but nonetheless both entertaining and rewarding throughout, and well worth the read.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
Isis is the central figure in a small, Amish-like family cult in a remote part of Scotland.
She is sent out on a quest into the wider world to find a cousin who has disappeared, and begins a voyage of discovery about herself, the cult and its various members. Her most significant revelations, however, occur after she returns home.
This story is quirky and amusing with delightfully empathetic characters, and a lightness of touch in the writing. It's not a simple or facile tale though and it'll keep you thinking long after you finish it.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By A. Pick
Format:Paperback
Yes I liked this..... a novice IB reader and only the 3rd of his books I have read.... As any IB reader will have found they are all so different and I think that's what makes them so readable. I wont give the plot away as some reviewers do but will make this short and sweet! I enjoyed the naive but strong main character ,loved the language and her Quaint ways and words...... I actually didn't want to put the book down which is unusual for me...so yes give it a go!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
An absolute Must Read
I have never read one of Mr Banks books before but I will certainly be reading him in the future. The Whit was a somewhat disturbing book in an interesting (exciting) way. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Lynn Thompson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read
Re-read recently - i had forgotten the joy of the book. You absolutely adore the main character - her innocence and naivety are uplifting in a cynical world
Published 2 months ago by Karyn Hood
4.0 out of 5 stars
Whitty
Excellent read and one of his best. I can't get into his sci-fi but love his novels most of which I've now read - so more please.
Published 3 months ago by David Back
3.0 out of 5 stars
Lovely book. But why no text-to-speech?
I have just bought about *ten* Iain Banks books in Kindle version (which I read on paper years ago), and I was just about to buy a Kindle Fire HD so I could use text-to-speech to... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Eolake
2.0 out of 5 stars
Bring Back Rebus
Quite understandably, authors must get bored with the same "hero", but why don't they invent new characters but still keep within the same genre. Read more
Published 11 months ago by mphd
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lough-out-loud and witty - brilliant!
I came across this Banks novel by chance (for the Kindle), and enjoyed every page of it. Very funny, sarcastic but not mean. Read more
Published on 3 Mar 2011 by travelling reader
5.0 out of 5 stars
All hail, Blessed Isis
One of the funniest books I've ever read. As well as a great plot, intrigue and a suprise ending.
Published on 18 Oct 2010 by Ms. S. Helme
4.0 out of 5 stars
An under-rated entry in Banks' canon?
When I first read this, around 14 years ago, I really enjoyed it and remember feeling it was perhaps a bit under-rated in comparison with other books in Banks' canon. Read more
Published on 3 Mar 2010 by A. Brown
3.0 out of 5 stars
This is not a "funny" book
It may have some black humour and biting sarcasm but this novel won't make you smile much. I love Iain Banks' SF works (and most of them are pretty dour too), but having read "The... Read more
Published on 15 Sep 2009 by A. L. Taylor
5.0 out of 5 stars
My favourite Iain Banks novel
Its rare to find a main character in a novel which you dont just watch as things develop for them. In Whit I found myself feeling sorry for her and amazed at her thought process. Read more
Published on 17 Jun 2009 by Philo Eastwood
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