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The Crow Road (Paperback)

by Iain Banks (Author) "It was the day my grandmother exploded ..." (more)

4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (51 customer reviews)

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Product details

Paperback: 512 pages
Publisher: Abacus; New edition edition (22 April 1993)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0349103232
ISBN-13: 978-0349103235
Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 12.6 x 3.6 cm

Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (51 customer reviews)

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 3,270 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
Popular in these categories:
#3 in Books > Fiction > Authors, A-Z > B > Banks, Iain
#7 in Books > Fiction > World > Scottish

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Product Description

Review

'Riveting.exhilarating.its pace, development, intensity and, above all, its hip and sexy humour never allow it to flag. With The Crow Road, Banks reinforces his credentials as one of the most able, energetic and stimulating writers we have in the UK' - Time Out 'Beginning with a bang and ending with an exclamation mark... the enfant explosif of the Brit pack' - Scotland on Sunday

Product Description

From its bravura opening onwards, THE CROW ROAD is justly regarded as an outstanding contemporary novel. 'It was the day my grandmother exploded. I sat in the crematorium, listening to my Uncle Hamish quietly snoring in harmony to Bach's Mass in B Minor, and I reflected that it always seemed to be death that drew me back to Gallanach.' Prentice McHoan has returned to the bosom of his complex but enduring Scottish family. Full of questions about the McHoan past, present and future, he is also deeply preoccupied: mainly with death, sex, drink, God and illegal substances.

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Inside This Book (Learn More)

First Sentence
It was the day my grandmother exploded. Read the first page

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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover

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	84% buy the item featured on this page: The Crow Road 4.4 out of 5 stars (51) �4.87
	8% buy The Wasp Factory 4.2 out of 5 stars (106) �4.98
	3% buy Complicity (Abacus Paperback) 4.3 out of 5 stars (45) �5.49
	2% buy Transition 3.9 out of 5 stars (21) �9.49

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Customer Reviews

51 Reviews

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

Average Customer Review

4.4 out of 5 stars (51 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnum Opus, 29 Aug 2006

By	Cheeky Monkey (NW England) - See all my reviews

Not just Iain Banks' biggest book, but his best in my opinion. This sprawling tale of dark family secrets and unrequited love is a modern classic and highlights Banks' talent for characterisation and believable cringeworthy situations. His heroes are never without their flaws and never lose their ability to strike a chord with the reader and such is the case with the sardonic, smart alec Prentice.

Iain Banks books are always easy to read but this one requires a tad more discipline than his others as it's not always immediately obvious which of the many characters is narrating each chapter. However, the book flows beautifully and builds to a magnificent and unexpected climax.

A great read for confirmed Banks fans and the unitiated alike who wish to indulge themselves in a great read. Hats off, Mr Banks.

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17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the greatest British novels of the 1990s, 18 Sep 2000

By	Al Kitching (Cambridge, UK) - See all my reviews

Banks is a pretty honest fellow. As a writer he doesn't consciously set out to make his heros and heroines 'good', infact he certainly packs them with faults and foibles. A bit like real people in fact. Prentice is the same, and he's all the more enjoyable to listen to for it. "The Crow Road" is supremely enjoyable and, as has been said already, works in every way, delivering what you want out of it. When I first read it it spoke to me about the confusions of leaving your teenage years behind and the need to mature. Now, it's a rattling good murder mystery with some rather scathing politico dialogue thrown in. But there's more in the mix and you'd have to find it out for yourself.

When Banks signed my battered old copy a couple of years back he smiled at the state of the cracked and dog-eared and well-thumbed book, then he wrote "Ha!" on the last page which, if you've read it, you'll understand.

Love it.

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14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If You Want A Book To Make You Smile..., 10 Feb 2006

By	Craobh Rua "Craobh Rua" (N. Ireland) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

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. At the time, I was only vaguely aware of Banks - however, having stumbled across and enjoyed the BBC's adaptation, I was determined to pick the book up as well. I'm glad I did - as much as I can remember enjoying the show, I think I enjoyed the book more.

The Crow Road's central character is a young Scot called Prentice McHoan. A Star Wars fan as a boy, he's given up his attempts to master the force and now studies history at university in Glasgow. It would be fair to say, however, that he has more interest in alcohol, drugs and sex in general and the beautiful Verity Walker in particular. Prentice's key relationship, however, is probably the one he has (or, more accurately, doesn't have) with his father, Kenneth. Rather than Glasgow, most of the story takes place in and around his home village of Gallanach - visits home are fairly regular for various parties and funerals. Most of the supporting cast is made up of his own family, the Urvills and the Watts (friends to the McHoans over several generations). Fergus Urvill is not only Kenneth's brother-in-law, but also a lifelong friend. (Very good friends, in fact, based on the amount of abuse they give each other). As boys, Kenneth and Fergus were also friendly with Lachy Watt, an uncle of some Prentice's best friends : Ashley, Dean and Darren.

Due to a falling out with Kenneth, Prentice usually stays with his Uncle Hamish when he comes back to Gallanach - the rift between Kenneth and Prentice being caused by a difference of opinion over religion. However, not only is Uncle Hamish certain there is a God, he's also invented his own faith. Another uncle, Rory, an author and television presenter, hasn't been seen in 8 years - some believe him to be dead. Prentice, meanwhile, has a suspicion he's still alive while Kenneth seems strangely sure of it. The curiosity about where he is and what has happened to him simmers in the background until Prentice tries to find out what really happened to him.

The sections of the book that focus on Prentice are told from his point of view ("when I started to understand the lyrics of a Cocteau Twins song, I knew I was wrecked"). The remainder is told in 'flashback', about various different family members, and is written about them ("It was the last time Kenneth ever saw Rory"). I found it a little strange to begin with, but - once used to it - I found it really added to the enjoyment of the book. I'd look on it as less of a story, and more of a book about a group of people that strange and / or funny things happen to. That may sound a little strange, but it's a hugely enjoyable book and one that I would highly recommend.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Enter the world of Prentice McHoan
This is only the second Iain Banks novel that I have read, the first being The Wasp Factory. Consequently, I really wasn't sure what to expect - would this be similarly dark and... Read more

Published 4 months ago by Victoriana_Mad

5.0 out of 5 stars McHOAN RANGER
Taking the Crow Road is a vivid and startling Scottish expression meaning dying. How the expression originated I have never known, but I used to know the literal Crow Road very... Read more

Published 8 months ago by DAVID BRYSON

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly touching and enjoyable
It took me a while to get into this book. It was one of those I started and stopped so it took a bit to get going. Read more

Published 11 months ago by Book Worm

3.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining anecdotes, but overly long for the content
This book details the relationships and interactions of a family living in a remoter area of Argyll, Scotland. Read more

Published 13 months ago by John M

5.0 out of 5 stars Proves Banksy Is The Best
If haven't read it... then go read it!
Nothing much to say apart from the fact that it's perfection. Read more

Published on 9 Nov 2007 by Tessa Bampton

3.0 out of 5 stars An easy read
Complicity was an excellent book, The Business - a holiday novel. This one falls somewhere inbetween. Read more

Published on 19 Oct 2007 by A. D. T. Hawke

4.0 out of 5 stars Well worth a read!
I read this after reading Iain's latest novel 'The Steep Approach to Garbadale' and I have to say that the two bear a number of similarities. Read more

Published on 5 April 2007 by John in Cornwall

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic and highly enjoyable
I am not spoiling you anything on this book with my review; it would be a crime; that good I found it. Read more

Published on 28 Feb 2007 by Diego De La Rica

5.0 out of 5 stars Iain Banks at his best
"It was the day my grandmother exploded." These are the opening words of `The Crow Road' the title of which could be a metaphor for death? Read more

Published on 3 Dec 2006 by Peter Linfield

5.0 out of 5 stars A great yarn
What do you want out of fiction? If its simply a fantastic story, intricate and absorbing - buy this book. Read more

Published on 13 Aug 2006 by J. Cooke

› See all 51 customer reviews...

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