This was Iain Banks' first work, and is a notably slimmer work than any else I've read from this phenominally productive writer (he's published one novel every year since this one came out in '84). It's about a twisted young teenage murderer, and the life and times of his family.
The depravaty of the story make Banks' imagination look a few shades sicker than that of supposed horror writers. The scariest thing for me was the number of habits and tastes that I shared with the main character (or did share, as a teenager). It's an incredibly true-feeling story, and is a page-turning book.
The ending is impossible to escape; you can't put the book down while this one's winding up. I was absolutely glued to this book for its final chapter, and was honestly amazed by its ending.
rand()m quote
You have to choose between trusting to the natural stability of gold and the natural stability of the honesty and intelligence of the members of the Government. And, with due respect for these gentlemen, I advise you, as long as the Capitalist system lasts, to vote for gold.
—George Bernard Shaw