The Crow Road
'One of the best opening lines of any novel' Guardian
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Little, Brown Book Group
Published:2nd Nov '17
Should be back in stock very soon
In this masterful novel, Prentice McHoan returns to his intricate Scottish family, grappling with themes of death, identity, and the past while navigating life's complexities amid a backdrop of personal reflection.
In The Crow Road, Iain Banks presents a compelling narrative that begins with one of the most memorable opening lines in literature: “It was the day my grandmother exploded.” This striking introduction sets the tone for a story that intertwines themes of family, loss, and existential contemplation. The protagonist, Prentice McHoan, returns to his family's home in Gallanach, a place steeped in memories and complex relationships. As he navigates the intricacies of his family's past, he grapples with profound questions about life, death, and the choices that shape our existence.
The novel unfolds against the backdrop of Prentice's reflections on his family's history, revealing the secrets and struggles that have defined the McHoans. Prentice's journey is not just a physical return to his roots but also an exploration of his own identity and the forces that have influenced him. His preoccupations with death, sex, alcohol, and spirituality highlight the universal search for meaning amidst the chaos of life. Banks skillfully weaves humor and poignancy throughout the narrative, creating a rich tapestry of experiences that resonate with readers.
Critics have praised Banks for his imaginative storytelling and exceptional prose. His ability to blend the surreal with the deeply personal has earned him a place among the most significant authors of his generation. The Crow Road stands out as a testament to his talent, inviting readers to engage with its themes and characters on a profound level, making it a memorable and thought-provoking read.
His masterpiece... it's got a beating heart, and you want to keep reading * Daily Express *
One of the best opening lines of any novel... a warm, witty and ultimately very poignant book * Guardian *
Menacing, dark and very funny * Telegraph *
Banks keeps death in its place, under the boot of wit which knows that the most significant romance can blossom whilst your youngest brother is up to the elbow in Sugar Smacks looking for the plastic toy * Observer *
What makes Banks a significant novelist is the love and effort that go into his works, and his acute sense of the ways in which people can suffer... this is Banks's finest novel * Independent on Sunday *
Riveting... exhilarating... its pace, development, intensity and, above all, its hip and sexy humour never allow it to flag. Banks reinforces his credentials as one of the most able, energetic and stimulating writers in the UK * Time Out *
The tense horror of the book...is done with considerable imaginative subtlety and a fine touch....This is as fine and ambitious a novel as any from a Scottish writer since the 1960s. It is also unquestionable Bank's best work to date * New Statesman *
Banks has woven a warm and funny story, rich with characters and adventures. An utterly enchanting piece of fiction... it marks a return to his brilliant best * New Woman *
Tight with detail and closer observation and creates a strong sense of a particular period of growing up * Independent *
Magnificent... a poignant, very funny study of life growing up in Bank's native Scotland. At times as wonderfully light and colourful as its setting the west coast of Scotland and as darkly comic as The Wasp Factory * For Him *
This substantial novel indicates a restless author very firmly in the driver's seat, back on what appears to be a Scottish route with intriguing potential destinations * Scotsman *
Prentice is a most engaging narrator, self-deprecating, funny and hopelessly self-deceiving * Daily Telegraph *
ISBN: 9780349142838
Dimensions: 197mm x 129mm x 32mm
Weight: 398g
512 pages