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Walking on Glass by: Iain Banks

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Rating: - Treading on Thin Ice

It's a shame that this book - Banks's second published book, dating from 1985, and one of his very best - is so under-reviewed when there are pages and pages of meditations on dross like "Complicity" and "Whit" on this site.

"Walking on Glass" is..., an utterly mesmerising and mysterious book, which should take you at least two goes to work out exactly what is going on between the three settings. Even then there will be more questions than answers. But this, gentle reader, is what literature is about - a book should not be a monologue, where the authors spoons everything to you and leaves you wanting nothing more at the end, it should be a dialogue where the reader takes part by asking questions and giving thought - it's the least you can do to reward Banks's efforts in this complex and original novel.

Even without the metaphysical concerns, this is a great read: from the effortless waspish wit of Park's friend Richard, through the brilliance of Grout's paranoid conversations with various officials, to Quiss's impossible riddles and mysterious allegories. The book also provides, at no extra cost, the solution to the question "What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?"

It's a downright shame that the author doesn't bother any more to write interesting, difficult books like this. To compare "Walking on Glass" or "The Bridge" to the later drivel like "The Crow Road" and "The Business" is a lesson in Banks's Law: The law of diminishing returns.

Rating: - One of the finest books ever written

One of the finest books ever written has been produced by one of Britain's finest authors. Iain Banks, following the massively popular Wasp Factory, has brought the world Walking On Glass - a modern masterpiece.

The 3 intertwining stories are each sublime in their own subtle way, and it seems impossible that these 3 completely different character's paths could ever intertwine.

This book will make you laugh, cry, and go out and buy another Iain Banks book.

One of the finest books I have ever read, and am likely to read. His finest work of fiction yet, containing elements of his sci-fi work (as Iain M Banks), that blow the mind. Read it.

Rating: - 3.5 Stars Not convoluted or complicated just obscure.

I have to admit right up front that I have absolutely no idea what 'Walking on Glass' is about! I suspect it is the kind of novel that has to be read at least twice, paying a great deal of attention each time, before it can be deciphered. It's not actually a convoluted or complicated story, just obscure. Three seemingly unrelated stories are alternated until towards the end of the novel when they come together. The first story is centered on Graham Park who is infatuated with Sara ffitch (and no, that's not a typo), a woman who has a secret - one that the reader, and Graham, doesn't learn of until their final scene together. The second story revolves around Steven Grout, a bizarre, paranoid, deeply disturbed man who thinks he is from another time and place. The final thread of the novel takes place in what is apparently the implausibly distant future: Quiss and Ajayi must complete complicated puzzles to win a chance to solve a riddle to earn their freedom...

The threads come together in the end in a manner that left me guessing as to what the hell was going on and what I hadn't quite understood. I suspect there are a number of literary references that I didn't pick up which may have helped. Banks rights in a very engaging style that, despite the contortions of the story, is easy to read and hard to put down. This is his second non Science Fiction novel, after the much more decipherable 'The Wasp Factory'. The far future scenes, with their SF settings and conventions, are obviously where Banks feels most comfortable.

See also my review of Banks' 'Consider Phlebas'.

Rating: - Can someone please explain?

Two out of 3 of these stories are brilliant - with the usual Banks twist in the tale (and ouch, did it twist!). But sorry to be a dummy, I really couldn't figure out the 3rd weird sci-fi on. I tried - honest! Answers on a postcard please!

Rating: - This book is a must-read...

After recuperating from 'The Wasp Factory', I could do nothing but dive into Banks' second novel, hoping there would be more of the same... And there was, I must admit, even more than in WF. After finishing part one of 'Walking on Glass', the three stories runnning alongside each other seem impossible to fit into one book. However, as the novel progresses clues appear, slowly tying the three stories together, and then culminating in a devastating finale. Banks blows you off your feet after lulling you into what you considered to be a reasonable explanation for all that takes place. Things are certainly not what they appear to be, which makes the reading experience more than interesting. Please buy and read this book, I cannot think of any reason why you shouldn't. The book deserves to be read! As a student of English literature, I am thrilled about Banks' work.

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