The Crow Road [Paperback]

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.

This was the first novel I'd read by Iain Banks, so I didn't know what to expect. His descriptive powers are truly first-rate, however, and he has a remarkable gift of being able to capture the mood of an environment with only a few well-chosen words. The locations were described magnificently, and he managed to make you feel as though you were really there. As a reader, I truly fell for Prentice's sort-of dopey bad luck. He was a wonderful and endearing choice for a main character, and he was defined incredibly well.

I have only two (very slight) criticisms of this novel. First, I found the ending to be rather anti-climactic. Perhaps the romantic side of me was hoping it would end differently; I felt that it was kind-of ho-hum. Second, I found the book difficult to follow at times. Certain passages were described very cryptically, and once or twice I had to give up in trying to figure out what was being explained. For the first half of the book, the chronology jumped around quite a lot, and I feel that Banks managed this more adeptly at some times than at others.

All in all, I was quite pleased by this novel. It was definitely one which was tough to put down (which could explain why I'm so sleepy lately!) and I'm sorry to see it end.