"The steep approach to Garbadale", Iain Banks, Abacus

Another of Iain Bank's social novels. For this reader it was a welcome return to form after some disappointing works.

Perhaps not quite up to the standard of "The Crow Road" and Complicity, but his best for quite some time.

Banks's novels are frequently complex. This novel is less so than some. But the joy of his novels isn't the complexity so much as the richness of the descriptions. The understanding of his characters. The ability to provide depth to those characters. The ability to make the reader in some way empathize with them. Although not every character achieves that end. Banks has successfully implemented what might be described as an ensemble novel. It is a knack that many other authors might benefit from studying and attempt to apply.

I'm not sure whether I think the "escape from the rat race" experience of the main character is completely realistic. It seems too extreme, but maybe if you are really successful, when you want to get away from it all, you'll really get away from it all.

The final twist surprised me. Not the identity, but the reaction of the man when identified.

In many ways, this book is of its time. The morals described and how they have changed, and sometimes haven't, over time will date it. But that is a problem for the future, not for now.

As with the escape from the rat race, some of the decisions seem extreme. However, how many times have you seen or read about the actions of various people or groups of people that defy rational behaviour.

I enjoyed this book and thoroughly recommend it to others.