A review by loveallthis
Stonemouth by Iain Banks

4.0

A classic Iain Banks fiction book (as opposed to an Iain M. Banks bit of sci-fi, which I also love but sadly didn't read any of this year), Stonemouth is - of course - about a fairly successful, attractive young man going back to his hometown in rural Scotland after a period away, who once he arrives must confront unpleasant realities and/or old enemies. I've read about a half-dozen of these, and while repetitive, this one was still quite a fun read. It had gangsters, after all, and it was quite a bit sexier than other entries in this bit of Banks's oeuvre.

Very sadly, Iain Banks died in 2013, and Stonemouth is the second-to-last fiction book we'll get from him. (The Quarry has just gone on my reading list.)

Four stars: lost one for originality, but mostly made up for it in heart. RIP, Mr. Banks. We'll miss you.