A review by kiwiflora
The Steep Approach to Garbadale by Iain Banks

4.0

First Iain Banks novel I have read. I can't even remember why I bought this so very long ago, but time to give it a whirl. I really really liked it. Apparently, according to GoodReads reviewers, it is far from his best, so maybe I will read one of the ones considered his 'best'. The estate of Garbadale is the family seat of the Wopould family in the north of Scotland. The family made its huge pile of money from board games, and is now into 4th generation family ownership and management. Fractures have started to appear, with some years prior a shareholding taken by an American company, now angling for a greater shareholding. There is considerable conflict amongst all the dozens of shareholders through the generations as to what to do. Meanwhile, Alban Wopould, of the youngest generation, has struggled with the legacy of belonging to and working for the family. He is a top bloke young Alby - intelligent, hard working, a good mate, but has always been haunted by his mother's suicide when he was a child. In addition he has had the most insane crush on his slightly younger cousin Sophie since they were in their early teens. Being cousins of course, it is hardly surprising that things are not allowed to progress anywhere. But this just does not seem to help Alby move on in his love life even though he has an on-off but seemingly envious relationship with the beautiful mathematician Verushka.

All this has put Alby on a path of random directions, few odd corners and no set destination in place. Until the possibility that the ownership of the family goldmine may be lost to the Americans. Alby finds that hidden grit and decides to make things happen. And that Sophie just will not go away, and hopefully Verushka comes back.

This is easy to read, with characters you come to like, even become quite fond of in an 'aww' sort of way. It won't blow your socks off and make you go wow, but certainly enjoyable.