A review by darasjosten
The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks

mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.0

i was recommended this book so i tried really hard to like it but holy fuck there was so many things i hated. 
the most interesting part was eric’s backstory and the lead up to why he was institutionalised. everything else was just frank being misogynistic, killing family members or animals, and scratching his crotch. the writing was repetitive and boring and not at all moving the plot along, i didn’t even know where the plot was supposed to be going. 
the absolute worst part of this book was the last chapter.

out of fucking nowhere in comes wild transphobia. frank is revealed to be afab, and just fucking accepts it. no where in the story does it hint at frank ever questioning his gender. he’s mad at the fact he’s essentially castrated and he uses that to justify the murders.

i’m a fan of horror usually but this book just feels like it was excessive with the killings for shock factor. the last chapter feels like shock factor. frank’s entire lead up to the last chapter is essentially erased with the last line where he says

”eric will wake up with a sister”

i’m just really disappointed in it