A review by jamesmalik
The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks

dark funny reflective tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

 This was disturbing, such a standout amongst stuff I usually read. The circumstances put upon the main character are horrible and the rationale in justifying their actions are naive but understandable but at the same also not. It's understandable to a point. Also, this is honestly quite a funny book, It has a great sense of irony that every chapter felt like there was a setup and a punchline. What I said about how pitiful our main character is because of their unfortunate circumstances and the bonkers justification for the actions they do throughout the book(which is sick, I don't think this book is for everyone), It could also be read as some incel 4chan green-text manifesto, which usually has an ironic punchline to their skewed "mission plan" as well.

But if it was just all that, I don't think I would like it as much, I think there's a sincerity to the tragedy, you feel sympathy for frank. Frank is confused and aimless and purposeless. I got shivers from the ending because I felt for frank, regaining some sense of self-actualization. 

there's this louis ck joke that suddenly came to mind while writing this review where he's happy for trans people cuz they realize what's going on with them, and they get to fix it and how that's such an amazing gift. "To know what the fuck is wrong with you". I don't mean to construe frank finding out that they are actually a woman as someone trans finding out their true identity. But I think it's funny that throughout the book frank is enacting all this animal killing ritual, and killing his/her siblings and playing pretend soldier but underlying all that is just frustration at the fact that he/she feels half of an actual person only to figure out that it's just cuz his/her dad is just daft and weird.


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