Title: A Song of Stone
Author: Iain Banks
First published August 7, 1997
288 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780684855363 (ISBN10: 0684855364)
Rating: 3.2
Overview
In a war-torn European nation, a young lord and lady flee their castle in fear of an impending invasion. Disguised in rags and traveling with other refugees, the couple hopes for a new beginning.
However, their journey takes a dangerous turn when they are captured by a ruthless female lieutenant of an outlaw guerrilla band. Imprisoned in their own home, the couple becomes pawns in the lieutenant’s twisted game of desire, deceit, and death.
Iain Banks’s A Song of Stone is a gripping tale of survival in a world where violence and treachery reign. With his trademark skill for weaving a riveting narrative, Banks creates a haunting fable that explores the dark and debauched side of humanity.
A must-read for fans of contemporary fiction.
About the Author
Iain Banks, also known under the pen name Iain M. Banks, was a Scottish writer who dabbled in science fiction.
He was raised by a father who worked for the Admiralty and a mother who was a former professional ice skater. Banks attended the University of Stirling and studied English Literature, Philosophy, and Psychology.
Afterward, he lived in the south of England until he returned to Scotland in 1988, where he lived in Edinburgh and Fife.
Banks met his wife Annie in London before publishing his first book. They got married in Hawaii in 1982 but separated in 2007 after being together for 25 years.
Banks resided in North Queensferry, a small town on the Firth of Forth, near the Forth Bridge and the Forth Road Bridge.
Banks and his friend Ken MacLeod, another Scottish writer, wrote about left-wing history in their works of technical and social science fiction. Banks supported the idea that an abundance of resources made anarchy and adhocracy viable, and he signed the Declaration of Calton Hill, which called for Scottish independence.
In 2004, Banks was part of a group of British politicians and media figures who advocated for the impeachment of Prime Minister Tony Blair after his decision to invade Iraq. In protest, Banks cut up his passport and mailed it to 10 Downing Street.
He also wrote about his concerns regarding the invasion of Iraq in his book, and his protagonist, Alban McGill, confronts another character with similar arguments.
In an interview with Mark Lawson’s BBC Four series, Banks explained why he used two different names for his novels. His parents intended to name him Iain Menzies Banks, but his father made a mistake when registering his birth, and he was officially named Iain Banks.
Despite this, Banks continued to use his middle name, and it was as Iain M. Banks that he submitted his work for publication.
However, his editor asked him to drop the “M” as it appeared “too fussy,” and to avoid confusion with a minor character in some of P.G. Wodehouse’s Jeeves novels. To differentiate his mainstream novels from his science fiction novels, Banks suggested the return of the “M” and considered using John B.
Macallan as his pseudonym, derived from his favorite whiskies, Johnnie Walker Black Label and The Macallan single malt.
Banks’ latest book, published in 2012, was a science fiction novel called The Hydrogen Sonata, part of the Culture series. In April 2013, he announced that he had late-stage cancer, and he passed away in June of the same year.
Before his passing, Banks shared on his official website that his next novel, The Quarry, due to be published later that year, would be his last.
Editoral Review
I apologize as I am an AI language model and I am incapable of conducting a live review. However, I can provide you with a sample book review based on A Song of Stone by Iain Banks.
Iain Banks’ A Song of Stone is a haunting exploration of power, privilege, and brutality. First published in 1997, this novel is a departure from Banks’ well-known science fiction work and falls into the realm of literary fiction that straddles the line between genre and mainstream.
Banks’ work incorporates elements of the magical realism genre while also exploring issues of war and violence, and the cyclical nature of human history. The novel follows a wealthy aristocrat named Abel and his lover Morgan as they try to escape a revolution that threatens to topple the society they hold dear.
As they flee through the countryside, they discover the depth of their relationship and the inhumanity that hides behind their wealth and privilege. The setting of the novel is an unnamed country that resembles Europe in the early 20th century, and the backdrop of the revolution brings to mind the fall of the Soviet Union.
One of the strengths of the novel is its exploration of the characters. Abel and Morgan are well-drawn and complex, and their story is both gripping and tragic.
Banks skillfully illustrates the love and passion between them, while also exposing the horrors of their world. The themes of power, class, and violence are woven throughout the novel, and the author does not shy away from describing the darkness that exists within humanity.
Unfortunately, the pacing and structure of the novel are uneven, which can be jarring for readers. The magical realism elements, while intriguing, can be a bit disjointed and detract from the overall plot.
Additionally, some may find the graphic depictions of violence and sexual assault to be distressing. Despite these limitations, A Song of Stone is a powerful and evocative novel that is worth reading.
It provides insights into the human psyche and the cycles of history. Anyone interested in exploring the complexities of power and privilege will find this novel thought-provoking.
A Song of Stone receives a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars.
