Not my favourite Banks book, but still a pretty good read. Concerning life in a castle in the middle of a war torn country, it all gets a bit messy. Very imaginative and, as you might expect from this author, brilliantly written.

On it's way to cnfotp in return for her very generous RABCK of some baby books for the MustardSeeds.

Oh wow! I'd totally forgotton about this one so this was such a lovely surprise when I opened the post this morning!

Thanks MrMustard for sending this to me, Banks is one of my favourite authors and I've not read this one yet.

Btw - I meant to say, I love the MustardSeeds screen name :)

I have finally finished this book! It took me a while and I dropped it for a while when a tidal wave of bookrings pushed their way through my letterbox. This is probably my least favourite Banks book, I found it difficult to follow and the characters impossible to make a connection with. Some of his language is beautiful and the use of 2nd person narrative is intriguing. I did like the slow release of facts and the inevitiability of events. The end is pretty grusome.

This book is now reserved for solielle as part of the Well Travelled Wild Release Challenge. To be passed on as soon as I have some pennies :)

Thank you for sending this Mr Mustard :) I think I only have Espedair Street and Canal Dreams left to read now so Mr Banks better start writing again soon :)