I’ve been a fan of Iain Banks (that’s general fiction Iain Banks, not his cooler, more popular sci-fi twin Iain M Banks) for a few years now. I’ve read what are widely considered to be his most acclaimed novels (The Wasp Factory, The Crow Road) and his deeper cuts (Whit, A Song of Stone). I would consider myself someone who enjoys his specific style of knotty family drama, subversive themes and idealistic young protagonists, framed within locations which exude a sense of place. Iain Banks’ worlds feel lived in, and being familiar with many of his favourite locations has allowed me to feel incredibly immersed when reading his works.
I recently finished Complicity and can't stop thinking about it. Complicity has burrowed its way into my psyche. Things in my everyday life remind me of it, I’ve even dreamt about its more graphic scenes. I’ve really been thinking about what I believe are the themes and message of the novel, the idea that we are all complicit in the evils of our society, that we shape the world around us whether we like it or not. I’ve been thinking about the protagonist Cameron’s arc, and what the change of perspective and person represents in the final chapter. The implications are chilling.
This novel is pure Banks, distilled to its very core. It works with a lot of the themes and tropes Iain liked to regularly employ. There are long diatribes about the distillery process for Whisky, even longer musings on computer hardware. Iain must have been listening to Pixies as the was writing this novel, because Trompe le Monde receives multiple mentions. Iain was an angry leftist, furious at the neoliberals which had taken control of the United Kingdom throughout the late 20th Century and who still pull the levers now, as I write this.
I’m starting to think Complicity might be Banks’ best novel. It’s almost certainly his bleakest. In the page of press quotes before the book starts, Iain wryly states in the final line that this is “like The Wasp Factory, except without the happy ending and redeeming air of cheerfulness.” He was right. I’ve been deliberately vague regarding specific plot details here, as I think this is a novel best experienced with minimal prior knowledge.
If you’re new to Iain Banks, read it. If you’ve enjoyed his more acclaimed novels, read it. If you enjoy the Culture series, read it and I promise to finally read Consider Phlebas in return.
by StupidDream3