Rating: 
Summary: A sleeper...but a marvelous novel all the same
Review: "The Crow Road (CR)" is an atypical Iain Banks novel (I am told) but that's where I chose to wet my feet. None of that sci-fi or futuristic stuff for me. It's a big book but don't be intimated by it. Sure, Banks takes his time setting the scene and you may get a little impatient or lost making out who's who and getting the chronology of events into perspective - Banks does get carried away toggling between past and present in the first third of the novel - but persevere 'cos when the story finally gets going and builds into a dramatic climax, it becomes a real page turner and by then, you're hooked and can't wait to find out how it'll end. The McHoans and the Urvills are an extended Scottish family. They are highly eccentric and of all persuasions - atheists, religious, environmentalists, etc. You name them, you'll find them. Throw them together and you have an explosive cocktail of types. Banks also introduces the perenniel class divide, with the working class Watts on one side and the moneyed Urvills on the other. How their paths cross is the one surprise element that will propel the story towards its own dramatic conclusion. Meanwhile, poor, confused young Prentice, the novel's protagonist, isn't coping too well with his love life. He falls in lust with the lovely Verity when his heart belongs to another. As soon as Prentice cottons on to the sinister happenings within his family - a mysterious disappearance, untimely deaths, etc - the tempo of CR changes, the narrative acquires more focus - no more going backwards and forwards in time - and we're onto a thriller that builds relentless into a climax. CR is a sleeper. A little too loose and sprawling perhaps at the beginning, but is quickly transformed into a heady thriller with a heart when Banks starts to focus and everything else falls into place. A marvelous novel, I enjoyed it very much.
Rating:
Summary: A shame, really..
Review: ..that this fantastic book is out of print! I managed to pick up a copy at a Borders book shop in San Diego during a recent trip out west. My original intent was to pick up a copy of The Wasp Factory (5 stars as well) for my brother-in-law, so I grabbed that and The Crow Road. It's cliche, but it's also the truth: I started reading The Crow Road upon departure from California, and did not put it down until I had to get on the Subway in New York. This is a well-paced book, with a wonderful story. Banks' writing is an absolute pleasure to read. If I can find another copy of this book, my brother-in-law's collection will be expanding soon.
Rating: 
Summary: drifting towards mediocrity
Review: After an explosion of great novels (Wasp Factory, Walking on Glass, the Bridge), Banks's non-SF fiction began to fade. First came the self-indulgent prog-rock fantasy Espedair Street, then the silly Canal Dreams. With The Crow Road, Banks really drifts into mediocrity. This is a plodding tale of an annoying family with a dark secret that really is too far-fetched to believe. I've been reading all of Banks's works chronologically, and it seems as though he saves all his best ideas for his SF books, leaving the cutesy drudgery to his mainstream fiction. If you are new to Banks, your best bet is to read his earlier works.
Rating:
Summary: So human, so true...
Review: After reading The Wasp Factory and the Bridge I was hooked on iain banks and wanted to read more. The Crow road was nothing like the novels I had already read but it was sheer delight to read something so charming, human and real. As well crafted as his other novels are (I have consequently read all the non SF novels) they lack the feel of 'the Crow Road' which is on a lot of levels less complicated than his other novels. I received this novel as a Christmas present and so had the pleasure of solid reading time, no interruptions and I can easily say that I did not want it to end. The endearing nature of Prentice (the narrator) was addictive and identifying with his lack of luck added to his character. My one, solitary critiscm of the novel would be the slightly ambiguous start, which to be perfectly honest faded from my memory about a third into the book. However even this is no big fault as it is worth getting past the tedium to reveal a human, novel beautiful and emotional with splashes of colourful humour that makes for a stunning read. I reccomend it.
Rating:
Summary: What's going on ?
Review: At first it is not exactly clear what is going on. But then you continue and the plot starts to resolve. Meanwhile you are getting to know a cast of human and fallible characters. The teenage agonies and embarressments of Prentice are handled well. On second and subsequent readings, not having to concentrate as much on the plot, you can enjoy the prose style. As a further recommendation, the BBC televsion production is very faithful to the book and worth trying to obtain on video.
Rating:
Summary: One of the greatest British novels of the 90s
Review: Banks is a pretty honest fellow. As a writer he doesn't consciously set out to make his heros and heroines 'good', infact he certainly packs them with faults and foibles. A bit like real people in fact. Prentice is the same, and he's all the more enjoyable to listen to for it. "The Crow Road" is supremely enjoyable and, as has been said already, works in every way, delivering what you want out of it. When I first read it it spoke to me about the confusions of leaving your teenage years behind and the need to mature. Now, it's a rattling good murder mystery with some rather scathing politico dialogue thrown in. But there's more in the mix and you'd have to find it out for yourself. When Banks signed my battered old copy a couple of years back he smiled at the state of the cracked and dog-eared and well-thumbed book, then he wrote "Ha!" on the last page which, if you've read it, you'll understand. Love it.
Rating: 
Summary: Endearing and Humerous
Review: I really enjoyed this offering from Iain Banks. The only other book I had read of his was The Wasp Factory and you could not get two more contrasting books if you tried. This impressed me even more that Mr Banks was capable of mastering two such diffeent genres with apparent ease. Where The Wasp Factory was horrifying in places this book was heartwarming. I felt the human relationships between these interwoven Scottish families were so absorbing the characters almost leapt off the page. At first I found the broken narrative a bit hard to follow, I even had to reread the first few chapters to fully clarify exactly who was who. Once done however I had no problems as we jumped generations from one paragraph to the next. The central story of Prentice and his struggles with his father, his religious beliefs, the love of his life and his family history was wonderful. The thing I enjoyed the most about Mr Banks' writing style was the dialogue, it was packed full of witticisms and often hilarious scenes, as well as endearing moments. The plot of the missing Uncle Rory did at times venture more towards Mr Banks' horror style but only as it applies to hidden family secrets and guilt that can manifest itself into horrendous acts against those we love. If you want a story of family, friends, betrayal, passion, love and humanity with just a touch of mystery thrown in, then the Crow Road will deliver every time.
Rating:
Summary: If You Want A Book To Make You Smile...
Review: Iain Banks first novel, The Wasp Factory, was published in 1984. In the years since, he's won critical acclaim, topped best-seller lists and has even written Science Fiction books under the cunning nom-de-plume 'Iain M. Banks'. He's also seen this book, "The Crow Road", adapted for television by the BBC in 1996. At the time, I was only vaguely aware of Banks - however, having stumbled across and enjoyed the BBC's adaptation, I was determined to pick the book up as well. I'm glad I did - as much as I can remember enjoying the show, I think I enjoyed the book more. The Crow Road's central character is a young Scot called Prentice McHoan. A Star Wars fan as a boy, he's given up his attempts to master the force and now studies history at university in Glasgow. It would be fair to say, however, that he has more interest in alcohol, drugs and sex in general and the beautiful Verity Walker in particular. Prentice's key relationship, however, is probably the one he has (or, more accurately, doesn't have) with his father, Kenneth. Rather than Glasgow, most of the story takes place in and around his home village of Gallanach - visits home are fairly regular for various parties and funerals. Most of the supporting cast is made up of his own family, the Urvills and the Watts (friends to the McHoans over several generations). Fergus Urvill is not only Kenneth's brother-in-law, but also a lifelong friend. (Very good friends, in fact, based on the amount of abuse they give each other). As boys, Kenneth and Fergus were also friendly with Lachy Watt, an uncle of some Prentice's best friends : Ashley, Dean and Darren. Due to a falling out with Kenneth, Prentice usually stays with his Uncle Hamish when he comes back to Gallanach - the rift between Kenneth and Prentice being caused by a difference of opinion over religion. However, not only is Uncle Hamish certain there is a God, he's also invented his own faith. Another uncle, Rory, an author and television presenter, hasn't been seen in 8 years - some believe him to be dead. Prentice, meanwhile, has a suspicion he's still alive while Kenneth seems strangely sure of it. The curiosity about where he is and what has happened to him simmers in the background until Prentice tries to find out what really happened to him. The sections of the book that focus on Prentice are told from his point of view ("when I started to understand the lyrics of a Cocteau Twins song, I knew I was wrecked"). The remainder is told in 'flashback', about various different family members, and is written about them ("It was the last time Kenneth ever saw Rory"). I found it a little strange to begin with, but - once used to it - I found it really added to the enjoyment of the book. I'd look on it as less of a story, and more of a book about a group of people that strange and / or funny things happen to. That may sound a little strange, but it's a hugely enjoyable book and one that I would highly recommend.
Rating:
Summary: Richly rewarding reading, insigtful and human.
Review: Ok, I confess, I think Iain Banks is one of the best writers I've read. The Crow Road was read as part of my project to read all of Banks' work and it is great. Great insight into very human characters, this story about an eccentric extended Scottish family leads you through wonderul wit and a fascinating style to a believable murder mystery. But at its heart the book is almost a biography of a young Scot and could equally be called a love story. This is not a book for the moral majority. Banks is adept at twisted plots and this one is no exception. Enjoy! Also highly reccomended by Iain Banks are his first novel the Wasp Factory and his first Science Fiction novel (Iain M. Banks) Consider Phlebas. I've enjoyed all of his writing and have read many twice.
Rating:
Summary: Versitile Banks Takes a Stab at Family Saga
Review: One of Banks' longer works of fiction (as opposed to the science fiction he writes as Iain M. Banks), The Crow Road is an outstanding novel. This time around, we find Banks taking on a family saga. Amazingly Banks is able to pull off such a story. He weaves a complex and intriguing family story and for extra bite, adds a little mystery to keep things interesting. There's something haunting and magical in everything I've read by Banks and The Crow Road is no exception. It's a shame it can't be found in the United States. Hopefully Banks begins to receive the attention he deserves.
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