47 pages • 1 hour read
184
Novel • Fiction
Scottish Island • 1980s
1984
Adult
18+ years
The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks is a family drama and horror novel about Frank Cauldhame, a teenager living on a small Scottish island with his eccentric father. Frank believes he is the island's guardian, performing strange rituals and using a macabre device called The Wasp Factory to seek answers. As the story unfolds, Frank deals with his troubled brother Eric's escape from a psychiatric hospital and uncovers shocking truths about his own identity. The book includes graphic depictions of violence against animals, exploitative depictions of mental illness, and forced gender reassignment.
Dark
Unnerving
Mysterious
Gritty
Contemplative
106,609 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks delivers a dark and disturbing narrative that captivates with its originality and intense atmosphere. Reviewers praise its compelling prose and thought-provoking themes but caution about graphic content and controversial subject matter. Its unsettling nature may not suit all readers, yet it undeniably leaves a lasting impression.
Readers who enjoy dark, psychological thrillers with complex characters and twisted plots will be captivated by Iain Banks's The Wasp Factory. Fans of works like William Golding's Lord of the Flies and Chuck Palahniuk's Fight Club will appreciate its disturbing yet compelling narrative and examination of human nature.
106,609 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
184
Novel • Fiction
Scottish Island • 1980s
1984
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.