A novel by Iain Banks An introduction ‘The Wasp Factory’ A novel by Iain Banks An introduction

What we are doing today Gaining an oversight of the novel and beginning to gain an awareness of the main ideas. Starting to look at the first chapter.

Iain Banks Born in 1954 in Dunfermline Originally interested in Sci-Fi, but a lack of interest and success encouraged him to write in realistic modern settings. His first major success came with The Wasp Factory, which was published in 1984. After The Wasp Factory’s he wrote consistently, alternating mainstream writing with science fiction. Banks, as a writer, deals with some very serious issues, although not in an altogether serious mood or style. In his work Banks can darkly cruel and explore violence, yet at the same time employ humour and a relish for the pleasures of life.

‘The Wasp Factory’ This was received with seriously mixed reviews: Perhaps it’s all a joke, meant to fool literary London into respect for rubbish’ The Times His study of an obsessive personality is extraordinary, written with a clarity and attention to detail that is most impressive.’ Daily Telegraph ‘literary equivalent of a video nasty’ Sunday Express ‘It is macabre, bizarre and impossible to put down.’ The Financial Times

Gothic What do you understand by the term Gothic? What are its principle features? Light vs. dark Horrifying events A genre that is characterized by the macabre, mystery and the grotesque. As a genre, Gothic became popular from the late 1700s and was increasingly successful in the Victorian era. Gothic features: Notable works include The Castle of Otranto, The Monk, The Tell-Tale Heart, Frankenstein, Dracula, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Loss The outsider Duality Task: The Sublime From the list of features, in what way could The Wasp Factory be deemed a Gothic novel? Decay Omens, magic and the supernatural Passionate anti-hero Extreme landscapes Hidden identity