Another excellent yarn

Incredibly creative intelligent and surprising storytelling as usual from the author. Wonderful narration as well.

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Haggis pakora and a slow reveal...

I've read many Iain Banks novels, but this is the first audiobook of his work that I've listened to. The story, which I won't re-hash here, follows a familiar Banks theme of a first person narrator faced with a challenge or mystery and coming to a striking realisation that things are not as they had assumed. The reveal, in the last few chapters, is deeply satisfying. One of his best.

Helen McAlpine's narration is excellent. From Isis Whit's posh Scots to Glaswegian, Texan, Jamaican and estuary Essex accents she barely falters, although I did think that Great Aunt Zhobelia's mix of Indian sub-continent and Harris Scots sounded a little like she was from the Welsh valleys, but that's really nitpicking. The effect is that it's always clear who is speaking.

Overall, this was really excellent. I was sad when I had finished it. You'll need to listen to it yourself to learn about the Haggis pakora though.

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an excellent performance

This is my favourite Iain Banks novel which i read multiple tines and it is superbly read here giving me a new way to enjoy this story

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Gripping and thought provoking

A perfect combination of a fantastic story and insightful, non-judgemental exploration of religious society. Excellent even by Banks' high standards.

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Great story, really well read

I’ve read this book in paperback version at least three times and it remains to this day one of my favourite fiction books.

Iain Banks keeps true to his Scottish roots in this tale - a tale which reflects perfectly the time it was written; the mid-nineties. No internet (at least, widely available), CD players and VHS. Simpler times? Perhaps. Even more simpler for the main character of the story; a young and very naive woman named Isis Whit.

She sure does have a great story to tell…

This book was really well read and was a refreshing listen having read the paperback numerous times prior. You need to listen attentively as Banks’ leans heavily on descriptive anecdotes and musings; so pay attention, listen well, absorb and enjoy.

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Absolutely brilliant

I read this book many years ago. I have enjoy every Iain Banks book I have read as you never quite know what to expect. I recommended this one to a friend of mine who does a show on local radio as a book worthy of a book group with plenty to talk about. She got plenty of great feedback. I thoroughly enjoyed Helen McAlpine’s narration. Some people have complained about certain characterisations but I think that is churlish. She takes us through the narrative in the first person with other characters dropping in and out. I particularly enjoyed the innocence of Isis and her trip to London - rubber tyre, travelling on a car freight train and back busing all on a hard board! Absolutely brilliant this version truly brought the book to life.

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Excellent

The story is full of twists and intrigues and very well performed, but it is the quality of the writing that gets the fifth star.

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Brilliantly delivered!

I read Whit in hardback when it was first published. At the time I was a little disappointed by the story after the dark violence of Complicity. Now, years later, listening to this audiobook I can fully appreciate how good the novel is. This I believe is down to the brilliant performance and delivery of the novel. Well done!

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I couldn't get into the main character

I found Helen McAlphine's narration of the story really worked and brought the main character to life.

Unfortunately this is one of a small number of Ian Bank's novels that left me cold and struggling to stick with it. I could not find any real engagement with the characters or the storyline and nearly gave up several times.

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I really enjoyed this

Would you consider the audio edition of Whit to be better than the print version?

I have e not read the print version but really enjoyed the narration in the audio version.

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed Whits journey and development, I thought she was an interesting character and was sad when the book came to an end.

What about Helen McAlpine’s performance did you like?

Helen has a very nice voice with a lovely tone and accent. Will definitely look for more books narrated by Helen.

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