The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks
The novel is a dark and disturbing tale of a 16-year-old boy named Frank who lives on a secluded island with his eccentric father. Frank, who has killed three children in his past, spends his time engaging in violent rituals and maintaining his "Wasp Factory," a barbaric contraption he uses for divination. The narrative takes a turn when his older brother, who is institutionalized, escapes and heads home, leading to shocking revelations about their family's past and Frank's identity.
The 618th greatest book of all time
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Total Points: 724
This book was first published in 1984
9 Lists
- score: 190 -- 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die - 2006 (Weight: 180)
- score: 148 -- 1000 Novels Everyone Must Read - 2009 (Weight: 140)
- score: 148 -- Horror: The 100 Best Books - 1988 (Weight: 140)
- score: 119 -- Fantasy and Horror: A Critical and Historical Guide - 1999 (Weight: 119)
- score: 71 -- The Big Read - 2003 (Weight: 70)
- score: 43 -- Waterstone's Books of the Century - 1997 (Weight: 40)
- score: 1 -- Our Users' Honorable Mention Favorite Books of All Time - 2024 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- 100 Books to Read in a Lifetime - 2014 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- 50 Books That Defined Their Era - 2011 (Weight: 1)