Iain Banks

[Huguenot]

I don't really have the temperament or rhythm in language to be poignant, but I hope that I can convey something here...

When I was growing up in the 70s and 80s I was conscious of the fact that ideas that I found depressing or destructive would have their day with the people that espoused them. Tebbit, Scargill, possibly Thatcher or the wasted Major years would all pass.

They simply did, they passed in and out of my existence like a bad shop or a playground bully.

As I moved into the 90s, I became conscious that there were people with noxious convictions of my generation who would persist throughout my existence because they were my age. They wouldn't pass, simply because they would die only when I did.

These people were of my generation from cradle to grave - they would always by messing with my world, ruining lives through a corrosive persistence and a career choice and social structure that allowed them column inches and social influence.

My solace was that it meant that those people whose existence I cherished, who nourished my life through their imagination or aspiration, would last just as long.

This was a thrilling and timeless support. As Vicana pointed out, I didn't know anything about them, and didn't want to pursue them through book signings and festivals. It was enough to know that they put finger to keyboard every now and then to give me something to read and enjoy.

It is depressing that when Banks gives his last hurrah, I'll end up with one less on the best side of the balance.

[StraferJack]

Nicely out H

Or as banks himself put something similar

"?Oh, they never lie. They dissemble, evade, prevaricate, confound, confuse, distract, obscure, subtly misrepresent and willfully misunderstand with what often appears to be a positively gleeful relish and are generally perfectly capable of contriving to give one an utterly unambiguous impression of their future course of action while in fact intending to do exactly the opposite, but they never lie. Perish the thought.?

[legalbeagle]

"It was the day my Grandmother exploded".

Has to be one of the best opening lines.

Love him.

[Sue]

legalbeagle Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> "It was the day my Grandmother exploded".

>

> Has to be one of the best opening lines.

>

Xxxxxx

Along with 'It was the afternoon of my 81st birthday and I

was in bed with my catamite .....'

First line of Earthly Powers :))

Not Iain Banks, obviously ........

[uncleglen]

I read 'Dead Air' and it was awful imho- was I just unlucky?

[bon3yard]

Espedair St will always stick in my mind if only for the embalmed alsatian.