The Bridge
(Iain Banks)
An interesting experimental novel from Banks, telling the story of a man in a coma and his journey back to consciousness. The novel is perhaps not to everybody's taste, consisting as it does of seemingly disjointed narratives. There is also no strong plotline to hold it together.
This does not mean that the story does not work, merely that the reader will almost certainly be left with some questions when they reach the end.
The main character, who's name is never revealed, although it is hinted at with a few clues, inhabits the world of "the bridge"; a seemingly endless structure joining the kingdom with the city, both seemingly mythical places which nobody has ever visited. He is struggling to regain his identity and recover his lost memories. The story is interspersed with vivid dreams, most of which centre around a mythical barbarian with a Scottish accent and his familiar.
As the story proceeds we are given flashbacks of the characters life before the accident, presumably in an attempt to establish his motivation for wanting to return to that life. This history is reflected by events and people on the bridge.
The story may appear disjointed in places but the protagonist's Dantean journey through the subconscious makes it worthwhile and will ensure that most keep reading. With plenty of subtle allusions and political references along the way this is a fascinating read and should keep the hungriest reader busy for a couple of hours.
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