BANKS, Iain. The Wasp Factory. Macmillan. 1984.
8vo. Original brown boards; spine lettered in gilt; in the original dust-wrapper (not price-clipped); pp. [vi], 7-184; author's signature to title; a fine copy in the dust-wrapper.
First edition signed by Banks on the title-page. The Wasp Factory marks Banks's debut as a mainstream fiction author, with the novel being a a dark and thought-provoking exploration of the human psyche, with a narrative that challenges traditional storytelling conventions. With its setting on a small Scottish Island, the controversial themes of graphic and disturbing scenes, the work has sparked wide discussions and debates about the portrayal of violence, and the author's own responsibility in depicting such sensitive subjects in literature. Discussing the ultimate questions of nature versus nurture, the novel's dark themes are a well-rounded exploration of psychology and existentialism.
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