Iain Banks - Dead Air

Dead Air is narrated by Kenneth Nott, a shock-jock on commercial radio who takes a swollen pride in his contrarian opinions. We first meet him at a drug-fuelled loft party in the East End of London, where everyone, for some reason, starts chucking fruit and furniture off the balcony. Ken's girlfriend, Jo, does PR for a snotty young British indie band called Addicta; he is also sleeping with a woman called Celia (or "Ceel"), who happens to be married to a dangerous gangster.

Why Read - I thought I had only read the opening chapters of this story, and wanting to read a few of his books as have read one previously this was next on my list.

Whilst reading this book I had a gauge sense of familiarity. Halfway through I couldn't remember the end or if I had read it previously, but then sections kept coming back to me and i knew what was going to happen next. I was slightly dissapointed to find I had indeed read this book before but could not remember doing so.

This book is very dialogue heavy, and that dialogue is opinionated. Whilst i agree this is a very interesting way of writing a novel, I found myself frustrated at the lack of descriptive text and found myself lost at to certain conversations.  Once the balance between dialogue and descriptive text was restored I felt myself enjoying this book more.

I could not get into this book fully from the start and it was only in the last third of the book did I settle into it. I can see why some people would enjoy it but I'm not sure this book is for me.  Although the novel felt realistic - a lifestyle that could exist, and the main character was well thought out and had some depth to him.  The style of writing was easy to read, although opinionated.  Overall I don't think this was his best novel, as I have read better by this author, however I do have one more of his books I am willing to read and try.