Description

From its bravura opening onwards, THE CROW ROAD is justly regarded as an outstanding contemporary novel. ‘It was the day my grandmother exploded. I sat in the crematorium, listening to my Uncle Hamish quietly snoring in harmony to Bach’s Mass in B Minor, and I reflected that it always seemed to be death that drew me back to Gallanach.’ Prentice McHoan has returned to the bosom of his complex but enduring Scottish family. Full of questions about the McHoan past, present and future, he is also deeply preoccupied: mainly with death, sex, drink, God and illegal substances…

Publisher Review

The Crow Road is tight with detail and closer observation and creates a strong sense of a particular period of growing up * Independent * Banks has woven a warm and funny story, rich with characters and adventures. An utterly enchanting piece of fiction...it marks a return to his brilliant best * New Woman * The tense horror of the book...is done with considerable imaginative subtlety and a fine touch....This is as fine and ambitious a novel as any from a Scottish writer since the 1960s. It is also unquestionable Bank's best work to date * New Statesman * Bank reinforces his credentials as one of the most able, energetic and stimulating writers we have in the UK * Time Out * This is Banks' finest novel yet * Independent on Sunday * Banks keeps death in its place, under the boot of wit which knows that the most significant romance can blossom whilst your youngest brother is up to the elbow in Sugar Smacks looking for the plastic toy * Observer * Menacing, dark and very funny * Telegraph * One of the best opening lines of any novel... a warm, witty and ultimately very poignant book * Guardian * His masterpiece . . . it's got a beating heart, and you want to keep reading -- Jay Rayner * Daily Express *