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The Bridge

By Iain Banks
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3.87 goodreads logo

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Check link for latest rating. ( 12,601 ratings, 448 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In The Bridge by Iain Banks, the protagonist finds himself on a mysterious, surreal bridge that spans an immense chasm, inhabited by peculiar characters. As he navigates this strange and ethereal world, the story unfolds through a blend of dreams, memories, and parallel realities, raising questions about identity and existence. The novel explores themes of consciousness and the human psyche while blurring the lines between reality and imagination.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You may enjoy this novel if you're intrigued by surreal landscapes and complex narratives interweaving reality and dreams. The story offers a unique blend of mythical elements and modern life's mysteries, making it perfect for readers who appreciate intricate storytelling with philosophical undertones.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Iain Banks's classic novel reissued with a striking new cover

Iain Banks's classic novel reissued with a striking new cover

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The man who wakes up in the extraordinary world of a bridge has amnesia, and his doctor doesn't seem to want to cure him. Does it matter? Exploring the bridge occupies most of his days. But at night there are his dreams. Dreams in which desperate men drive sealed carriages across barren mountains to a bizarre rendezvous; an illiterate barbarian storms an enchanted tower under a stream of verbal abuse; and broken men walk forever over bridges without end, taunted by visions of a doomed sexuality.

Lying in bed unconscious after an accident wouldn't be much fun, you'd think. Oh yes? It depends who and what you've left behind.

Which is the stranger reality, day or night? Frequently hilarious and consistently disturbing, The Bridge is a novel of outrageous contrasts, constructed chaos and elegant absurdities.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Iain Banks's The Bridge is lauded for its imaginative storytelling and versatility, showcasing his ability to craft engaging and thought-provoking narratives. Reviewers highlight the novel's evocative prose and its unique setting—particularly the symbolic Forth Bridge. The book is praised for being both serious and playful, blending political and cultural references with intriguing fantasy elements, resulting in an engaging and rich reading experience. Val McDermid describes it as a potential favourite on a desert island, while others commend its artistry and exuberance.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780349139210

Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 06 June 2013

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Abacus

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 27.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 278g

Pages: 400

Collections

Fiction General Fiction Iain Banks Literary Fiction

About the Author

Iain Banks came to widespread and controversial public notice with the publication of his first novel, THE WASP FACTORY, in 1984. He has since gained enormous popular and critical acclaim for both his mainstream and his science fiction novels.

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