Iain Banks

Iain [Menzies] Banks was born in Fife in 1954, and was educated at Stirling University, where he studied English Literature, Philosophy and Psychology.

Banks came to widespread and controversial public notice with the publication of his first novel, The Wasp Factory, in 1984.

His first science fiction novel, Consider Phlebas, was published in 1987. He has continued to write both mainstream fiction (as Iain Banks) and science fiction (as Iain M. Banks).

He is now acclaimed as one of the most powerful, innovative and exciting writers of his generation: The Guardian has called him "the standard by which the rest of SF is judged". William Gibson, the New York Times-bestselling author of Spook Country describes Banks as a "phenomenon".

Iain M. Banks lived in Fife, Scotland until his death in 2013.

What genres did Iain Banks write in?

He wrote mainstream fiction under the name Iain Banks and science fiction under Iain M. Banks, producing both literary novels and large-scale SF works.

Which book is a good place to start reading his work?

For mainstream fiction try The Wasp Factory; for science fiction a common entry point is Consider Phlebas, his first published SF novel (1987).

What is the Culture series and where should I begin with it?

The Culture is his best-known science fiction setting. Consider Phlebas, published in 1987, is often recommended as a starting point for readers new to the Culture books.

What are some of Iain Banks's most notable books?

Notable titles include The Wasp Factory, Consider Phlebas, The Crow Road, Complicity, The Bridge, Walking on Glass, Espedair Street, Canal Dreams and Stonemouth.

Did his work receive critical recognition or awards?

Yes. He received strong critical acclaim from major reviewers and peers, and some related works have won awards, for example a Locus Award is associated with one Culture collection.