The opening sentence of Anthony Burgess’ 1981 Booker Prize-shortlisted Earthly Powers has stayed with me for a very long time. It was the afternoon of my eighty-first birthday, and I was in bed with my catamite when Ali announced that the archbishop had come to see me Part thriller, part family saga, part coming-of age-novel, The Crow Road is one of Banks’ warmest and most accessible books. When an old friend uncovers some leads about his missing uncle, Prentice can’t resist following them no matter how shocking the outcome or how dangerous the path. He learns to deal graciously, if painfully, with his brother’s successful career and happiness with the lovely Verity.
When his father dies in a freak accident, their differences unresolved, Prentice knows it’s time to shape up. The first that sprang to mind is from The Crow Road, my favourite Iain Banks novel which tells the story of the McHoans through Prentice, home from university and faced with a host of family troubles.
At first I dismissed it, rather snottily it has to be said, but by the time we were home I’d become quite enthusiastic and already had five striking openers all of which, I’m pleased to say, I’d remembered accurately apart from one and you’ll know why if you stick with me to the end of the post. I owe this post to H who came up with the idea when we were out walking one day, I can’t remember when or where.
