Review of 'The Business'
The Business by Iain Banks
Kate Telman works as a executive officer (level 3 - level 1 being the most senior) specialising in high-tech in a mysterious organisation known only as “the business”, with it's links to numerous commercial endeavours over the millennia. As a precocious young woman she was effectively adopted by Mrs Elizabeth Telman (level 2) and introduced into the business. The wealth of the Company is incredible along with the political power that comes along with it. Now as the business looks to purchase Thulahn, a small country in the Himalayas, to set up headquarters there are forces at work that could threaten the very existence of the company…If Kate can only hold off the amorous advances of the king never mind survive the crazy plane journey perhaps she might be able to do something about it.
“The Business” has a few surprises in store for the reader: You are never quite know which way things are going to turn what with the unpredictable nature of the heroine and the sheer complexity of the Company itself. I did find it sometimes a bit difficult to follow what was going on (even the conclusion still slightly puzzles me) but this never really seems to be too much of a problem - I never felt completely lost.
Banks here is very adapt and giving us the impression of a Company that has been around forever with long-established rituals and policies that come with it. His characterisation is, as always, amazing and you really do learn to feel and empathise with them as the story progresses. We really do start to like Kate and fear for her as forces threaten her but, believe me, she can take care of herself!
Fun and very easy to read, Banks does it again.
Rating: “Nearly perfect, but not quite”
Review Date: 2016-09-24
Genre: General Fiction
Publisher: Abacus
Publication Date: 1999
ISBN: 0349112452