Despite this being widely proclaimed as a real return to form for Banks I thought it was rather an average Banks offering. I have always enjoyed his books and this was no exception but I found the central story of the long lost love a bit irritating at times and I honestly thought that most of the characters were stereotypes with little real development. The ending was both expected an unexpected and did add a meaning to some of the parts of the story that at times felt a bit odd.

Overall a long way from being my favourite Banks book but definately worth a read.