Items related to A Song of Stone
A British best-seller set in a fictional war-torn section of Europe portrays a band of guerrillas who force themselves on the aristocratic couple living in a rural castle and subtly weaves sexual, physical, and political tension into an intricate literary web. 30,000 first printing.
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Review:
This brutal tale starts in a bleak, brutal European any-war. Abel and Morgan live in a forboding castle, alone and isolated, until the conflict intrudes on their numb lives in the form of a cruel mercenary lieutenant and her violent, ravaging men who take up residence. From there, the tale disintegrates into darkness and atrocity, punctuated by Abel's memories of earlier joy and pain. Iain Banks pushes the story steadily downward, dragging the morbidly fascinated reader into the depths of human despair. Gang rape, torture, and incest are seen through Abel's uncaring eyes--this book is not for the squeamish. And although Banks strives for a Passion play in the end, what's missing is even the tiniest kernel of real redemption. Fans of The Wasp Factory and Banks's other non-science fiction works will find familiar details here, but A Song of Stone stands alone as a fable of hopelessness. --Therese Littleton
From the Back Cover:
A European nation not unlike Bosnia: armed forces roam the lawless land where dark columns of smoke rise up from the surrounding farms and houses. The war is ending, perhaps ended. But for the castle and its occupants, a young lord and lady, the trouble is just beginning.
Fearing an invasion of soldiers, the amorous couple takes to the road with the other refugees, disguised in rags. But the brutal female lieutenant of an outlaw band of guerrillas has other ideas. Just hours into their escape, the fleeing aristocrats are delivered back to the castle, where, now prisoners in their own home, they become pawns in the lieutenant's dangerous game of desire, deceit, and death.
A Song of Stone demonstrates Iain Bank's unique ability to combine gripping narrative with a soaring, voyaging imagination. This noir fable confirms his reputation as the master of things dark and debauched. Singular, haunting, and viciously wry, A Song of Stone is a tour de force of contemporary fiction.
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- PublisherSimon & Schuster
- Publication date1998
- ISBN 10 0684857251
- ISBN 13 9780684857251
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages288
- Rating
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A Song of Stone
Published by
Simon & Schuster
(1998)
ISBN 10: 0684857251
ISBN 13: 9780684857251
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Book Description hardcover. 1st edition. New York. 1998. September 1998. Simon & Schuster. 1st American Edition. Very Good in Dustjacket With a Tear Mark On The Front. 0684857251. 280 pages. hardcover. Jacket illustration by Peter Brown. Signed by the Author. keywords: Literature Scotland . FROM THE PUBLISHER - Iain Banks, author of such dazzling genre-busting novels as THE WASP FACTORY and THE BRIDGE, has written perhaps his best novel yet with A Song of Stone, already a blockbuster in England. Set in an unnamed country in Europe (but it sure sounds like Bosnia) amidst an unidentified war, a lord and his lady find themselves held hostage in their own castle by a team of sadistic, bloodthirsty guerrillas. Gothic horror, thriller, and morality tale rolled into one, the controversial A SONG OF STONE is unforgettable. inventory #27236 Very Good in Dustjacket With a Tear Mark On The Front. Seller Inventory # z27236
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A Song of Stone
Published by
Simon & Schuster
(1998)
ISBN 10: 0684857251
ISBN 13: 9780684857251
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First Edition
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Book Description hardcover. Condition: Very Good in Dustjacket. 1st edition. New York. 1998. September 1998. Simon & Schuster. 1st American Edition. Very Good in Dustjacket. 0684857251. 280 pages. hardcover. Jacket illustration by Peter Brown. Signed by the Author. keywords: Literature Scotland . FROM THE PUBLISHER - Iain Banks, author of such dazzling genre-busting novels as THE WASP FACTORY and THE BRIDGE, has written perhaps his best novel yet with A Song of Stone, already a blockbuster in England. Set in an unnamed country in Europe (but it sure sounds like Bosnia) amidst an unidentified war, a lord and his lady find themselves held hostage in their own castle by a team of sadistic, bloodthirsty guerrillas. Gothic horror, thriller, and morality tale rolled into one, the controversial A SONG OF STONE is unforgettable. inventory #25839. Seller Inventory # z25839
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A Song of Stone
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New York: Simon & Schuster, 1998
(1998)
ISBN 10: 0684857251
ISBN 13: 9780684857251
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Book Description Hard Cover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. 1st US Edition. In a clear protective Brodart mylar cover. Unread. In a European nation not unlike Bosnia, the war is ending, perhaps ended. But for the castle and its occupantss, a young lord and lady, the trouble is just beginning. Fearing an invasion of soldiers, the couple takes to the roads with other refugees. Just hours after their escape, the fleeting couple is delivered back to the castle, where now they are prisoners of their own home. Seller Inventory # 000020
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A Song of Stone
Published by
Simon & Schuster, New York
(1998)
ISBN 10: 0684857251
ISBN 13: 9780684857251
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Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. First American Edition, First Printing. Octavo. 6.5 x 9.5 in. 280 pp. Fine in original black paper-covered boards and fine pictorial dust jacket. Signed by Banks on the front free endpaper. Seller Inventory # 3774
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A Song of Stone
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Simon & Schuster
(1998)
ISBN 10: 0684857251
ISBN 13: 9780684857251
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Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. This is a signed first edition! The book has two remainder marks on the bottom of the text block, light overall fading to pages, and light edge wear. Otherwise, it is clean, tightly-bound, and crisp. The dust jacket has an old "Autographed Copy" sticker on the front cover that is slight worn. There is light edge wear, light rubbing, and very faint overall fading. Otherwise, it is clean, crisp, and now adorned with mylar. Seller Inventory # 1003941
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A Song of Stone
Published by
Simon & Schuster
(1998)
ISBN 10: 0684857251
ISBN 13: 9780684857251
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Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Good. Dust Jacket Condition: good. Signed. First Edition. dust jacket marred somewhat by gigantic blue "Autographed Copy" sticker. Green Apple Books and Music, Publisher Weekly's Bookstore of the Year 2014, has been San Francisco's favorite independent bookseller since 1967! Shipping costs on oversize / international orders will reflect actual shipping charges and may be more than quoted by ABE. We will need to contact you with true shipping costs and ask for authorization before adjusting cost. Seller Inventory # mon0000003764
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A SONG OF STONE
Published by
Simon & Schuster Inc., New York
(1998)
ISBN 10: 0684857251
ISBN 13: 9780684857251
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Book Description Hardcover. First US edition, first printing. One of an unknown number of copies signed by Banks on a special blank preliminary page. Fine in fine and bright just jacket. Signed by Author(s). Book. Seller Inventory # 37739
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