Ever since his stunning novel The Wasp Factory set readers on fire, Iain M. Banks has been defying category and convention with his thrilling speculative fiction. Now he goes a step beyond his previous imaginative journeys to create his most exciting and provocative science fiction novel yet.

Count Alandre Sessine VII has already died seven times. He has only one life left - one last chance to catch his killer. His only clues point to a conspiracy beyond his own murder. For a catastrophe is fast approaching the earth from which there is no escape - until a loophole through apocalypse is discovered. And a chosen few will do anything to keep it a secret.

Someone has betrayed Sessine, killed him before he could uncover the truth. Now he has three days before his funeral to live the way men used to live: restricted to one life where one mistake could be his last.

Suddenly he finds himself an outlaw, a fugitive, a desperado.

And his only hope of survival is finding others like himself.

Others who hold a piece of the puzzle to an enigmatic weapon of salvation and chaos...

Author: Iain Banks
Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Spectra Books
Published: 06/01/1995
Pages: 324
Weight: 1.08lbs
Size: 10.08h x 5.40w x 0.43d
ISBN: 9780553374599


Review Citation(s):
Booklist 07/01/1995 pg. 1865
Library Journal 06/15/1995 pg. 98
Kirkus Reviews 05/01/1995 pg. 593
NY Times Notable Bks of Year 01/01/1995 pg. 90