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Ian Rankin - 11/6/2012 12:00:57 PM

chilipenguin

Posts: 1061
Joined: 3/12/2006
From: Edinburgh

With the news that Ian Rankin is to bring back DI John Rebus in his next novel (linky), I've had a look and can't find any love for the author. Must be some fans surely?

Personally, I've read most of his work and think his gritty style and flawed characters are very entertaining.

So, favourite books? Thoughts? Criticisms?

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RE: Ian Rankin - 11/6/2012 6:41:21 PM

big dawg

Posts: 672
Joined: 29/4/2010
From: the house on the rock

I like him...great holiday reading. Read all the Rebus novels, they do get a bit samey and some of the earlier stuff was rather dull but the last few novels I thought were awful good. I actually liked one of the post Rebus novels, the one about the art heist? Cant for the life of me remember the name (cant't be bothered googling it either

)

Slightly off topic but have you ever read any of the Skinner novels? A kind of anti-Rebus

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RE: Ian Rankin - 11/6/2012 7:06:35 PM

boaby

Posts: 2795
Joined: 29/12/2006
From: Aberdeenshire

Got all the Rebus novels.

Big fan. Rankin's obsession with Jekyll and Hyde gets a bit tiresome. Other than than though I love them.

I lived in Embra for 5 years and that definitely adds something.

Was the one about the art heist not "Open Doors" or something? I did quite like that one.

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RE: Ian Rankin - 11/6/2012 7:10:33 PM

Vadersville

Posts: 2928
Joined: 30/9/2005

I love Rankin. Rebus is a superb character and I recently just read his old spy thriller Watchman.

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RE: Ian Rankin - 11/6/2012 7:17:40 PM

big dawg

Posts: 672
Joined: 29/4/2010
From: the house on the rock

quote:

ORIGINAL: boaby

Got all the Rebus novels.

Big fan. Rankin's obsession with Jekyll and Hyde gets a bit tiresome. Other than than though I love them.

I lived in Embra for 5 years and that definitely adds something.

Was the one about the art heist not "Open Doors" or something? I did quite like that one.

Yeah that rings a bell. Think they may even be filming it? I think the whole Edinburgh connection thing, knowning the places and being able to visualise it is a draw for me as well.

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RE: Ian Rankin - 11/6/2012 7:56:34 PM

chilipenguin

Posts: 1061
Joined: 3/12/2006
From: Edinburgh

I definitely think knowledge of the city helps bring the books to life. After living in Edinburgh for a while, having Rebus wandering around the same streets helped ground the books in reality. Plus as he gets older, the city inevitably changes around him.

I haven't read the art heist book, might need to track that one down. Rankin's new character, Malcolm Fox, is quite interesting too. He's a kind of anti-Rebus, so the idea that they'll meet up in the next novel certainly has my attention piqued.

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RE: Ian Rankin - 11/6/2012 10:26:12 PM

steffols

Posts: 7638
Joined: 3/10/2005
From: Jungleland

I'm currently reading Doors Open and whilst it takes a while to get going, it does get really great.

I love Rankin, been reading his books for years. My favourite Rebus is Dead Souls, a fantastically gripping book. Ken Stott brings him to life so well in the TV show as well.

Actually met Rankin at the 2010 Edinburgh Book Festival and he's a lovely guy. He has time for all of his fans (even the people who had about 12 books for him to sign) and I like that he makes documentaries and his favourite authors about Edinburgh for the BBC.

I said this on Twitter at the weekend, but one of the best things about Rankin novels is his knowledge of Edinburgh and how well he uses it. I've never lived in Edinburgh but having grown up 20 miles west of the City, I cut my teeth in Edinburgh pubs and clubs and know the city well. It is one of my favourite things about reading a Rankin book is knowing exactly where he is when he mentions a place.

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RE: Ian Rankin - 11/6/2012 10:39:04 PM

chilipenguin

Posts: 1061
Joined: 3/12/2006
From: Edinburgh

He is a nice guy. Used to come into my work all the time and was always very friendly.

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RE: Ian Rankin - 27/6/2012 11:42:59 AM

The Hooded Man

Posts: 2728
Joined: 12/7/2006

I'm a huge fan, my wife and I are even going to Edinburgh in a few months down mainly to how fantastically evocative Rebus makes the city sound.

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RE: Ian Rankin - 1/7/2012 6:27:58 PM

Magneto

Posts: 23
Joined: 1/7/2012
From: Scotland

As a Fifer who moved to Edinburgh like Rebus himself, I can't help but love the book's.

I agree with everyone here, knowing the town adds so much to the reading experience although I'd give the Oxford bar a miss.

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RE: Ian Rankin - 11/7/2012 6:05:08 AM

Spaldron

Posts: 10487
Joined: 6/10/2006
From: Chair

I've read most of Rankin's books so I'm eagerly anticipating the return of Rebus. Met the guy once in The Oxford Bar (yes he actually drinks there).

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RE: Ian Rankin - 11/7/2012 1:27:41 PM

NinjaShortbread212

Posts: 4542
Joined: 26/4/2011
From: Edinburger, Scottyland

I've seen him in Starbucks once or twice.

I'm not condoning Starbucks for the record.

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RE: Ian Rankin - 22/8/2012 3:12:08 PM

The Hooded Man

Posts: 2728
Joined: 12/7/2006

Halfway through The Impossible Dead now and it's business as usual. Gripping and taut story telling.

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