Whit

Book Review

«Whit» by Iain Banks is a subtle, ironic, and multilayered work in which the author, with his characteristic inventiveness, explores the boundaries of faith, identity, and human eccentricity. Through the fate of Isis Whit, a young woman raised in a closed religious community, Banks masterfully reveals the inner conflict between tradition and modernity, between loyalty and doubt. Critics praise the exquisite use of language, the narrative’s richness in cultural allusions, and the gentle humor that runs through even the most dramatic episodes. The novel surprises with its humanity, empathy for its characters, and the author’s ability to balance satire with genuine compassion. «Whit» is not only a witty satire of religious cults but also a profound meditation on the search for self in a world full of contradictions and paradoxes. The book leaves a lingering sense of gentle melancholy and hope, inviting the reader to reflect on their own beliefs and the choices they make.