The business by Iain Banks

"The business" by Iain Banks. This book is published by Lyly Brown Book Group in 2000 and has 400 pages.

Kate Telman is a Level 3 executive (Level 1 being highest) in an organization known simply as 'The Business'. The Business is a multinational empire with many interests and stakes. It works in background hence not many are aware of it's existence. But it is more powerful than many countries.

The Business now wants a seat in UN. They are making a show of purchasing a country (clandestinely) called Fenoa Oa. However their real target is a Himalayan kingdom country called Thulahn. The ruler of this country is Prince Suvinder Dzung, a British educated gentleman.

The Business wants to send Kate to Thun, capital of Thulan, as the ambassador-cum-advisor. Few days before her departure, someone removes random teeth of her subordinate before he was to travel to Japan to strike a deal. She is suspicious about an electronic chip making factory where The Business has invested. Suvinder asks her to marry him upon reaching Thun.

What is this all? Can The Business acquire Thulan? Will Kate accept Suvinder's proposal? What is the meaning of removal of teeth?

The writing style is decent but the pace is jerky. Character of Kate is the soul of the story. It is not clear what message author is trying to give.

The fictitious country Thulan seems to be modeled on the combination of Nepal and Bhutan, Bhutan being more prominent. Thulanese simple life, free from technology and material means is depicted beautifully.

Start of the book is interesting. Middle section is pleasant but bland and does not do justice to thriller. Reader starts wondering if the genre is really thriller. The end also seems to be under developed.

AVOID.