The Bridge

The Bridge is a novel by Scottish author Iain Banks.

Spoiler warning: Plot or ending details follow.

The book switches between various protagonists who turn out to be different levels of the psyche of a man who crashed his car on a bridge and now resides in a coma.

Most (in)famous of these is 'the Barbarian' as the most primeval expression of the psyche with its close relation to violence and libido (Sigmund Freud's Id). It is also the funniest to read due to its rendition of the barbarian's prose.

The book is not typical for Iain Banks as it has a happy ending. The author has been on record as saying that of the novels he has written, this is his personal favourite.

An amusing diversion while reading the book is working out the name of the central protagonist - it is not given, but Banks leaves enough clues to work out his forename and surname.

---

The Bridge is also the title of Ace of Base's second album, released in 1995.