Iain Banks' iPhone App: Fad or Fiction?

It certainly sounds like the latest attempt by the ailing publishing industry to engage with new media and sell more books - this being the news that Iain Banks' latest novel Transition will provide readers with access to an iPhone app containing extra content, the writer's notes, character backgrounds and more.

God knows the industry needs a kick up the backside, always seeming to be one or two steps behind the rest of the business world when it comes to embracing the modern approach to information sharing and gathering. But is granting readers access to background information about the writing process really the best way to do that?

The app's creators certainly seem to think so. Speaking in the Independent, TradeMobile's Jen Porter had this to say: 

"We wanted to put people who love books in touch with their creators. People enjoy reading a printed page, and many have smart phones to investigate information online or keep in touch with friends. What we're doing is using a digital device as a gateway to a companion to a novel."

In my personal opinion, reading a good book isn't about getting in touch with the creator, it's about getting in touch with the characters, the story and the imagery and taking what you will from it. This kind of transparency only serves to spoil the illusion, in the same way that a piece of artwork is often spoiled by the tendency to consider it in the context of the artist's life.

Surely, if the author has done his or her job properly, you don't require extra information to enjoy a novel? The implications of the writing are enough, your imagination will do the rest, making each book a truly individual experience.

The iPhone app seems a step too far, and there's a 'bandwagonesque' element to it that I'm sure is apparent to many. I welcome the likes of the Kindle and am truly excited, not only about having the ability to carry 1000s of books around with me on a small pad, but also about the paperless future of books (they just need to come down in price a little).

Perhaps once the e-reader launches properly, the publishing industry will be able to lower prices and make books more accessible to all - no doubt large, stuffy book shops are intimidating to some, who would otherwise read books given the anonymity of internet downloads.

The extra content iPhone app seems faddish to me, and in my opinion will add little to the reading experience. What will push the industry forward is cheaper e-readers and easy availability of a huge catalogue of books for reasonable prices - now that would be good.