Riding on past success, 30 Nov 2008
As an aspiring writer, I would be embarrassed if I wrote such drivel. In fact, I'm surprised anyone published it, except of course that Welsh's name sells rather better than his fingers type. The storyline was promising and it could have been good, if just a little more thought had gone into its creation. I wonder if Welsh ever edits his work? I did a little better than Al Stubbino and got to Page 111 before I threw it in the bin. (Okay it's here on my desk, but it's going in the bin in a mo.) If Welsh can't take the time to craft his work why should I waste mine reading it. Life is too short.














intelligent, clever, witty, dark....blummin' good read, 07 Nov 2008


what amazes me about Mr Welsh is that his writing skills are so diverse, he can adapt to such a variety of writing styles and he does them to perfection.

This book did have its slow moments, but its only because Irvine wants you to understand the Characters, i love the way he uses people from his other books over and over, so you almost build a bond with them - i just wish I'd now read them in order...!

Crime is powerful, full of dark pasts and magical moments. I would recomend this to anyone.



Has Irvine been reading Will Self?, 05 Sep 2008
I was quite enjoying this latest offering from Welsh, although it is by no means as well-written, or as "clever" as his previous novels. However, I soon began to have this feeling of deja vu...bloke on holiday with significant other and "his" children (in this case not in the physical sense, although the children, including the main character's own childhood self, are very much present and with us throughout)...bloke inadvertently gets into bother because of a bad habit...plot thickens..main character leaves other half and goes on long journey and discovers dodgy paedo network.
Of course! This is the plot of Will Self's latest novel, The Butt. I cannot believe the audacity!
this aside, "Crime" is in any case a disappointing departure from Welsh's usual style; it is also, in places, really shabbily written, with syntax errors, and out and out grammatical mistakes all the way through. It's almost as if he has thought "Baws tae this, I hae tae dae anither book cause o me contract, but it disnae hae tae be any good because folks'll buy this yin anyway".
In fact this is what I, and it seems many other Welsh fans have done, buying it simply because it is the eagerly-awaited new novel by the famous Irvine Welsh (and our memories jogged perhaps by the showing of TRainspotting on Film4..oh the joys of the Capitalist Machine!)
It's my own fault; I normally take the time to read the first couple of pages at least, and also passages throughout a book before deciding whether it is worth buying, but in this case, the reputation of the author has ensured that the sale is made, even if you don't so much as read the back cover or the opening page.
In Welsh's defence, the subject of "nonces" cannot be avoided in this current climate, with certain cases in our faces all summer, however, the similarities in actual storyline are far too many to be coincidence.
SHAME ON YOU.


Dull and overwritten., 02 Sep 2008
I've always believed the thriller/crime novel was beyond the British. This one by Welsh confirms my belief.
Dull! Overwritten! I got up to about page 90 or 100 and tossed it. Why can't the Brits leave it to the Americans and concentrate on TV Soaps and reality shows?

Surprised at the negativity, to be honest....., 30 Aug 2008
I have to say that I was rather surprised to see the less than complementary reviews about this book. Yes, perhaps it is a departure from his normal writings, but this novel retains enough of Mr Welsh's innovative style and dark humour to leave fans satisfied. I thought it was an excellent novel that shows maturity and hope for more, and quickly. Actually, what I would really like to read is a prequel to "Filth", so if you don't mind....

Riding on past success, 30 Nov 2008
As an aspiring writer, I would be embarrassed if I wrote such drivel. In fact, I'm surprised anyone published it, except of course that Welsh's name sells rather better than his fingers type. The storyline was promising and it could have been good, if just a little more thought had gone into its creation. I wonder if Welsh ever edits his work? I did a little better than Al Stubbino and got to Page 111 before I threw it in the bin. (Okay it's here on my desk, but it's going in the bin in a mo.) If Welsh can't take the time to craft his work why should I waste mine reading it. Life is too short.














intelligent, clever, witty, dark....blummin' good read, 07 Nov 2008


what amazes me about Mr Welsh is that his writing skills are so diverse, he can adapt to such a variety of writing styles and he does them to perfection.

This book did have its slow moments, but its only because Irvine wants you to understand the Characters, i love the way he uses people from his other books over and over, so you almost build a bond with them - i just wish I'd now read them in order...!

Crime is powerful, full of dark pasts and magical moments. I would recomend this to anyone.



Has Irvine been reading Will Self?, 05 Sep 2008
I was quite enjoying this latest offering from Welsh, although it is by no means as well-written, or as "clever" as his previous novels. However, I soon began to have this feeling of deja vu...bloke on holiday with significant other and "his" children (in this case not in the physical sense, although the children, including the main character's own childhood self, are very much present and with us throughout)...bloke inadvertently gets into bother because of a bad habit...plot thickens..main character leaves other half and goes on long journey and discovers dodgy paedo network.
Of course! This is the plot of Will Self's latest novel, The Butt. I cannot believe the audacity!
this aside, "Crime" is in any case a disappointing departure from Welsh's usual style; it is also, in places, really shabbily written, with syntax errors, and out and out grammatical mistakes all the way through. It's almost as if he has thought "Baws tae this, I hae tae dae anither book cause o me contract, but it disnae hae tae be any good because folks'll buy this yin anyway".
In fact this is what I, and it seems many other Welsh fans have done, buying it simply because it is the eagerly-awaited new novel by the famous Irvine Welsh (and our memories jogged perhaps by the showing of TRainspotting on Film4..oh the joys of the Capitalist Machine!)
It's my own fault; I normally take the time to read the first couple of pages at least, and also passages throughout a book before deciding whether it is worth buying, but in this case, the reputation of the author has ensured that the sale is made, even if you don't so much as read the back cover or the opening page.
In Welsh's defence, the subject of "nonces" cannot be avoided in this current climate, with certain cases in our faces all summer, however, the similarities in actual storyline are far too many to be coincidence.
SHAME ON YOU.


Dull and overwritten., 02 Sep 2008
I've always believed the thriller/crime novel was beyond the British. This one by Welsh confirms my belief.
Dull! Overwritten! I got up to about page 90 or 100 and tossed it. Why can't the Brits leave it to the Americans and concentrate on TV Soaps and reality shows?

Surprised at the negativity, to be honest....., 30 Aug 2008
I have to say that I was rather surprised to see the less than complementary reviews about this book. Yes, perhaps it is a departure from his normal writings, but this novel retains enough of Mr Welsh's innovative style and dark humour to leave fans satisfied. I thought it was an excellent novel that shows maturity and hope for more, and quickly. Actually, what I would really like to read is a prequel to "Filth", so if you don't mind....

Stay up and read as the sick boy says the morning takes care of itself,likesay, 28 Dec 2008
This is a fantastic read, I read it years ago and only recently picked it up. I never really read books more than once but, this book is brilliant. Reading for a second time helped let the first few chapters filter in properly as well as I found the language sometimes labourous to understand. I love the language and the writing style it makes you take in every word and its adds to each character.

A lot of my friends have found the language barrier at the start too hard and have given up. I urge you to give it a bit of time and soon it will develop into a great engrossing read. The book is fairly addictive and "Porno" fuels the addiction further and is also an exellent read especially if you take an interest to filth.
Porno

I personally think the Begbie Character in the film was a watered down version of what Ivine welsh intended. He is hilarious in the book and you can really get into each of the characters minds. Watching the film does not really effect the read as the huge chunks of the book are missing in the film and some characters are merged (to what I remember). The whole reason it was called "trainspotting" I feel was lost in the film.

This book is a great filth read likesay. Ah ken its the best ah've ivir read

Don't read this in public., 24 Dec 2008
I remember it well. A day off from work in Aberdeen. Rather than sit in my digs all day, I set off up Union St and popped into one of the big bookstores and bought Trainspotting. On the way back I dropped into a quiet pub and ordered a pint and found a snug corner and opened the book.
To cut a long story short, I was crying. The barman must have thought I was a nutter. But I read and read and laughed and laughed, pint after pint.

The part where Rents is on the bus on the way to score a deal and he is sitting behind some old dear, the pangs of heroin depletion running through his body, wishing cancer cells on her is typically sick of Trainspotting but bloody hillarious at the same time. One of my best experiences in reading pulp fiction.

A cult classic that has stood the test of time, 20 Apr 2008
Originally published in 1993, Irvine Welsh's seminal novel about a group of Edinburgh junkies is still as forcefully mesmerizing today as it was the first time I read it some 12 years ago. The characters - Renton, Sick Boy, Begbie, Spud et al, who have become immortalised and entrenched in the collective consciousness of the nation's movie-watching public, thanks to Danny Boyle's 1996 film - are every bit as captivating and pathetic as their celluloid counterparts, as hideous as they are hilarious, and yet they are rendered far more realistic - and terrifyingly so at that - by Welsh's masterful pen. The use of multiple narratives, for example, with each character contributing their own, unique take on events is a stroke of genius, and an approach to fiction-writing that has since become common-place. Seldom has it been done better, however. Similarly, Welsh's use of dialect in his writing is nothing less than poetic, despite - or perhaps because of - the explosion of profanities and the baseness of the activities it describes. This novel is not without humour or tenderness, but it is used sparingly and in the same way as, say, television's The Royle Family occasionally brings a tear to your eye amid all the inanity, Welsh reminds the reader that these are, in fact, real people about whom he is writing.

If you've seen the film, then you really should read the book, and if this is your first encounter with the works of Irvine Welsh, it's also the obvious starting point. His other books - especially Acid House, Marabou Stork Nightmares, and Porno, which re-visits Trainspotting's characters a decade on - are well worth checking out too.

Matt Pucci

A cult classic that has stood the test of time, 20 Apr 2008
Originally published in 1993, Irvine Welsh's seminal novel about a group of Edinburgh junkies is still as forcefully mesmerizing today as it was the first time I read it some 12 years ago. The characters - Renton, Sick Boy, Begbie, Spud et al, who have become immortalised and entrenched in the collective consciousness of the nation's movie-watching public, thanks to Danny Boyle's 1996 film - are every bit as captivating and pathetic as their celluloid counterparts, as hideous as they are hilarious, and yet they are rendered far more realistic - and terrifyingly so at that - by Welsh's masterful pen. The use of multiple narratives, for example, with each character contributing their own, unique take on events is a stroke of genius, and an approach to fiction-writing that has since become common-place. Seldom has it been done better, however. Similarly, Welsh's use of dialect in his writing is nothing less than poetic, despite - or perhaps because of - the explosion of profanities and the baseness of the activities it describes. This novel is not without humour or tenderness, but it is used sparingly and in the same way as, say, television's The Royle Family occasionally brings a tear to your eye amid all the inanity, Welsh reminds the reader that these are, in fact, real people about whom he is writing.

If you've seen the film, then you really should read the book, and if this is your first encounter with the works of Irvine Welsh, it's also the obvious starting point. His other books - especially Acid House, Marabou Stork Nightmares, and Porno, which re-visits Trainspotting's characters a decade on - are well worth checking out too.

Matt Pucci

One of the best Welsh stories., 08 Apr 2008
An excellent story by Welsh told with a gritty scottish text. An classic book far better than the film based on the novel.

Porno is a sequel to Trainspotting, and builds on the success of that caustic and very funny novel by taking some of the characters through some radical new catastrophes. Sick Boy returns to Edinburgh with his ventures as a pimp and hustler in London having gone pear-shaped. Desperate for money, he comes up with a new idea, one that (he hopes) will really rake in the cash: the production of a low-rent porn film. Now Welsh introduces us to a new development: the novel's Sick Girl, Nicola Fuller-Smith, the object of Sick Boy's fevered lust, whom he also believes will be his passport to all kinds of substance-abusing happiness - needless to say, he's in for a rude awakening.

Other favourite characters from Trainspotting make a welcome reappearance: Renton, Begbie (even more psychotically dangerous than in the earlier book) and the unfortunate Spud, still unable to kick the drugs. Welsh fans need not hesitate: this is every bit as exuberant, hilarious, disgusting and irresistible as its predecessor.--Barry Forshaw

Riding on past success, 30 Nov 2008
As an aspiring writer, I would be embarrassed if I wrote such drivel. In fact, I'm surprised anyone published it, except of course that Welsh's name sells rather better than his fingers type. The storyline was promising and it could have been good, if just a little more thought had gone into its creation. I wonder if Welsh ever edits his work? I did a little better than Al Stubbino and got to Page 111 before I threw it in the bin. (Okay it's here on my desk, but it's going in the bin in a mo.) If Welsh can't take the time to craft his work why should I waste mine reading it. Life is too short.














intelligent, clever, witty, dark....blummin' good read, 07 Nov 2008


what amazes me about Mr Welsh is that his writing skills are so diverse, he can adapt to such a variety of writing styles and he does them to perfection.

This book did have its slow moments, but its only because Irvine wants you to understand the Characters, i love the way he uses people from his other books over and over, so you almost build a bond with them - i just wish I'd now read them in order...!

Crime is powerful, full of dark pasts and magical moments. I would recomend this to anyone.



Has Irvine been reading Will Self?, 05 Sep 2008
I was quite enjoying this latest offering from Welsh, although it is by no means as well-written, or as "clever" as his previous novels. However, I soon began to have this feeling of deja vu...bloke on holiday with significant other and "his" children (in this case not in the physical sense, although the children, including the main character's own childhood self, are very much present and with us throughout)...bloke inadvertently gets into bother because of a bad habit...plot thickens..main character leaves other half and goes on long journey and discovers dodgy paedo network.
Of course! This is the plot of Will Self's latest novel, The Butt. I cannot believe the audacity!
this aside, "Crime" is in any case a disappointing departure from Welsh's usual style; it is also, in places, really shabbily written, with syntax errors, and out and out grammatical mistakes all the way through. It's almost as if he has thought "Baws tae this, I hae tae dae anither book cause o me contract, but it disnae hae tae be any good because folks'll buy this yin anyway".
In fact this is what I, and it seems many other Welsh fans have done, buying it simply because it is the eagerly-awaited new novel by the famous Irvine Welsh (and our memories jogged perhaps by the showing of TRainspotting on Film4..oh the joys of the Capitalist Machine!)
It's my own fault; I normally take the time to read the first couple of pages at least, and also passages throughout a book before deciding whether it is worth buying, but in this case, the reputation of the author has ensured that the sale is made, even if you don't so much as read the back cover or the opening page.
In Welsh's defence, the subject of "nonces" cannot be avoided in this current climate, with certain cases in our faces all summer, however, the similarities in actual storyline are far too many to be coincidence.
SHAME ON YOU.


Dull and overwritten., 02 Sep 2008
I've always believed the thriller/crime novel was beyond the British. This one by Welsh confirms my belief.
Dull! Overwritten! I got up to about page 90 or 100 and tossed it. Why can't the Brits leave it to the Americans and concentrate on TV Soaps and reality shows?

Surprised at the negativity, to be honest....., 30 Aug 2008
I have to say that I was rather surprised to see the less than complementary reviews about this book. Yes, perhaps it is a departure from his normal writings, but this novel retains enough of Mr Welsh's innovative style and dark humour to leave fans satisfied. I thought it was an excellent novel that shows maturity and hope for more, and quickly. Actually, what I would really like to read is a prequel to "Filth", so if you don't mind....

Stay up and read as the sick boy says the morning takes care of itself,likesay, 28 Dec 2008
This is a fantastic read, I read it years ago and only recently picked it up. I never really read books more than once but, this book is brilliant. Reading for a second time helped let the first few chapters filter in properly as well as I found the language sometimes labourous to understand. I love the language and the writing style it makes you take in every word and its adds to each character.

A lot of my friends have found the language barrier at the start too hard and have given up. I urge you to give it a bit of time and soon it will develop into a great engrossing read. The book is fairly addictive and "Porno" fuels the addiction further and is also an exellent read especially if you take an interest to filth.
Porno

I personally think the Begbie Character in the film was a watered down version of what Ivine welsh intended. He is hilarious in the book and you can really get into each of the characters minds. Watching the film does not really effect the read as the huge chunks of the book are missing in the film and some characters are merged (to what I remember). The whole reason it was called "trainspotting" I feel was lost in the film.

This book is a great filth read likesay. Ah ken its the best ah've ivir read

Don't read this in public., 24 Dec 2008
I remember it well. A day off from work in Aberdeen. Rather than sit in my digs all day, I set off up Union St and popped into one of the big bookstores and bought Trainspotting. On the way back I dropped into a quiet pub and ordered a pint and found a snug corner and opened the book.
To cut a long story short, I was crying. The barman must have thought I was a nutter. But I read and read and laughed and laughed, pint after pint.

The part where Rents is on the bus on the way to score a deal and he is sitting behind some old dear, the pangs of heroin depletion running through his body, wishing cancer cells on her is typically sick of Trainspotting but bloody hillarious at the same time. One of my best experiences in reading pulp fiction.

A cult classic that has stood the test of time, 20 Apr 2008
Originally published in 1993, Irvine Welsh's seminal novel about a group of Edinburgh junkies is still as forcefully mesmerizing today as it was the first time I read it some 12 years ago. The characters - Renton, Sick Boy, Begbie, Spud et al, who have become immortalised and entrenched in the collective consciousness of the nation's movie-watching public, thanks to Danny Boyle's 1996 film - are every bit as captivating and pathetic as their celluloid counterparts, as hideous as they are hilarious, and yet they are rendered far more realistic - and terrifyingly so at that - by Welsh's masterful pen. The use of multiple narratives, for example, with each character contributing their own, unique take on events is a stroke of genius, and an approach to fiction-writing that has since become common-place. Seldom has it been done better, however. Similarly, Welsh's use of dialect in his writing is nothing less than poetic, despite - or perhaps because of - the explosion of profanities and the baseness of the activities it describes. This novel is not without humour or tenderness, but it is used sparingly and in the same way as, say, television's The Royle Family occasionally brings a tear to your eye amid all the inanity, Welsh reminds the reader that these are, in fact, real people about whom he is writing.

If you've seen the film, then you really should read the book, and if this is your first encounter with the works of Irvine Welsh, it's also the obvious starting point. His other books - especially Acid House, Marabou Stork Nightmares, and Porno, which re-visits Trainspotting's characters a decade on - are well worth checking out too.

Matt Pucci

A cult classic that has stood the test of time, 20 Apr 2008
Originally published in 1993, Irvine Welsh's seminal novel about a group of Edinburgh junkies is still as forcefully mesmerizing today as it was the first time I read it some 12 years ago. The characters - Renton, Sick Boy, Begbie, Spud et al, who have become immortalised and entrenched in the collective consciousness of the nation's movie-watching public, thanks to Danny Boyle's 1996 film - are every bit as captivating and pathetic as their celluloid counterparts, as hideous as they are hilarious, and yet they are rendered far more realistic - and terrifyingly so at that - by Welsh's masterful pen. The use of multiple narratives, for example, with each character contributing their own, unique take on events is a stroke of genius, and an approach to fiction-writing that has since become common-place. Seldom has it been done better, however. Similarly, Welsh's use of dialect in his writing is nothing less than poetic, despite - or perhaps because of - the explosion of profanities and the baseness of the activities it describes. This novel is not without humour or tenderness, but it is used sparingly and in the same way as, say, television's The Royle Family occasionally brings a tear to your eye amid all the inanity, Welsh reminds the reader that these are, in fact, real people about whom he is writing.

If you've seen the film, then you really should read the book, and if this is your first encounter with the works of Irvine Welsh, it's also the obvious starting point. His other books - especially Acid House, Marabou Stork Nightmares, and Porno, which re-visits Trainspotting's characters a decade on - are well worth checking out too.

Matt Pucci

One of the best Welsh stories., 08 Apr 2008
An excellent story by Welsh told with a gritty scottish text. An classic book far better than the film based on the novel.

ABSOLUTELY PERFECT, 08 Sep 2008
My first Welsh experience, and one of the best books I have ever read!! Simply superb: the characters, plot, prose, everything about this book rocks. Welsh is a genius. If you've got a pretty sick twisted sense of humour this is absolutely the book for you - you'd be insane not to read this book! Well done Mr Welsh my hat off to you sir!

after drugs, sex, 25 Jun 2008
Welsh comes back to us with the new adventures of Renton and Sick Boy. Renton is now pretty much honest, while Sick Boys his aunt's pub and makes it a swinger's venue. It's a completely different direction Welsh is taking here, but it's all the same shocking, shattering, and rather funny (often), moving (sometimes) and revolting (the rest).

Good but inevitably will be compared unfavorably to "Trainspotting", 06 Jun 2008
This as a stand alone work is engaging and well worth reading. As it is the sequel to the masterpiece "Trainspotting" it will naturally be compared to it. On that front it never reaches the heights of its predecessor. The drug, drink, rock and roll and sex fueled exploits of the characters are still there in abundance as is the hilarious dialogue. One cannot but help but feel that the originality and freshness of "Trainspotting", which helped make it great is not there with this novel. Still recommend though.

Trainspotting revisited, 04 Feb 2008
I adore Irvine Welsh for bringing me back into the lives of the characters i had come to love during Trainspotting. This book was just as brilliant as trainspotting, if not better and if you enjoyed following Renton, Sick boy, Begbie and Spud this is just the ticket. Seriously though...This book is awesome.

Doesn't cut the mustard, 27 Dec 2007
Porno to the world of blue movies should be what Trainspotting was to the world of hard drugs. Unfortunately, it is not.

The comparison to Trainspotting is inevitable, as this is intended to be a ten years on type sequel.

However, while I admired the ability of Welsh to write so crudely and vividly about the use (and abuse) of heroin, it is fair to say that writing about making porn movies doesn't deserve such high praise. The writing in Trainspotting was more to do with emotions, feelings, experiences, and it did truly take you somewhere else. The writing in Porno, is... well, just about that, and I'm sorry to say, the internet is flooded with that kind of material, pretty much anyone can do it, though admittedly there are some truly grotesque and disgusting passages in the book.

Some of the characters take on a much more secondary role that perhaps they deserved, such as that of Rab, where his personal struggle could have expanded on a bit further.

All in all, compelling reading, but only due to the curiosity of learning what happened to the characters we loved and hated in Trainspotting.

Riding on past success, 30 Nov 2008
As an aspiring writer, I would be embarrassed if I wrote such drivel. In fact, I'm surprised anyone published it, except of course that Welsh's name sells rather better than his fingers type. The storyline was promising and it could have been good, if just a little more thought had gone into its creation. I wonder if Welsh ever edits his work? I did a little better than Al Stubbino and got to Page 111 before I threw it in the bin. (Okay it's here on my desk, but it's going in the bin in a mo.) If Welsh can't take the time to craft his work why should I waste mine reading it. Life is too short.














intelligent, clever, witty, dark....blummin' good read, 07 Nov 2008


what amazes me about Mr Welsh is that his writing skills are so diverse, he can adapt to such a variety of writing styles and he does them to perfection.

This book did have its slow moments, but its only because Irvine wants you to understand the Characters, i love the way he uses people from his other books over and over, so you almost build a bond with them - i just wish I'd now read them in order...!

Crime is powerful, full of dark pasts and magical moments. I would recomend this to anyone.



Has Irvine been reading Will Self?, 05 Sep 2008
I was quite enjoying this latest offering from Welsh, although it is by no means as well-written, or as "clever" as his previous novels. However, I soon began to have this feeling of deja vu...bloke on holiday with significant other and "his" children (in this case not in the physical sense, although the children, including the main character's own childhood self, are very much present and with us throughout)...bloke inadvertently gets into bother because of a bad habit...plot thickens..main character leaves other half and goes on long journey and discovers dodgy paedo network.
Of course! This is the plot of Will Self's latest novel, The Butt. I cannot believe the audacity!
this aside, "Crime" is in any case a disappointing departure from Welsh's usual style; it is also, in places, really shabbily written, with syntax errors, and out and out grammatical mistakes all the way through. It's almost as if he has thought "Baws tae this, I hae tae dae anither book cause o me contract, but it disnae hae tae be any good because folks'll buy this yin anyway".
In fact this is what I, and it seems many other Welsh fans have done, buying it simply because it is the eagerly-awaited new novel by the famous Irvine Welsh (and our memories jogged perhaps by the showing of TRainspotting on Film4..oh the joys of the Capitalist Machine!)
It's my own fault; I normally take the time to read the first couple of pages at least, and also passages throughout a book before deciding whether it is worth buying, but in this case, the reputation of the author has ensured that the sale is made, even if you don't so much as read the back cover or the opening page.
In Welsh's defence, the subject of "nonces" cannot be avoided in this current climate, with certain cases in our faces all summer, however, the similarities in actual storyline are far too many to be coincidence.
SHAME ON YOU.


Dull and overwritten., 02 Sep 2008
I've always believed the thriller/crime novel was beyond the British. This one by Welsh confirms my belief.
Dull! Overwritten! I got up to about page 90 or 100 and tossed it. Why can't the Brits leave it to the Americans and concentrate on TV Soaps and reality shows?

Surprised at the negativity, to be honest....., 30 Aug 2008
I have to say that I was rather surprised to see the less than complementary reviews about this book. Yes, perhaps it is a departure from his normal writings, but this novel retains enough of Mr Welsh's innovative style and dark humour to leave fans satisfied. I thought it was an excellent novel that shows maturity and hope for more, and quickly. Actually, what I would really like to read is a prequel to "Filth", so if you don't mind....

Stay up and read as the sick boy says the morning takes care of itself,likesay, 28 Dec 2008
This is a fantastic read, I read it years ago and only recently picked it up. I never really read books more than once but, this book is brilliant. Reading for a second time helped let the first few chapters filter in properly as well as I found the language sometimes labourous to understand. I love the language and the writing style it makes you take in every word and its adds to each character.

A lot of my friends have found the language barrier at the start too hard and have given up. I urge you to give it a bit of time and soon it will develop into a great engrossing read. The book is fairly addictive and "Porno" fuels the addiction further and is also an exellent read especially if you take an interest to filth.
Porno

I personally think the Begbie Character in the film was a watered down version of what Ivine welsh intended. He is hilarious in the book and you can really get into each of the characters minds. Watching the film does not really effect the read as the huge chunks of the book are missing in the film and some characters are merged (to what I remember). The whole reason it was called "trainspotting" I feel was lost in the film.

This book is a great filth read likesay. Ah ken its the best ah've ivir read

Don't read this in public., 24 Dec 2008
I remember it well. A day off from work in Aberdeen. Rather than sit in my digs all day, I set off up Union St and popped into one of the big bookstores and bought Trainspotting. On the way back I dropped into a quiet pub and ordered a pint and found a snug corner and opened the book.
To cut a long story short, I was crying. The barman must have thought I was a nutter. But I read and read and laughed and laughed, pint after pint.

The part where Rents is on the bus on the way to score a deal and he is sitting behind some old dear, the pangs of heroin depletion running through his body, wishing cancer cells on her is typically sick of Trainspotting but bloody hillarious at the same time. One of my best experiences in reading pulp fiction.

A cult classic that has stood the test of time, 20 Apr 2008
Originally published in 1993, Irvine Welsh's seminal novel about a group of Edinburgh junkies is still as forcefully mesmerizing today as it was the first time I read it some 12 years ago. The characters - Renton, Sick Boy, Begbie, Spud et al, who have become immortalised and entrenched in the collective consciousness of the nation's movie-watching public, thanks to Danny Boyle's 1996 film - are every bit as captivating and pathetic as their celluloid counterparts, as hideous as they are hilarious, and yet they are rendered far more realistic - and terrifyingly so at that - by Welsh's masterful pen. The use of multiple narratives, for example, with each character contributing their own, unique take on events is a stroke of genius, and an approach to fiction-writing that has since become common-place. Seldom has it been done better, however. Similarly, Welsh's use of dialect in his writing is nothing less than poetic, despite - or perhaps because of - the explosion of profanities and the baseness of the activities it describes. This novel is not without humour or tenderness, but it is used sparingly and in the same way as, say, television's The Royle Family occasionally brings a tear to your eye amid all the inanity, Welsh reminds the reader that these are, in fact, real people about whom he is writing.

If you've seen the film, then you really should read the book, and if this is your first encounter with the works of Irvine Welsh, it's also the obvious starting point. His other books - especially Acid House, Marabou Stork Nightmares, and Porno, which re-visits Trainspotting's characters a decade on - are well worth checking out too.

Matt Pucci

A cult classic that has stood the test of time, 20 Apr 2008
Originally published in 1993, Irvine Welsh's seminal novel about a group of Edinburgh junkies is still as forcefully mesmerizing today as it was the first time I read it some 12 years ago. The characters - Renton, Sick Boy, Begbie, Spud et al, who have become immortalised and entrenched in the collective consciousness of the nation's movie-watching public, thanks to Danny Boyle's 1996 film - are every bit as captivating and pathetic as their celluloid counterparts, as hideous as they are hilarious, and yet they are rendered far more realistic - and terrifyingly so at that - by Welsh's masterful pen. The use of multiple narratives, for example, with each character contributing their own, unique take on events is a stroke of genius, and an approach to fiction-writing that has since become common-place. Seldom has it been done better, however. Similarly, Welsh's use of dialect in his writing is nothing less than poetic, despite - or perhaps because of - the explosion of profanities and the baseness of the activities it describes. This novel is not without humour or tenderness, but it is used sparingly and in the same way as, say, television's The Royle Family occasionally brings a tear to your eye amid all the inanity, Welsh reminds the reader that these are, in fact, real people about whom he is writing.

If you've seen the film, then you really should read the book, and if this is your first encounter with the works of Irvine Welsh, it's also the obvious starting point. His other books - especially Acid House, Marabou Stork Nightmares, and Porno, which re-visits Trainspotting's characters a decade on - are well worth checking out too.

Matt Pucci

One of the best Welsh stories., 08 Apr 2008
An excellent story by Welsh told with a gritty scottish text. An classic book far better than the film based on the novel.

ABSOLUTELY PERFECT, 08 Sep 2008
My first Welsh experience, and one of the best books I have ever read!! Simply superb: the characters, plot, prose, everything about this book rocks. Welsh is a genius. If you've got a pretty sick twisted sense of humour this is absolutely the book for you - you'd be insane not to read this book! Well done Mr Welsh my hat off to you sir!

after drugs, sex, 25 Jun 2008
Welsh comes back to us with the new adventures of Renton and Sick Boy. Renton is now pretty much honest, while Sick Boys his aunt's pub and makes it a swinger's venue. It's a completely different direction Welsh is taking here, but it's all the same shocking, shattering, and rather funny (often), moving (sometimes) and revolting (the rest).

Good but inevitably will be compared unfavorably to "Trainspotting", 06 Jun 2008
This as a stand alone work is engaging and well worth reading. As it is the sequel to the masterpiece "Trainspotting" it will naturally be compared to it. On that front it never reaches the heights of its predecessor. The drug, drink, rock and roll and sex fueled exploits of the characters are still there in abundance as is the hilarious dialogue. One cannot but help but feel that the originality and freshness of "Trainspotting", which helped make it great is not there with this novel. Still recommend though.

Trainspotting revisited, 04 Feb 2008
I adore Irvine Welsh for bringing me back into the lives of the characters i had come to love during Trainspotting. This book was just as brilliant as trainspotting, if not better and if you enjoyed following Renton, Sick boy, Begbie and Spud this is just the ticket. Seriously though...This book is awesome.

Doesn't cut the mustard, 27 Dec 2007
Porno to the world of blue movies should be what Trainspotting was to the world of hard drugs. Unfortunately, it is not.

The comparison to Trainspotting is inevitable, as this is intended to be a ten years on type sequel.

However, while I admired the ability of Welsh to write so crudely and vividly about the use (and abuse) of heroin, it is fair to say that writing about making porn movies doesn't deserve such high praise. The writing in Trainspotting was more to do with emotions, feelings, experiences, and it did truly take you somewhere else. The writing in Porno, is... well, just about that, and I'm sorry to say, the internet is flooded with that kind of material, pretty much anyone can do it, though admittedly there are some truly grotesque and disgusting passages in the book.

Some of the characters take on a much more secondary role that perhaps they deserved, such as that of Rab, where his personal struggle could have expanded on a bit further.

All in all, compelling reading, but only due to the curiosity of learning what happened to the characters we loved and hated in Trainspotting.

Oscar Wilde - The Picture of Dorian Gray, 18 Nov 2008
By now, most people are aware of the basic plot of this book: young man foolishly wishes that, upon seeing his current beateous youth captured forever in a picture, he could remain in that moment of youth forever, and the picture age in his stead. Not only that, but the picture becomes twisted and cruel as a result of the callous hedonistic behaviour perpetrated by Gray in his perpetual youth. At first, Gray is horrified, but then finds himself submitting to it...

The Picture of Dorian Gray is a fantastic novel, so fantastic that it made me sad that the eminently quoteable Wilde has only written the one. At one point, a bad-influencing friend of Dorian's lends him a novel that Gray is charmed by, a novel that tells of a man who lives a hedonistic lifestyle, with care only for pleasure and enjoyment, and it's this novel that kick-starts Gray's eventual downfall as it affects Gray's behaviour, leading him to eventually describe it as dangerous. Wilde's novel is possibly such a book: it's seductive discussions on hedonism, pleasure, and the real joys of life almost make one want to throw mores out the window and life such a life oneself, or at least wish intensely for a period that one has or could. Henry Wotton, Gray's witty, philosophical influence is a raconeteur, a man of life, who knows its pleasures and derides it's follies, chosing simply to ignore them. It's his discourses that are particularly charming and fascinating. There's obviously a temperance to his message (in terms of the whole arc of the novel), but that's almost neither here nor there. The Picture of Dorian Gray is a superb book, fascinating, witty, supremely intelligent and philosophical, romantic and gothic and chilling also. It's one of those books that might lay a bomb under your life, and it deserves its classic status.

Riding on past success, 30 Nov 2008
As an aspiring writer, I would be embarrassed if I wrote such drivel. In fact, I'm surprised anyone published it, except of course that Welsh's name sells rather better than his fingers type. The storyline was promising and it could have been good, if just a little more thought had gone into its creation. I wonder if Welsh ever edits his work? I did a little better than Al Stubbino and got to Page 111 before I threw it in the bin. (Okay it's here on my desk, but it's going in the bin in a mo.) If Welsh can't take the time to craft his work why should I waste mine reading it. Life is too short.














intelligent, clever, witty, dark....blummin' good read, 07 Nov 2008


what amazes me about Mr Welsh is that his writing skills are so diverse, he can adapt to such a variety of writing styles and he does them to perfection.

This book did have its slow moments, but its only because Irvine wants you to understand the Characters, i love the way he uses people from his other books over and over, so you almost build a bond with them - i just wish I'd now read them in order...!

Crime is powerful, full of dark pasts and magical moments. I would recomend this to anyone.



Has Irvine been reading Will Self?, 05 Sep 2008
I was quite enjoying this latest offering from Welsh, although it is by no means as well-written, or as "clever" as his previous novels. However, I soon began to have this feeling of deja vu...bloke on holiday with significant other and "his" children (in this case not in the physical sense, although the children, including the main character's own childhood self, are very much present and with us throughout)...bloke inadvertently gets into bother because of a bad habit...plot thickens..main character leaves other half and goes on long journey and discovers dodgy paedo network.
Of course! This is the plot of Will Self's latest novel, The Butt. I cannot believe the audacity!
this aside, "Crime" is in any case a disappointing departure from Welsh's usual style; it is also, in places, really shabbily written, with syntax errors, and out and out grammatical mistakes all the way through. It's almost as if he has thought "Baws tae this, I hae tae dae anither book cause o me contract, but it disnae hae tae be any good because folks'll buy this yin anyway".
In fact this is what I, and it seems many other Welsh fans have done, buying it simply because it is the eagerly-awaited new novel by the famous Irvine Welsh (and our memories jogged perhaps by the showing of TRainspotting on Film4..oh the joys of the Capitalist Machine!)
It's my own fault; I normally take the time to read the first couple of pages at least, and also passages throughout a book before deciding whether it is worth buying, but in this case, the reputation of the author has ensured that the sale is made, even if you don't so much as read the back cover or the opening page.
In Welsh's defence, the subject of "nonces" cannot be avoided in this current climate, with certain cases in our faces all summer, however, the similarities in actual storyline are far too many to be coincidence.
SHAME ON YOU.


Dull and overwritten., 02 Sep 2008
I've always believed the thriller/crime novel was beyond the British. This one by Welsh confirms my belief.
Dull! Overwritten! I got up to about page 90 or 100 and tossed it. Why can't the Brits leave it to the Americans and concentrate on TV Soaps and reality shows?

Surprised at the negativity, to be honest....., 30 Aug 2008
I have to say that I was rather surprised to see the less than complementary reviews about this book. Yes, perhaps it is a departure from his normal writings, but this novel retains enough of Mr Welsh's innovative style and dark humour to leave fans satisfied. I thought it was an excellent novel that shows maturity and hope for more, and quickly. Actually, what I would really like to read is a prequel to "Filth", so if you don't mind....

Stay up and read as the sick boy says the morning takes care of itself,likesay, 28 Dec 2008
This is a fantastic read, I read it years ago and only recently picked it up. I never really read books more than once but, this book is brilliant. Reading for a second time helped let the first few chapters filter in properly as well as I found the language sometimes labourous to understand. I love the language and the writing style it makes you take in every word and its adds to each character.

A lot of my friends have found the language barrier at the start too hard and have given up. I urge you to give it a bit of time and soon it will develop into a great engrossing read. The book is fairly addictive and "Porno" fuels the addiction further and is also an exellent read especially if you take an interest to filth.
Porno

I personally think the Begbie Character in the film was a watered down version of what Ivine welsh intended. He is hilarious in the book and you can really get into each of the characters minds. Watching the film does not really effect the read as the huge chunks of the book are missing in the film and some characters are merged (to what I remember). The whole reason it was called "trainspotting" I feel was lost in the film.

This book is a great filth read likesay. Ah ken its the best ah've ivir read

Don't read this in public., 24 Dec 2008
I remember it well. A day off from work in Aberdeen. Rather than sit in my digs all day, I set off up Union St and popped into one of the big bookstores and bought Trainspotting. On the way back I dropped into a quiet pub and ordered a pint and found a snug corner and opened the book.
To cut a long story short, I was crying. The barman must have thought I was a nutter. But I read and read and laughed and laughed, pint after pint.

The part where Rents is on the bus on the way to score a deal and he is sitting behind some old dear, the pangs of heroin depletion running through his body, wishing cancer cells on her is typically sick of Trainspotting but bloody hillarious at the same time. One of my best experiences in reading pulp fiction.

A cult classic that has stood the test of time, 20 Apr 2008
Originally published in 1993, Irvine Welsh's seminal novel about a group of Edinburgh junkies is still as forcefully mesmerizing today as it was the first time I read it some 12 years ago. The characters - Renton, Sick Boy, Begbie, Spud et al, who have become immortalised and entrenched in the collective consciousness of the nation's movie-watching public, thanks to Danny Boyle's 1996 film - are every bit as captivating and pathetic as their celluloid counterparts, as hideous as they are hilarious, and yet they are rendered far more realistic - and terrifyingly so at that - by Welsh's masterful pen. The use of multiple narratives, for example, with each character contributing their own, unique take on events is a stroke of genius, and an approach to fiction-writing that has since become common-place. Seldom has it been done better, however. Similarly, Welsh's use of dialect in his writing is nothing less than poetic, despite - or perhaps because of - the explosion of profanities and the baseness of the activities it describes. This novel is not without humour or tenderness, but it is used sparingly and in the same way as, say, television's The Royle Family occasionally brings a tear to your eye amid all the inanity, Welsh reminds the reader that these are, in fact, real people about whom he is writing.

If you've seen the film, then you really should read the book, and if this is your first encounter with the works of Irvine Welsh, it's also the obvious starting point. His other books - especially Acid House, Marabou Stork Nightmares, and Porno, which re-visits Trainspotting's characters a decade on - are well worth checking out too.

Matt Pucci

A cult classic that has stood the test of time, 20 Apr 2008
Originally published in 1993, Irvine Welsh's seminal novel about a group of Edinburgh junkies is still as forcefully mesmerizing today as it was the first time I read it some 12 years ago. The characters - Renton, Sick Boy, Begbie, Spud et al, who have become immortalised and entrenched in the collective consciousness of the nation's movie-watching public, thanks to Danny Boyle's 1996 film - are every bit as captivating and pathetic as their celluloid counterparts, as hideous as they are hilarious, and yet they are rendered far more realistic - and terrifyingly so at that - by Welsh's masterful pen. The use of multiple narratives, for example, with each character contributing their own, unique take on events is a stroke of genius, and an approach to fiction-writing that has since become common-place. Seldom has it been done better, however. Similarly, Welsh's use of dialect in his writing is nothing less than poetic, despite - or perhaps because of - the explosion of profanities and the baseness of the activities it describes. This novel is not without humour or tenderness, but it is used sparingly and in the same way as, say, television's The Royle Family occasionally brings a tear to your eye amid all the inanity, Welsh reminds the reader that these are, in fact, real people about whom he is writing.

If you've seen the film, then you really should read the book, and if this is your first encounter with the works of Irvine Welsh, it's also the obvious starting point. His other books - especially Acid House, Marabou Stork Nightmares, and Porno, which re-visits Trainspotting's characters a decade on - are well worth checking out too.

Matt Pucci

One of the best Welsh stories., 08 Apr 2008
An excellent story by Welsh told with a gritty scottish text. An classic book far better than the film based on the novel.

ABSOLUTELY PERFECT, 08 Sep 2008
My first Welsh experience, and one of the best books I have ever read!! Simply superb: the characters, plot, prose, everything about this book rocks. Welsh is a genius. If you've got a pretty sick twisted sense of humour this is absolutely the book for you - you'd be insane not to read this book! Well done Mr Welsh my hat off to you sir!

after drugs, sex, 25 Jun 2008
Welsh comes back to us with the new adventures of Renton and Sick Boy. Renton is now pretty much honest, while Sick Boys his aunt's pub and makes it a swinger's venue. It's a completely different direction Welsh is taking here, but it's all the same shocking, shattering, and rather funny (often), moving (sometimes) and revolting (the rest).

Good but inevitably will be compared unfavorably to "Trainspotting", 06 Jun 2008
This as a stand alone work is engaging and well worth reading. As it is the sequel to the masterpiece "Trainspotting" it will naturally be compared to it. On that front it never reaches the heights of its predecessor. The drug, drink, rock and roll and sex fueled exploits of the characters are still there in abundance as is the hilarious dialogue. One cannot but help but feel that the originality and freshness of "Trainspotting", which helped make it great is not there with this novel. Still recommend though.

Trainspotting revisited, 04 Feb 2008
I adore Irvine Welsh for bringing me back into the lives of the characters i had come to love during Trainspotting. This book was just as brilliant as trainspotting, if not better and if you enjoyed following Renton, Sick boy, Begbie and Spud this is just the ticket. Seriously though...This book is awesome.

Doesn't cut the mustard, 27 Dec 2007
Porno to the world of blue movies should be what Trainspotting was to the world of hard drugs. Unfortunately, it is not.

The comparison to Trainspotting is inevitable, as this is intended to be a ten years on type sequel.

However, while I admired the ability of Welsh to write so crudely and vividly about the use (and abuse) of heroin, it is fair to say that writing about making porn movies doesn't deserve such high praise. The writing in Trainspotting was more to do with emotions, feelings, experiences, and it did truly take you somewhere else. The writing in Porno, is... well, just about that, and I'm sorry to say, the internet is flooded with that kind of material, pretty much anyone can do it, though admittedly there are some truly grotesque and disgusting passages in the book.

Some of the characters take on a much more secondary role that perhaps they deserved, such as that of Rab, where his personal struggle could have expanded on a bit further.

All in all, compelling reading, but only due to the curiosity of learning what happened to the characters we loved and hated in Trainspotting.

Oscar Wilde - The Picture of Dorian Gray, 18 Nov 2008
By now, most people are aware of the basic plot of this book: young man foolishly wishes that, upon seeing his current beateous youth captured forever in a picture, he could remain in that moment of youth forever, and the picture age in his stead. Not only that, but the picture becomes twisted and cruel as a result of the callous hedonistic behaviour perpetrated by Gray in his perpetual youth. At first, Gray is horrified, but then finds himself submitting to it...

The Picture of Dorian Gray is a fantastic novel, so fantastic that it made me sad that the eminently quoteable Wilde has only written the one. At one point, a bad-influencing friend of Dorian's lends him a novel that Gray is charmed by, a novel that tells of a man who lives a hedonistic lifestyle, with care only for pleasure and enjoyment, and it's this novel that kick-starts Gray's eventual downfall as it affects Gray's behaviour, leading him to eventually describe it as dangerous. Wilde's novel is possibly such a book: it's seductive discussions on hedonism, pleasure, and the real joys of life almost make one want to throw mores out the window and life such a life oneself, or at least wish intensely for a period that one has or could. Henry Wotton, Gray's witty, philosophical influence is a raconeteur, a man of life, who knows its pleasures and derides it's follies, chosing simply to ignore them. It's his discourses that are particularly charming and fascinating. There's obviously a temperance to his message (in terms of the whole arc of the novel), but that's almost neither here nor there. The Picture of Dorian Gray is a superb book, fascinating, witty, supremely intelligent and philosophical, romantic and gothic and chilling also. It's one of those books that might lay a bomb under your life, and it deserves its classic status.

A mixed assortment, 08 Nov 2008
In this collection of stories, Welsh writes with energy and imagination, developing five very different but interesting works. In my opinion, 'Rattlesnakes' is the least interesting story in the book. The characters are poorly developed and the ending unsatisfying. After this disappointing start, the book improves rapidly.' If You Like School, You'll Love Work', the story of the ex-pat bar-owner managing his relationships with his women seems very real and is energetic and entertaining.'The Dogs of Lincoln Park' manages to explore the dangers of racial stereotyping with verve and humour. 'Miss Arizona' feel a bit like a parody of a Poe tale, but settings and characters are explored superbly well.
The highlight of the book is the novel, 'The King of Fife'. Welsh returns to Scotland and writes with confidence in dialect. The writing has energy and humour, exploring the passion of a failed jockey from Cowdenbeath for a horse-obsessed girl. Welsh writes with knowledge and understanding of class differences and this modern interpretation of Romeo and Juliet is a rich an rewarding tale.

A total waste of paper!!!, 27 Sep 2008
It's hard to imagine that this book was written by the same author who gave us Trainspotting and The Acid House. It seems that Welsh has finally run out of ideas and you could be forgiven for thinking that these short stories were actually written by a third rate Irvine Welsh copyist. Please take my advice and spend your hard earned cash on something else. On this evidence Mr Welsh is definitely yesterday's man. (I gave this book one star only because Amazon don't let you give any less).

A case of 'writers block' perhaps?...., 09 Sep 2008
If You Liked School, You'll Love Work The first few words of the first story had me captivated but after a few pages, the story kind of lost it's way and I found myself losing concentration regularly. It was pretty much the same with the next 3 stories and I was finding myself actually looking forward to the end of the book which isn't a good thing! That was until I started reading the final story, Kingdom of Fife which, in one word, is FANTASTIC! Definitely a case of leaving the best until last, the story is very similar to the stories in The Acid House and I think it'd make a good mini movie. I thought the 1st 4 stories were very bland and didn't really go anywhere. I hate to say that as I think Welsh is literary genius.

If you like Irvine Welsh borrow this but don't buy it, 20 Aug 2008
Hugely disappointing apart from The Kingdom of Fife which is Welsh at his best, the other stories are quite frankly rubbish and wouldn't be out of place in the 1970's horror compilations I used to read as a teenager. Stick to what you know Mr Welsh, The Kingdom of Fife is a cracker but the rest is dross.

Partial return to form, 12 Aug 2008
There's an interesting spread of views on this book at the time of writing. I stopped reading Welsh after Glue, which I thought was dreadful. There were already signs he was losing it in Filth, which - although very funny in parts - was boring and contrived at points, and was losing the spontaneity, wit and imagination of his first few books.

But I disagree with those who give this collection one or two stars. There's much more going on here than these reviewers give Welsh credit for, and I agree with some of the blurb that says this is a return to form.

This collection is uneven, there's no doubt about that. The first story, Rattlesnakes, is lame. In the other four stories, some of the characterization is flat and the plots contrived or silly. But the good stuff is very good, and the funny bits are hilarious. Miss Arizona and Kingdom of Fife are excellent, in different ways, and If You Liked School... and The Dogs of Lincoln Park have some very good moments.

In particular I like the way Welsh is branching out into other areas of mimicry - Chicago socialites, an expat London chav bar-owner in the Canaries, a Texan ex alcoholic etc. Welsh's ability to exploit dialectal variation and nuance and - particulary in Miss Arizona - his ability to convey the feel and sentiment of a whole American literary genre is very sophisticated and creates a richness beyond the characters and plots, such as they are. In this sense, the stories here are more ambitious than anything in the Acid House for example, and Miss Arizona in particular indicates a possible future for Welsh, writing noir crime thrillers with spooky plot twists.

With a title like Glue, it would seem reasonable to assume that Irvine Welsh's new novel is a profound reflection upon the pitfalls of solvent abuse. In fact, the glue of Welsh's book deals with the bonds that unite four boys growing up together in "the scheme", the "slum-clearance" flats of Edinburgh, whose optimistic construction in the 1970s give way to the poverty, unemployment and crime of the 1980s and 1990s. It is this despair that defines the lives of Welsh's central protagonists: Terry Lawson, work-shy and sex-mad; Carl Ewart, budding DJ; Billy Birrell, boxer, and Andrew Galloway, a drug addict who tests HIV-positive.

Glue is a bildungsroman of growing up bad, recounted in Welsh's inimitable style. The novel follows the boys through their early forays into sex, drink, drugs and football violence, written in the author's trademark vernacular. Carl Ewart poses crucial questions such as: "How dae ah chat up a bird?" and "Do I wear a rubber johnny? (If so, nae problem, I've started trying them on so ah ken how tae fir them)". Welsh also attempts occasional political comment on the friends' difficulties: Billy Birrell reflects: "Having money is the only way to get respect. Desperate, but that's the world we live in now." However, Welsh is better at grotesque moments of sex and violence and offhand one-liners, such as: "Guilt and shaggin, they go the gither like fish 'n' chips". Fans of Trainspotting will love Glue, even down to the brief appearance of Begbie and Renton, but others may feel that the novel is just more of the same, and that this performance finds Welsh stuck in a rut. --Jerry Brotton

Riding on past success, 30 Nov 2008
As an aspiring writer, I would be embarrassed if I wrote such drivel. In fact, I'm surprised anyone published it, except of course that Welsh's name sells rather better than his fingers type. The storyline was promising and it could have been good, if just a little more thought had gone into its creation. I wonder if Welsh ever edits his work? I did a little better than Al Stubbino and got to Page 111 before I threw it in the bin. (Okay it's here on my desk, but it's going in the bin in a mo.) If Welsh can't take the time to craft his work why should I waste mine reading it. Life is too short.














intelligent, clever, witty, dark....blummin' good read, 07 Nov 2008


what amazes me about Mr Welsh is that his writing skills are so diverse, he can adapt to such a variety of writing styles and he does them to perfection.

This book did have its slow moments, but its only because Irvine wants you to understand the Characters, i love the way he uses people from his other books over and over, so you almost build a bond with them - i just wish I'd now read them in order...!

Crime is powerful, full of dark pasts and magical moments. I would recomend this to anyone.



Has Irvine been reading Will Self?, 05 Sep 2008
I was quite enjoying this latest offering from Welsh, although it is by no means as well-written, or as "clever" as his previous novels. However, I soon began to have this feeling of deja vu...bloke on holiday with significant other and "his" children (in this case not in the physical sense, although the children, including the main character's own childhood self, are very much present and with us throughout)...bloke inadvertently gets into bother because of a bad habit...plot thickens..main character leaves other half and goes on long journey and discovers dodgy paedo network.
Of course! This is the plot of Will Self's latest novel, The Butt. I cannot believe the audacity!
this aside, "Crime" is in any case a disappointing departure from Welsh's usual style; it is also, in places, really shabbily written, with syntax errors, and out and out grammatical mistakes all the way through. It's almost as if he has thought "Baws tae this, I hae tae dae anither book cause o me contract, but it disnae hae tae be any good because folks'll buy this yin anyway".
In fact this is what I, and it seems many other Welsh fans have done, buying it simply because it is the eagerly-awaited new novel by the famous Irvine Welsh (and our memories jogged perhaps by the showing of TRainspotting on Film4..oh the joys of the Capitalist Machine!)
It's my own fault; I normally take the time to read the first couple of pages at least, and also passages throughout a book before deciding whether it is worth buying, but in this case, the reputation of the author has ensured that the sale is made, even if you don't so much as read the back cover or the opening page.
In Welsh's defence, the subject of "nonces" cannot be avoided in this current climate, with certain cases in our faces all summer, however, the similarities in actual storyline are far too many to be coincidence.
SHAME ON YOU.


Dull and overwritten., 02 Sep 2008
I've always believed the thriller/crime novel was beyond the British. This one by Welsh confirms my belief.
Dull! Overwritten! I got up to about page 90 or 100 and tossed it. Why can't the Brits leave it to the Americans and concentrate on TV Soaps and reality shows?

Surprised at the negativity, to be honest....., 30 Aug 2008
I have to say that I was rather surprised to see the less than complementary reviews about this book. Yes, perhaps it is a departure from his normal writings, but this novel retains enough of Mr Welsh's innovative style and dark humour to leave fans satisfied. I thought it was an excellent novel that shows maturity and hope for more, and quickly. Actually, what I would really like to read is a prequel to "Filth", so if you don't mind....

Stay up and read as the sick boy says the morning takes care of itself,likesay, 28 Dec 2008
This is a fantastic read, I read it years ago and only recently picked it up. I never really read books more than once but, this book is brilliant. Reading for a second time helped let the first few chapters filter in properly as well as I found the language sometimes labourous to understand. I love the language and the writing style it makes you take in every word and its adds to each character.

A lot of my friends have found the language barrier at the start too hard and have given up. I urge you to give it a bit of time and soon it will develop into a great engrossing read. The book is fairly addictive and "Porno" fuels the addiction further and is also an exellent read especially if you take an interest to filth.
Porno

I personally think the Begbie Character in the film was a watered down version of what Ivine welsh intended. He is hilarious in the book and you can really get into each of the characters minds. Watching the film does not really effect the read as the huge chunks of the book are missing in the film and some characters are merged (to what I remember). The whole reason it was called "trainspotting" I feel was lost in the film.

This book is a great filth read likesay. Ah ken its the best ah've ivir read

Don't read this in public., 24 Dec 2008
I remember it well. A day off from work in Aberdeen. Rather than sit in my digs all day, I set off up Union St and popped into one of the big bookstores and bought Trainspotting. On the way back I dropped into a quiet pub and ordered a pint and found a snug corner and opened the book.
To cut a long story short, I was crying. The barman must have thought I was a nutter. But I read and read and laughed and laughed, pint after pint.

The part where Rents is on the bus on the way to score a deal and he is sitting behind some old dear, the pangs of heroin depletion running through his body, wishing cancer cells on her is typically sick of Trainspotting but bloody hillarious at the same time. One of my best experiences in reading pulp fiction.

A cult classic that has stood the test of time, 20 Apr 2008
Originally published in 1993, Irvine Welsh's seminal novel about a group of Edinburgh junkies is still as forcefully mesmerizing today as it was the first time I read it some 12 years ago. The characters - Renton, Sick Boy, Begbie, Spud et al, who have become immortalised and entrenched in the collective consciousness of the nation's movie-watching public, thanks to Danny Boyle's 1996 film - are every bit as captivating and pathetic as their celluloid counterparts, as hideous as they are hilarious, and yet they are rendered far more realistic - and terrifyingly so at that - by Welsh's masterful pen. The use of multiple narratives, for example, with each character contributing their own, unique take on events is a stroke of genius, and an approach to fiction-writing that has since become common-place. Seldom has it been done better, however. Similarly, Welsh's use of dialect in his writing is nothing less than poetic, despite - or perhaps because of - the explosion of profanities and the baseness of the activities it describes. This novel is not without humour or tenderness, but it is used sparingly and in the same way as, say, television's The Royle Family occasionally brings a tear to your eye amid all the inanity, Welsh reminds the reader that these are, in fact, real people about whom he is writing.

If you've seen the film, then you really should read the book, and if this is your first encounter with the works of Irvine Welsh, it's also the obvious starting point. His other books - especially Acid House, Marabou Stork Nightmares, and Porno, which re-visits Trainspotting's characters a decade on - are well worth checking out too.

Matt Pucci

A cult classic that has stood the test of time, 20 Apr 2008
Originally published in 1993, Irvine Welsh's seminal novel about a group of Edinburgh junkies is still as forcefully mesmerizing today as it was the first time I read it some 12 years ago. The characters - Renton, Sick Boy, Begbie, Spud et al, who have become immortalised and entrenched in the collective consciousness of the nation's movie-watching public, thanks to Danny Boyle's 1996 film - are every bit as captivating and pathetic as their celluloid counterparts, as hideous as they are hilarious, and yet they are rendered far more realistic - and terrifyingly so at that - by Welsh's masterful pen. The use of multiple narratives, for example, with each character contributing their own, unique take on events is a stroke of genius, and an approach to fiction-writing that has since become common-place. Seldom has it been done better, however. Similarly, Welsh's use of dialect in his writing is nothing less than poetic, despite - or perhaps because of - the explosion of profanities and the baseness of the activities it describes. This novel is not without humour or tenderness, but it is used sparingly and in the same way as, say, television's The Royle Family occasionally brings a tear to your eye amid all the inanity, Welsh reminds the reader that these are, in fact, real people about whom he is writing.

If you've seen the film, then you really should read the book, and if this is your first encounter with the works of Irvine Welsh, it's also the obvious starting point. His other books - especially Acid House, Marabou Stork Nightmares, and Porno, which re-visits Trainspotting's characters a decade on - are well worth checking out too.

Matt Pucci

One of the best Welsh stories., 08 Apr 2008
An excellent story by Welsh told with a gritty scottish text. An classic book far better than the film based on the novel.

ABSOLUTELY PERFECT, 08 Sep 2008
My first Welsh experience, and one of the best books I have ever read!! Simply superb: the characters, plot, prose, everything about this book rocks. Welsh is a genius. If you've got a pretty sick twisted sense of humour this is absolutely the book for you - you'd be insane not to read this book! Well done Mr Welsh my hat off to you sir!

after drugs, sex, 25 Jun 2008
Welsh comes back to us with the new adventures of Renton and Sick Boy. Renton is now pretty much honest, while Sick Boys his aunt's pub and makes it a swinger's venue. It's a completely different direction Welsh is taking here, but it's all the same shocking, shattering, and rather funny (often), moving (sometimes) and revolting (the rest).

Good but inevitably will be compared unfavorably to "Trainspotting", 06 Jun 2008
This as a stand alone work is engaging and well worth reading. As it is the sequel to the masterpiece "Trainspotting" it will naturally be compared to it. On that front it never reaches the heights of its predecessor. The drug, drink, rock and roll and sex fueled exploits of the characters are still there in abundance as is the hilarious dialogue. One cannot but help but feel that the originality and freshness of "Trainspotting", which helped make it great is not there with this novel. Still recommend though.

Trainspotting revisited, 04 Feb 2008
I adore Irvine Welsh for bringing me back into the lives of the characters i had come to love during Trainspotting. This book was just as brilliant as trainspotting, if not better and if you enjoyed following Renton, Sick boy, Begbie and Spud this is just the ticket. Seriously though...This book is awesome.

Doesn't cut the mustard, 27 Dec 2007
Porno to the world of blue movies should be what Trainspotting was to the world of hard drugs. Unfortunately, it is not.

The comparison to Trainspotting is inevitable, as this is intended to be a ten years on type sequel.

However, while I admired the ability of Welsh to write so crudely and vividly about the use (and abuse) of heroin, it is fair to say that writing about making porn movies doesn't deserve such high praise. The writing in Trainspotting was more to do with emotions, feelings, experiences, and it did truly take you somewhere else. The writing in Porno, is... well, just about that, and I'm sorry to say, the internet is flooded with that kind of material, pretty much anyone can do it, though admittedly there are some truly grotesque and disgusting passages in the book.

Some of the characters take on a much more secondary role that perhaps they deserved, such as that of Rab, where his personal struggle could have expanded on a bit further.

All in all, compelling reading, but only due to the curiosity of learning what happened to the characters we loved and hated in Trainspotting.

Oscar Wilde - The Picture of Dorian Gray, 18 Nov 2008
By now, most people are aware of the basic plot of this book: young man foolishly wishes that, upon seeing his current beateous youth captured forever in a picture, he could remain in that moment of youth forever, and the picture age in his stead. Not only that, but the picture becomes twisted and cruel as a result of the callous hedonistic behaviour perpetrated by Gray in his perpetual youth. At first, Gray is horrified, but then finds himself submitting to it...

The Picture of Dorian Gray is a fantastic novel, so fantastic that it made me sad that the eminently quoteable Wilde has only written the one. At one point, a bad-influencing friend of Dorian's lends him a novel that Gray is charmed by, a novel that tells of a man who lives a hedonistic lifestyle, with care only for pleasure and enjoyment, and it's this novel that kick-starts Gray's eventual downfall as it affects Gray's behaviour, leading him to eventually describe it as dangerous. Wilde's novel is possibly such a book: it's seductive discussions on hedonism, pleasure, and the real joys of life almost make one want to throw mores out the window and life such a life oneself, or at least wish intensely for a period that one has or could. Henry Wotton, Gray's witty, philosophical influence is a raconeteur, a man of life, who knows its pleasures and derides it's follies, chosing simply to ignore them. It's his discourses that are particularly charming and fascinating. There's obviously a temperance to his message (in terms of the whole arc of the novel), but that's almost neither here nor there. The Picture of Dorian Gray is a superb book, fascinating, witty, supremely intelligent and philosophical, romantic and gothic and chilling also. It's one of those books that might lay a bomb under your life, and it deserves its classic status.

A mixed assortment, 08 Nov 2008
In this collection of stories, Welsh writes with energy and imagination, developing five very different but interesting works. In my opinion, 'Rattlesnakes' is the least interesting story in the book. The characters are poorly developed and the ending unsatisfying. After this disappointing start, the book improves rapidly.' If You Like School, You'll Love Work', the story of the ex-pat bar-owner managing his relationships with his women seems very real and is energetic and entertaining.'The Dogs of Lincoln Park' manages to explore the dangers of racial stereotyping with verve and humour. 'Miss Arizona' feel a bit like a parody of a Poe tale, but settings and characters are explored superbly well.
The highlight of the book is the novel, 'The King of Fife'. Welsh returns to Scotland and writes with confidence in dialect. The writing has energy and humour, exploring the passion of a failed jockey from Cowdenbeath for a horse-obsessed girl. Welsh writes with knowledge and understanding of class differences and this modern interpretation of Romeo and Juliet is a rich an rewarding tale.

A total waste of paper!!!, 27 Sep 2008
It's hard to imagine that this book was written by the same author who gave us Trainspotting and The Acid House. It seems that Welsh has finally run out of ideas and you could be forgiven for thinking that these short stories were actually written by a third rate Irvine Welsh copyist. Please take my advice and spend your hard earned cash on something else. On this evidence Mr Welsh is definitely yesterday's man. (I gave this book one star only because Amazon don't let you give any less).

A case of 'writers block' perhaps?...., 09 Sep 2008
If You Liked School, You'll Love Work The first few words of the first story had me captivated but after a few pages, the story kind of lost it's way and I found myself losing concentration regularly. It was pretty much the same with the next 3 stories and I was finding myself actually looking forward to the end of the book which isn't a good thing! That was until I started reading the final story, Kingdom of Fife which, in one word, is FANTASTIC! Definitely a case of leaving the best until last, the story is very similar to the stories in The Acid House and I think it'd make a good mini movie. I thought the 1st 4 stories were very bland and didn't really go anywhere. I hate to say that as I think Welsh is literary genius.

If you like Irvine Welsh borrow this but don't buy it, 20 Aug 2008
Hugely disappointing apart from The Kingdom of Fife which is Welsh at his best, the other stories are quite frankly rubbish and wouldn't be out of place in the 1970's horror compilations I used to read as a teenager. Stick to what you know Mr Welsh, The Kingdom of Fife is a cracker but the rest is dross.

Partial return to form, 12 Aug 2008
There's an interesting spread of views on this book at the time of writing. I stopped reading Welsh after Glue, which I thought was dreadful. There were already signs he was losing it in Filth, which - although very funny in parts - was boring and contrived at points, and was losing the spontaneity, wit and imagination of his first few books.

But I disagree with those who give this collection one or two stars. There's much more going on here than these reviewers give Welsh credit for, and I agree with some of the blurb that says this is a return to form.

This collection is uneven, there's no doubt about that. The first story, Rattlesnakes, is lame. In the other four stories, some of the characterization is flat and the plots contrived or silly. But the good stuff is very good, and the funny bits are hilarious. Miss Arizona and Kingdom of Fife are excellent, in different ways, and If You Liked School... and The Dogs of Lincoln Park have some very good moments.

In particular I like the way Welsh is branching out into other areas of mimicry - Chicago socialites, an expat London chav bar-owner in the Canaries, a Texan ex alcoholic etc. Welsh's ability to exploit dialectal variation and nuance and - particulary in Miss Arizona - his ability to convey the feel and sentiment of a whole American literary genre is very sophisticated and creates a richness beyond the characters and plots, such as they are. In this sense, the stories here are more ambitious than anything in the Acid House for example, and Miss Arizona in particular indicates a possible future for Welsh, writing noir crime thrillers with spooky plot twists.



IRVINE WELSH CLASSIC, 15 May 2008
For me, Welsh's best - indeed one of the best novels i have ever read.
Just shades it from Trainspotting & Marabou Stork Nightmares.
Absoluteley AMAZING characterisation & set in the same fictional universe as Trainspotting/Porno with some familiar names.

Truth is the last Welsh novel I read was Porno & I was massiveley dissapointed; I'd be grateful for any comments advising over his later work....

Great, great book, 14 Apr 2008
I've read a few of Welsh's books and this is easily one of the best. It's trademark Welsh - gritty, and harshly real, but this one will actually leave you feeling good about life in general.

A fantastically original novel, 18 Dec 2007
Funny how the idea of a novel following a group of lads every generation has never really come to a British writer outside of Irvine Welsh. It is a fantastic idea, a brilliant one, and "Glue" could be Welsh's finest novel. The hype does not live up to "Trainspotting" or "Filth", but it's a book that, sooner or later, everybody who loves Welsh's writing will come to and will absolutely love it.

It follows the lifes of a group of lads growing up in Edinburgh, whom turn to sex, drugs, violence, and hooliganism. The storyline is a basic Welsh plot, which is used in many of his novels. However, the style is different. It does not focus on his narrative structure ("I cannae ken"), but it does on the story. I felt that "Trainspotting", as brilliant as it is, does not particually focus on the story but on the characters. "Glue" does both.

Are the characters likeable? They are as likeable as Mark Renton in "Trainspotting", or Rebecca in "Ecstasy". They are disturbed characters, and they are bad people, but from Welsh's point of view they are shown as "alright people". I think Irvine Welsh is fantastic at doing that, and "Glue" could be his finest hour.

edinbra, 14 Nov 2007
glue is a great story of growing up on the schemes and enduring friendships.Regarding it being written in east coast dialect,im originally from the west coast and found the dialect no problem.Anybody giving up reading the book because of this is missing a great true to life tale of what its like to grow up on the schemes of scotland.I could relate the characters in this book to my experiences growing up.

My first irvine welsh...loved it, 01 Oct 2007
This book is the first irvine whelsh book i have read, i must say i loved it and it got me back into to reading mostly irvine welsh.

Riding on past success, 30 Nov 2008
As an aspiring writer, I would be embarrassed if I wrote such drivel. In fact, I'm surprised anyone published it, except of course that Welsh's name sells rather better than his fingers type. The storyline was promising and it could have been good, if just a little more thought had gone into its creation. I wonder if Welsh ever edits his work? I did a little better than Al Stubbino and got to Page 111 before I threw it in the bin. (Okay it's here on my desk, but it's going in the bin in a mo.) If Welsh can't take the time to craft his work why should I waste mine reading it. Life is too short.














intelligent, clever, witty, dark....blummin' good read, 07 Nov 2008


what amazes me about Mr Welsh is that his writing skills are so diverse, he can adapt to such a variety of writing styles and he does them to perfection.

This book did have its slow moments, but its only because Irvine wants you to understand the Characters, i love the way he uses people from his other books over and over, so you almost build a bond with them - i just wish I'd now read them in order...!

Crime is powerful, full of dark pasts and magical moments. I would recomend this to anyone.



Has Irvine been reading Will Self?, 05 Sep 2008
I was quite enjoying this latest offering from Welsh, although it is by no means as well-written, or as "clever" as his previous novels. However, I soon began to have this feeling of deja vu...bloke on holiday with significant other and "his" children (in this case not in the physical sense, although the children, including the main character's own childhood self, are very much present and with us throughout)...bloke inadvertently gets into bother because of a bad habit...plot thickens..main character leaves other half and goes on long journey and discovers dodgy paedo network.
Of course! This is the plot of Will Self's latest novel, The Butt. I cannot believe the audacity!
this aside, "Crime" is in any case a disappointing departure from Welsh's usual style; it is also, in places, really shabbily written, with syntax errors, and out and out grammatical mistakes all the way through. It's almost as if he has thought "Baws tae this, I hae tae dae anither book cause o me contract, but it disnae hae tae be any good because folks'll buy this yin anyway".
In fact this is what I, and it seems many other Welsh fans have done, buying it simply because it is the eagerly-awaited new novel by the famous Irvine Welsh (and our memories jogged perhaps by the showing of TRainspotting on Film4..oh the joys of the Capitalist Machine!)
It's my own fault; I normally take the time to read the first couple of pages at least, and also passages throughout a book before deciding whether it is worth buying, but in this case, the reputation of the author has ensured that the sale is made, even if you don't so much as read the back cover or the opening page.
In Welsh's defence, the subject of "nonces" cannot be avoided in this current climate, with certain cases in our faces all summer, however, the similarities in actual storyline are far too many to be coincidence.
SHAME ON YOU.


Dull and overwritten., 02 Sep 2008
I've always believed the thriller/crime novel was beyond the British. This one by Welsh confirms my belief.
Dull! Overwritten! I got up to about page 90 or 100 and tossed it. Why can't the Brits leave it to the Americans and concentrate on TV Soaps and reality shows?

Surprised at the negativity, to be honest....., 30 Aug 2008
I have to say that I was rather surprised to see the less than complementary reviews about this book. Yes, perhaps it is a departure from his normal writings, but this novel retains enough of Mr Welsh's innovative style and dark humour to leave fans satisfied. I thought it was an excellent novel that shows maturity and hope for more, and quickly. Actually, what I would really like to read is a prequel to "Filth", so if you don't mind....

Stay up and read as the sick boy says the morning takes care of itself,likesay, 28 Dec 2008
This is a fantastic read, I read it years ago and only recently picked it up. I never really read books more than once but, this book is brilliant. Reading for a second time helped let the first few chapters filter in properly as well as I found the language sometimes labourous to understand. I love the language and the writing style it makes you take in every word and its adds to each character.

A lot of my friends have found the language barrier at the start too hard and have given up. I urge you to give it a bit of time and soon it will develop into a great engrossing read. The book is fairly addictive and "Porno" fuels the addiction further and is also an exellent read especially if you take an interest to filth.
Porno

I personally think the Begbie Character in the film was a watered down version of what Ivine welsh intended. He is hilarious in the book and you can really get into each of the characters minds. Watching the film does not really effect the read as the huge chunks of the book are missing in the film and some characters are merged (to what I remember). The whole reason it was called "trainspotting" I feel was lost in the film.

This book is a great filth read likesay. Ah ken its the best ah've ivir read

Don't read this in public., 24 Dec 2008
I remember it well. A day off from work in Aberdeen. Rather than sit in my digs all day, I set off up Union St and popped into one of the big bookstores and bought Trainspotting. On the way back I dropped into a quiet pub and ordered a pint and found a snug corner and opened the book.
To cut a long story short, I was crying. The barman must have thought I was a nutter. But I read and read and laughed and laughed, pint after pint.

The part where Rents is on the bus on the way to score a deal and he is sitting behind some old dear, the pangs of heroin depletion running through his body, wishing cancer cells on her is typically sick of Trainspotting but bloody hillarious at the same time. One of my best experiences in reading pulp fiction.

A cult classic that has stood the test of time, 20 Apr 2008
Originally published in 1993, Irvine Welsh's seminal novel about a group of Edinburgh junkies is still as forcefully mesmerizing today as it was the first time I read it some 12 years ago. The characters - Renton, Sick Boy, Begbie, Spud et al, who have become immortalised and entrenched in the collective consciousness of the nation's movie-watching public, thanks to Danny Boyle's 1996 film - are every bit as captivating and pathetic as their celluloid counterparts, as hideous as they are hilarious, and yet they are rendered far more realistic - and terrifyingly so at that - by Welsh's masterful pen. The use of multiple narratives, for example, with each character contributing their own, unique take on events is a stroke of genius, and an approach to fiction-writing that has since become common-place. Seldom has it been done better, however. Similarly, Welsh's use of dialect in his writing is nothing less than poetic, despite - or perhaps because of - the explosion of profanities and the baseness of the activities it describes. This novel is not without humour or tenderness, but it is used sparingly and in the same way as, say, television's The Royle Family occasionally brings a tear to your eye amid all the inanity, Welsh reminds the reader that these are, in fact, real people about whom he is writing.

If you've seen the film, then you really should read the book, and if this is your first encounter with the works of Irvine Welsh, it's also the obvious starting point. His other books - especially Acid House, Marabou Stork Nightmares, and Porno, which re-visits Trainspotting's characters a decade on - are well worth checking out too.

Matt Pucci

A cult classic that has stood the test of time, 20 Apr 2008
Originally published in 1993, Irvine Welsh's seminal novel about a group of Edinburgh junkies is still as forcefully mesmerizing today as it was the first time I read it some 12 years ago. The characters - Renton, Sick Boy, Begbie, Spud et al, who have become immortalised and entrenched in the collective consciousness of the nation's movie-watching public, thanks to Danny Boyle's 1996 film - are every bit as captivating and pathetic as their celluloid counterparts, as hideous as they are hilarious, and yet they are rendered far more realistic - and terrifyingly so at that - by Welsh's masterful pen. The use of multiple narratives, for example, with each character contributing their own, unique take on events is a stroke of genius, and an approach to fiction-writing that has since become common-place. Seldom has it been done better, however. Similarly, Welsh's use of dialect in his writing is nothing less than poetic, despite - or perhaps because of - the explosion of profanities and the baseness of the activities it describes. This novel is not without humour or tenderness, but it is used sparingly and in the same way as, say, television's The Royle Family occasionally brings a tear to your eye amid all the inanity, Welsh reminds the reader that these are, in fact, real people about whom he is writing.

If you've seen the film, then you really should read the book, and if this is your first encounter with the works of Irvine Welsh, it's also the obvious starting point. His other books - especially Acid House, Marabou Stork Nightmares, and Porno, which re-visits Trainspotting's characters a decade on - are well worth checking out too.

Matt Pucci

One of the best Welsh stories., 08 Apr 2008
An excellent story by Welsh told with a gritty scottish text. An classic book far better than the film based on the novel.

ABSOLUTELY PERFECT, 08 Sep 2008
My first Welsh experience, and one of the best books I have ever read!! Simply superb: the characters, plot, prose, everything about this book rocks. Welsh is a genius. If you've got a pretty sick twisted sense of humour this is absolutely the book for you - you'd be insane not to read this book! Well done Mr Welsh my hat off to you sir!

after drugs, sex, 25 Jun 2008
Welsh comes back to us with the new adventures of Renton and Sick Boy. Renton is now pretty much honest, while Sick Boys his aunt's pub and makes it a swinger's venue. It's a completely different direction Welsh is taking here, but it's all the same shocking, shattering, and rather funny (often), moving (sometimes) and revolting (the rest).

Good but inevitably will be compared unfavorably to "Trainspotting", 06 Jun 2008
This as a stand alone work is engaging and