Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh
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Book Reviews of Trainspotting
Book Review: The ups and downs of being a herion addict!
Summary: 5 Stars
Figured I'd write that title so people would know what this book is about because I certainly didn't with a title like Trainspotting! Firstly, I read a couple of customer comments and noticed a lot of customers complaining about the Scottish 'lingo'. Personally, I didn't have a problem with the accent being British with Scottish grandparents but even so, my book had a translation list in the back so I'm wondering why people didn't use this as a guide? Anyway, Irvine Welsh has written a riveting book about heroin addicts and their everyday life. Wow! Talk about a hard-hitting book! The characters were quite vivid in my mind throughout the book as the narrator, Renton, tells his account of life in a junky existence. The energy pouring out of each page is riveting! I was actually bouncing off the walls along with the addicts at some points. The parts I really found interesting and amazing were the accounts of how they 'scored', how they paid for their drugs and all of the different drugs they would use for a high! The toilet chapter was vivid too. This book is intense and is not what I'd recommend for a lot of people I know, but if you like reality books and can manage the Scottish dialect then I'd recommend this book. Beware; it's graphic in some spots.Book Review: Trainspotting: Choosing Life
Summary: 5 Stars
The controversial novel Trainspotting may be a challenge for those of us Americans who may not grasp the culture or language of the Scottish people. But when you take a closer look, Trainspotting is a book that anyone who has ever had friends going on a downward spiral can relate to. There are no heros in this book. Everyone has their share of downfalls and bad experiences. In no way does the novel glamorize heroin use of any kind. In fact, it should serve as a wake up call for anyone looking into the junkies' life. It is sometimes touching, often humorous, and most of all, real and disturbing. Even so, the reader becomes attached to the characters. The bold and outspoken Mark Renton, the cocky yet gorgeous Sick Boy, and even the screw-up Spud are all characters that will be etched into the reader's memory. I personally enjoyed this book thoroughly. Not just because of its use of integrating different outlooks and directions, but because it gave me a taste of what it is like to live on the "other side" of society. It is a must-read for anyone even remotely interested in what goes on in the mind of thieves, bar-hoppers, and drug addicts. Irvine Welsh's writing is a style that is hard to compare to any other author. Two thumbs upBook Review: Trainspotting: Choosing Life
Summary: 5 Stars
The controversial novel Trainspotting may be a challenge for those of us Americans who may not grasp the culture or language of the Scottish people. But when you take a closer look, Trainspotting is a book that anyone who has ever had friends going on a downward spiral can relate to. There are no heros in this book. Everyone has their share of downfalls and bad experiences. In no way does the novel glamorize heroin use of any kind. In fact, it should serve as a wake up call for anyone looking into the junkies' life. It is sometimes touching, often humorous, and most of all, real and disturbing. Even so, the reader becomes attached to the characters. The bold and outspoken Mark Renton, the cocky yet gorgeous Sick Boy, and even the screw-up Spud are all characters that will be etched into the reader's memory. I personally enjoyed this book thoroughly. Not just because of its use of integrating different outlooks and directions, but because it gave me a taste of what it is like to live on the "other side" of society. It is a must-read for anyone even remotely interested in what goes on in the mind of thieves, bar-hoppers, and drug addicts. Irvine Welsh's writing is a style that is hard to compare to any other author. Two thumbs upBook Review: Amazing - visceral slices of life from the Edinburgh streets
Summary: 5 Stars
The first thing to point out is that the book is very different from the (excellent) film.
This is an amazing book; essentially a collection of vignettes about Edinburgh street life among the heroin users strung together by a common cast and a narrative about Renton escaping.
Making heavy use of the local patois, the book can be difficult to read but it is well worth preserving because the language is an essential element in bringing the amazing cast of characters to life.
The film does have an impact here - as the casting affects your image of the characters - this is not really a problem as the casting was generally excellent - Ewan McGregor and Jonny Lee Miller fitted my mental images of Renton and Sick Boy very well. Robert Carlyle did not conform to my mental image of Begbie but that doesn't really matter as in many ways he was even more terrifying.
Also note that this is not a book for the faint-hearted - it is often graphic and disturbing in its portrayal of drug addiction (particularly the places you might stick needles) and violence (you will certainly think twice before insulting a waitress).
Essential reading
Book Review: Trainspotting the Novel
Summary: 5 Stars
After seeing the film "Trainspotting" I decided it was time to read the novel that got it all started. After all, the lead actors in the film even claimed they feel in love with it after thier first reading! Trainspotting had to be the first Real adult book I read. Now being 15, at the time I was 14, it was a bit of a chllange. The hard scottish accents were tough to get around, but once you got through the first two chapters it was fine. Welsh does however, start his chapter of strangely in the sense that you are never quite sure who is talk until you reach at least the second page. Over all. It turned out to be the best book I ever read! IThe characters caught my attention and they gained my sympathies (even when, at times, they didn't desrve it). Renton is an amazing voice in the book and it is no wonder that Ewan McGregor turned him into a cult hero in Britain. This book should definitely be on the top of everyones reading list. As it is, I have read it three times, not to mention lent it out so often, that I find I will have to buy myself a second copy. And it's definitely worth it. Trainspotting is Irvine Welsh's greatest accomplishment! READ IT!