Trainspotting in Classics Without All the Class

Sep 30, 2015 Whitney rated it really liked it · review of another edition

The crafting of this book heavily impressed me, but it is SOOO difficult to read. The phonetic Scottish slang was actually the challenge I enjoyed most, as I could HEAR the characters speaking in my mind. But once I savvied what they were actually saying, Oh GAWD it was awful. And I don't mean "awful" in the prudish old-lady judgmental way--okay maybe I do. But if old ladies believe in the importance of people being kind to each other and having compassion, then fine, call me an old lady!

Because ...more

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Feb 10, 2016 Leo Walsh rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shocking, funny, and strangely cogent reflection on morality -- in a Quentin Tarantino sort of way. And unlike other specimens of contemporary "transgressive" fiction I've recently read -- for instance, I found "Fight Club" worth about two-stars -- "Trainspotting" rocks.

It sizzles and pops. Like the Pogues singing "Waxey's Dargle," Welsh takes a traditional coming of age narrative and turns it "arse over tea-kettle."

Despite the Scots dialect which had me re-read the first chapter several times ...more

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Nov 17, 2012 W rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: crime-drama, classics, adult

An amazing, stunning book by Irvine! I could not put it down... I enjoy reading books about real people with real problems, and this one is definitely a top 10. Sex, drugs and rock n roll as they sey, but really more about drugs and sex in this epic classic.

If you can master or rather understand the Scottish dialect, you will love this. The story of a group of friends in Edinburgh, Scotland and their tales of drugs, sex, and more drugs. A lot of times, or rather, most of the time, it is seeming ...more

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