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jaaaase's review against another edition
4.0
I think I enjoyed it. Very confronting and full-on. Don't think I'll be hurrying to re-read it though
lvbopeep's review
5.0
Those that know me are aware that I've never seriously (and can count on two fingers how often) done any serious drugs- the worse I 've tried was weed and it did absolutely nothing for me except make me feel like I was choking to death. So.. why the attraction of Irvine Welsh's lovely books? They are anything but lovely, more like a trip down into the sewer but they are still, to my ears anyways, gorgeous in the dialogue, characterizations and most of all, the original, frantic storylines. Who else writes about junkies dying of AIDS or rape victims wrecking revenge on comatose perpetrators (Marabou Stork Nightmares)? How about abusing women (or children, or mates, or whoever is handy), doing drugs until your head explodes and *** all to anyone who cares? Sick huh? Sick but attractive nonetheless. What is fiction if not to live another's life? I think Irvine Welsh brings to life the "lowest of the low" in a way that many can appreciate. Or not. Ok.. unless you are a little weird, probably not at all. But bugger off if you don't get it.... (unless your my boss, or coworker or someone who shouldn't be snooping on me anyways). The works of Irvine Welsh have absolutely nothing to do with my life. I don't identify really with most of the characters (although in my previous life, I'm sure I was as hot and smart as Dianne.). He is still one of my favorite authors, and I swear I don't have to do heroin to feel that way (maybe it helps, I really wouldn't know).
mdrosend's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
hen24's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
wretchedtheo's review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Stellar dialogue. Misery so ugly and petty it grips you.
trilbynorton's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Sometimes fun, sometimes difficult, but always engaging. Welsh has a deep wellspring of sympathy for his characters. They are sometimes unlikeable and frequently pathetic, but always the product of time, place, and circumstance. The main focus is obviously drugs, but the book deals with addiction in all its forms: sex, violence, hatred.
sarahbc93_'s review against another edition
1.0
Oh I did not like this. The Scots is really difficult to get your head around and the story is just.... meh.
First of all, plot, what plot? Honestly. I don’t think I know exactly what happened in this book except people took drugs and some of them died. Groundbreaking.
Secondly, I don’t understand why this has achieved the cult status that it enjoys today for some of the reasons above. I don’t understand how this has become one of those books that you just *have* to read.
Honestly, save yourself the bother.
First of all, plot, what plot? Honestly. I don’t think I know exactly what happened in this book except people took drugs and some of them died. Groundbreaking.
Secondly, I don’t understand why this has achieved the cult status that it enjoys today for some of the reasons above. I don’t understand how this has become one of those books that you just *have* to read.
Honestly, save yourself the bother.
readingin's review against another edition
dark
funny
sad
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, and Death
idoreadbooks's review against another edition
4.0
When I first started reading this I thought OMG how am I going to finish this? The Scottish slang/language was a bit harder to read than I am used to, but when I got into it it didn't bother me anymore. The storyline is really great, interesting and somewhat cruel. It deals with serious problems like drugs, sex and friendship. Definitely a must read and definitely a shocking book
444nico's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0