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janbabs's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
byelingual_kegan's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
jatiekane67's review against another edition
5.0
atomic - sleeper, rapino brothers
born slippy (nuxx) - underworld
sing - blur
lust for life - iggy pop
temptation - heaven 17
think about the way - ice mc
“By definition, you have to live until you die. Better to make that life as complete and enjoyable an experience as possible, in case death is shite, which I suspect it will be.”
One of the most horrid books I’ll probably ever read, but I now get why it’s so revered. Aside from the odd chapter, it’s written entirely in a Scottish accent, likesay. I read the first page about 20 times before I could get into it but once I did, I could understand why Welsh wrote it in this way. It immerses you in the story, whether you like it or not. It makes you read with the character’s accent rather than your own. The use of local dialect allows for slang and cultural references that make the characters feel real, ken? Context and character quirks would’ve been missed if the book was written ‘traditionally’. It’s realistic, and through episodic chapters from different POV’s, an honest image of Edinburgh and London’s late 1980s drug scene develops. Ironically, it’s addictive to read. Welsh never lingers on a scene for too long, and each character is uniquely flawed and interesting. I’ll never recommend this book, but I loved it.
born slippy (nuxx) - underworld
sing - blur
lust for life - iggy pop
temptation - heaven 17
think about the way - ice mc
“By definition, you have to live until you die. Better to make that life as complete and enjoyable an experience as possible, in case death is shite, which I suspect it will be.”
One of the most horrid books I’ll probably ever read, but I now get why it’s so revered. Aside from the odd chapter, it’s written entirely in a Scottish accent, likesay. I read the first page about 20 times before I could get into it but once I did, I could understand why Welsh wrote it in this way. It immerses you in the story, whether you like it or not. It makes you read with the character’s accent rather than your own. The use of local dialect allows for slang and cultural references that make the characters feel real, ken? Context and character quirks would’ve been missed if the book was written ‘traditionally’. It’s realistic, and through episodic chapters from different POV’s, an honest image of Edinburgh and London’s late 1980s drug scene develops. Ironically, it’s addictive to read. Welsh never lingers on a scene for too long, and each character is uniquely flawed and interesting. I’ll never recommend this book, but I loved it.
falconintherye's review against another edition
5.0
i really really loved this book. it depicts so we'll the struggles of drug addicts and i enjoyed a lot while reading it. mark renton is the best and he deserves everything good that happens to him ♡
changeinpressure's review against another edition
2.0
Closer to a 2.5/5. I'm a little bit ashamed to admit that not only did I watch the films first, but I also enjoyed them much more. This is mainly due to the wildly different changes to the plot and characters, I think. I do, however, applaud the use of well-written Scottish vernacular.
leoward123's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
callmeepee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
yer_real_da's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-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
4.0
madbrad22's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I don't really know what to say about this book. It was gross, sleazy, at times a chore to read with the phonetic styled writing mixed with thick slang, and I loved it. Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh is a unique look into a very unique time and place that I am not familiar with. Just something about this novel captivated me enough to read on, even when it felt like a pain doing so. It has left an impression on me, and I know I'll be thinking about it for a long time.
nayvay's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75