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A review by my_a
Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It felt hyper-realistic, like people were filling me in on their lives. The style sucks you in.
But I didn't get a lot of it. Seemed like a series of short stories rather than a novel. You get used to the dialect quickly but I found it difficult following who was narrating & who was being spoken about - so I'd know what was happening but not who it was between. Especially was confused by the switching people characters names and nicknames - but didnt want to google them and ruin any plot! Made it really hard to track characters and plot. Lots of moments seemed undeveloped and just left without follow up - particularly "The First Shag in Ages" chapter. Somes scenes and dialogue I found really disturbing and uncomfortable.
I think I need to watch the film and re-read it more intentionally.
But I didn't get a lot of it. Seemed like a series of short stories rather than a novel. You get used to the dialect quickly but I found it difficult following who was narrating & who was being spoken about - so I'd know what was happening but not who it was between. Especially was confused by the switching people characters names and nicknames - but didnt want to google them and ruin any plot! Made it really hard to track characters and plot. Lots of moments seemed undeveloped and just left without follow up - particularly "The First Shag in Ages" chapter. Somes scenes and dialogue I found really disturbing and uncomfortable.
I think I need to watch the film and re-read it more intentionally.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Grief, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Ableism, Fatphobia, and Trafficking