May 13, 2002 10:46 AM
5993 Views
(Updated Feb 14, 2003 07:56 AM)
Prior to this book, I had not read anything by this ''then'' literally obscure writer.
I bought the book on a whim, as I like the Holographic Cover, (Who says doesn’t judge a book by its cover! Where the face of a man if looked from an angle just displays the bones behind the skin!
My choice was justified and by the time I finished this book I was hooked on to Irvine Welsh's definitive type of wit, humor and Edinborough Trippers world, and scoured the markets if I could find another one by this author. (Which I of course did in Due Time).
The Book describes the so-called myth of mates who are brought together by their need for Heroin rather then by their genuine appreciation of each other.
Renton (or the rent boy - who was played by IWAN Mc Gregor in the movie which subsequently followed) is the man! He is struggling to kick his addiction and live up to the dreams of his parents (don't we all), &his assorted group of mates include,
Spud - A Spaced out numbskull, who has no idea who or what he is,
Sick Boy - A Whiz with the ladies and a constant need for H and a high and shagging all the time.
Begbie - (Robert Carlyle) Mean, Disruptive and the hell raiser who treats people like dirt and instigates a fight whenever they have company with girls)
There is also Michael (Whom Renton first introduced to the drugs and from a jock with a steady girlfriend becomes just another guy dependant on the habit and the need to score...
The story is full of the most bizarre and funny scenarios this group gets into all the time.
It comes across as a genuine portrayal of a rave culture, which is these days quite prevalent all over the UK, clubbing, the ecstasy and the drugs.
The Soundtrack of that film was excellent too and reading the book while listening to it makes the experience much more enjoyable as you are transported into that fantasy world. Their lives depend on ECSTACY and HEROIN and listening to IGGY POP who is the ultimate man for them as through his songs he reaches their vilest emotions as their GOD
Irvine Welsh has an uncanny ability to write sensible comprehensive English and then can change it into the Edinborough accent (Cockney) and the words are sometimes tongue twisters and vaguely familiar to English of course but it is written as it would sound coming out of their mouths,
In the end the Rent Boy makes his way out of this mire of drugs and thievery and ''chooses life!! Over everything else.
A must read for people who have struggled to cope and get over their addictions whatever they may be, I certainly gained some confidence after reading this, some people will say that shock tactics for drug users never work but when there is a ray of light in their world which can lead to promising things and a better life after all 90% will take that chance and become real life rent boys!!!!
A MUST READ.
Also if you can get your hands on his other book ECTASCY, Acid House which are a collection of short stories.
