I've been putting off reading Trainspotting for years, so when I finally got around to it, I didn't come to the book full of enthusiasm. I trudged through the first third - the stories didn't grab me, the characters didn't come to life. But, gradually, the shifting viewpoints allowed Renton, Sick Boy, Begbie and co. to seep into my head.

Not so much a novel as a collection of linked short stories, Trainspotting has a series of narrative voices. Sometimes in the first person, sometimes in the third, the reader follows a range of characters. As the thrill of drug-taking wears off, the weaknesses of each are exposed. Even the friendship between them - the only good thing in most of their lives - is a sham, based on bullying and need.

There are a few chapters written from the point of view of female characters and these are surprisingly strong. Throughout, Welsh shows an awareness of the issues surrounding his characters. Although he writes to shock, that isn't his only intention - instead, the shock is used as a way to get readers to pay attention to the lives of a group of people who are often invisible to both society and literature.

BCUK UnCon NSS - when I saw this book on my NSS partner's wishlist, it had to be the one. What better way to remember a visit to Edinburgh?!

This book formed part of my "Taste Of Edinburgh" NSS. Thanks so much for everything Nell-Lu. I've read one book by Welsh before and I shall look forward to reading this and it's sequel Porno, which is sitting on TBR.

I did enjoy the Weekend and a cancelled flight meant I enjoyed it a little longer than expected. The bag has and will come in very handy.

Good to meet you ;-)

Not what I was expecting, but not disappointed. I sometimes found it difficult to recognize which character was narrating and which character they were describing.

Throughout I found that they all despair of the drug scene, the dangers, the attitude, the need to be with others of their type. Although set in Edinburgh I do wonder if this could be set in any other city and probably it could. There were times when the friends showed very little outward sign of addiction and other times when Welsh makes it obvious.

It did bring back memories of Edinburgh (a city I visit fairly often with work), especially the Friday night when my partner and I shared a bag of chips on the Grassmarket sitting on a bench. Edinburgh just partied around us.

I will pass this along, I see it's a 1001 book and will may even get participants for a ring. Thanks Nell-Lu for giving me the opportunity to read this.