Rating: 
Summary: Super
Review: Top quality stuff. Not for anyone who can't cope with 'vulgar' words, graphically detailed (not-very-nice) scenes or with phoenetic spelling, which I have to admit took a bit of getting used to, but provided you can get past all of those, it's the best book you'll ever read (probably).
The storyline, as mentioned before, is almost impossible to understand until you're near the end, when everything makes sense, which ultimately makes the book soooo good, as it seems completely random. Living in Edinburgh for a few years helped quite a bit with knowing the geography of the place - getting an A-Z or generally living there makes it more enjoyable. It's worth remembering a couple of things, though:
1) Edinburgh (or anywhere else in the UK) is not filled with junkies - they do exist, but that's no reason to think that it's everywhere. Besides, the book is set in the early 80s/late 90s: Leith's changed a lot (the MTV music awards will be held there this week!)
2) You CAN go for a drink in Edinburgh without getting stabbed. Honest. In fact, I think I'll do just that the night ...Well worth it, though. 'Dugs' is like THE best chapter ever IMHO. Very funny.
Rating:
Summary: Take a trip to rock bottom... and see yourself
Review: This isn't merely a book about heroin addiction. This isn't simply a book about the underbelly of society. Trainspotting is so much more than any rubberstamp explanation, "What's it all about?" This is a book that is deceptively simple: an account of life in urban Scotland narrated by a group of people connected by friendship, addiction, pain, loss, illness, sex and death. Through the eyes of these young adults we see beyond these connections to what really drives their society (and often pushes it to the breaking point): classism, racism, sexism, the shadow of regime and military occupation, a government that has abandoned them, adults who discount them, a society that has disowned them. Each story (many of which were originally featured as short stories in magazines or literary collections) takes on the distinctly unique voice of the character at hand, whether it be the cocksure Sick Boy, the eager to please Spud, the masochistic Begbie or the intellectual, self-loathing Renton. Welsh doesn't attempt to moralize his characters or even have them explore too deeply into their all-too-apparent dysfunctions - these speak volumes on their own. He simply has them observe, each giving a distinct insight to their collective station in life. The end result, coupled with the clever use of Scots dialect, is completely immersive. You begin to see and feel through the eyes and experiences of these characters in a way too rarely experienced through the written word. Trainspotting is hardly uplifting or inspiring. There are moments that are difficult to read through, that are hilarious, silly, sickening, boring. Altogether... real. This book, along with works by Chuck Palahniuk, Douglas Coupland and George Saunders, has been cited as one of the novels that defines my generation. I'm still not sure if I should be alarmed or flattered by this fact. I think I'll take the latter. Trainspotting, along with the other examples, excels at showing that we are a generation of voids surrounded by a million examples of why we should just give up, but we don't. We remain eternally hopeful, as do Welsh's bittersweet characters, that the best is yet to come, even if it never does. An important, powerful book and highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Absolute Classic!
Review: This is simply one of the best written, laid out, and especially entertaining books I've ever read. Trainspotting is basically one of the only books that I've ever read that had the ability to actually capture the characters, which is I think, the most important part of the story. The best thing about Trainspotting is that it allows you, the reader, to see everything not only from Renton's eyes (as it was in the movie) but also all the other characters. And it's this that gives you that insight into how all the other characters actually think. Then to top it off, Irvin Welsh,(the writer) went ahead and wrote most of it as if they were actually talking to you. So, when all these scottish people are talking to you they don't say, 'I drank down twenty beers and got drunk,' they say, 'Ah drank doon tweinty bevvs and got bevvied.' It's a writing style that I haven't seen very many other times, and was greatly impressed/entertained with it. Other than the incredible writing, it's an overall cool story. The best part, is that it's not confined to one set plot. When hearing 'Trainspotting' you probably just thought about heroin. In truth, the book also has a whole lot about drinking in bars, getting along with 'yer mates' and just living. It's just a story about a bunch of guys, their problems, their needles, their beers and how they manage to get away with most of it. Yeah, so this book is definatly worth reading. It's in my top ten list. Also, if you do read or have read Trainspotting and you like the dialog as much as I do, check out A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess and The Losers' Club by Richard Perez. Both also have really great dialog with an interesting writing style, especially A Clockwork Orange (which I'd bet had a huge impact on the writing style of Trainspotting). But anyway, read it, it's more than worth it. Also recommended: THE LOSERS' CLUB by Richard Perez -- less 'literate' but still a great, lively, fun read.
Rating:
Summary: Keep a strong stomach and enjoy
Review: If you truely want a book that will entertain you as well as shock the hell out of you, this may be the book for you. In this book Irvine Welsh takes an uncomfortably close look at the dark side of the human spirit as well as friendship, with one of the most vulgar and cynical texts that I have ever read. But if your wondering if this takes away from the story, let me assure that it only enhances it. This book has the type of humor that will cause you extreme guilt after laughing. I would certainly not recommend this book to everyone but I have yet to read a more facinating book. Irvine Welsh is a master of dialect and his dialogue is nothing short of brilliant. I would imagine that Mr. Welsh is probably a very good listener.
Rating: 
Summary: Somewhat overrated
Review: I almost never like a movie better than the original book but it was definitely the case with this novel. I think I would have liked the book better if I had read it before seeing the movie. Oh, well... In any case, it took a lot of effort to understand the working class Scots dialect and I almost gave up on several occasions. The book is worth the effort, however, and overall I was pleased with it but I just can't give it more than 3 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Love/Hate relationship
Review: SO much better than the movie, I can't even begin to explain. I've seen the movie countless times and read the book at least twice as many times. It's funny, sad, disturbing, confusing, painful, and so well written that by the end of the book you love the characters and hate them at the same time.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible!
Review: This book was absolutely incredible, but it was definitely not as easy to follow as some people are making it out to be. If you've never read a British novel, you may have to read this one twice before being able to fully comprehend it. I was one of those people, but it was definitely worth it. Trainspotting is one of my favorite novels of all time. I'll spare you the details, but if you can, make the time to read this book. You'll become a HUGE Welsh fan, just as I have!
Rating:
Summary: It has everything!
Review: Trainspotting is gritty, funny, tragic and beautiful. Welsh writes the characters with a combination of empathy and objectivism, that shows us their major faults as well as what's going on deep inside(except maybe Begbie, who doesn't have much going on inside). Welsh choosing to write how those living in the edinburgh slums talk gives the novel an added authenticity that makes the novel that much more palpable. I'd recommend this to anyone interested in true art.
Rating:
Summary: Read it!
Review: Trainspotting is a truly honest look at modern life from the perspective of a group of young people in Scotland. It's written in Scottish dialect, which is frustrating at first but ultimately adds to the overall appeal of the novel and really draws the reader into the lives of the characters, and although there are several characters, the story is not difficult to follow. The range of characters show life from all perspectives, and not just life in Scotland. The character's frustrations, motivations, and observations can really be applied to any culture.
This book is one of my favorite books of all time. There are some amazing passages that comment on the absurdity of modern life in an honest and humorous way. The "choose life" speech is so popular because it speaks to this generation in it's disregard for socially constructed ideals. People reading this book will question what it is that makes society really care about people using drugs: why is it our problem? Is it simply because their giving up on life reflect the futility of our lives? Are we simply trying to make them play our game and "choose life" along with everyone else? It's really a wonderful book for anyone who wants to examine the motives behind societal constructions.
It's surprising how funny this book can be, considering some of the truly grotesque or disturbing moments that make up much of the story. Welsh writes clearly and brilliantly, and I laughed out loud at several passages in the book. There are other parts that are truly disturbing and thought-provoking, like the descent of a once clean Tommy into drug addiction and ultimate death.
I would recommend seeing the movie as well. The film makers did a decent job of maintaining the essence of the novel and not altering (most of) it for audience-approval, although a lot of the book is missing from the movie due to time constraints. Also, there are some scenes that are just better portrayed on screen, like the infamous toilet scene. Ideally, I'd watch the movie, read the book, then watch the movie again if there were time, just to be able to really note the differences in the two. If you've seen the movie already and haven't read the book, read it. You know books are always better than movies, and while the film is a good adaptation it leaves a lot out.
I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in getting a picture of a different face of society. Like I said, it's amazingly well-written, humorous, disturbing, and profound. If you are even remotely interested, I would definitely pick it up.
Rating:
Summary: Well, it's a barry book, likesay.
Review: "Trainspotting", first and best of Irvine Welsh's novels, tells a series of loosely linked stories about the gadges, radges, junkies and wide-os in Edinburgh.
This book shows what Edinburgh is really like - forget all the purple heather, the bonnie lasses, kilts, bagpipes and killing the English - this is drinking, swedging, mainlining, shagging and doing over your mates.
Written in a heavy Scots vernacular, the books blend of humour and horror provide an exhilerating experience.
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