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Rowena's Reviews > Trainspotting
Trainspotting
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I actually quite enjoyed this book though some parts of it were really hard to take. There's a lot of vulgarity, sex and violence, but the book also talks about some important issues, such as Scottish nationalism, HIV/AIDS, drug use (there's a LOT of drug use), racism in the UK and the problems in Northern Ireland.
The characters are quite colourful and interesting, I think they are well-developed.The book was quite philosophical and witty at times, though mainly from a misanthropic viewpoint!
This was definitely a tough book to stomach, especially with the vivid way violence of all kinds is portrayed. I do appreciate Welsh introducing a subculture I know next to nothing about. I will probably be reading the sequel to this book in the near future.
The characters are quite colourful and interesting, I think they are well-developed.The book was quite philosophical and witty at times, though mainly from a misanthropic viewpoint!
This was definitely a tough book to stomach, especially with the vivid way violence of all kinds is portrayed. I do appreciate Welsh introducing a subculture I know next to nothing about. I will probably be reading the sequel to this book in the near future.
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Reading Progress
May 2, 2012
– Shelved
September 29, 2012
– Shelved as:
contemporary
October 8, 2012
– Shelved as:
scottish-lit
October 28, 2012
–
Started Reading
November 1, 2012
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-13 of 13 (13 new)
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message 1:
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B. P.
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Nov 02, 2012 06:23AM
Now would you recommend me seeing the movie before reading the book (have you seen the movie?) or would you say just the book.
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That's a tough one! I watched the movie many years ago so I don't remember much of it. I do know the book and movie formats are a bit different. Another thing is the book is written in Scottish English so it might be difficult for you to understand? Okay, I say you watch the movie first!
You're welcome :) Have you seen/read A Clockwork Orange? The language may sound like that to you but you'll catch on pretty quick :)
I have seen the movie but have not read the legendary "last chapter" that was cut out the movie adaption. I have to ask you, how do manage to read so fast and can you teach that talent to me?
I try and read in silence so I don't have any distractions. Then I read without stopping for a predefined period of time (usually 20 minutes). I just keep my eyes constantly moving. I hope that helps!
You average 20 minutes, once a day, in silence while "keeping your eyes moving"? (My brain has a habit at times to want to analyze like crazy every sentence.) Do you have a way of doing this for multiple books?
Not once a day, 20 minutes in one go. I read at least 2 hours a day, usually. You have to train your mind to focus, my concentration has really fallen since I was a kid. I also guess it depends on what you're reading ; for classics I tend to read slightly slower because of the complex language.
I see. I believe I'm fastest on non-fiction works because I can soak history and facts up like a sponge (I'm reading Roger Williams and the Creation of the American Soul: Church, State, and the Birth of Liberty right now). You can look at my bookshelf to back this up. I've also been making my way through The Brothers Karamazov, which is a true epic of a story. My only problem is focus and my want to read so many books. I often wonder how I've read so much now and I have yet to add and/or review all the books I've read because of not having time, resource (the book itself), or procrastination. I do find poetry in easy read once you get the "feel" of it down right.
Wow, good for you! I'm super-slow on non-fiction books, unless the writing style is relatively accessible. Looking forward to reading your review on the Roger Williams book. I bought quite a few poetry books (Shakespeare, Whitman, Yeats etc) at my recent library booksale so I will be reading those soon.
Overall the text is misanthropic. Absolutely. But in all the filth and fury there are individual moments and exchanges between the characters in which a love of the human seems possible--however short lived and doomed it will ultimately be.C
Carac wrote: "Overall the text is misanthropic. Absolutely. But in all the filth and fury there are individual moments and exchanges between the characters in which a love of the human seems possible--however sh..."That's a great point, one I hadn't considered. Thanks so much for that piece of enlightenment:)
HELLO Hello there friend!! It has been a min since our last messages.. How have you been? Are you still traveling? Anything new??
Anyways.... I know the books a little on the "harsh" side, but it's supposed to break-throught to the reality and dangers of the "junkie lifestyle". With that in mind I thought the book really put it all in perspective.. The U.S. has a terrible drug/alcohol abuse, but Europe has a STAGGERING AMOUNT! People taking dangerous household chems because of the price of drugs, and unemployment is High. Many factors that we take for granted..
But as always I did enjoy your review! If you have not read Skagboys, (the prequel) or Porno, (the sequel so to speak)
Until next time my friend!!
-Ashes*
