phoenix_indigo
04-10-2007, 07:20 PM
I personally love Irvine Welsh. I discovered him of course due to "Trainspotting." After seeing the movie a ton of times I went on to read the book which is even more interesting than the movie and then later read the 'second chapter' to "Trainspotting" a book he wrote called "Porno".
Well, I decided to branch away from the whole "Trainspotting" lads and try out one of his other books. I manged to stumble into "Filth".
"Filth" was an excellent book. A bit disjointed at times (as he does write in parts as the tapeworm living inside this disgusting copper) but it was so gritty and dark that I just loved it.
Here's a review from Amazon.
Irvine Welsh has produced more than his share of revolting characters in his short yet spectacular writing career, but in the creation of Detective Sergeant Bruce Robertson he has surpassed himself. The protagonist of Filth is, both personally and professionally, utterly corrupt; a thief, drug user, misogynist and racist, with standards of appearance and personal hygiene that are simply beyond belief. It goes without saying that his wife and children have left him but, oddly, he still has few drinking mates, and even some of the women he so hideously abuses are still prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt. "The undeniable sexuality which is part and parcel of the complete dominance over another human being", opines the viciously selfish Robertson, is just part of what makes, "poliswork such a satisfying career." But, strangely, as we chart his inevitable decline...from what is admittedly a very low baseline--a solid, almost conventional, underlying morality begins to assert itself. Amid the degradation we come across a hint of reason as Welsh's stunningly direct dialogue and hideously imaginative plot combine in a thrilling, undeniably unsettling novel. --Nick Wroe If you like a unique storyline and aren't put off by strong language and random acts of violence. Definitely check out "Filth" it will certainly make you think twice when you see a cop walking down the street in their black, flannel trousers. Trust me. :)
Oh, I nearly forgot (as it has been about a year since I read it) the ending has the biggest twist. It left me haunted and disturbed for days afterwards.
I only just remembered it. I won't give it away, but damn. Just one more reason that I'd say this is one of my favourite books.
Well, I decided to branch away from the whole "Trainspotting" lads and try out one of his other books. I manged to stumble into "Filth".
"Filth" was an excellent book. A bit disjointed at times (as he does write in parts as the tapeworm living inside this disgusting copper) but it was so gritty and dark that I just loved it.
Here's a review from Amazon.
Irvine Welsh has produced more than his share of revolting characters in his short yet spectacular writing career, but in the creation of Detective Sergeant Bruce Robertson he has surpassed himself. The protagonist of Filth is, both personally and professionally, utterly corrupt; a thief, drug user, misogynist and racist, with standards of appearance and personal hygiene that are simply beyond belief. It goes without saying that his wife and children have left him but, oddly, he still has few drinking mates, and even some of the women he so hideously abuses are still prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt. "The undeniable sexuality which is part and parcel of the complete dominance over another human being", opines the viciously selfish Robertson, is just part of what makes, "poliswork such a satisfying career." But, strangely, as we chart his inevitable decline...from what is admittedly a very low baseline--a solid, almost conventional, underlying morality begins to assert itself. Amid the degradation we come across a hint of reason as Welsh's stunningly direct dialogue and hideously imaginative plot combine in a thrilling, undeniably unsettling novel. --Nick Wroe If you like a unique storyline and aren't put off by strong language and random acts of violence. Definitely check out "Filth" it will certainly make you think twice when you see a cop walking down the street in their black, flannel trousers. Trust me. :)
Oh, I nearly forgot (as it has been about a year since I read it) the ending has the biggest twist. It left me haunted and disturbed for days afterwards.
I only just remembered it. I won't give it away, but damn. Just one more reason that I'd say this is one of my favourite books.