Trainspotting is the first novel by Scottish writer Irvine Welsh, first published in 1993. It takes the form of a collection of short stories, written in Scottish, Scottish English or English English, revolves around the various residents of Leith, who either use heroin, are friends of the heroin core group of users, or engage in destructive activities that are implicitly portrayed as addictions serving the same function as heroin addiction. The novel was set in the late 1980s and has been called "the punk voice, growing up, growing more wisely and growing eloquently".
This novel has achieved cult status, added by the global success of the film based on it, Trainspotting (1996), directed by Danny Boyle. Welsh wrote the sequel, Porn , in 2002. Skagboys , a novel that serves as a prequel, was published in April 2012.
The novel is divided into seven sections: the first six sections contain several chapters of varying length and different focus. The origins of novels in short fiction are still visible even though no segment or chapter is entirely independent of the others. The majority of these stories are told by the main protagonist of the novel, Mark Renton.
Each character tells it differently, in a mode that is comparable to a stream of consciousness or representative of psychological realism. For example, Spud will refer to people internally as a "cat" (Begbie is a jungle cat, while he himself is a house cat), and Sick Boy will sometimes entertain the inner dialogue between himself and Sean Connery. The chapters told by Renton are written in terms of a phonetically spelled Scottish dialogue that conveys characteristic accents and the use of Scots, while Davie's chapters ("Bad Blood", "Traditional Sunday Breakfast") are told in Scottish English with dialogue that appears phonetically. Other chapters are written from an omniscient third person's attitude (in Standard English) to include actions and thoughts of various characters simultaneously. For example, "The First Shag in Ages" includes sightseeing Spud and Renton to the nightclub where they meet Dianne and her best friend, followed by Renton back to Dianne and an awkward breakfast that ensues, while revealing what each character thinks of the other.
In contrast to the inspired movie, the novel plot is not linear. Characters are often introduced without backstory and without a clear initial connection either to the core group of characters or to the junkie and lazy lifestyle.
Video Trainspotting (novel)
Plot summary
Part 1: Kicking
The Skag Boys, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Superior Mother - Narrated by Renton. Mark and Simon (aka Sick Boy) watch the movie Jean-Claude Van Damme when they decide to go buy heroin from Johnny Swan (aka Superior Mother) because they both feel withdrawal symptoms. They cook with Raymie (who kisses Sick Boy in the mouth) and Alison (who declares about heroin "It beats every meat shot... that beats every damn chicken in the world..."). After being told that she had to go see Kelly, who had just had an abortion, Renton instead excitedly returned home to watch the rest of the movie.
Rubbish Dilemma No. 63 - Narrated by Renton. A short piece (less than a page) compares high to the internal ocean, while noting: "more short-term seas, more long-term toxins".
First Day of Edinburgh Festival - Narrated by Renton. Mark initially attempted to release heroin by purchasing an empty room and all the things he would need when he came down. However, when the withdrawal begins to be regulated, he decides to get another blow to reduce the decline. Unable to find any heroin, he obtained an opium suppository that, after a severe diarrhea attack, he had to recover from a public toilet (an important scene created for the film - "Worst Public Toilet in Scotland") indicates how far the addict would go for a blow the fact that he had to stick with Mikey Forrester to get them, a merchant he hates).
In Overdrive - Narrated by Sick Boy. Simon tries to pick up the girls while being distracted by Mark, who wants to watch the video. Sick Boy loses Renton and launches into a self-glorifying, nihilistic condemnation.
Growing in Public - Narration of a third person follows Nina, Mark's cousin. Nina with her family after Uncle Andy's recent death. He initially pretended not to care but then broke down without realizing it. It was also revealed that Mark had a catatonic brother who had died a few years earlier.
Victory on New Year's Day - Narration of third person after Stevie. At a party consisting of almost all the key characters in the novel, Stevie could not stop thinking about the girlfriend she asked to marry, but had been left waiting for an answer. They are optimistically reassembled at the train station after several phone calls.
It Happened without Saying - Narrated by Renton. Baby Lesley, Dawn, has died. Although it appears to be the death of the crib, it could also be from negligence. The Skag Boys felt uncomfortable and unsure how to respond to the tragedy when Lesley cried hysterically. However, Simon/Sick Boy became more emotional and depressed than the others and eventually broke down and cried as well, stating he kicked heroin for good and clearly implies that Dawn is his daughter. Mark wants to entertain his friend, but can not form words and just cook for himself to deal with the situation. The sobbing Lesley asked him to also cook it, which Mark did but made sure he injected himself in front of him, declared the action "needless to say" and proved the tough truth that no matter what, rubbish became first for all of them.
Trash Dilemma No. 64 - Reported by Renton. Mark's mother was knocking on the door crying. He ignores his request and cooks a shot. He feels guilty for disappointing him, but still uses drugs.
His Man - Narrated by Second Prize. After a painful debate with his girlfriend Carol, Second Prize meets Tommy in a pub, and Tommy confronts a man who openly punches his own girlfriend. They are shocked to find the woman supporting her violent boyfriend, not her prospective release by digging her nails into Tommy's face, inciting a fight. The Second Prize attacked a man who laughed at the previous scene, demanding, "It's a big joke, is not it?" While the couple went unnoticed, Tommy and the Second Prize found themselves blamed for the whole affairs of the local pub. On the return trip, the Second Prize internally praised Tommy for not hitting the woman who attacked him, and revealed that his earlier argument with Carol had been physically changed, reflecting: "Ah has done many things that are in ma ah'm not proud, a little ah nivir slams What Carol says is a shite She says that she uses violence from her, a little ah nivir hit her Ah jist held on it so we can talk.He restrainin sais like hittin, it's still violent against her Ah Ahnanae see it Ah ah wanna tae dae wis tae keep it a secret, tae talk. "
Fast Recruitment - Varied narrations (third person while together at pub, first person for each interview.) Spud and Renton both have job interviews for the same job, but none of them want a job because they prefers unemployment and continues to receive social security. Both Renton and Spud take Amphetamine before their interview, where Renton pretends to be a top-notch heroin addict while Spud rambles unclearly (only Spud interviews are featured in the movie).
Part 2: Relapse
Scotland Takes Drugs in Psychic Defense - Narrated by Tommy. She went to the Iggy Pop show on the same day as her boyfriend's birthday. He spends the entire chapter using speed and alcohol. The chapter title refers to the lyrics of Iggy Pop, which Tommy firmly insists on.
The Glass - Narrated by Renton. Focused on his "friendship" with Begbie. Renton, Begbie, and their girlfriend meet for a drink before going to a party, but ends up when Begbie throws glasses off the balcony, hits someone and splits open his head. After this, Begbie smiles at Renton and starts announcing to the party he will find whoever threw the glass before attacking the random innocent people in the pub and start a massive fight at the pub. Renton sums up his thoughts on Begbie saying "She's really a woman who does the first command." Nae hesitated about that.The problem is, she's a friend.What are you doing? "
Disappointment - Narrated by Begbie. Continuing the theme of the last chapter. Begbie remembered the ordinary story of being in a pub and staring at a man he wanted to fight against.
Chicken Problem - Reported by Renton. Tommy came to Renton's flat (shortly after Renton injected his shot into his dick, hence his title) after being dumped by his girlfriend. Tommy asks Renton to give him some heroin, which he reluctantly does. This sparked Tommy's gradual decline into an addiction.
Traditional Sunday Breakfast - Reported by Davie. Davie had awakened at her boyfriend's house in a puddle of urine, vomit and dirt, after a night of drinking. Embarrassed, she tries to run off with the sheets and wash them herself. However, Gail's mother started tugging at the sheets, she refused, and the contents flew into their families, their kitchens, and their breakfasts. (In the movie, this unfortunate event is associated with Spud).
Trash Dilemma No. 65 - Reported by Renton. Mark has been lying in a heroin that dazed exposed to someone (whom he believes will be Spud), wondering how long they were there and noted that it could be the day because anyone said something. Renton emphasized how cold he was against Spud. Spud is completely unresponsive and Mark thinks he might die, looking not surprised if he is.
Grieve and Mourning in Port Sunshine - a third person narration. Renton's brother Billy and his friends Lenny, Naz Peasbo, and Jackie are waiting for their friend, Granty, to arrive to play cards, as he holds the money pot. They later find out that Granty is dead and his girlfriend has been lost with money, encouraging them to defeat Jackie, who they know has slept with her.
Part 3: Kicking Again
Inter Shitty - Narrated by Begbie. Begbie and Renton have attracted an unknown evil and have decided to hide in London. This chapter covers their train journeys.
Na Na and Other Nazis - Narrated by Spud, who has successfully kicked heroin. He visits his grandmother, where his uncle's mixed race Dode lives. He tells of the problems that Dode had with growing racism, especially the events when he and Spud went to the pub and were immediately attacked by a white skinhead saying slogans like "no black in Union Jack". This abuse led to a fight, which left Dode hospitalized, where Spud visited him. "I've been worse in the past and I'll be worse in the future" Dode says Spud, who begs him not to say things like that. "He looked at us like I would never understand and I knew he might be right."
The First Shag in Ages - Narration of a third person. Renton had kicked heroin and was anxious. She finally picked up a girl at the nightclub, Dianne, and slept with her, unaware that she was only fourteen. She was then forced to repeatedly lie to her parents at breakfast the next morning. Though she feels guilty and uncomfortable, she may be sleeping with Dianne again when she appears in her flat.
Take a Stroll Through the Meadow - Narrated by Spud. Spud, Renton and Sick Boy take some Ecstasy and take a stroll to the Meadows where an excited Boy Sick and Renton try to kill a squirrel but stop after Spud becomes irritated by their actions against the animal. He declares to the reader that you can not love yourself if you hurt animals because it is wrong and compares them innocent to a dead Dawn Simon's baby. He also specifically states that the squirrel is "beautiful" and "free" and that "it's probably what Rents can not stand" shows Mark jealous of the people he feels are totally unattached and free. Mark, in reaction to Spud's grief and disappointment in his actions, was clearly embarrassed and Spud forgave him quickly and the couple embraced, before Simon joked by saying that they had to "go to each other in the trees" or help him find Begbie and Matty.
Part 4: Blow it
Tortured Disaster - Narrated by Renton. Renton and Spud are in court for stealing books. Renton was sentenced to trial for his rehabilitation efforts, while Spud was given a short prison term. Those who attended the hearing moved to a nearby pub to celebrate. Renton became increasingly desperate for the situation and the people around him and slipped out of the back door of the pub unwittingly with the intention of going to Swanney for a profit, "to take us through this long and hard day."
Trash Dilemma No. 66 - A very short section, probably narrated by Renton. Renton reflects that heroin hits have eliminated her ability to move. (In the film it happened after he got into rehab and still has methadone in his system "just one more punch")
Deid Dugs - Narrated by Sick Boy. Using a wind rifle, Sick Boy shoots a Bull Terrier, who then attacks his skinhead owner, giving Sick Boy the reason he needs to kill the dog, which he does, using his own collar. He was glad when a police officer arrived and told Sick Boy that he would be recommended for praise.
Finding Inner Man - Narrated by Renton. An important chapter in which Renton reflects on why he used heroin after seeing several psychiatrists, all of whom have different, incessant approaches to clinical psychology drawn from various 20th-century psychologists. Renton's cynicism has stopped him from forming meaningful relationships with anyone, and he can not enjoy anything. Mark claims he has a difficult childhood because of his catatonic little brother.
House Arrest - Narrated by Renton. Renton relapsed and had to suffer a heroin withdrawal at her parents' home, where she experienced hallucinations of Dawn's deceased baby, the television program she watched, and the lecture given by her father. He was later visited by Sick Boy and went to the pub with his parents, whose scary enthusiasm acted as a veneer for their authoritative treatment. Mark is faced with boredom and the futility of "normal" life, and it implies that he will start using again.
Bang to Rites - Narrated by Renton. Renton's brother Billy died in Northern Ireland with the British Army. Renton attends a funeral; there, he almost started a fight with some of his father's union relatives, and ended up having sex with Billy's pregnant girlfriend in the toilet. Demonstrating several topics, Renton discusses the hypocrisy of Unionism, and Britain in Northern Ireland (beginning with internal rant against his father's family, most of whom are fanatics).
Trash Dilemma No. 67 - Another very short section may also be narrated by Renton. Renton reflects the depravity of the world, concluding that deprivation is "relative", and assumes the problem of the pills that it will use will cause its blood vessels when injected. He concludes that there has never been a dilemma with garbage, and that what exists only comes when garbage "runs oot".
Part 5: Disposal
London Crawling - Narrated by Renton. Renton finds himself stranded in London without a place to sleep. She tries to fall asleep at a porn theater all night, but there she meets an Italian gentleman named Gi, who makes a pass on her. Renton says he's not gay, and after Gi regrets offering him a place to sleep, Renton takes him on the offer. However, in the middle of the night, Renton wakes up to find Gi masturbating on it and has semen on his cheeks and face. Renton reacted violently, but then felt sorry for the old man who was sobbing. In the morning he brings Gi for breakfast and party. On the way, Gi tells her the tragedy of her life - how she has a wife and kids that she cares about, but she can not help falling in love with her brother-in-law Antonio. After their infidelity unfolds, both suffer violent homophobic violence in the hands of Antonio's brothers, causing her lover to commit suicide. At the party, Renton noted with sadness how the fears and confusion generated by the Gi while lamenting the behavior of drunk and passionate people. This chapter ends with Renton considering sex with Gi, showing the bisexual side to the character.
Bad Blood - Reported by Davie. Davie, now HIV-positive, took a terrible revenge on the man who was suspected of raping her boyfriend and giving her HIV, which caused her own contractions of her illness. Davie befriends the man, and when the man approaches his death, Davie tells him that he was raped and murdered cruelly, killing his six-year-old son after dating the former man, going so far to give the photographs of the murdered child. After the death of the man, Davie told the reader that he never really hurt the boy; the whole story is made and that he has actually corrected the child's chloroformation to make a fake photo. This chapter ends with Davie who seems to find a new life despite his illness.
There's an Unheard of Light - Narration of a third person. After a binge and party, Renton, Spud, Begbie, Gav, Alison and others went out for another drink and then something to eat. Spud and others reflect on their sex life. This chapter is named after a song by The Smiths, who in Spud's lyrics found solace after his attempt failed to make a pass on a woman.
Feel Free - Narrated by Kelly. Kelly and Alison make a scene in front of a construction site with a fight with some construction workers. They met some backpacking ladies and the foursome eventually returned to Kelly, where they became tall and their newfound friends revealed that they were actually lesbians from New Zealand. The girls have a general laugh about, then Renton arrives on a surprise visit to Kelly. The girls chose her, making fun of her masculinity; he picked it up with good humor and left, noting that Kelly was already busy. Soon afterwards the women felt guilty for attacking her, though Kelly felt that men were just fine "when in a minority".
The Elusive Mr Hunt - Narrative third person. Sick Boy prank calls Kelly's pub where he works from across the street. She asks him to look for "Mark Hunt" and only after he calls out the name ("The Boy Wants Mark Hunt") around the pub several times does he realize how the people in the pub laugh at him. and how his name sounds like "my vagina (when it says with a Scottish accent)" caused him to be very embarrassed. Renton was present at the pub at the time and laughed along with the others at Kelly, until she realized that she had tears in her eyes. At first he thought he was ridiculous and should not have laughed out loud, but then he admitted the laughter of the people in the pub is not friendly. "It's not a funny laugh, it's a laugh of a person who can not be trusted, how he knows, she thought, how did she know?"
Part 6: Home
Easy Money for Professionals - Narrated by Spud. Spud, Begbie, and a teenager have been involved in a criminal robbery. Spud tells of crime and comments on Begbie paranoia and how the teenagers tend to be hacked by the couple.
A Present - Reported by Renton. Gav tells Renton the story of how Matty died of toxoplasmosis after trying to revive his relationship with his ex using a kitten (a scene re-created for Tommy's funeral in the film version).
Matty Memories - Narrative third person. The group attended Matty's funeral, where they contemplated her fall and what might have caused her.
Straight Dilemma No. 1 - Narrated by Renton. Renton finds herself at a small gathering in a flat in London surrounded by ordinary drug users. While others at the party enjoy opium-packed joints and try to berate Renton as a lightweight 'suit and tie', Renton muses on the idea that they do not know what drug addiction is really needed.
Eating Outside - Narrated by Kelly. Kelly works as a waitress at a restaurant in Edinburgh and takes revenge on some unpleasant customers.
Trainspotting at Leith Central Station - Narrated by Renton. Renton returns to Leith for Christmas. She meets Begbie, who struck an innocent man after seeing his alcoholic father at an unused Leith Central train station.
Leg-Over Situation - Reported by Renton. Renton went to the drug dealer before, Johnny Swann, whose legs were amputated for heroin use.
Winter in West Granton - Narrated by Renton. Renton goes to visit Tommy, who is dying of AIDS.
Scottish Warrior - Narrative third person. Johnny Swann was reduced to a beggar, pretending to be a soldier who lost his leg in the Falklands War. Swann was quite optimistic and exclaimed that he was making more money than begging heroin.
Part 7: Sign out
Station to Station - Renton, Sick Boy, Begbie, Spud, and Second Prize went to London to engage in a low-key heroin deal and see the Pogues show. The book ends with Renton stealing cash and going to Amsterdam. Like the movie and its sequel, Maps Trainspotting (novel)
Adaptation stage
Immediately after the publication, the book was adapted for the stage. The stage version inspired the next film, and regularly toured the UK in the mid-1990s. This adaptation starred Ewen Bremner and then Tam Dean Burn as Renton.
Los Angeles Trainspotting Production won the Los Angeles 2002 Dramatic Criticism Award for Referrals, and LA 2002 Weekly Theater Award for Direction, for director Roger Mathey.
Movie adaptation
The film is directed by Danny Boyle, with an adaptation scenario written by John Hodge. It stars Ewan McGregor, Robert Carlyle, Jonny Lee Miller and Ewen Bremner. Irvine Welsh made a cameo appearance as a drug dealer Mikey Forrester. The film is ranked 10th by the British Film Institute (BFI) in the list of 100 best British films of all time. It also brought Welsh books to an international cinema audience and added to the phenomenal popularity of the novel.
Reception
It's long been registered for the 1993 Booker Prize (and seems to be denied for a short list after "offending the sensitivity of two judges").
Issue
- ISBNÃ, 0-393-31480-4 (paperback, (1996)
- ISBNÃ, 0-393-05724-0 (hardcover)
- ISBNÃ, 0-7493-2173-3 (paperback)
- ISBNÃ, 0-7493-9606-7 (paperback) (1994)
References
Further reading
- Screening Trainspotting Irvine Welsh , by Aaron Kelly. Published by Manchester University Press, 2005. ISBNÃ, 0-7190-6651-4. page 68 .
- Trainspotting Irvine Welsh: A Reader's Guide , by Robert A. Morace. Published by Continuum International Publishing Group, 2001. ISBNÃ, 0-8264-5237-X.
- Working class fiction: From Chartism to Trainspotting , by Ian Haywood. Published by Northcote House in collaboration with British Council, 1997. ISBNÃ, 0-7463-0780-2.
External links
- Irvine Welsh discusses Trainspotting on the BBC World Book Club
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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