Porno by Irvine Welsh

MakeEmLaugh

I just finished Irvine Welsh's Porno, the sequel to Trainspotting, which was published in 2002. I started reading it years ago, but never finished it. I went back started from scratch, partly because of the rumours that Danny Boyle's next film will be a sequel to his own adaptation of Trainspotting.

Porno is certainly a good book, though I don't think it quite measures up to Trainspotting. It felt slightly too long. It's been years since I read Trainspotting, but this seemed at least 150-200 pages longer, though I could be completely off on that.

It focuses heavily on the character of Simon AKA Sick Boy, and his attempts to make a porn film after returning to Leith from Hackney. Meanwhile, Renton – who was the narrator of the film version of Trainspotting – is living in Amsterdam, running a nightclub. Begbie has just been released from jail and Spud is still struggling with drug use and a marriage that's on-the-rocks.

I know that Boyle has said he doesn't hold up Porno to the same level as he did Welsh's original Trainspotting. It's probably more plot-heavy than the first book, driven by Sick Boy's attempts at entrepreneurship. The other characters seem like secondary players in the whole thing. Trainspotting as a book was very loose, like a collection of short stories akin to Joyce's Dubliners.

Has anyone else read Porno, and if so, what are your thoughts?

Coffee Run

It's been quite a few years since I read it. I love everything Welsh has written, bar <I>Sex Lives of Siamese Twins</I> and <I>If You liked School, You'll Love Work</I>. But I really need to check this one out again.

Not excited for the film, if it does happen. I think too much time has elapsed since they made Trainspotting.

What you think of <I>Skagboys</I>

salmocab

I read it a few years back too and really enjoyed it, read skag boys too and liked that also the one set earlier than trainspotting, glue? and that was good as far as I remember.

Coffee Run

Ah yeah Glue is one of his best I think. It was the first time I met Juice Terry. Have had a strange relationship with him - he's like someone you take an instant dislike to the first time you meet them, then he pops up again in Porno and I thought, well, he's not too bad. Became one of my favourite Welsh characters then when I read 'A Decent Ride'

salmocab

Nallak wrote: »

Ah yeah Glue is one of his best I think. It was the first time I met Juice Terry. Have had a strange relationship with him - he's like someone you take an instant dislike to the first time you meet them, then he pops up again in Porno and I thought, well, he's not too bad. Became one of my favourite Welsh characters then when I read 'A Decent Ride'

juice terry brilliant!