Skagboys

This will almost certainly be the sweariest book that you will have ever read. In fact, it is one swear-word short of sweariness saturation- where the context of the story is lost in a sea of foul potty-mouthiness.

HOWEVER... It is written with a deftness of style, and a sensitivity to the human condition, which can bring you to the point of tears. The characters develop seamlessly into rich, interesting, believable, three-dimensional, but larger, no, LARGER than life people. You love them, you hate them, you feel for them, you hope for them, you cringe with them. The tale (or tales) is (or are) in turns funny and sad and poignant, and funny, and cringeworthy, and did I mention funny. And as for the swearing- it feels so natural to the characters that you barely even notice it.

The book has a feel similar to its companion, Trainspotting. It is more a series of little episodes, which build like a mosaic into the whole of the novel. I think that it's better than Trainspotting- it's just so well written!

The Narration is as good as any I have ever heard. Tam Dean Burn obviously loved his brief, and he nailed it! It is told with a passion and energy, which brings that characters and scenes alive. I'm sure that Irvine Welsh was delighted by the rendition that TDB delivered.

I cannot rate this book highly enough. It really captured me from the very first moment, and I urge you to give it a go!!!

I started off hating this. The swearing was unreal. Given that I swear a fair old bit this shocked me a bit.
I did stick with it and am so glad i did. Learnt to really get close to the characters and understand them. There was enough humour to keep you sane.
I would read/listen to it again. Just don't let the first hour put you off

Welsh has had a few "odd" books since Trainspotting but this one really is perfect.The narration is first class although he does struggle a bit with the Geordie female accent!

Really enjoyed it...would be in my top five audio books.

Trainspotting, which this is the prequel to.

There are so many, it's hard to single one out...there is a very funny sex scene and you'll know which one when you get to it.

This is definitely not one for the kids. It is proper adult humour and subject matter. If you are easily offended, do not get this book as you will definitely not like it. It is crude, very sweary and politically incorrect in its best places, never mind its worst. If, like me, you grew up on a rough old council estate and did a few dodgy things when you were young, you will absolutely love it and find you can relate to the lifestyle and the characters in the book with a rather perverse nostalgia.I thought it was wonderfully entertaining, totally hilarious in places and thoroughly enjoyable...so much so, I immediately started listening to Trainspotting as my next book.I would say that the reading of the book is without doubt, the best reading I've ever heard. The narrator is truly brilliant and perfectly captures the essence of the characters with the amazing accents and colloquialisms off pat. Genius level narration, in my opinion.

Yes, i already have dipped in to bits. It fills in a lot of gaps as a prequel to trainspotting and Porno. The sheer size also means a second listen will be rewarding.

It would be easy to say the obvious favourites but there flaws are all higlighted many times, i went through stages of loving and hating Renton. Keasbo i wanted and still do want to know more about, he was easily the most likeable and probably the "gadge" you could associate with most despite his failings.<br/><br/>I also wanted to learn a touch more about seeker, i really enjoyed his relathionship with Mark in rehab. <br/><br/>Sick boy for all the wrong reasons is a pleasure to listen too.

Yes, he makes the incredible charachters of Irvine Welsh come to life in your head. The voices are all recognisable instantly, Tam Dean Burn should be narrating every audio book as a matter of law.<br/><br/>This was the best to date simply because of the 24 hour duration, it never sounded tired and by the end i didnt want to leave there world regardless of the sordid aspects of their existence.

No, the length didnt allow and truthfully it takes a bit of thought and recap.

A wonderfully written book, I love a prequel like this where at the start it just seems like a new story and by the final page the jigsaw is so much more complete in your head. The problem is you get greedy for more of the same. I have read this book too, the audio is just a bit special.

love these characters wish there was more.
Always wanted to return to book as soon as I'd put it down.
Story got a bit lost sometimes but I suppose life is like that as well

Great,narrator was Scottish which was a bonus,overall a great start to Renton's story, highly recommended for all Trainspotter fans.

Captures the imagination from the start.

Excellent book with real guts and a naked honesty through out.

Loved the book not so much the narrator! funny dark desturbing all in one BARRY!!

Irvine Welsh is a true artist. The way he writes grabs you from moment one.
Skag boys is a brilliant way to learn more about the famous 4 of trainspotting however if you haven't see trainspotting it's a even better way to get to know the lads.
Be aware this is true Irvine style which is graphic, crude and unapologetic which makes it even more magic!
Tam Dean Burns is literally outstanding and must be one of the finest narrators out there.
I definitely recommend listening to this