Dead Men’s Trousers by Irvine Welsh – Reviewed by Guy Portman
The Trainspotting crew are back for another adventure. These days Mark Renton is a successful manager of DJs. Begbie is a famous artist, living the dream in California. Sick Boy hasn’t changed much. He now runs an escort agency in London. Affable and gullible Spud is still a drug-using dropout.
Their reunion is tense, as the friends have a chequered history and considerable resentment remains. If Begbie hasn’t ditched his psychopathic ways as he claims, things could get nasty.
This work of transgressive fiction is infused with humour. The action takes place in Scotland and America. Themes include drugs, sex, drinking and music. The familiar band of reprobates, hilarious antics and incisive Leith vernacular more than compensate for the dearth of plot. Dead Men’s Trousers will appeal to fans of Irvine Welsh.
