Porno (Paperback)

If you ever wondered what happened to the boys from Leith, wonder no more. They are back, and in technicolor. Welsh offers us a look at how the gang is doing in the mid-nineties (you are left to your own devices to figure out exactly when it takes place). The best you can say is "Well, at least they kicked heroin."

The primary focus is on Sick Boy and his endless "scams" (each chapter told from his point of view is a numbered scam, i.e. "Scam No. 11,452" - every chapter rotates among different characters' p.o.v., each with its own style, dialogue and outlook). This time, he's in it to make pornograpic movies, and the way he lures in his accomplices makes you want to bathe. But, as you will soon find out, he's not the only one using other human beings for financial gain.

The first third primarily focuses on catching up with all the crew, as well as some new characters, like Nikki, Sick Boy's main squeeze. She the beautiful if neurotic Scottish lass who dreams of grandeur while living with (and dating) the dregs. Sick Boy is up to no good, but in his usual, charming way, and even though he's a full-fledged fraud, you find yourself rooting for him; at least until the end. Then there's Begbie, the psychotic, paranoid killer, just out of jail, and in the mood to track down those that wronged him (and to find who has been sending him gay porn in prison). The first encounter each character has with Begbie is particularly fun.

Moving on to the hefty middle, we see everyone's plans take shape, including Spud's quest for redemption and Rent's quest to make amends. As is typical of Welsh, he imbues a not inconsiderable amount of tension into the "will he or won't he" of each character's prospects. Also knowing Welsh, one is never optimistic. Sick Boy is aiming for a slot at the Cannes Film Festival (well, the "Adult Entertainment" equivalent), and nothing and no one shall get in his way.

The last third moves quickly as things culminate in ways one might not entirely expect. But, one thing you can count on: what goes around, comes around. Karma is heavy on Welsh's mind in this book, and he spares no one Fate's hand.

One is again captivated by the Scottish slang, and although Welsh refuses to comply with even the most rudimentary rules of punctuation and formatting, one begins to read his words as if you were listening to improvisational jazz. After a while, you wonder why anyone bothers with the lowly quotation mark.

On a scale of 1 - 10, "Porno" comes out a very satisfying 8. The ending will have your heart and head racing to the last inglorious word. Great fun! But try it for yourself! Pick up a copy. Another book I need to recommend -- very much on my mind since I purchased a "used" copy off Amazon is "The Losers' Club: Complete Restored Edition" by Richard Perez, an exceptional, highly entertaining, somewhat subversive little novel I can't stop thinking about.

The book is a high energy romp through a segment of the pornography business and Welsh keeps ratcheting up the tension as time goes on and the book approaches it's climax. Despite that, he continues to approach the topic (and his characters) with a good deal of humor. This is a real page turner and deserves to be picked up.

I've heard rumors of a movie being planned which would be great. Don't let the title mislead you, the book is not primarily about sex but rather the industry, the deals, and the crazy lives of the players. Many old Trainspotting favorites turn up (some briefly but often memorably) and the new characters are interesting to follow as well.