More often than not, 'Skagboys' is simultaneously hilarious and disturbing. Here we meet up with most of the character's from Welsh's (in)famous 'Trainspotting'. Essentially, this is the whole cast, before most of them - Renton, Spud, Sick Boy - were addicted to heroin. Clues into their upbringing, school and early friendships help round them out. Begbie, as ever, is a natural born terror who has changed little. The scenes and chapters more devoted to him are certifiably terrifying, his violence and insolence unbelievable. The language of the characters - written phonetically - is hard to get used to at first and usually quite depraved but elicits many laughs at even the most unlikely and despicable of times. The story can seem erratic as it jumps from a few choice characters as it moves along from chapter to chapter. It is sometimes difficult (in the beginning of the book at least) to tell exactly who it is we're listening to, but as the story evolves and you become more acquainted with the characters it tends to become readily apparent who it is that's speaking at the moment. The novel definitely has a momentum and a conclusion, but at times can seem to meander ('seems to' but does't really) Recommended for hardcore Irvine Welsh fans, but even the casual reader, stumbling into this universe for the first time will find something to enjoy here (and will probably be set on the road of devouring more of Welsh's novels)

This book is hilarious! I'm going to read the rest of the series over again :) Enjoy!