In order to stay ahead of the curve Mr Hummels read the Irvine Welsh’s Porno ahead of the T2 (Trainspotting 2) screening.

Being a proud Scottish laddie and a good hibby I’ve previously been a bit reticent to get involved with Irvine Welsh’s backcatalogue, ken. I’d had him confused wi that Ian Rankin felly whose book I read when I wis younger, likes. But ah read that Filth book ken, an Trainspotting and now Porno, likesay.
And they are quality. Just pure quality.

Ah’ll no get intae typin in th Leith scots or ah might lose some eh the non-existent readers, likesay.

My abiding Porno memory is, as a cheeky wee cunt in 1st year of high school, trying to do a book project on it and having it taken off me within a matter of minutes.
I went onto read something which was less well known by Ben Elton or someone, it still had the raunchy scenes I was after. But the memory of the vivid cover of Porno remains, as do the lack of killer book-review insights.

Anyway, after finally giving myself over to other Irvine Welsh books I was ready to give this a whirl before the film came out.

The book sees the same characters of Spud, Begbie, Sick Boy and Renton reunite 20 years since the last outing in London. The remarkable thing about this book is how well Irvine Welsh knows these characters, none of which set a single step out of their predetermined paths. Even more impressive is Welsh’s comprehensive knowledge of the place, which plays an equal part in forging the fate of each poor twisted individual he draws.

I’ve lived a similar life  to that of Renton and Sick Boy in that I’m from Scotland and I’ve moved away. I’m also a Hibee. So this refresher with them did seem personal, however the blanket and over riding theme of Ageing is something I’m fortunate enough to not yet have gone through. I returned home this week and strolled through the beautiful streets of Edinburgh, the similar feelings of being restless at home were fairly quick to wash over me. Equally, the feeling of being alien outside of Scotland has knawed at me throughout reading this. This less visceral yet still succinct impression of youthful alienation is key to Renton and Sick Boy especially. The recent political landscape also puts Spuds naive idealism front and centre, I’d love for everyone tae on too catboy, easier to just get wrecked though eh.

Where this book differed from Trainspotting was the quality and direction of the narrative. Trainspotting is a collection of assembled musings from the heads of characters Welsh knows well. The looseness as well as the anger make it what it is. Porno is a tighter, well weaved story. As Filth also was. The message to someone who would also like to write for a living and to someone who also supports Hibernian was clear, especially in the year we see Hibs defend the Scottish cup: Persevere.

(At this juncture, I want to note that I don’t want a load of pish about Trainspotting was amazing, that is true and that is not the point I’m making here. If you do choose to comment that, or even think it then you are clearly a hearts supporter.)

This is clear in the timelessness of Leith, in Rentons actions, Begbie waking, in Sick Boys scams and Spuds addiction. To a fellow writer it is inspiring and also intimidating, the stories which I’ve read are so accurately drawn that it is impossible to do a better job. Hopefully I can do a different job, however. Either way there is only one way to go about it Persevere.

My initial impression , upon hearing of the release and then seeing the trailer was -Choose not fucking up the original film with shite about facebook. It did sound good when I first heard it but I’m not so convinced now.
From what I understand the film deviates from the book, which is intriguing, and I’ll try and review it after seeing it. From what I’ve seen from the trailer, it looks as exciting and visual as the last. However, I’m concerned about the input of Ego which wasn’t there when the last T was made.
Either way I’m excited enough to have read the book. It will be interesting to see what happens as even though it will be the same characters it will be a different set of characters, with different owners. And a different writer, a collaborative effort on the same idea. Intrigue.
(We now have to punctuate the paragraphs or speech with a defining word thanks to the Donald. Gracious.)

Anyway, I’ll leave you with the custom Mr Hummels rating; Pretty good, 7/10 or 3.5/5.

Choose Perseverance. Choose Mr Hummels.