Glue by Irvine Welsh Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Glue
Book Review: Brilliant and Touching!
Summary: 5 Stars
"Glue" is Welsh's best since "Trainspotting." I have loved all of his books (even if "Filth" was a Scottish version of "The Bad Lieutenant"). This time, there's no wacky parasite running down the middle of a page declaring its hunger, no wacky type face or font putting you in the frame of mind of the user. "Glue" is the straightforward tale of four boys growing up in the schemes (projects) of Edinburgh. Their friendship tries to survive the test of time as their lives take different paths. There's Juice-Terry, the womanizer of the group; Carl Ewart, record collector who becomes a world class DJ: Billy Birrell, the boxer; and Andrew Galloway, whose life takes many tragic turns. Welsh once again displays his gift with language. A lot of readers complain about his use of Scottish dialect, but after you've read his other books it becomes quite easy to read. This book features his most sympathetic characters to date; in fact I found myself getting teary-eyed in many scenes because I did not want bad things to happen to them. But of course this is Irvine Welsh's world, so bad things happen to them all. There are great set pieces (such as the entire Oktoberfest in which they befriend German ravers), plenty of drugs, and plenty of shagging. God, I did not want this book to end. There are even cameos from the lads of "Trainspotting" which take place before and after that landmark work. If you are a Welsh fan, you will love this...Book Review: Buttons unpushed
Summary: 2 Stars
I still don't know if I like Irvine Welsh. Marabou Stork Nightmares and Acid House were remarkable and disturbing. Filth was perhaps one of the most difficult books I've forced my way through, yet afterwards I was intrigued at how the character of Robertson could generate such a negative emotional response. So though I'm not sure I like reading Welsh, the man certainly know how to press my buttons; I guess that's why I keep going back.Glue left my emotions unruffled and my expectations unfulfilled.
I don't think the story is at fault. Glue is a very well considered novel. The point-of-view style of the narrative is quite effective. It's fun watching different characters view the same situations differently and thus spin their experiences in the way most sympathetic to them, often hilariously. The characters likewise tend to be true to themselves. Welsh has a good grasp of these four and nothing that they do or the things that happen to them seems contrived (for the most part). The dialogue, always Welsh's long suit, is again at the forefront.
However, Welsh definitely needed an editorial hand in this one. Sections of the book seem to drag, particularly the Munich beer festival and the night on the town with an American rock and roll diva past the apex of her career (and an utterly pointless insertion into the lives of the characters). Welsh is best when at his most terse and direct. The rapid pace and numerous changes of most of his past novels would have been a welcome addition to Glue as well.
But even worse then the pacing is the fact that no emotional response was generated from Gally, Billy, Carl and Terry. I kept waiting for the moment where I really cared about their lives, and what ultimately happened to them. That's what I always count on Welsh to do - to push my buttons and get then response, good or bad. This time, it didn't happen.
Book Review: Classic Welsh (with a bit of Nick Hornby thrown in)
Summary: 5 Stars
The last few reviewers have got it right. Glue has plenty of typical Welsh debauchery and drug inhalation to keep the old fans happy, but also a bit of good old fashioned story telling (ala Nick Hornby) going on at the same time. Welsh has developed four very strong and sympathetic characters and places them in a series of ordinary, and sometimes extra-ordinary situations.
If you enjoy a good read with lots of shagging, drugging and fighting threaded through a story of camaraderie and loyality, I highly recommend this book.
I can't wait for the next Welsh book which is tentatively titled "Porno" - the mind boggles!
Book Review: Classic stuff - although a bit drawn out.
Summary: 4 Stars
This is the clasic Welsh with his wonderful vernacular Scottish slang. Not as good as Trainspotting or Marborough Stork but holds its own. The character Terry is a classic and I wish the book could have spent more time from his perspective and focusing on him. I like how Welsh has intertwined the stories, crossing over the same scene from two perspectives. What focus there was on drugs, mostly ecstasy, wasnt as interesting as previous drug focus of heroin or LSD of previous works. The sex addiction of Terry was of the high caliber as that of the heroin addiction of Rents in Transpotting. A bit drawn out in parts, but neverless it is a guilty pleasure to read this stuff and I am already on a withdrawl from Welshes craft, until his next book.Book Review: Could not finish it... Head started hurting...
Summary: 1 Stars
(...) this book is not in English. It's in such a heavy dialect that it is at times incomprehensible. I'm all for a challenging read, but there was no enjoyment in this book for me. (...) I've read practically everything there is to read and this book wasn't worth wasting brain cells on. (...)