Is Irvine Welsh just a cynical, robbing gimp?

Jayzus B. Christ · 19 May, 2002, 08:36:23 PM

Has anyone ever read Skin, the graphic novel by Pete Milligan and Brendan McCarthy? It's about this London skinhead, who was affected by thalidomide and was born without arms. In the end, he
S

P

O

I

L

E

R

tracks down a representative of the Thalidomide company and chops his arms off.
Anyway, i read an Irvine Welsh story where a London thug meets a girl without arms because of Thalidomide (or Tenazadrine, as he renames it), and in the end they track down a representative of the company and chop his arms off.
The thieving gyppo. At least milligan had the balls to call thalidomide by its real name.

Trout · 19 May, 2002, 08:40:13 PM

That's unbelievable. You almost hope that he hasn't read Skin.

He doesn't half swear a lot, too.

Kinell!

MikeD

paulvonscott · 19 May, 2002, 08:41:47 PM

To me that looks like theft, where's JimBob?!

Jayzus B. Christ · 19 May, 2002, 09:19:16 PM

I say leave JimBob out of this: I think he genuinely didn't know about the similar Future Shock. Welsh, however, is still in the dock.
Kinada!

paulvonscott · 19 May, 2002, 09:26:33 PM

That's not what I meant exactly...

Jayzus B. Christ · 19 May, 2002, 09:32:34 PM

It is, right?.
What's more, JimBob heard you were saying things about him, and wants to fight you after school behind the bikesheds.

paulvonscott · 19 May, 2002, 09:51:01 PM

No, I meant Jim's a copper and should do him. I supect a team of money sucking lawyers would be more succesful though.

If he wants to meet me behind the bikesheds, whatever the alleged reason, I won't be there!

No fear!

PVS

Characters always said 'No fear' in comics, just before they ran away. It confused me at the time.

Something Fishy · 20 May, 2002, 02:42:15 AM

Jimbob a copper is he?

plastikman · 20 May, 2002, 04:18:06 AM

I think Irvine has written some beauties so I don't mind if he pilfers the odd one now and again ...
Marabou Stork Nightmares anyone?

plastikman.

Tu-plang · 20 May, 2002, 02:41:59 PM

Yeah, well, I heard Jimbob kisses girls. My Dad's tougher then the lot of youse.

Mudcrab · 20 May, 2002, 04:20:11 PM

An absolute classic! Definitely his best book I'd say, although I've only read that and Ecstasy (the one with the Thalidomide story). I couldn't be arsed with Trainspotting, hated the way it was written and having to constantly imagine someone you know from Edinburgh speaking all the time.

O Lucky Stevie! · 20 May, 2002, 05:41:35 PM

my sister can beat all of your sisters at dominoes.

i've wet my knickers!
steven l'enfant terrible

Art · 20 May, 2002, 06:36:07 PM

It sounds like theres similarities, yes, but it doesn'tseem at all unlikely that they both came up with the idea individualy.

plastikman · 21 May, 2002, 01:40:21 AM

i remember when i picked up the Marabou in the bookshop - read the back of it and thought it was an Out of Africa type!!! - it seemed a huge jump having read Trainspotting and The Acid House - eventually i bought it and am glad i did.

The thought that constantly crosses my mind when i read his stuff is - what the hell must your mother think when she reads this stuff????

I rate all his stuff - but Filth is another beauty - I'm half way through Glue at the moment.

Book report over.

plastikman.

oh yes and i saw Trainspotting at the Liverpool Everyman and the 2 actors pissed on stage at the end - which was nice.

and yes i did buy trainspotting before seeing that dodgy film of the same name.

Mudcrab · 21 May, 2002, 04:06:50 PM

My mate's got Filth (he he, loads of it!). Was thinking of borrowing it sometime.

I saw Marabou at the theatre, was probably the only thing I've ever enjoyed at a theatre (apart from standup comedy stuff). Thank Grud there wasn't any singing!