Items related to Skagboys
Mark Renton has it all: he's good-looking, young, with a pretty girlfriend and a place at university. But there's no room for him in the 1980s. Thatcher's government is destroying working-class communities across Britain, and the post-war certainties of full employment, educational opportunity and a welfare state are gone. When his family starts to fracture, Mark's life swings out of control and he succumbs to the defeatism which has taken hold in Edinburgh's grimmer areas. The way out is heroin.
It's no better for his friends. Spud Murphy is paid off from his job, Tommy Lawrence feels himself being sucked into a life of petty crime and violence - the worlds of the thieving Matty Connell and psychotic Franco Begbie. Only Sick Boy, the supreme manipulator of the opposite sex, seems to ride the current, scamming and hustling his way through it all.
Skagboys charts their journey from likely lads to young men addicted to the heroin which has flooded their disintegrating community. This is the 1980s: a time of drugs, poverty, AIDS, violence, political strife and hatred - but a lot of laughs, and maybe just a little love; a decade which changed Britain for ever. The prequel to the world-renowned Trainspotting, this is an exhilarating and moving book, full of the scabrous humour, salty vernacular and appalling behaviour that has made Irvine Welsh a household name.
It's no better for his friends. Spud Murphy is paid off from his job, Tommy Lawrence feels himself being sucked into a life of petty crime and violence - the worlds of the thieving Matty Connell and psychotic Franco Begbie. Only Sick Boy, the supreme manipulator of the opposite sex, seems to ride the current, scamming and hustling his way through it all.
Skagboys charts their journey from likely lads to young men addicted to the heroin which has flooded their disintegrating community. This is the 1980s: a time of drugs, poverty, AIDS, violence, political strife and hatred - but a lot of laughs, and maybe just a little love; a decade which changed Britain for ever. The prequel to the world-renowned Trainspotting, this is an exhilarating and moving book, full of the scabrous humour, salty vernacular and appalling behaviour that has made Irvine Welsh a household name.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review:
"Welsh's descriptive style is masterful - crude, violent and poetic by turns - but it is dialogue for which he has the Midas touch... Its banter, outrage and razor wit sing off the page. A film, one suspects, isn't far off." (Arifa Akbar Independent)
"The voice of punk, grown up, grown wiser and grown eloquent." (The Times)
"I’m not sure that in 2012 there will be a single novel, never mind half a dozen, with more verve or nous or life in it than Skagboys. Ye kin pure tell they Booker gadgies’ll no huv the baws but..." (Anthony Cummins Literary Review)
"I ended up charmed beyond measure, if that is the right word for a novel whose odd moments of poignance are regularly booted into touch by death, disillusionment and dereliction." (D J Taylor Spectator)
"Trainspotting may be a masterpiece but Skagboys is the reason the artist painted it, and sometimes that's the most compelling story." (Joanna McGarry Stylist)
Book Description:
"The voice of punk, grown up, grown wiser and grown eloquent." (The Times)
"I’m not sure that in 2012 there will be a single novel, never mind half a dozen, with more verve or nous or life in it than Skagboys. Ye kin pure tell they Booker gadgies’ll no huv the baws but..." (Anthony Cummins Literary Review)
"I ended up charmed beyond measure, if that is the right word for a novel whose odd moments of poignance are regularly booted into touch by death, disillusionment and dereliction." (D J Taylor Spectator)
"Trainspotting may be a masterpiece but Skagboys is the reason the artist painted it, and sometimes that's the most compelling story." (Joanna McGarry Stylist)
A prequel to the world-renowned Trainspotting, this is Irvine Welsh's greatest work and where it all went wrong for the boys...
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherJonathan Cape
- Publication date2012
- ISBN 10 0224087908
- ISBN 13 9780224087902
- BindingHardcover
- Edition number1
- Number of pages560
- Rating
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Stock Image
Skagboys
Published by
Jonathan Cape
(2012)
ISBN 10: 0224087908
ISBN 13: 9780224087902
Used
Paperback
Quantity: 5
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Good. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine. Seller Inventory # GOR003983321
Buy Used
£ 2.14
Convert currency
Stock Image
Skagboys
Published by
Jonathan Cape
(2012)
ISBN 10: 0224087908
ISBN 13: 9780224087902
Used
Paperback
Quantity: 2
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Fair. A readable copy of the book which may include some defects such as highlighting and notes. Cover and pages may be creased and show discolouration. Seller Inventory # GOR004942261
Buy Used
£ 2.14
Convert currency
Stock Image
Skagboys
Published by
Jonathan Cape 19/04/2012
(2012)
ISBN 10: 0224087908
ISBN 13: 9780224087902
Used
Hardcover
Quantity: 2
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. . Seller Inventory # 7719-9780224087902
Buy Used
£ 3.36
Convert currency
Stock Image
Skagboys
Published by
Vintage Publishing, United Kingdom, London
(2012)
ISBN 10: 0224087908
ISBN 13: 9780224087902
Used
Paperback
Quantity: 7
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Mark Renton has it all: he's good-looking, young, with a pretty girlfriend and a place at university. But there's no room for him in the 1980s. Thatcher's government is destroying working-class communities across Britain, and the post-war certainties of full employment, educational opportunity and a welfare state are gone. When his family starts to fracture, Mark's life swings out of control and he succumbs to the defeatism which has taken hold in Edinburgh's grimmer areas. The way out is heroin. It's no better for his friends. Spud Murphy is paid off from his job, Tommy Lawrence feels himself being sucked into a life of petty crime and violence - the worlds of the thieving Matty Connell and psychotic Franco Begbie. Only Sick Boy, the supreme manipulator of the opposite sex, seems to ride the current, scamming and hustling his way through it all. Skagboys charts their journey from likely lads to young men addicted to the heroin which has flooded their disintegrating community. This is the 1980s: a time of drugs, poverty, AIDS, violence, political strife and hatred - but a lot of laughs, and maybe just a little love; a decade which changed Britain for ever. The prequel to the world-renowned Trainspotting, this is an exhilarating and moving book, full of the scabrous humour, salty vernacular and appalling behaviour that has made Irvine Welsh a household name. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR004057053
Buy Used
£ 4.26
Convert currency
Stock Image
Skagboys
Published by
Jonathan Cape 19/04/2012
(2012)
ISBN 10: 0224087908
ISBN 13: 9780224087902
Used
Hardcover
Quantity: 2
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: Very Good. Shipped within 24 hours from our UK warehouse. Clean, undamaged book with no damage to pages and minimal wear to the cover. Spine still tight, in very good condition. Remember if you are not happy, you are covered by our 100% money back guarantee. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780224087902
Buy Used
£ 3.36
Convert currency
Stock Image
Skagboys
Published by
Jonathan Cape
(2012)
ISBN 10: 0224087908
ISBN 13: 9780224087902
Used
Hardcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: Very Good. 1713860971. 4/23/2024 8:29:31 AM. Seller Inventory # U9780224087902
Buy Used
£ 5.62
Convert currency
Stock Image
Skagboys
Published by
Penguin Random House
(2012)
ISBN 10: 0224087908
ISBN 13: 9780224087902
Used
Hardcover
Quantity: 3
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: Good. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # GRP65216383
Buy Used
£ 4.49
Convert currency
Stock Image
Skagboys
Published by
Penguin Random House
(2012)
ISBN 10: 0224087908
ISBN 13: 9780224087902
Used
Hardcover
Quantity: 2
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: Good. Ships from the UK. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 7878984-6
Buy Used
£ 4.49
Convert currency
Stock Image
Skagboys
Published by
Jonathan Cape
(2012)
ISBN 10: 0224087908
ISBN 13: 9780224087902
Used
Hardcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_396486670
Buy Used
£ 12.90
Convert currency
Skagboys
Published by
Jonathan Cape
(2012)
ISBN 10: 0224087908
ISBN 13: 9780224087902
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: As New. Dust Jacket Condition: As New. 1st Edition. About the book: Both a prequel to the world-renowned Trainspotting, and an alternative version of it, Skagboys is Irvine Welsh's greatest work. Mark Renton seems to have it all: he's the first in his family to go to university, he's young, has a pretty girlfriend and a great social life. But Thatcher's government is destroying working-class communities across Britain, and the post-war certainties of full employment, educational opportunity and a welfare state are gone. When his badly handicapped younger brother dies the family bonds start to weaken, his life flips out of control, and he succumbs to the defeatism and the heroin which has taken hold in Edinburgh's grimmer areas. His friends face similar challenges. Spud Murphy is paid off from his job and faces long-term unemployment, while Tommy Lawrence feels that only love can save him from being sucked into a life of petty crime and violence -- exemplified respectively by the thieving Matty Connell and psychotic Franco Begbie. And then there is Sick Boy, the supreme manipulator of the opposite sex, scamming and hustling his way through life. Skagboys charts their journey from likely lads to young men addicted to the heroin which has flooded their disintegrating community. This is the 1980s: not the sanitized version, of upbeat pop music, mullets, shoulder-pads and MTV, but a time of drugs, poverty, AIDS, violence, political strife and hatred -- and maybe just a little love; a decade which changed Britain for ever. The prequel to the world-renowned Trainspotting, this is an exhilarating and moving book, full of the scabrous humour, salty vernacular and appalling behaviour that has made Irvine Welsh a household name. Seller Inventory # 311
Buy Used
£ 7
Convert currency