Customer Reviews

The Acid House

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Ah didnae think ah'd like this eht fist...

But these stories are pock-marked all over with irony, humour and the infallible bad language and vernacular put into use by Irvine Welsh, author of that classic (which I won't name here). This book should be read without that other book looming behind it with a knife to it's back.

This is a good read, and that should be enough. But there's people out there who think it could be better, that Welshie disnae have a grasp of the short story, etc, etc... but they're all missing the point something chronic. How often do we get the lives of Eurotrash thrust into our face? Not many of us get to witness first hand a drug raid, or indeed, a baby with a dirty mind... but herein lies Welsh's appeal. See, it's funny. It's so sick that it's funny...situations we'll never get into ourselves. It'll make you squirm and grin in revulsion. Come on people, admit it to yourself. You only ever read Welsh for the kick. Don't kid yourself about what is deemed to be literature or Booker Prize material or politically correct... just enjoy it and stop your whining.

For just the end story, "A Smart C***", The Acid House is worthwhile. Welsh is often super morbid and seriously wickedly wacky in these short stories, most of which play out a lot more like bad dreams than pristine vignettes. The closing aforementioned novella, however, is diferent. It's a surprisingly moving character study of a guy who seems to completely lack character. The guy is so totally caught up with analyzing everything surrounding him that he forgets to live. This seems to be subject matter close to Welsh's heart, and he gives it a surprisingly sympathetic treatment. The other stories range all over the place, but have enough energy to make up for a lack of direction. Gotta love Irv. You just gotta.

Irvine Welsh novels are definitely not for everyone. He is the "champion" of the poor, uneducated urban junkies of Edinburgh (Scotland). Since he writes in the first person, his books are, in effect, stories about junkies as told by junkies. The language is vile, the stories are frequently disgusting and depraved. Yet all this shock treatment is not gratuitous; all the stories strike me as oh-too-realistic, as if Mr. Welsh has lived in the gutter with these misfits. After the shock wears off, one is generally left with a feeling of compassion for these poor addicts (there but the grace of God...).

The Acid House differs somewhat from the author's other novels. It is actually a collection of short stories, plus a novella. While remaining true to general cause (ie, the plight of the junkie), some stories are rather weak (fortunately, these stories are very short indeed). Others are most memorable, with very clever endings (..I refer you to Irvine Welsh's masterpiece, Filth, for a really good ending!).

So The Acid House is the perfect read for Irvine Welsh fans. For others, be prepared for vile language, and sometimes incomprehensible language (..Scottish dialect). And parents, don't even THINK about letting your kids touch this or any other Irvine Welsh book.

A young man loses his job, home, and girlfriend, meets God in the pub and turns into a household fly. This is a typical plot outline from this hilarious, disturbing, amoral collection of short stories. Welsh is unflinching in his portrayl of the dissafected working class Scotts, whos appetites for narcotic debauchery is as vigourous as their weather is dull.

Devoid of any tangible ethical stance, the gritty realism of these stories will speak for themselves. And speak they most certainly do with Welshs customary brilliant pen for transcribing the Scottish vernacular. The book sorely needs a glossary though; lines such as "wis ootay order", may estrange American eyes.

The richness and sheer impact of these stories, make them prime candidates for rereading in the tradition of those other fine writers on the British working classes, Orwell and Silitoe.

Irvine Welsh is one of our great underdog writers--much of his material is repulsive, has little socially redeemable value,--and is often wholly compelling. He carries on the tradition of an Anthony Burgess when it comes to furiously exact dialect and vernacular. He writes of denizens of a wasted rave generation he both embraces and despises. 'The Acid House' is the perfect sampler of Welsh's twisted world view. The twist of 'Eurotrash' will surprise (or sicken) you; 'Snuff' is one nasty study of isolationism; 'Granny's Old Junk' carries on the tradition of Trainspotting. The collection only really derails during the more highly surrealistic stories such as the title piece, but it hardly detracts. Check this out!

In comparison with the majority of authors, comtemporary or otherwise, whose works I have read, the stories portrayed by Welsh in 'The Acid House' are done so with amazing talent. It was with delight, after despairing of ever again finding a bit of literature to satisfy my boredom or appeal to my senses, that I was suddenly captivated and totally enthralled by Welsh's flair, unpolished diction, perfectly familiar subject matter, clever humour, and wonderfully cynical insight. Here's an example of the language for your discretion:

There was a shuddering bang and Whitworth seemed to vanish into the house. For an instant, it was like some kind of theatrical illusion, as if he was never there. In that split second, I thought I'd been the victim of an orchestrated wind-up between Gal and Tony Whitworth. I even started laughing. Then I looked into the lobby. Tony Whitworth's convulsing body lay there. What once was his face was now a broken, crushed mass of blood and grey matter.

In any case, to read this book is to take the risk of being drawn into the inescapable trap that Welsh craftily sets for his readers and to be caught in it right to the end of the book, at which point you're left in a sort of withdrawal that can't be any worse mentally than breaking a junk habit.

Without a doubt one of the funniest works anyone will ever read, know it is not for the judgmental or the too terribly sane. The humor and ironies not to mention the writing style and the translation of lower-class Glasgow speech into written text will entertain for hours.

The intricately linked stories, really anecdotes, off handed poetry and the genuine angst felt throughout the book, laced with deadpan humor and some of the most uproariously funny situations I can ever recall make for a fantastic escape from the everyday world.

The characters are vivid and true to their own characters throughout the book. The local and behaviors exhibited by everyone depicted are delivered with such wry comedy and wit it is no wonder this book was so well received. Again, this is not humor for children or anyone with issues with profanity or adult situations, be forewarned. It is, however, unexpectedly amusing and gritty to an extreme.

Enter the world of Eurotrash and gain some insight into the drug-singed minds of those depicted in The Acid House. You will never forget your journey there.

I loved The Acid House. I've read each of the stories multiple times. Welsh takes you on an amazing journey with each of these stories, as the impossible becomes possible. Anything can happen, no matter how warped it is. Your mind is messed with, especially if you are in a drug induced state. The stories actually talk to you. They come to life. You know exactly what Welsh is talking about, no matter how deep he goes. He goes pretty deep, which makes you feel very intelligent since you understand it. The plot twists are genius, and surprise the hell out of you. This is one hilarious book, full of cynicism, irony, wit, mockery of humanity, and dead on reality. An inspiration to my own writing.

The Acid House by irvine welsh is a superb depiction of the fears one has about the outcome of one's life. these twisted and beautifully articulated stories are written to fit any lifestyle perfectly. the way welsh uses the scottish vernacular is mind boggling and entertaining. i would read this book a thousand times over just for the enjoyment of learning to understand another culture's vernacular of my own language. my personal favorite storie in this novel had to be The Granton Starr Cause due to its unique and twisted ending. i must admit, this is the most quality novel i've read thus far in my existance.

Although the European drug scene is not necessarily my usual choice of reading material, Welsh's nouveau writing style draws the reader in through its uniqueness alone. Welsh is experimental, not only through his inventive use of the Scottish dialect, but also through the syntax of his work.

Acid House is a conglomeration of short stories, an unfortuntely small collection of poems, as well as a creativly written novela. Many of the story plots may seem redundant; however, with a closer read one can find deeper words than a simply tale of excess and depression. My personal favorite story deals with a down and out pub rat and his strangely enlightening discussion with a disillusioned God.

Indeed, Welsh has been quite prolific in the last ten years, having a number of books converted to screen, including Acid House. It is nice to see an author taking a gamble and creating something new.