Reviews

Ecstasy by Irvine Welsh

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laurenreads100's review against another edition

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challenging dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

kriswasp's review against another edition

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5.0

Am I incapable of being disappointed by Welsh? So far it seems yes. This is my first of his short story collections. Three tales about love and ecstasy. The first two are shorter, and drop in from the ‘what goes on behind closed doors’ to the frankly bizarre and surreal, and I was here for it.

The third one was longer, more traditional. If Trainspotting is the main quest then this felt like a direct side mission. Trainspotting adjacent but with Spud Murphy and Seeker making cameos. Some of the others are possibly also name dropped in Trainspotting but I can’t be sure.

Ultimately, all 3 stories are a joy, if not for everyone. If this is your first taste of Welsh then…well, it’s about drugs and sex and all the forms of life that orbit that particular pool of people. And it is unflinching. Nothing sugar coated.

I loved it all. His writing is effortless and bounces off the page, knowing exactly what he is writing about and exactly how he wants to write it. You feel as though he knows these characters inside and out, and that they are more than just the words on a page.

He has a gift, he is truly a master storyteller. Do yourself a favour and open your mind to Irvine. You won’t be the same again.

whatsatajahism's review against another edition

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5.0

Welsh is A MAGICIAN. The way he writes, the stories he tells.... He just does it all with this gritty flair.
The first short story was definitely the most shocking and memorable.

eriickamay's review against another edition

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3.0

As much as I enjoyed the first two stories, I had to put this down because I just couldn’t take the mental gymnastics of reading the Scottish accent anymore.

demolitionreader's review against another edition

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4.0

there are three stories in this book. the first was brilliant. the second one got a bit harder to read. and i could not for the life of me understand the third story. thankful i didn't pick up trainspotting because apparently reading in scottish slang isn't my forte.