He emphasised basic truths: you are not dying yet, you have to live your life until you are. Underpinning them was the belief that the grim reality of impending death can be talked away by trying to invest in the present reality of life. I didnโt believe that at the time, but now I do. By definition, you have to live until you die. Better to make that life as complete and enjoyable an experience as possible, in case death is shite, which I suspect it will be.
Irvine WelshThe first of the Trainspotting crew to die. Out of the five of them like, Begbie, Renton, Spud, Sick Boy and [Margaret] Thatcher. Who'd have thunk she'd have been the first to go? She was the invisible author of the book, really. She created the conditions and the hubris whereby that whole culture flourished.
Irvine WelshBruce, youโre an ugly and silly old man. Youโre very possibly an alcoholic and God knows what else. Youโre the type of sad case who preys on vulnerable, weak and stupid women in order to boost his own shattered ego. Youโre a mess. Youโve gone wrong somewhere pal.
Irvine WelshIt's all been quite a revitalizing process for me, being out there in the States. It wouldn't have happened without Trainspotting.
Irvine WelshI can see myself wanting to write a historical novel - you don't need to worry about references to reality TV or pop music, you can just get on with the basics of story and character.
Irvine WelshThe thing about drugs is that it [dealing] gives people an income to deal with, and it also gives people a compelling drama in their lives that they used to get from the office and the factory, and they're no longer there. What happens if you have everything in the hands of the state, particularly in the line of an authoritarian state, they just give people drugs to keep them doped up, to keep them passive.
Irvine Welsh