READ: "Kicking" and "Relapsing" (Monday) and "Kicking Again" (Wednesday). Ideas for posts:

1.] Comment on Irvine Welsh’s opening chapters.  How does Renton's point of view form our experience? How does it establish the reality in which his story takes place?  What is appealing or off-putting about the social group? Is he likable? Give examples. 2.] Does Welsh’s style suggest a critique of the state, the class system and power structure…?  Where, if anywhere, do you detect the presence of Welsh, the author?  How is drug use a metaphor here? Examples.