This realistic novel features a group of young people in the1980’s Edinburgh that have to deal with heroin and alcohol addiction, violence and crime. Renton, Mark and Simon usually steal to get the money for their next hit. The story addresses friendship, punk and rebellion – it reveals the causes and outcomes of unemployment, the struggle with addictions and the vortex of crime.

Scenes from the film with the same name were used for the music video “Born Slippy” by the electronic music group Underworld, who also did parts of the movie soundtrack – other music involves Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Blur and Pulp. Therefore, film and novel are suitable for an interdiciplinary teaching project with Music.

Novel · United Kingdom · 1993