This story of two men locked in a war of wills that threatens their very existence is vintage Irvine Welsh. Troubled restaurant inspector Danny Skinner is on a quest to find the mysterious father his mother will not identify. Unraveling this hidden information is the key to understanding the crippling compulsions that threaten to wreck his young life. His ensuing journey takes him from the festival city of Edinburgh to the foodie city of San Francisco. But the hard-drinking, womanizing Skinner has a strange nemesis in the ...
Read More
This story of two men locked in a war of wills that threatens their very existence is vintage Irvine Welsh. Troubled restaurant inspector Danny Skinner is on a quest to find the mysterious father his mother will not identify. Unraveling this hidden information is the key to understanding the crippling compulsions that threaten to wreck his young life. His ensuing journey takes him from the festival city of Edinburgh to the foodie city of San Francisco. But the hard-drinking, womanizing Skinner has a strange nemesis in the form of mild-mannered fellow inspector Brian Kibby. It is Skinner's unfathomable, obsessive hatred of Kibby that takes over everything, threatening to destroy not only Skinner and his mission but also those he loves most dearly. When Kibby contracts a horrific, undiagnosable illness, Skinner understands that his destiny is inextricably bound to that of his hated rival, and he is faced with a terrible dilemma. Irvine Welsh's work is a transgressive parable about the great obsessions of our time: food, sex, and celebrity.
Read Less
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
May have some shelf-wear due to normal use. Your purchase funds free job training and education in the greater Seattle area. Thank you for supporting Goodwill's nonprofit mission!
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fine in fine dust jacket. SIGNED by the author on the title page (signature only). 1st edition, 1st printing, complete number line. Dust jacket is as new in protective mylar sleeve. Book is fine. Glued binding. Paper over boards. With dust jacket. 390 p. Audience: General/trade. By the Prix Italia-and Tennent s Lager Golden Can Award-winning author of "Trainspotting" and "Resolution". Where possible, all books come with dust jacket in a clear protective plastic sleeve, sealed in a ziplock bag, wrapped in bubble wrap, shipped in a box.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fine in Fine jacket. 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall. Signed by Author First US edition, first prnt. Signed by Welsh on the title page. Unread copy in Fine condition in a Fine dustjacket with an archival cover.
If compared to Welsh's previous works of fiction, this novel certainly stands out because of its "unwelshlike" style. Here the "bad boy" seems more mature. Despite dealing with the usual themes (Scotland's provincialism, sex, footbal rows, alcoholism and drug abuse), Welsh has sort of lost his impressionist technique (which was brilliant though) so that the narrative sequences are more coherent. His writing is less frenzied than in his other novels. Language itself is slightly different. Not only is it less explicit, but the characters speak dialect only in moments of high emotional stress. As to the characters, Danny and Brianare both well-rounded, complex and convincing. Welsh's fan will love this fantastic parabole of power obession in which the author mocks and denounces the false idols if our age. Excellent read.
