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Mark Renton #4
L'artista del coltello
Jim Francis has finally found the perfect life – and is now unrecognisable, even to himself. A successful painter and sculptor, he lives quietly with his wife, Melanie, and their two young daughters, in an affluent beach town in California. Some say he’s a fake and a con man, while others see him as a genuine visionary.
But Francis has a very dark past, with another identity and a very different set of values. When he crosses the Atlantic to his native Scotland, for the funeral of a murdered son he barely knew, his old Edinburgh community expects him to take bloody revenge. But as he confronts his previous life, all those friends and enemies – and, most alarmingly, his former self – Francis seems to have other ideas.
When Melanie discovers something gruesome in California, which indicates that her husband’s violent past might also be his psychotic present, things start to go very bad, very quickly.
The Blade Artist is an elegant, electrifying novel – ultra violent but curiously redemptive – and it marks the return of one of modern fiction’s most infamous, terrifying characters, the incendiary Francis Begbie from Trainspotting.
But Francis has a very dark past, with another identity and a very different set of values. When he crosses the Atlantic to his native Scotland, for the funeral of a murdered son he barely knew, his old Edinburgh community expects him to take bloody revenge. But as he confronts his previous life, all those friends and enemies – and, most alarmingly, his former self – Francis seems to have other ideas.
When Melanie discovers something gruesome in California, which indicates that her husband’s violent past might also be his psychotic present, things start to go very bad, very quickly.
The Blade Artist is an elegant, electrifying novel – ultra violent but curiously redemptive – and it marks the return of one of modern fiction’s most infamous, terrifying characters, the incendiary Francis Begbie from Trainspotting.
285 pages, Paperback
First published April 7, 2016
207 people are currently reading
6507 people want to read
About the author
Irvine Welsh
128 books7,624 followersProbably most famous for his gritty depiction of a gang of Scottish Heroin addicts, Trainspotting (1993), Welsh focuses on the darker side of human nature and drug use. All of his novels are set in his native Scotland and filled with anti-heroes, small time crooks and hooligans. Welsh manages, however to imbue these characters with a sad humanity that makes them likable despite their obvious scumbaggerry. Irvine Welsh is also known for writing in his native Edinburgh Scots dialect, making his prose challenging for the average reader unfamiliar with this style.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 532 reviews
April 13, 2016
BEGBIE, I canny believe it's really you. All those years of peevin, scrappin, and jail time, you land it nice in California with a gorgeous wife and kids, a rehabilitative job, and a massive hoose. The boy has changed. Until, of course, his son ends up pan breed and he has to come back to Embra for the funeral.
No one could write this but Welsh. Carving this new life for Franco, under the name of Jim Francis, he creates a stark contrast to the one we're used to, and takes us immediately out of our comfort zones. It doesn't feel right; his redemption is uncomfortable, and his mindset is totally foreign to the one we're used to. We've already seen Welsh set stories on American soil, but this is a life too clean and perfect for Saughton's repeat offender. The boy's done well to make this comfortable nest for himself, but Welsh soon has us wondering exactly how much of Francis Begbie is left in Jim Francis.
I spent a lot of time towards the beginning of the novel in utter conflict. Franco isny Franco, and it wasn't just me who noticed it - a number of characters comment on Begbie's transformation, expecting him to have returned to his hometown to wreak vengeance on his son's murderer. His calm admissions that he wasn't close to his son meant true disappointment in the character's faces; this mirrored my own. We were all itching for a scrap.
We haven't been allowed to see him transform into this Californian gent, but seeing the transgression as soon as he hits Scottish soil is nothing short of delectable. Whether it's the setting, the situation, the company, or all of these that impacts him is debatable, and irrelevant. He's back, but he's new and improved. His calm becomes terrifying, his new intelligence worrying, and where he would initially react immediately and aggressively to any confrontation, we see instead a cold calculation and a man set on viciously confusing those out to oppose him. This is Francis Begbie version 2, and trust me, you'd be much better off trying to jab version 1.
The most wonderful and important parts of The Blade Artist are the flashbacks to Begbie's younger life. We're finally allowed to understand and explore what's made him the way he is. Although his actions are extremely difficult to justify, his reasoning behind them is made clear, and we begin to understand this monster and his world of pain.
Welsh does here what he does best; relatable psychos, understandable yet shocking emotion, a fuck-tonne of glorious violence, and a couple of cameos from some of his best characters. This has been a real change of pace, though; a journey through love and destruction with the biggest character of all. I absolutely loved it.
C'MOAN THEN YA FUCKIN BAMS!!!
No one could write this but Welsh. Carving this new life for Franco, under the name of Jim Francis, he creates a stark contrast to the one we're used to, and takes us immediately out of our comfort zones. It doesn't feel right; his redemption is uncomfortable, and his mindset is totally foreign to the one we're used to. We've already seen Welsh set stories on American soil, but this is a life too clean and perfect for Saughton's repeat offender. The boy's done well to make this comfortable nest for himself, but Welsh soon has us wondering exactly how much of Francis Begbie is left in Jim Francis.
I spent a lot of time towards the beginning of the novel in utter conflict. Franco isny Franco, and it wasn't just me who noticed it - a number of characters comment on Begbie's transformation, expecting him to have returned to his hometown to wreak vengeance on his son's murderer. His calm admissions that he wasn't close to his son meant true disappointment in the character's faces; this mirrored my own. We were all itching for a scrap.
We haven't been allowed to see him transform into this Californian gent, but seeing the transgression as soon as he hits Scottish soil is nothing short of delectable. Whether it's the setting, the situation, the company, or all of these that impacts him is debatable, and irrelevant. He's back, but he's new and improved. His calm becomes terrifying, his new intelligence worrying, and where he would initially react immediately and aggressively to any confrontation, we see instead a cold calculation and a man set on viciously confusing those out to oppose him. This is Francis Begbie version 2, and trust me, you'd be much better off trying to jab version 1.
The most wonderful and important parts of The Blade Artist are the flashbacks to Begbie's younger life. We're finally allowed to understand and explore what's made him the way he is. Although his actions are extremely difficult to justify, his reasoning behind them is made clear, and we begin to understand this monster and his world of pain.
Welsh does here what he does best; relatable psychos, understandable yet shocking emotion, a fuck-tonne of glorious violence, and a couple of cameos from some of his best characters. This has been a real change of pace, though; a journey through love and destruction with the biggest character of all. I absolutely loved it.
C'MOAN THEN YA FUCKIN BAMS!!!
August 28, 2023
Of all the characters from the Trainspotting universe, Begbie may be most surprising one to suddenly be able to sustain a protagonistship in a new Irvine Welsh novel.
Psycho wild card of Skag Boys, and of course Trainspotting, and the unrepentant antagonist of Porno (not to mention the different version in the film T2). He just never seemed the type to sustain a book all on his own, with no other POVs. Yet here it is, short and to the point like the eponymous art of the blade.
Especially a reformed, thoughtful Begbie. It does strain credulity here in The Blade Artist, but somehow it ultimately works. Unlike Sick Boy’s turn as antihero main character in Porno, it even seems like Begbie is genuinely rehabilitated which may make for the greatest literary trick of all. Sure it strains credulity a bit that he would grow so much as to become a famous artist in America, marrying his art therapist and raising a new family the right way, but the latest in Welsh’s world-building makes for a fascinating thought experiment if nothing else.
The bulk of the story consists of Begbie, or rather “Jim Francis”, going back to his hometown and it’s that whole you-can-never-go-home-again thing. Inevitably, it all leads back to violence with some actual shocking moments. The book never tries to gross the reader out or anything like that by being over the top, and every bloody detail comes across as absolutely necessary to the story.
Definitely required reading for fans of the rich land Mr. Welsh has been writing all these years. And it even features a cameo by Juice Terry!
Psycho wild card of Skag Boys, and of course Trainspotting, and the unrepentant antagonist of Porno (not to mention the different version in the film T2). He just never seemed the type to sustain a book all on his own, with no other POVs. Yet here it is, short and to the point like the eponymous art of the blade.
Especially a reformed, thoughtful Begbie. It does strain credulity here in The Blade Artist, but somehow it ultimately works. Unlike Sick Boy’s turn as antihero main character in Porno, it even seems like Begbie is genuinely rehabilitated which may make for the greatest literary trick of all. Sure it strains credulity a bit that he would grow so much as to become a famous artist in America, marrying his art therapist and raising a new family the right way, but the latest in Welsh’s world-building makes for a fascinating thought experiment if nothing else.
The bulk of the story consists of Begbie, or rather “Jim Francis”, going back to his hometown and it’s that whole you-can-never-go-home-again thing. Inevitably, it all leads back to violence with some actual shocking moments. The book never tries to gross the reader out or anything like that by being over the top, and every bloody detail comes across as absolutely necessary to the story.
Definitely required reading for fans of the rich land Mr. Welsh has been writing all these years. And it even features a cameo by Juice Terry!
September 18, 2021
At the beginning of this book we meet Begbie, who is now known as Jim Francis, he is married with two daughters. Unrecognisable to the Begbie we all know (From previous installments in the Mark Renton series and of course Trainspotting)
The story continues and we hear that Jim Francis has to return to Edinburgh because the son he never actually knew has been killed and he wants to know what happened and attend the funeral.
Does returning to the place that made you, make you turn back to the person you once were?
Everybody in Leith is expecting Begbie to take revenge, to show that side of him that he is known for.
I don't want to give away spoilers or too much information on the plot, so if you want to know you will need to read the book yourself.
‘You can take the boy out of Scotland, but can you take Scotland out of the boy?’ 🏴
I liked this book, very humourous yet also grim and disturbing in places; Irvine Welsh is a brilliant author and I'm looking forward to my next read of his.
The story continues and we hear that Jim Francis has to return to Edinburgh because the son he never actually knew has been killed and he wants to know what happened and attend the funeral.
Does returning to the place that made you, make you turn back to the person you once were?
Everybody in Leith is expecting Begbie to take revenge, to show that side of him that he is known for.
I don't want to give away spoilers or too much information on the plot, so if you want to know you will need to read the book yourself.
‘You can take the boy out of Scotland, but can you take Scotland out of the boy?’ 🏴
I liked this book, very humourous yet also grim and disturbing in places; Irvine Welsh is a brilliant author and I'm looking forward to my next read of his.
July 31, 2025
Нечаквано свеж, оптимистичен и същевременно брутален роман на Уелш.
Бегби се завръща със стил и размах, непознати от предишните приключения на единбургските негодници. Направо съжалявам, че преди това авторът го е държал в миманса на историите - та той има толкова много да предложи!
Абсолютно съм очарован и ще потърся непрочетените от мен негови книги. ;)
Май ще трябва да изгледам и Трейнспотинг 2.
Робърт Карлайл като Бегби:
P.S. Колибри, корицата ви е жълто отвратителна!
Бегби се завръща със стил и размах, непознати от предишните приключения на единбургските негодници. Направо съжалявам, че преди това авторът го е държал в миманса на историите - та той има толкова много да предложи!
Абсолютно съм очарован и ще потърся непрочетените от мен негови книги. ;)
Май ще трябва да изгледам и Трейнспотинг 2.
Робърт Карлайл като Бегби:
P.S. Колибри, корицата ви е жълто отвратителна!
June 4, 2022
La vita può fregarti con un milione di piccoli tagli, oltre che con un solo affondo infuriato
Il libro è una doppia costola (sequel e prequel) di Trainspotting con Franco Begbie protagonista. L'ho cominciato e mi è successo quella cosa rara di dover contingentare le pagine, di dovermi fermare alla fine dei capitoli per evitare di esaurire la lettura troppo in fretta. Non te lo aspetti, neanche lo riconosci e non tanto per il nome (Jim Francis) quanto per i soliloqui così diversi da quelli a cui ci aveva abituato. La prima scena ti attacca al libro in un modo tale che se suonassero al campanello, potresti non alzarti. Una spiaggia californiana deserta il giorno successivo alla festa dell’indipendenza, una famiglia con due bambine piccole, due balordi che si avvicinano con aria truce...
Dov’è Franco? Chi è Franco? Si rimane un po’ disorientati quando si manifesta come artista, marito e padre affettuoso. Non aiuta aver visto i film di Danny Boyle. Io avevo sempre pensato che Robert Carlyle non avesse le physique du rôle per interpretarlo in Trainspotting, ho dovuto ricredermi dopo aver assistito alla proiezione di T2, dove il Franco di Carlyle giganteggia. L’artista del coltello all’inizio non ha niente dei suoi antenati di carta e di celluloide, Welsh lo ha manipolato e ci spiega come
Manipolazione. Ne aveva discusso con Melanie e con la sua guida John Dick, un secondino. Farlo restare quello che era faceva comodo a tutti.
Ero uno degli uomini più deboli della terra. Non controllavo i miei impulsi più oscuri.
È stata la mia prima epifania decisiva: ero debole perché non controllavo me stesso. Per stare con una come lei, per vivere una vita libera, non a pane e acqua in un casermone o in una corea, o magari in un sobborgo ma strozzato da una vita di debiti, mi serviva una mente libera. Dovevo prendere il controllo di me stesso.
Franco ha cinquant’anni, Welsh non può riconsegnarcelo come ce lo aveva presentato venticinque anni prima, ma non può neppure snaturarlo completamente e non lo farà, la violenza di Begbie riaffiorerà e sarà più ragionata e per questo forse più inquietante, comunque fedele al principio
«Quando gli fai del male a qualche stronzo, hai il dovere di goderci. Se no, è inutile. Non significa un cazzo.»
Welsh riporta Franco ad Edimburgo perché qualcuno ha ucciso suo figlio, lui parte svogliatamente, poi una volta là, le vecchie conoscenze lo tirano per la manica, lo istigano a vendicarsi ad essere all’altezza della fama che un tempo lo precedeva. Lui riflette e ricorda, il ricordo fa da spin-off a Trainspotting, si viene a sapere della sua infanzia, dei suoi problemi di apprendimento, del suo battesimo criminale. Per gli appassionati della saga, i punti più gustosi sono quelli in cui parla di suo nonno e dei consigli discutibili che gli elargiva. A me l’ironia di Welsh è sempre piaciuta, in questo romanzo per far rilassare lo psicopatico Franco, gli fa leggere Arancia meccanica sul kindle. Peccato che la violenza diventi troppa nella parte finale, che alcune scene imitino Pulp Fiction senza la forza delle immagini proiettate sul grande schermo. Peccato, ma datemene almeno uno all’anno di libri come questo.
Il piacere di leggere non è detto sia sempre collegato con la bellezza di ciò che si legge. Se a guidarvi è solo la cometa della Letteratura (con la L maiuscola), se cercate il Messia nel presepe delle frasi leziose, o peggio pompose, lasciate perdere L’artista del coltello e tutti gli altri libri dello scrittore scozzese. Il piacere di leggere ha per ognuno sfumature diverse, al mio tredicesimo Welsh non posso certo nascondere il gusto per il suo mondo violento e scorretto.
Con almeno tre citazioni, la colonna sonora l’ha scelta direttamente Irvine Welsh
Chinese Democracy, dei Guns N’ Roses
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfIZr...
Io ho preferito l’ossimoro fra la luminosa California e il buio Leith Walk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-aK6...
Quando la limo imbocca un Leith Walk buio e deserto, l’aria si riempie di California Dreaming dei Mamas and Papas. «Questa qui è per la Mami e il Papi di California lì dietro, che staranno sognando di tornare a casa dalle loro cucciole...»
Il libro è una doppia costola (sequel e prequel) di Trainspotting con Franco Begbie protagonista. L'ho cominciato e mi è successo quella cosa rara di dover contingentare le pagine, di dovermi fermare alla fine dei capitoli per evitare di esaurire la lettura troppo in fretta. Non te lo aspetti, neanche lo riconosci e non tanto per il nome (Jim Francis) quanto per i soliloqui così diversi da quelli a cui ci aveva abituato. La prima scena ti attacca al libro in un modo tale che se suonassero al campanello, potresti non alzarti. Una spiaggia californiana deserta il giorno successivo alla festa dell’indipendenza, una famiglia con due bambine piccole, due balordi che si avvicinano con aria truce...
Dov’è Franco? Chi è Franco? Si rimane un po’ disorientati quando si manifesta come artista, marito e padre affettuoso. Non aiuta aver visto i film di Danny Boyle. Io avevo sempre pensato che Robert Carlyle non avesse le physique du rôle per interpretarlo in Trainspotting, ho dovuto ricredermi dopo aver assistito alla proiezione di T2, dove il Franco di Carlyle giganteggia. L’artista del coltello all’inizio non ha niente dei suoi antenati di carta e di celluloide, Welsh lo ha manipolato e ci spiega come
Manipolazione. Ne aveva discusso con Melanie e con la sua guida John Dick, un secondino. Farlo restare quello che era faceva comodo a tutti.
Ero uno degli uomini più deboli della terra. Non controllavo i miei impulsi più oscuri.
È stata la mia prima epifania decisiva: ero debole perché non controllavo me stesso. Per stare con una come lei, per vivere una vita libera, non a pane e acqua in un casermone o in una corea, o magari in un sobborgo ma strozzato da una vita di debiti, mi serviva una mente libera. Dovevo prendere il controllo di me stesso.
Franco ha cinquant’anni, Welsh non può riconsegnarcelo come ce lo aveva presentato venticinque anni prima, ma non può neppure snaturarlo completamente e non lo farà, la violenza di Begbie riaffiorerà e sarà più ragionata e per questo forse più inquietante, comunque fedele al principio
«Quando gli fai del male a qualche stronzo, hai il dovere di goderci. Se no, è inutile. Non significa un cazzo.»
Welsh riporta Franco ad Edimburgo perché qualcuno ha ucciso suo figlio, lui parte svogliatamente, poi una volta là, le vecchie conoscenze lo tirano per la manica, lo istigano a vendicarsi ad essere all’altezza della fama che un tempo lo precedeva. Lui riflette e ricorda, il ricordo fa da spin-off a Trainspotting, si viene a sapere della sua infanzia, dei suoi problemi di apprendimento, del suo battesimo criminale. Per gli appassionati della saga, i punti più gustosi sono quelli in cui parla di suo nonno e dei consigli discutibili che gli elargiva. A me l’ironia di Welsh è sempre piaciuta, in questo romanzo per far rilassare lo psicopatico Franco, gli fa leggere Arancia meccanica sul kindle. Peccato che la violenza diventi troppa nella parte finale, che alcune scene imitino Pulp Fiction senza la forza delle immagini proiettate sul grande schermo. Peccato, ma datemene almeno uno all’anno di libri come questo.
Il piacere di leggere non è detto sia sempre collegato con la bellezza di ciò che si legge. Se a guidarvi è solo la cometa della Letteratura (con la L maiuscola), se cercate il Messia nel presepe delle frasi leziose, o peggio pompose, lasciate perdere L’artista del coltello e tutti gli altri libri dello scrittore scozzese. Il piacere di leggere ha per ognuno sfumature diverse, al mio tredicesimo Welsh non posso certo nascondere il gusto per il suo mondo violento e scorretto.
Con almeno tre citazioni, la colonna sonora l’ha scelta direttamente Irvine Welsh
Chinese Democracy, dei Guns N’ Roses
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfIZr...
Io ho preferito l’ossimoro fra la luminosa California e il buio Leith Walk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-aK6...
Quando la limo imbocca un Leith Walk buio e deserto, l’aria si riempie di California Dreaming dei Mamas and Papas. «Questa qui è per la Mami e il Papi di California lì dietro, che staranno sognando di tornare a casa dalle loro cucciole...»
June 1, 2016
A very welcome return for one of Irvine Welsh’s greatest literary creations, the psychotic Frank “Franco” Begbie.
I doubt anyone would be able to second guess what’s happened to Frank since we last encountered him: Begbie, now known as Jim Francis, is a middle-aged, successful artist living the dream in California with his beautiful wife and daughters.
The question at the heart of this deft, engrossing thriller is “has he really changed?”
Four concurrent stories intertwine: an incident on a beach in California, and the fallout; young Frank Begbie’s days as a delivery boy, and some Begbie family history; how and why Jim (aka Frank) learned to salsa dance; and, the central plot, the funeral of Frank’s son Sean who has been murdered back in Edinburgh.
To say anymore would be to risk spoiling a hugely enjoyable book, and one with twists and surprises aplenty. A mere 272 pages, and occasionally a tad implausible, this is still vintage Welsh.
Now then, I am a huge Irvine Welsh fan and, to one degree or another, love everything he’s done. If you feel the same way then I can guarantee you will enjoy this book: humour, tension, encounters with characters from previous books, and - most enticingly - the answer to that question I mentioned earlier….
….“has he really changed?”
4/5
I doubt anyone would be able to second guess what’s happened to Frank since we last encountered him: Begbie, now known as Jim Francis, is a middle-aged, successful artist living the dream in California with his beautiful wife and daughters.
The question at the heart of this deft, engrossing thriller is “has he really changed?”
Four concurrent stories intertwine: an incident on a beach in California, and the fallout; young Frank Begbie’s days as a delivery boy, and some Begbie family history; how and why Jim (aka Frank) learned to salsa dance; and, the central plot, the funeral of Frank’s son Sean who has been murdered back in Edinburgh.
To say anymore would be to risk spoiling a hugely enjoyable book, and one with twists and surprises aplenty. A mere 272 pages, and occasionally a tad implausible, this is still vintage Welsh.
Now then, I am a huge Irvine Welsh fan and, to one degree or another, love everything he’s done. If you feel the same way then I can guarantee you will enjoy this book: humour, tension, encounters with characters from previous books, and - most enticingly - the answer to that question I mentioned earlier….
….“has he really changed?”
4/5
January 31, 2019
Jim Francis is an expat Scot living the American dream in California. He has a lovely family, a house a few minutes from the beach and is making a good living as an artist. His art is a bit twisted - sculptured heads of the rich and famous with their faces cut open as if in a knife attack, but these are in great demand so, hey ho, whatever goes in the land of the free.
But Jim has a colourful past as a man of violence with many years in prison behind him.
He gets a message from Scotland to say that his son has been murdered. Francis returns to bury his son. When Francis gets off the plane in Edinburgh he returns to a world that he had left behind, a seedy world of pimps and drugs and fights, a world that knew him as Francis Begbie - a hard man and a sadistic killer.
Begbie is torn between his past, old foes and bad habits, and his present life as a moderately renowned artist. In the quest to find out what happened to his son (chillingly more for the sake of his reputation rather than any sense of love for a child he hardly knew) he is drawn back into the gangland underworld.
Cue mayhem and violence, black humour and a roller coaster ride of lies, stealing, cheating and deceit. We also get some back story in the form of flashbacks - Begbie, the making of a monster - to show us where the explosive rage came from.
I approached this book with trepidation, as the last Welsh I read - A Good Ride - didn't quite do it for me. In addition, the idea of Begbie as a civilised family man was difficult to contemplate. What sort of journey can my favourite psycho go on from this unpromising embarkation point?
I have to say that I really enjoyed this book. Begbie is perhaps my favourite character from his Leith books, and Welsh has presented a great story that portrays him in more rounded tones than the nutjob hard man, verging on caricature, of some of the books. It was also good to see a cameo from Terry Juice Lawson as a priapic taxi driver - he was the main character in a good ride, being a supporting actor suits him more than leading man.
Highly recommended if you are not put off by graphic violence
But Jim has a colourful past as a man of violence with many years in prison behind him.
He gets a message from Scotland to say that his son has been murdered. Francis returns to bury his son. When Francis gets off the plane in Edinburgh he returns to a world that he had left behind, a seedy world of pimps and drugs and fights, a world that knew him as Francis Begbie - a hard man and a sadistic killer.
Begbie is torn between his past, old foes and bad habits, and his present life as a moderately renowned artist. In the quest to find out what happened to his son (chillingly more for the sake of his reputation rather than any sense of love for a child he hardly knew) he is drawn back into the gangland underworld.
Cue mayhem and violence, black humour and a roller coaster ride of lies, stealing, cheating and deceit. We also get some back story in the form of flashbacks - Begbie, the making of a monster - to show us where the explosive rage came from.
I approached this book with trepidation, as the last Welsh I read - A Good Ride - didn't quite do it for me. In addition, the idea of Begbie as a civilised family man was difficult to contemplate. What sort of journey can my favourite psycho go on from this unpromising embarkation point?
I have to say that I really enjoyed this book. Begbie is perhaps my favourite character from his Leith books, and Welsh has presented a great story that portrays him in more rounded tones than the nutjob hard man, verging on caricature, of some of the books. It was also good to see a cameo from Terry Juice Lawson as a priapic taxi driver - he was the main character in a good ride, being a supporting actor suits him more than leading man.
Highly recommended if you are not put off by graphic violence
July 16, 2016
That's the thing aboot bein an artist, ye get...creative.
When I heard that there was to be a new Irvine Welsh and that he would be devoting the whole book to everyone's favourite amoral psychopath Begbie, I got excited and thought, “Bring it on”. But as The Blade Artist begins, we meet a new sort of character: Begbie is now a celebrated sculptor, living in California with his beautiful young wife and two blonde daughters, and not only has he given up drinking and fighting, but he's given up his name, too – this is literally no longer the Begbie of Trainspotting. All placidity on the exterior – having learned to control his emotions while in prison – “Jim” nonetheless is challenged by outside events: first when his family is threatened by some thugs on the beach, and later, when he gets word that his oldest son, Sean, has been found murdered back home in Edinburgh. What, if anything, will it take for Jim to release Begbie once again? Spoilerish from here.
It's fortuitous that I recently read A Clockwork Orange because I think that Welsh was trying to make the same points as Anthony Burgess did before him (that unbridled ultraviolence is the natural response of the underclasses, but as one matures, an individual can choose to leave it all behind for hearth and home); and to reinforce this connection, A Clockwork Orange is the book that Begbie keeps returning to on his Kindle. The Blade Artist is divided into alternating threads, and in two of them, Welsh tries to explain what childhood influences made Begbie the monster he became (in one, his Granddad Jock grooms the boy for a life of gangsterism, and in the other, undiagnosed dyslexia makes the young Begbie a target for schoolyard bullies: this is why he learned to fight back, fight first, and fight dirty, and in those days, Mark Renton was his only ally [which explains, I suppose, what I always thought of as an unlikely friendship]). Unfortunately, I think I liked Begbie better when he just seemed broken: this nature and nurture explanation undermines all the transgressive thrills I ever received from the character. In the main thread of the storyline, Begbie goes home to Scotland for his son's funeral, and while there, digs around the old neighbourhood for clues about the murder, and in the fourth thread (about Salsa Dancing, of all things), there's a big ironic reveal about how Begbie's own terrible parenting of the sons from his first (common-law) marriage may have contributed to that murder. In the end, Welsh takes the ideas from A Clockwork Orange a bit further: every thug does have the opportunity to walk away from violence, but that's a matter of self-control; the monster that society created will always lurk inside.
Begbie received a lot of therapy in prison: not only from the Art Therapist whom he eventually married, but also from those who helped him master his dyslexia. He went on to become a voracious reader, and along with consuming all the classics of fiction, he gave himself a broad education; to the point where he now talks like this:
The truth is that we’ve moved beyond democracy, universality and equality in the eyes of the law and, de facto, embraced a hierarchical, elitist world view.
So is that still Begbie? One of the things I loved about the other books in the Trainspotting series was Welsh's dense Leith dialect, and I have to admit that I was disappointed to see very little of that here (even if it does prove that Begbie has transformed, I wanted the familiar experience). I did like going back to the old neighbourhood to see how life was treating those who didn't escape their roots (and as for the old characters, we get to see Juice Terry, “Tyrone” Powers, Larry, and Spud); there is something kind of sad about a middle-aged delinquent. The best part about this section is watching Begbie refusing to react as other characters try to get him to take his revenge against his son's murderer; not knowing when or if the old psychopath will take over.
People need myths; they desperately embrace them tae gie their empty lives meaning.
I was quite attached to the myth of Begbie and I very nearly resent Irvine Welsh for taking him away from me; by explaining his pathologies away with a terrible childhood, Begbie becomes all too (tragically; boringly) human. Trainspotting did a genius job of showing the local effects of the political decisions made in faraway London without ever getting overtly political, but with The Blade Artist, Welsh brings the liberal reformist politics front and center; as a result, the art suffers. Although there were many interesting and satisfying bits, this wasn't my favourite book.
November 14, 2019
Ritorna Begbie, accidenti: per noi vecchi che lo abbiamo conosciuto ormai vent'anni fa, mai ritorno fu più apprezzato. Che bellezza, signore e signori, avere una storia tutta dedicata al Franco nostro, rinsavito come non te lo aspetti (oppure psicato come ai bei tempi...). A me mi prende peggio di una telenovela, l'ambientazione sottoproletaria di Leith, con i personaggi che ritornano, le storie che si intrecciano, le mogli ciccione lasciate di là e ritrovate di qua, i figli che crescono, gli Spud che appaiono...
Ne leggerei una al giorno, di avventura dei personaggi di Welsh. Mi piacciono quanto mi piacevano a nove anni le storie di Walt Disney.
Qua quello che mi auguravo l'anno scorso: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Devo dire che Welsh mi ha ascoltato. Speriamo che vada avanti per sempre, con queste storiacce qua, e che scriva ancora sette-otto libri, fino a regalarci l'ultimo, con Rents, Sick Boy, Franco, Spud, Gas Terry e tutti gli altri buttati in un ospizio, a progettare genialate alla maniera di Amici Miei Atto III, ma in salsa scozzese.
Ne leggerei una al giorno, di avventura dei personaggi di Welsh. Mi piacciono quanto mi piacevano a nove anni le storie di Walt Disney.
Qua quello che mi auguravo l'anno scorso: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Devo dire che Welsh mi ha ascoltato. Speriamo che vada avanti per sempre, con queste storiacce qua, e che scriva ancora sette-otto libri, fino a regalarci l'ultimo, con Rents, Sick Boy, Franco, Spud, Gas Terry e tutti gli altri buttati in un ospizio, a progettare genialate alla maniera di Amici Miei Atto III, ma in salsa scozzese.
July 9, 2023
Jim Francis is back. Who? Maybe you know him by his Trainspotting name, Francis Begbie. Yes indeed. The whirlwind that is Begbie. Catch his eye in the pub and your likely to have a glass smashed in your face but that was in his younger days. He is now a sculptor living in California with a beautiful much younger wife, Melanie, and two daughters, Grace, 5, and Eve, 3. The family man. The Begbie of the past has stayed in the past or has it? Of course not. This is an Irvine Welsh book and this is Begbie. Let the games begin.
Begbie gets a call from his sister Elspeth that his son, Sean, has been found dead in a flat in Edinburgh. Begbie, of course, needs to return to go the funeral but he has a mission. To find out what happened. Sean has been murdered. Begbie is traipsing around trying to find clues to who is the killer. He is pushed into one direction that could get him killed but the older and wiser Begbie is not going to fall for that.
Begbie is reading ‘A Clockwork Orange’ and he is not averse to a bit of ultraviolence himself. Let’s be honest here. The reason Begbie is such a great character is that you know he can go off at anytime and when it does it is brutal in the extreme. He is the very epitome of an anti-hero. He is volatile. This new calm Begbie is wholly disconcerting which makes this book all the more tantalising.
OK, so it is over-the-top in a ‘Saw’ the movie kind of fashion and the new Begbie is like the terminator calmly going round doing the business but it is a hell of ride nonetheless.
Begbie gets a call from his sister Elspeth that his son, Sean, has been found dead in a flat in Edinburgh. Begbie, of course, needs to return to go the funeral but he has a mission. To find out what happened. Sean has been murdered. Begbie is traipsing around trying to find clues to who is the killer. He is pushed into one direction that could get him killed but the older and wiser Begbie is not going to fall for that.
Begbie is reading ‘A Clockwork Orange’ and he is not averse to a bit of ultraviolence himself. Let’s be honest here. The reason Begbie is such a great character is that you know he can go off at anytime and when it does it is brutal in the extreme. He is the very epitome of an anti-hero. He is volatile. This new calm Begbie is wholly disconcerting which makes this book all the more tantalising.
OK, so it is over-the-top in a ‘Saw’ the movie kind of fashion and the new Begbie is like the terminator calmly going round doing the business but it is a hell of ride nonetheless.
April 7, 2016
As soon as I heard about The Blade Artist, and that Irvine Welsh was bringing one of his most iconic characters back, I knew I had to read it. There was no way I was going to miss out on the return of one of my favourite literary creations. The good news? Begbie has returned and he is bringing a whole world of hurt with him.
As ever, Welsh’s writing offers a keen insight into the innermost workings of his protagonist. It is fascinating watching as Jim Francis devolves back into Francis Begbie. The process begins as soon as he steps of the plane. The longer he spends in his old stomping grounds the more their hold affects him. It’s a post-modern Jekyll and Hyde, his language regresses and the thin veneer of fragile civility he has expertly crafted is soon cracked. Scotland isn’t California and Jim has to reassert his old personality to survive. Francis ‘ Franco’ Begbie has to be given free reign.
It would be so easy to view Welsh’s creation as a two dimensional character. He could be dismissed as nothing more than a creature driven by his base instincts, primarily, hate and rage. He is so much more than that, however. Chapters in this novel flashback to his formative years and there is finally explanation as to who and what shaped him. Begbie is that most elusive thing, a perfectly realised anti-hero. You may be horrified by his violence or shocked by his attitudes. I’m sure you won’t agree with many/all of his actions but the motivations behind each and every one of them are crystal clear. By the end of The Blade Artist, you understand exactly why this man is the way he is. Hell, you might even empathise with him a little bit.
The people surrounding Begbie are caught up in the maelstrom of revenge and violence he is at the centre of. The two characters I found most interesting had to be Melanie, Jim’s Californian wife, and Elspeth, Begbie’s long suffering sister. Both women have the most insight into Jim Francis/Frank Begbie. Elspeth in particular has a wonderfully sceptical view of her brother. In her view, he has always been utterly evil and that isn’t ever going to change.
There are a handful of wonderfully introspective moments that I wasn’t expecting. Returning to the city of his youth gives Begbie a chance to reflect on the choices he has made and the outcomes those choices have produced. The old adage holds true, no matter how much you want it, you can’t ever go back. Sure you can revisit the places of your past but they are irrevocably different from those place now consigned to memory. Part of me can easily relate to Begbie’s dilemma. I left the area I grew up a decade ago, Glasgow not Edinburgh for the curious amongst you, and whenever I go back to visit it’s just not the same. The expectation is that everything will remain in a perfect little bubble of memory, and whenever you go back it will be as you left it. Sadly that is never going to be the case, we don’t exist in isolation and life moves on everywhere. There is a bittersweet undercurrent to the narrative as Begbie experiences this particular epiphany in his own inimitable style.
On a side note, I can only hope that this story eventually transfers to the big screen. In my head the role is inexorably linked with Robert Carlyle and his performance in Trainspotting. Carlyle has always been my go to bam. I’d love to see his interpretation of an old, more world weary Begbie. I read that as part of the current book tour for The Blade Artist, Irvine Welsh will be in Edinburgh this Sunday and that Robert Carlyle will be joining him on stage. Man, what I wouldn’t give to be in the audience for that one.
You’ll probably not be surprised when I tell you that Trainspotting had a profound effect on me way back in the early nineties. I’m sure my tattered old paperback is still lying around here somewhere. Decades later, Welsh’s writing is still just as captivating. The Blade Artist is angry and poignant and a whole host of conflicting emotions wrapped up in a perfect package. I was enthralled from beginning to end. When it comes to compelling fiction there is little better than an accomplished writer bringing their ‘A’ game. Irvine Welsh can deservedly be described as a master of modern Scottish fiction.
As ever, Welsh’s writing offers a keen insight into the innermost workings of his protagonist. It is fascinating watching as Jim Francis devolves back into Francis Begbie. The process begins as soon as he steps of the plane. The longer he spends in his old stomping grounds the more their hold affects him. It’s a post-modern Jekyll and Hyde, his language regresses and the thin veneer of fragile civility he has expertly crafted is soon cracked. Scotland isn’t California and Jim has to reassert his old personality to survive. Francis ‘ Franco’ Begbie has to be given free reign.
It would be so easy to view Welsh’s creation as a two dimensional character. He could be dismissed as nothing more than a creature driven by his base instincts, primarily, hate and rage. He is so much more than that, however. Chapters in this novel flashback to his formative years and there is finally explanation as to who and what shaped him. Begbie is that most elusive thing, a perfectly realised anti-hero. You may be horrified by his violence or shocked by his attitudes. I’m sure you won’t agree with many/all of his actions but the motivations behind each and every one of them are crystal clear. By the end of The Blade Artist, you understand exactly why this man is the way he is. Hell, you might even empathise with him a little bit.
The people surrounding Begbie are caught up in the maelstrom of revenge and violence he is at the centre of. The two characters I found most interesting had to be Melanie, Jim’s Californian wife, and Elspeth, Begbie’s long suffering sister. Both women have the most insight into Jim Francis/Frank Begbie. Elspeth in particular has a wonderfully sceptical view of her brother. In her view, he has always been utterly evil and that isn’t ever going to change.
There are a handful of wonderfully introspective moments that I wasn’t expecting. Returning to the city of his youth gives Begbie a chance to reflect on the choices he has made and the outcomes those choices have produced. The old adage holds true, no matter how much you want it, you can’t ever go back. Sure you can revisit the places of your past but they are irrevocably different from those place now consigned to memory. Part of me can easily relate to Begbie’s dilemma. I left the area I grew up a decade ago, Glasgow not Edinburgh for the curious amongst you, and whenever I go back to visit it’s just not the same. The expectation is that everything will remain in a perfect little bubble of memory, and whenever you go back it will be as you left it. Sadly that is never going to be the case, we don’t exist in isolation and life moves on everywhere. There is a bittersweet undercurrent to the narrative as Begbie experiences this particular epiphany in his own inimitable style.
On a side note, I can only hope that this story eventually transfers to the big screen. In my head the role is inexorably linked with Robert Carlyle and his performance in Trainspotting. Carlyle has always been my go to bam. I’d love to see his interpretation of an old, more world weary Begbie. I read that as part of the current book tour for The Blade Artist, Irvine Welsh will be in Edinburgh this Sunday and that Robert Carlyle will be joining him on stage. Man, what I wouldn’t give to be in the audience for that one.
You’ll probably not be surprised when I tell you that Trainspotting had a profound effect on me way back in the early nineties. I’m sure my tattered old paperback is still lying around here somewhere. Decades later, Welsh’s writing is still just as captivating. The Blade Artist is angry and poignant and a whole host of conflicting emotions wrapped up in a perfect package. I was enthralled from beginning to end. When it comes to compelling fiction there is little better than an accomplished writer bringing their ‘A’ game. Irvine Welsh can deservedly be described as a master of modern Scottish fiction.
January 25, 2023
Begbie returns! I found myself really sucked into this book. I liked the way he changed Franco, and how he had to fight at times to stay that way. But some things never change, and Welsh delivered another great read!
August 20, 2023
Setting: California and Edinburgh; present day.
This is the fourth book in what is described as the Mark Renton series but is effectively the 'Trainspotting' series as Mark Renton doesn't really feature, the book primarily featuring Frank Begbie.
Begbie is now a reformed character: living in California with Melanie, his former art therapist in prison and now his wife, and two children, Begbie is known as sculptor James Francis who, ironically, makes a lot of money creating slashed and damaged sculptures of famous Hollywood celebrities. Then he receives information that one of his sons has been murdered in Edinburgh and he must return home for the funeral.
But, on Begbie's arrival in Edinburgh, he soon begins to be drawn back into memories of who and what he was in his previous life - even though he now has the coping strategies to avoid obvious conflict situations, should he wish to do so. Inevitably though, Begbie's reputation has gone before him and everyone expects him to discover who killed his son and to exact revenge....
This was a tremendous story, bringing back my memories both of the Trainspotting saga and my own times in Edinburgh. There are flashbacks to earlier events, most of them violent, and some particularly violent and graphically-described scenes which may upset some readers. As the story ends, there would appear to be some scope for the series to be continued as Renton makes a final page appearance so I will be looking forward to that one! - 9.5/10.
This is the fourth book in what is described as the Mark Renton series but is effectively the 'Trainspotting' series as Mark Renton doesn't really feature, the book primarily featuring Frank Begbie.
Begbie is now a reformed character: living in California with Melanie, his former art therapist in prison and now his wife, and two children, Begbie is known as sculptor James Francis who, ironically, makes a lot of money creating slashed and damaged sculptures of famous Hollywood celebrities. Then he receives information that one of his sons has been murdered in Edinburgh and he must return home for the funeral.
But, on Begbie's arrival in Edinburgh, he soon begins to be drawn back into memories of who and what he was in his previous life - even though he now has the coping strategies to avoid obvious conflict situations, should he wish to do so. Inevitably though, Begbie's reputation has gone before him and everyone expects him to discover who killed his son and to exact revenge....
This was a tremendous story, bringing back my memories both of the Trainspotting saga and my own times in Edinburgh. There are flashbacks to earlier events, most of them violent, and some particularly violent and graphically-described scenes which may upset some readers. As the story ends, there would appear to be some scope for the series to be continued as Renton makes a final page appearance so I will be looking forward to that one! - 9.5/10.
April 11, 2016
'The best way to make sure your children don't grow up as cunts is not to be one yourself.'
So far, Jim Francis is managing to follow his own advice rather well, bringing up his two beautiful daughters in a Californian beachside idyll. Along with his blissful marriage to Mel and a lucrative career as an artist, disfiguring the sculpted heads of the rich and famous, life's pretty good - a million miles from his old life when his enlightened parenting mantra was still many years - and prison stretches - in the future. But a tragedy draws him back to his past, to his home city of Edinburgh, to the motley assortment of lowlifes he once consorted with, and to his old persona - Francis Begbie.
How wonderful to have Begbie back. While other girls were all about Renton or Sick Boy, it was always Begbie for me. All the nice girls love a psycho, after all. In The Blade Artist, Irvine Welsh displays Franco's sensitive side - for all of five minutes. One minute he's rockpooling with his little girls, the next he's torturing Edinburgh's career criminals in the most imaginative - and thorough - of ways. And of course, in Welsh's hands the whole thing is shot through with humour, sadness and yes, even warmth. Begbie, we know, is far from one dimensional, but in The Blade Artist there's real flesh on the bones of the character; he might be reprehensible, but you can't help but root for him. The reader wills him not to forsake his new life for the draw of the old, while at the same time willing him on in his (bloody) quest for answers and his own brand of justice.
The Blade Artist is perfectly pitched, darkly funny yet deeply moving and ultimately redemptive. I read it in a day, so gripped was I. Yet another slice of genius from the pen of Mr Welsh, and one that comes heartily recommended. Unmissable.
My sincere thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy I received in exchange for an honest review.
So far, Jim Francis is managing to follow his own advice rather well, bringing up his two beautiful daughters in a Californian beachside idyll. Along with his blissful marriage to Mel and a lucrative career as an artist, disfiguring the sculpted heads of the rich and famous, life's pretty good - a million miles from his old life when his enlightened parenting mantra was still many years - and prison stretches - in the future. But a tragedy draws him back to his past, to his home city of Edinburgh, to the motley assortment of lowlifes he once consorted with, and to his old persona - Francis Begbie.
How wonderful to have Begbie back. While other girls were all about Renton or Sick Boy, it was always Begbie for me. All the nice girls love a psycho, after all. In The Blade Artist, Irvine Welsh displays Franco's sensitive side - for all of five minutes. One minute he's rockpooling with his little girls, the next he's torturing Edinburgh's career criminals in the most imaginative - and thorough - of ways. And of course, in Welsh's hands the whole thing is shot through with humour, sadness and yes, even warmth. Begbie, we know, is far from one dimensional, but in The Blade Artist there's real flesh on the bones of the character; he might be reprehensible, but you can't help but root for him. The reader wills him not to forsake his new life for the draw of the old, while at the same time willing him on in his (bloody) quest for answers and his own brand of justice.
The Blade Artist is perfectly pitched, darkly funny yet deeply moving and ultimately redemptive. I read it in a day, so gripped was I. Yet another slice of genius from the pen of Mr Welsh, and one that comes heartily recommended. Unmissable.
My sincere thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy I received in exchange for an honest review.
March 28, 2017
The 4th book in the 'Trainspotting' series and this was not at all what I was expecting. First of all it largely focused on only one of the gang, and that someone is virtually unrecognisable from how we has last seen him (both on paper and film) Typically violent, sweary and vulgar, just what you have come to expect from an Irvine Welsh book, oh and what an ending! Brilliant.
July 15, 2016
BEST ENDING EVER
May 4, 2018
It was like mildly shit fan-fiction.
April 4, 2024
The Blade Artist — for those in the know: a book about Francis Begbie, the same psycho from "Trainspotting."
The novel takes place six years after "Trainspotting" and "Porno" (T2). Now Begbie is an artist living in California (what? ... but of course, it's the author's prerogative) who returns to Scotland to deal with his son's murder. There's a lot of intensity, but if you're afraid of trashy stuff, don't read Welsh.
«Резьба по живому» Ирвина Уэлша (The Blade Artist) Кто в теме: книга о Фрэнсисе Бегби, том самом психе из «Trainspotting».
Действие романа - шесть лет после Trainspotting и Порно (T2). Теперь Бегби - художник, проживающий в Калифорнии (што? ...но это конечно, дело автора) возвращается в Шотландию разобраться с убийством сына. Много жести, но оно и понятно трэша бояться, Уэлша не читать.
Перевод, для Уэлша, непривычный (Илью Кормильцева уже не воскресишь), эдинбургский сленг напрочь отсутствует, а вместо него: «урки», «ляльки», «вертухаи» и прочая феня. A в наушниках Бэгби звучит Малер (привет Бумер) И всё это во вселенной Уэлша. Хотя, может я и не прав, локализация дело тонкое. В общем, как по мне, то слабенько, читал и не верил, что этот текст писал тот же автор, что и культовую историю 'choose life' Марка Рентона.
The novel takes place six years after "Trainspotting" and "Porno" (T2). Now Begbie is an artist living in California (what? ... but of course, it's the author's prerogative) who returns to Scotland to deal with his son's murder. There's a lot of intensity, but if you're afraid of trashy stuff, don't read Welsh.
«Резьба по живому» Ирвина Уэлша (The Blade Artist) Кто в теме: книга о Фрэнсисе Бегби, том самом психе из «Trainspotting».
Действие романа - шесть лет после Trainspotting и Порно (T2). Теперь Бегби - художник, проживающий в Калифорнии (што? ...но это конечно, дело автора) возвращается в Шотландию разобраться с убийством сына. Много жести, но оно и понятно трэша бояться, Уэлша не читать.
Перевод, для Уэлша, непривычный (Илью Кормильцева уже не воскресишь), эдинбургский сленг напрочь отсутствует, а вместо него: «урки», «ляльки», «вертухаи» и прочая феня. A в наушниках Бэгби звучит Малер (привет Бумер) И всё это во вселенной Уэлша. Хотя, может я и не прав, локализация дело тонкое. В общем, как по мне, то слабенько, читал и не верил, что этот текст писал тот же автор, что и культовую историю 'choose life' Марка Рентона.
October 26, 2017
O Welsh ξέρει να γράφει ιστορίες για την pub κ τους ανθρώπους της... Εδώ με πρώτο βιολί τον αντιήρωα κ μέγιστο Frank Begbie
September 29, 2019
This is unexpectedly bland, and way too far from what it started as.
July 1, 2024
This was probably my favourite of the Trainspotting books so far.
In The Blade Artist, the notorious psychopath (actual diagnosis pending) Francis Begbie takes centre stage and we’re plunged deeper into his world than we ever have been previously.
Said world has changed significantly, however, since we last saw Begbie and so has he… Or has he?
This book uses Begbie to ask those time old questions ‘can people really change?’ and ‘is genuine reform possible?’
I’m not sure I’m any closer to knowing the answer to those questions but I had one Hell of a good time exploring the subject. Twists and turns aplenty and lots and lots of violence. Not, needless to say, for the faint hearted.
In The Blade Artist, the notorious psychopath (actual diagnosis pending) Francis Begbie takes centre stage and we’re plunged deeper into his world than we ever have been previously.
Said world has changed significantly, however, since we last saw Begbie and so has he… Or has he?
This book uses Begbie to ask those time old questions ‘can people really change?’ and ‘is genuine reform possible?’
I’m not sure I’m any closer to knowing the answer to those questions but I had one Hell of a good time exploring the subject. Twists and turns aplenty and lots and lots of violence. Not, needless to say, for the faint hearted.
June 21, 2016
Having some substantial rail travel in hand, I have ripped through this - the latest from one of my favourite authors - in a couple of days. I wouldn't say it's one of the best and it's largely lacking in humour, even of the dark Irvine kind, but it's certainly gripping.
I read a couple of reviews of this and conclude that certain public school boys don't think that working class people should be able to write books and if they do they shouldn't write them on subjects based in real working class life. Otherwise perhaps they have read a different book to me. Welsh accurately records the modern working class' condition in his books and I suspect that people in or close to elite groups don't like to be confronted by this.
Here we see Francis Begbie - everybody's favourite Irvine psychopath - reformed, his rage under control, married with a beautiful family and incredibly living in California with a meteoric career as a sculptor and painter. Welsh uses a familiar trope of filling in his character's back story and outlining their dysfunction's roots: here it is dyslexia, the associated bullying and being used by criminals as a child messenger. Almost bizarrely given Welsh's ambivalent attitude to law enforcement, the book touts the redemptive power of prison: here Begbie's condition has been diagnosed, he has been taught to read and introduced to art, by the woman who has become his wife.
What could possibly go wrong? The murder of Begbie's oldest son draws him back to Edinburgh where old acquaintances re label Begbie and consciously and unconsciously try to manipulate him back into his old personality. How Begbie deals with this is the source of much tension. Inevitably stuff happens! His new restraint makes Begbie even more deadly when he does use violence, although he does not have it all his own way. One might cheer some of the things that happen, but they are way over the top and not the character's prerogative.
Welsh has produced a tightly written piece that rather reminds one of Hemingway in its sparse language. The Scots dialect is there, but it's more restrained this time. Shuffling his pack once more, Welsh brings former minor or even silent characters to the fore. 'Juice' Terry, the star of the previous book 'A Decent Ride', sinks into the supporting cast once more. The ending leaves a lot of questions and a confusing message: Begbie clearly still loves violence, even though he has it under control, particularly when he's with his adored family; but what if that adoration fades?
I won't spoil it with how, but the next book is cued up. Someone might be in trouble and after the ending to 'Porno' he might be running out of friends.
I read a couple of reviews of this and conclude that certain public school boys don't think that working class people should be able to write books and if they do they shouldn't write them on subjects based in real working class life. Otherwise perhaps they have read a different book to me. Welsh accurately records the modern working class' condition in his books and I suspect that people in or close to elite groups don't like to be confronted by this.
Here we see Francis Begbie - everybody's favourite Irvine psychopath - reformed, his rage under control, married with a beautiful family and incredibly living in California with a meteoric career as a sculptor and painter. Welsh uses a familiar trope of filling in his character's back story and outlining their dysfunction's roots: here it is dyslexia, the associated bullying and being used by criminals as a child messenger. Almost bizarrely given Welsh's ambivalent attitude to law enforcement, the book touts the redemptive power of prison: here Begbie's condition has been diagnosed, he has been taught to read and introduced to art, by the woman who has become his wife.
What could possibly go wrong? The murder of Begbie's oldest son draws him back to Edinburgh where old acquaintances re label Begbie and consciously and unconsciously try to manipulate him back into his old personality. How Begbie deals with this is the source of much tension. Inevitably stuff happens! His new restraint makes Begbie even more deadly when he does use violence, although he does not have it all his own way. One might cheer some of the things that happen, but they are way over the top and not the character's prerogative.
Welsh has produced a tightly written piece that rather reminds one of Hemingway in its sparse language. The Scots dialect is there, but it's more restrained this time. Shuffling his pack once more, Welsh brings former minor or even silent characters to the fore. 'Juice' Terry, the star of the previous book 'A Decent Ride', sinks into the supporting cast once more. The ending leaves a lot of questions and a confusing message: Begbie clearly still loves violence, even though he has it under control, particularly when he's with his adored family; but what if that adoration fades?
I won't spoil it with how, but the next book is cued up. Someone might be in trouble and after the ending to 'Porno' he might be running out of friends.
July 20, 2019
“Dove vai alla sera in Scozia se non vuoi bere?”
Questa volta Welsh decide di ritornare sul luogo dei precedenti delitti (di tutti i tipi, ma soprattutto legati all’abuso di sex & drugs &… alcool, perché di rock fra queste pagine ce n’è pochino) ricorrendo ad uno soltanto dei suoi ineffabili personaggi, protagonisti della scena edimburghese da Trainspotting in avanti.
Ma si dà il caso che quell’ “uno” sia il terribile Franco Begbie, il più cattivo e violento della cricca, che qui compare nella prima metà del romanzo completamente trasfigurato rispetto ai ricordi nostri e degli altri personaggi del libro, un Begbie californiano, ripulito in apparenza da tutti gli eccessi, scontati gli anni di galera, felicemente accasato e riciclatosi oltre Atlantico come artista d’avanguardia, scultore sui generis ma di inaspettato successo. Soprattutto un uomo che sembra rasserenato, tranquillo, immune da ogni ricaduta nell’alcool e nelle leggendarie reazioni violente, irriconoscibile insomma.
E la parte più divertente del romanzo è il suo ritorno per cause di forza maggiore nella natìa Leith (natìa di Begbie ma anche di Welsh!) e la perplessa e preoccupata accoglienza con cui gli amici, i parenti e i nemici di un decennio prima faticano a credere al nuovo Begbie pacato nel linguaggio e nelle azioni, refrattario alla bottiglia, mentre lui stesso “si sente isolato, segregato fuori dalla città, e in breve anche stufo. Dove vai alla sera in Scozia se non vuoi bere?”
Ma se Franco nella sua testa ha deciso, non si sa con quanta determinazione e fermezza, di liberarsi dalla violenza, la violenza, come una bomba ad orologeria, ha deciso altrimenti e le circostanze (la morte del primogenito, tossico e bisessuale) lo riportano sulla strada che tutti ci aspettavamo, in un’esplosione di rabbia e vendetta che tuttavia finisce con l’assumere via via caratteri eccessivi e ripetitivi, trascinando l’equilibrio del romanzo sul terreno di uno splatter di serie.
Inoltre, sull’incompleta riuscita di L’artista del coltello rispetto ai precedenti romanzi ambientati a Leith, pesa più del previsto l’assenza dei compari di cui, lungo tutto il racconto, aspettiamo invano l’entrata in scena: dallo stralunato “Spud” all’intraprendente “Sick Boy”, a “Renton” che era il protagonista ai tempi del primo Trainspotting con la faccia dell’allora esordiente Ewan McGregor. Oltre alla nostalgia per ognuno di questi riusciti personaggi, manca la coralità del gruppo, quel contrappunto di ironia, follia e (perché no?) simpatia, che sapevano conferire alla monolitica e perenne incazzatura del personaggio Begbie!
Questa volta Welsh decide di ritornare sul luogo dei precedenti delitti (di tutti i tipi, ma soprattutto legati all’abuso di sex & drugs &… alcool, perché di rock fra queste pagine ce n’è pochino) ricorrendo ad uno soltanto dei suoi ineffabili personaggi, protagonisti della scena edimburghese da Trainspotting in avanti.
Ma si dà il caso che quell’ “uno” sia il terribile Franco Begbie, il più cattivo e violento della cricca, che qui compare nella prima metà del romanzo completamente trasfigurato rispetto ai ricordi nostri e degli altri personaggi del libro, un Begbie californiano, ripulito in apparenza da tutti gli eccessi, scontati gli anni di galera, felicemente accasato e riciclatosi oltre Atlantico come artista d’avanguardia, scultore sui generis ma di inaspettato successo. Soprattutto un uomo che sembra rasserenato, tranquillo, immune da ogni ricaduta nell’alcool e nelle leggendarie reazioni violente, irriconoscibile insomma.
E la parte più divertente del romanzo è il suo ritorno per cause di forza maggiore nella natìa Leith (natìa di Begbie ma anche di Welsh!) e la perplessa e preoccupata accoglienza con cui gli amici, i parenti e i nemici di un decennio prima faticano a credere al nuovo Begbie pacato nel linguaggio e nelle azioni, refrattario alla bottiglia, mentre lui stesso “si sente isolato, segregato fuori dalla città, e in breve anche stufo. Dove vai alla sera in Scozia se non vuoi bere?”
Ma se Franco nella sua testa ha deciso, non si sa con quanta determinazione e fermezza, di liberarsi dalla violenza, la violenza, come una bomba ad orologeria, ha deciso altrimenti e le circostanze (la morte del primogenito, tossico e bisessuale) lo riportano sulla strada che tutti ci aspettavamo, in un’esplosione di rabbia e vendetta che tuttavia finisce con l’assumere via via caratteri eccessivi e ripetitivi, trascinando l’equilibrio del romanzo sul terreno di uno splatter di serie.
Inoltre, sull’incompleta riuscita di L’artista del coltello rispetto ai precedenti romanzi ambientati a Leith, pesa più del previsto l’assenza dei compari di cui, lungo tutto il racconto, aspettiamo invano l’entrata in scena: dallo stralunato “Spud” all’intraprendente “Sick Boy”, a “Renton” che era il protagonista ai tempi del primo Trainspotting con la faccia dell’allora esordiente Ewan McGregor. Oltre alla nostalgia per ognuno di questi riusciti personaggi, manca la coralità del gruppo, quel contrappunto di ironia, follia e (perché no?) simpatia, che sapevano conferire alla monolitica e perenne incazzatura del personaggio Begbie!
July 21, 2019
Welsh has long been one of my favorite authors, and from the get-go I was excited by the prospect of a new Begbie book. Though that's what I got, it's not what I really wanted. I have no problem with the new approach Welsh took to the character, the reimagining of him as a man who has learned through years of hardship how to mitigate his vitriol and channel it into a more fulfilling outlet: art.
My problem is that Welsh couldn't really commit to the new Begbie. Even though the book is really about Franco's struggle to contain his propensity for violence, he unleashes hell on multiple occasions without real cause or reason. Yet, unlike in "Trainspotting," "Porno," and "Skagboys," we're meant to understand Begbie's behavior, not be scoobied by it. At the very least, we're not supposed to think of him as a monster. But the things he does to certain characters for base satisfaction are ridiculous, and they ultimately make me feel like Welsh wanted a book starring both the new and the old Begbie.
This is probably my least favorite Welsh book. I know he has greatness in him even at this late stage of his career, but it comes in dense opuses, not in short thrillers. Jim Francis fails to make me empathize with his plight. He is just as destructive as ever, albeit now more methodical, but there has to be something counteracting the unjustified pain he inflicts to make his character whole. He doesn't have a problem with who he is, and in the end I'm not sure Welsh expects me to have any qualms either.
My problem is that Welsh couldn't really commit to the new Begbie. Even though the book is really about Franco's struggle to contain his propensity for violence, he unleashes hell on multiple occasions without real cause or reason. Yet, unlike in "Trainspotting," "Porno," and "Skagboys," we're meant to understand Begbie's behavior, not be scoobied by it. At the very least, we're not supposed to think of him as a monster. But the things he does to certain characters for base satisfaction are ridiculous, and they ultimately make me feel like Welsh wanted a book starring both the new and the old Begbie.
This is probably my least favorite Welsh book. I know he has greatness in him even at this late stage of his career, but it comes in dense opuses, not in short thrillers. Jim Francis fails to make me empathize with his plight. He is just as destructive as ever, albeit now more methodical, but there has to be something counteracting the unjustified pain he inflicts to make his character whole. He doesn't have a problem with who he is, and in the end I'm not sure Welsh expects me to have any qualms either.
October 13, 2017
Da ich bislang noch kein Buch von Irvine Welsh gelesen habe, obwohl mir der Autor immer wieder empfohlen wurde, wurde es nun endlich an der Zeit, ein Werk von ihm zu lesen. Die Wahl fiel dabei auf sein neuestes Werk "Kurzer Abstecher", das nicht nur gut klang, sondern bislang gute Kritiken erhalten hat. Interessant fand ich hierbei auch, dass die Figur Begbie bereits in "Trainspotting" vorkam, sodass ich er mir nicht ganz unbekannt war. Meine Erwartungen waren dementsprechend hoch und ich wurde auch zum Glück nicht enttäuscht.
Zunächst einmal hat mich der Schreibstil doch sehr überrascht, denn dieser ist weitaus salopper und brutaler, als ich zunächst gedacht habe. Dennoch besitzt "Kurzer Abstecher" eine gewisse Faszination, denn Irvine Welsh kann definitiv mit Worten umgehen und sorgte dafür, dass das Buch trotz der oftmals gewalttätigen Handlung schnell und einfach zu lesen ist. Auch die Figuren haben mir gut gefallen, denn diese sind gut ausgearbeitet und man lernt sie ausreichend kennen, auch wenn ich zugeben muss, dass diese mir nicht immer sympathisch waren.
Erzählt wird hierbei die Geschichte von James, der auch als Begbie bekannt ist. Dieser hat sich mittlerweile zur Ruhe gesetzt und lebt mit einer Kunsttherapeutin und zwei Kindern in Kalifornien, wo er als Künstler arbeitet. Dieses ruhige Leben ändert sich allerdings schlagartig, als Begbies erster Sohn ermordet wird, sodass dieser gezwungen ist, nach Edinburgh zu reisen und dabei nicht nur den Mörder seines Sohnes aufsuchen möchte, sondern auch seine eigene Jugend durchleuchtet wird, sodass man einen noch größeren Einblick in Begbies Leben erhält, das oftmals lediglich aus Aggressionen und Gewalt bestand. Somit ist es auch kein Wunder, dass Begbie bereits bei seiner Ankunft in Edinburgh von den Leuten wieder gefürchtet wird...
Das Cover ist sehr schlicht gehalten und bildet lediglich ein Skalpell mit ein paar Blutflecken ab, was doch ganz gut zur Geschichte passt. Weniger schön finde ich dagegen den stechenden Orangeton, der mir leider so gar nicht zugesagt hat. Viel besser gefällt mir dagegen die Kurzbeschreibung, die eine interessante und spannende Geschichte verspricht und mich nicht enttäuscht hat.
Kurz gesagt: "Kurzer Abstecher" ist eine interessante, spannende, aber auch oftmals sehr brutale Geschichte mit einem tiefgründigen Protagonisten, der mich nicht nur schockieren, sondern auch begeistern konnte, sodass ich das Buch besonders allen Fans von "Trainspotting" empfehlen möchte.
Zunächst einmal hat mich der Schreibstil doch sehr überrascht, denn dieser ist weitaus salopper und brutaler, als ich zunächst gedacht habe. Dennoch besitzt "Kurzer Abstecher" eine gewisse Faszination, denn Irvine Welsh kann definitiv mit Worten umgehen und sorgte dafür, dass das Buch trotz der oftmals gewalttätigen Handlung schnell und einfach zu lesen ist. Auch die Figuren haben mir gut gefallen, denn diese sind gut ausgearbeitet und man lernt sie ausreichend kennen, auch wenn ich zugeben muss, dass diese mir nicht immer sympathisch waren.
Erzählt wird hierbei die Geschichte von James, der auch als Begbie bekannt ist. Dieser hat sich mittlerweile zur Ruhe gesetzt und lebt mit einer Kunsttherapeutin und zwei Kindern in Kalifornien, wo er als Künstler arbeitet. Dieses ruhige Leben ändert sich allerdings schlagartig, als Begbies erster Sohn ermordet wird, sodass dieser gezwungen ist, nach Edinburgh zu reisen und dabei nicht nur den Mörder seines Sohnes aufsuchen möchte, sondern auch seine eigene Jugend durchleuchtet wird, sodass man einen noch größeren Einblick in Begbies Leben erhält, das oftmals lediglich aus Aggressionen und Gewalt bestand. Somit ist es auch kein Wunder, dass Begbie bereits bei seiner Ankunft in Edinburgh von den Leuten wieder gefürchtet wird...
Das Cover ist sehr schlicht gehalten und bildet lediglich ein Skalpell mit ein paar Blutflecken ab, was doch ganz gut zur Geschichte passt. Weniger schön finde ich dagegen den stechenden Orangeton, der mir leider so gar nicht zugesagt hat. Viel besser gefällt mir dagegen die Kurzbeschreibung, die eine interessante und spannende Geschichte verspricht und mich nicht enttäuscht hat.
Kurz gesagt: "Kurzer Abstecher" ist eine interessante, spannende, aber auch oftmals sehr brutale Geschichte mit einem tiefgründigen Protagonisten, der mich nicht nur schockieren, sondern auch begeistern konnte, sodass ich das Buch besonders allen Fans von "Trainspotting" empfehlen möchte.
March 27, 2016
I was very excited when I got my mitts on an early copy of this book. I have read most of this author's books and loved every delicious one of them. I was even more excited as this book marked the return of Francis Begbie. One of my favourite characters from Trainspotting. There are also some great cameos from other familiar characters including Spud and Juice Terry as well as mentions for several others so reading this was like slipping back into a very familiar world. Well, once the rather strange beginning had finished but, more of that later...
This guy has the ability to write convincing, gritty characters set in a not so nice world but never making either over the top. As with his other books, the Scottish vernacular is used liberally and, at times, I do have to real the words aloud to make sense of them. Not too tough a task, but it's a good job I don't read on public transport!
As already mentioned, the beginning had me somewhat confused, more so as information was imparted, but my fears were allayed as slowly type was reverted to and, I breathed a sigh of relief as I prepared to welcome Franco back into my life - even if just for the duration of the book.
The storyline is simple enough, the son's death has to be investigated and scores need to be settled. The journey to do both is deliciously dark in places, exacerbated by lies and misdirections as trust and connections have been lost. If, like me, you expect a certain level of violence from Mr Irvine's books you'll definitely not be disappointed.
And the ending... OMG! I am not going to say any more about it apart from - next book...soon please.
All in all, a great addition to this author's catalogue. It was a pleasure to read.
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This guy has the ability to write convincing, gritty characters set in a not so nice world but never making either over the top. As with his other books, the Scottish vernacular is used liberally and, at times, I do have to real the words aloud to make sense of them. Not too tough a task, but it's a good job I don't read on public transport!
As already mentioned, the beginning had me somewhat confused, more so as information was imparted, but my fears were allayed as slowly type was reverted to and, I breathed a sigh of relief as I prepared to welcome Franco back into my life - even if just for the duration of the book.
The storyline is simple enough, the son's death has to be investigated and scores need to be settled. The journey to do both is deliciously dark in places, exacerbated by lies and misdirections as trust and connections have been lost. If, like me, you expect a certain level of violence from Mr Irvine's books you'll definitely not be disappointed.
And the ending... OMG! I am not going to say any more about it apart from - next book...soon please.
All in all, a great addition to this author's catalogue. It was a pleasure to read.
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
April 23, 2021
Per un attimo il movimento ondulatorio delle natiche lo ammalia, ma poi ricorda le discussioni con Melanie a proposito dello sguardo maschile reificante e solleva gli occhi sulla sagoma in generale. Pensa agli uomini che guarderanno così le sue figlie quando saranno cresciute. Cosa farebbe? Li ammazzerebbe. Li squarterebbe. Brinderebbe alla memoria delle loro occhiate con una pinta del loro sangue ancora caldo.
I primi tre libri della saga letteraria di Trainspotting erano irriverenti, disturbanti e divertenti, raccontati dai molteplici punti di vista dei protagonisti.
Il quarto libro cambia le carte in tavola e si presenta a sorpresa come un teso e brutale mistery thriller pieno di colpi di scena, con protagonista il più folle e violento dei personaggi creati da Welsh, un Jim Francis all'apparenza felice e redento, scultore di successo con moglie e figlie californiane, ma pronto a ridiventare il caro vecchio Frank Begbie, il rissoso psicopatico di sempre, quando deve tornare a Leigh per il funerale del figlio Sean morto ammazzato.
Un romanzo viscerale e violento, costellato di flashback relativi alla giovinezza di Franco, che ci fanno comprendere meglio quello che era e quelli che è diventato, e non è detto che la nuova versione del personaggio sia migliore di quella vecchia...
E le comparsate di diverse vecchie conoscenze sono state parecchio gradite.
Specialmente quella finale, che mi ha fatto davvero ridere e desiderare che ci fosse almeno un capitolo in più.
Un gioiello nero e sanguinolento che è stato un vero piacere leggere.
December 6, 2018
Reformed Scottish ex-con Jim Francis (formerly Franco Begbie) is now a successful sculptor living the dream in sunny California with his former prison art therapist now trophy wife and their two children. But when a tragic event unfolds back in his hometown of Leith, Edinburgh, he feels compelled to return to his old stomping ground. There he must face the very different life he left behind. Will Jim stay restrained, off the booze and away from the violence that was the scourge of his younger self? The intricate and graphic story that ensues is replete with flashbacks and memories from Begbie’s youth.
The complex and manipulative protagonist, sordid characters and squalid descriptions will appeal to fans of the Transgressive genre. This reader found the contrast between the Californian dream and the underbelly of Scottish society to be extremely effective, and often humorous.
The text is replete with the author’s trademark idiosyncrasies. These include the absence of speech marks and an abundance of Leith vernacular. One element of the novel that some may find difficult is reconciling the Franco of this text with the markedly different Franco of Trainspotting fame. However, if one treats The Blade Artist as a standalone work, this will not prove to be an issue.
The complex and manipulative protagonist, sordid characters and squalid descriptions will appeal to fans of the Transgressive genre. This reader found the contrast between the Californian dream and the underbelly of Scottish society to be extremely effective, and often humorous.
The text is replete with the author’s trademark idiosyncrasies. These include the absence of speech marks and an abundance of Leith vernacular. One element of the novel that some may find difficult is reconciling the Franco of this text with the markedly different Franco of Trainspotting fame. However, if one treats The Blade Artist as a standalone work, this will not prove to be an issue.
September 9, 2016
Begbie, the most iconic character in the Welsh canon, is now a renowned sculptor married to a Californian goddess and living the American dream. It opens with a confrontation on the beach that suggests his new non-violent, contented persona is little more than a flimsy facade. When he is called back to Edinburgh for the funeral of a murdered son he never knew the facade is slowly, inexorably peeled away. The only real difference between this incarnation of Begbie and the rampaging psycho of 'Trainspotting' and 'Porno' is his ability to channel his violence. A bleak tale, lightened occasionally by cameos from the likes of Juice Terry and Spud, and by telling flashbacks to Begbie's childhood, but one that deviates sharply from the story arc one would expect, and hope, for this much loved anti-hero.
November 7, 2017
‘Ye get what ye get, not what ye deserve’
I can’t think of another literary character who embodies both horror and hilarity to the same extent as Frank Begbie. I inhaled this novel in two days, just couldn’t put it down. Except for the excessively vicious Tyrone scene at the end, I thought it was perfect. The new world immigrant forced to return to his old world stomping ground, like a wild beast returned to its natural habitat. Throw the odd outbreak of hallmark Franco violence (did someone say that Begbie’s character has been diluted?!!) into a quirky, linear whodunnit and you’ve got an intoxicating mix. Almost as good as Trainspotting and arguably better than Porno, Irvine Welsh dazzles yet again.
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