Little did Irvine Welsh know when he released his debut novel that it would come to define an entire generation - but that's exactly what it's managed to do.
Unleashed on an unsuspecting public back in 1993, Trainspotting was an instant hit. Thirty years on, the novel, which follows a group of addicts and those close to them as they battle their demons, is considered a cult classic.
On Thursday, Welsh marked three decades of the novel on social media as fans hailed the ‘groundbreaking’ book.
Lovers of Trainspotting branded it ‘life-changing’, with several stating the novel motivated them to pursue writing. Others commented on the issues highlighted within its pages, many of which are ‘still prevalent today’.
READ MORE - When David Bowie took Edinburgh's Murrayfield by storm in the driving rain
Posting to Twitter, Welsh marked the anniversary. He said: “Trainspotting is 30 years old today.
“I maybe should say that it seems like yesterday and where has all gone. But no, the truth is it feels like ages ago, not just a different era but a different life lived by another person.”
Fans were quick to follow up with praise for Trainspotting. One fan highlighted the poignant first line ‘the sweat lashing oafay Sick Boy, he wis trembling’, posting: “Trainspotting is 30 today.
“A book that changed what I understood writing could do. Still don’t think a more perfect or gripping opening line to a novel has been written.”
Kieran Hurley said the novel pushed him to pursue a career in writing. He said: “Trainspotting was first published 30 years ago.
“I was 7, growing up around Lochend and Restalrig. I’m a writer now, these facts are absolutely not unrelated.”
Another writer, Doug Johnstone, simply said: “Happy birthday to Trainspotting. It changed my life.”
One fan added: “Trainspotting is 30 today. First time I ever felt like I was reading about myself, mates and family for all different reasons.”
Stuart Barrie lamented: “Can’t think of few books before or since Trainspotting that had culture impact.
“This book was like a bomb going off, it changed so much. It is loved by so many too.
“Most of the issues so vividly highlighted in this amazing, groundbreaking book are sadly still prevalent today.
A film director from Edinburgh, Paul, tweeted: “Trainspotting was published 30 years ago and has become that rare thing: a cultural phenomenon that extended far beyond its original form and is both timeless and continually relevant in the modern age.”
