Rating: 
Summary: Sorted!
Review: A young man loses his job, home, and girlfriend, meets God in the pub and turns into a household fly. This is a typical plot outline from this hilarious, disturbing, amoral collection of short stories. Welsh is unflinching in his portrayl of the dissafected working class Scotts, whos appetites for narcotic debauchery is as vigourous as their weather is dull. Devoid of any tangible ethical stance, the gritty realism of these stories will speak for themselves. And speak they most certainly do with Welshs customary brilliant pen for transcribing the Scottish vernacular. The book sorely needs a glossary though; lines such as "wis ootay order", may estrange American eyes. The richness and sheer impact of these stories, make them prime candidates for rereading in the tradition of those other fine writers on the British working classes, Orwell and Silitoe.
Rating: 
Summary: @ the peak of his powers.............
Review: Ah didnae think ah'd like this eht fist... But these stories are pock-marked all over with irony, humour and the infallible bad language and vernacular put into use by Irvine Welsh, author of that classic (which I won't name here). This book should be read without that other book looming behind it with a knife to it's back. This is a good read, and that should be enough. But there's people out there who think it could be better, that Welshie disnae have a grasp of the short story, etc, etc... but they're all missing the point something chronic. How often do we get the lives of Eurotrash thrust into our face? Not many of us get to witness first hand a drug raid, or indeed, a baby with a dirty mind... but herein lies Welsh's appeal. See, it's funny. It's so sick that it's funny...situations we'll never get into ourselves. It'll make you squirm and grin in revulsion. Come on people, admit it to yourself. You only ever read Welsh for the kick. Don't kid yourself about what is deemed to be literature or Booker Prize material or politically correct... just enjoy it and stop your whining.
Rating: 
Summary: Rousingly Experimental
Review: Although the European drug scene is not necessarily my usual choice of reading material, Welsh's nouveau writing style draws the reader in through its uniqueness alone. Welsh is experimental, not only through his inventive use of the Scottish dialect, but also through the syntax of his work.
Acid House is a conglomeration of short stories, an unfortuntely small collection of poems, as well as a creativly written novela. Many of the story plots may seem redundant; however, with a closer read one can find deeper words than a simply tale of excess and depression. My personal favorite story deals with a down and out pub rat and his strangely enlightening discussion with a disillusioned God.
Indeed, Welsh has been quite prolific in the last ten years, having a number of books converted to screen, including Acid House. It is nice to see an author taking a gamble and creating something new.
Rating:
Summary: Tear on through it.
Review: For just the end story, "A Smart C***", The Acid House is worthwhile. Welsh is often super morbid and seriously wickedly wacky in these short stories, most of which play out a lot more like bad dreams than pristine vignettes. The closing aforementioned novella, however, is diferent. It's a surprisingly moving character study of a guy who seems to completely lack character. The guy is so totally caught up with analyzing everything surrounding him that he forgets to live. This seems to be subject matter close to Welsh's heart, and he gives it a surprisingly sympathetic treatment. The other stories range all over the place, but have enough energy to make up for a lack of direction. Gotta love Irv. You just gotta.
Rating: 
Summary: not for the timid (or young)
Review: I bought this book as a Christmas gift for my 13 year old son, who is an avid reader. I guess I didn't pay enough attention to the info available, because this book is NOT appropriate for a young teen. Thankfully, I decided to 'peruse' the book prior to allowing my son to read it. It was so graphic in language and content that I didn't even want to read it. I managed to skim through two stories before I decided it was just too explicit for me.
Rating:
Summary: what were you thinking?
Review: I just wanted to say to the woman who bought this for her son...what were you thinking? the book is called the acid house...that should have been your first clue.. anyway...i found it delightful, yeah delightfunl, in a twisted sort of way. I enjoy Welsh's writting, though yes, it is a bit hard for us Americans to understand...i love the psychological twists
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorites
Review: I loved The Acid House. I've read each of the stories multiple times. Welsh takes you on an amazing journey with each of these stories, as the impossible becomes possible. Anything can happen, no matter how warped it is. Your mind is messed with, especially if you are in a drug induced state. The stories actually talk to you. They come to life. You know exactly what Welsh is talking about, no matter how deep he goes. He goes pretty deep, which makes you feel very intelligent since you understand it. The plot twists are genius, and surprise the hell out of you. This is one hilarious book, full of cynicism, irony, wit, mockery of humanity, and dead on reality. An inspiration to my own writing.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant Picture of Humanity
Review: Irvine Welsh is amazing! This collection focuses mainly on the experiences of people familiar with the world of drugs, but you'll relate to them to a frightening extent. Welsh is an absolute master of the language; his work with words is beautiful. And the stories themselves are unforgettable. He goes into the characters minds and draws out pieces of them we don't like - but recognize - and forces us to look at the implications of our thoughts, feelings, and actions. These short stories have made Irvine Welsh my new favourite author.
Rating:
Summary: Well worth it
Review: Like all of Welsh's books, Acid House is a far from pleasant read. That said, like a car accident, this book is difficult to look away from. The characters are stunningly well developed, and painfully human in their failings. Read this book!
Rating:
Summary: insanely delightful
Review: Welsh is one of the most gifted writers I've come across. Acid House is a compilation of some of his short stories, each of which shows a different side of his unique talent for pulling you in and messing with your mind.
| 
