Leith-born Irvine Welsh is one of Scotland’s most popular authors, having short to fame with his debut novel Trainspotting in 1993.
He’s about to publish his 14th novel, Resolution, and has also written, or co-written, a further six books of short stories, 10 screeplays and three stage plays.
Many of his books have been turned into films, including two Trainspotting movies, Filth, The Acid House and Ecstasy.
And when he’s not writing he’s also dabbled in directing and is an in-demand DJ.
For those who are wondering where to start when it comes to Welsh’s bibliography, thousands of readers at book website Goodreads have been busy reviewing everything he’s ever written.
Here are their 10 most highly-rated books.
Many of his books have been turned into films, including two Trainspotting movies, Filth, The Acid House and Ecstasy.
9. Filth
Latterly turned into a film starring James McEvoy, Welsh's 1998 book scores an average rating of 3.81 from 29,930 reviews. "With the festive season almost upon him, Detective Sergeant Bruce Robertson is winding down at work and gearing up socially - kicking off Christmas with a week of sex and drugs in Amsterdam. There are irritating flies in the ointment, though, including a missing wife, a nagging cocaine habit, a dramatic deterioration in his genital health, a string of increasingly demanding extra-marital affairs. The last thing he needs is a messy murder to solve. Still it will mean plenty of overtime, a chance to stitch up some colleagues and finally clinch the promotion he craves. But as Bruce spirals through the lower reaches of degradation and evil, he encounters opposition - in the form of truth and ethical conscience - from the most unexpected quarter of all: his anus." | Contributed
10. The Long Knives
Completing our top 10 most highly-rated Irvine Welsh books is The Long Knives - part of the author's Crime series. The 2022 novel scores an average of rating of 3.80 from 1,097 reviews. "Ritchie Gulliver MP is dead. Castrated and left to bleed in an empty Leith warehouse. Vicious, racist and corrupt, many thought he had it coming. But nobody could have predicted this. After the life Gulliver has led, the suspects are many - corporate rivals, political opponents, the countless groups he's offended. And the vulnerable and marginalised, who bore the brunt of his cruelty. As Lennox unravels the truth, and the list of shocking attacks grows, he must put his personal feelings aside. But one question refuses to go away: who are the real victims here?" | Contributed