3. Filth (1998)
Filth is the third novel from Welsh and he certainly holds nothing back with this one. Set within the same literary universe that he has created over the years, this novel features the main character, dodgy police officer Bruce Robertson. Welsh is never one to shy away from controversial characters and this novel certainly shows it, with Robertson engaging in a copious cocaine habit and some rather questionable sexual practices. During the novel though, the story takes an unexpected turn when we are introduced to a new narrator that gives the reader some insight into Robertson's childhood, although it isn't presented in the traditional way; we have to remember this is an Irvine Welsh novel at the end of the day. It comes in the form a tape worm that presents itself over the text on the page and ends up consuming more and more of the story as the book continues. It is a brilliant way of providing exposition to the reader without just using a traditional flashback technique, because at the end of the day, the tapeworm is a part of Bruce and knows everything about him so it allows the worm to develop something of a personality as it is the telling the story of how Bruce ended up such a bitter, twisted and disturbed man. There is a film adaptation of the novel coming out later this year with James McAvoy taking the lead role, along with a plethora of other British stars. As long as they stick to the source material, viewers are in for a real treat!