Probably 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 scumbaggery. 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.

Dead Man’s Trousers is a continuation of the influential Trainspotting story. The original characters have moved on, some more than others. More contemporary culture.