From the beginning of Irvine Welsh's novel Bedroom Secrets of the Master Chefs you get the feeling that the end of the book will not be friendly to Danny Skinner - one of three main characters. His lifestyle drapes a dark feeling over the plot; Skinner is a bastard, a boozer and dabbles in social drug use. Beyond these self-destructive characteristics lies an apathetic, selfish protagonist, who could stand to learn something about how to treat women.
Main character #2: Brian Kibby. Mama's boy, gamer, model railway enthusiast, focus of Skinner's hatred. Everything about Kibby is likable at first; a harmless 'wee lad', but something shady lurks in Kibby's character. Even after Skinner's curse takes affect, I couldn't feel bad for Brian Kibby. Maybe my heart is a small, hard lump of coal - I just could not do it.
Skinner's search for his father, whose identity is only known to Skinner's mother, occupies the third main character slot. Skinner's obsessiveness over his paternity opens a rift in his relationship with his mother and drives him deeper into despair and self-abuse.
Skinner's sudden awareness of Kibby's mortality and the control he has over it, triggers a change for the better in Skinner. But as they say, it was too little, too late. It was as if, through the curse, Skinner experienced the best of Kibby, and Kibby the worst of Skinner. The murderous conclusion leaves unsettled feelings towards Brian Kibby and his future looks bleak.
The dependent relationship that develops between Kibby and Skinner illustrates how powerful the actions of one person can affect other people. So be nice to people; hold the door - don't drive like an asshole - smile once in awhile at the homeless and handicapped. You never know when a nut-case in a fuel truck could have you in his sights.
