Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart is a heart-wrenching novel set in the impoverished neighborhoods of Glasgow in the 1980s. The story follows young Shuggie as he navigates life with his alcoholic mother, Agnes, and his dysfunctional family. The book delves into themes of addiction, poverty, courage, and love, painting a vivid and raw portrait of life in the slums of Glasgow. Through Stuart's poignant writing, readers are taken on a journey filled with despair, hope, and the unwavering love between a son and his troubled mother.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings for Shuggie Bain include high instances of child abuse, alcoholism, mental health issues, bullying, domestic violence, and sexual abuse.
From The Publisher:
WINNER OF THE BOOKER PRIZE
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
FINALIST FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD
A stunning debut novel by a masterful writer telling the heartwrenching story of a young boy and his alcoholic mother, whose love is only matched by her pride.
Shuggie Bain is the unforgettable story of young Hugh "Shuggie" Bain, a sweet and lonely boy who spends his 1980s childhood in run-down public housing in Glasgow, Scotland. Thatcher's policies have put husbands and sons out of work, and the city's notorious drugs epidemic is waiting in the wings.
Shuggie's mother Agnes walks a wayward path: she is Shuggie's guiding light but a burden for him and his siblings. She dreams of a house with its own front door while she flicks through the pages of the Freemans catalogue, ordering a little happiness on credit, anything to brighten up her grey life. Married to a philandering taxi-driver husband, Agnes keeps her pride by looking good-her beehive, make-up, and pearly-white false teeth offer a glamorous image of a Glaswegian Elizabeth Taylor. But under the surface, Agnes finds increasing solace in drink, and she drains away the lion's share of each week's benefits-all the family has to live on-on cans of extra-strong lager hidden in handbags and poured into tea mugs. Agnes's older children find their own ways to get a safe distance from their mother, abandoning Shuggie to care for her as she swings between alcoholic binges and sobriety. Shuggie is meanwhile struggling to somehow become the normal boy he desperately longs to be, but everyone has realized that he is "no right," a boy with a secret that all but him can see. Agnes is supportive of her son, but her addiction has the power to eclipse everyone close to her-even her beloved Shuggie.
A heartbreaking story of addiction, sexuality, and love, Shuggie Bain is an epic portrayal of a working-class family that is rarely seen in fiction. Recalling the work of douard Louis, Alan Hollinghurst, Frank McCourt, and Hanya Yanagihara, it is a blistering debut by a brilliant novelist who has a powerful and important story to tell.
Ratings (49)
Incredible (15) | |
Loved It (18) | |
Liked It (10) | |
It Was OK (4) | |
Did Not Like (2) |
Reader Stats (123):
Read It (51) | |
Want To Read (55) | |
Did Not Finish (1) | |
Not Interested (16) |
4 comment(s)
This is a book I would like to reread sometime of I get hold of the physical book as I listened to the audiobook. It was a good listen but I had sometimes some issues hearing what they said. But other then that this book was great. It was very raw, emotional and depressing read that grabbed you from the beginning and didn't let you go. It's a story that doesn't let you untouched and definitely make you feel botherd. This is fiction but I know there is people out there that had or have it like that and that's make me so sad. Definitely a powerful read, I will stop gushing now!
DNF
This is one tragic story. I am currently not in a state to read this as my own son is 5 year old. I can't stop putting his face on Shuggie while I am reading this. So not my cup of tea.
Not rating it as of now. It is a written well and a good story.
Thank you Netgalley for ARC in exchange of a honest review!
Happy Reading!!
Harrowing but honest and real
Character driven and good writing, made me feel everything
What can you read after
Shuggie Bain?
About the Author:
DOUGLAS STUART was born and raised in Glasgow. After graduating from the Royal College of Art in London, he moved to New York City, where he began a career in fashion design. Shuggie Bain is his first novel. His writing has appeared in the New Yorker and Literary Hub.
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