Reviews with content warning for Emotional abuse - Shuggie Bain

Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

111 reviews

blanxx_2102's review

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This book is quite unlike anything I have read before; I usually read books with fixed plot lines which tend to place less focus on the characters themselves. In contrast, Shuggie Bain doesn't have a plot; rather, Douglas Stuart gives the reader an in depth view into the Bain/ Campbell family life for over a decade of Shuggie's life. Admittedly, this was confusing at first as the book reads quite slow, howerver, I soon forgot this because of how well the characters were written, and just focused on wanting to know more about the characters.

What really stood out to me in this book was how real the characters feel, particularly Agnes. Her though process, her motivations, her actions are meticulously described, making her so unequivocably and irrevocably human that she might as well jump off the page. I love how Stuart provides such insight into the characters' reasons for doing what they do- a behind the scenes, if you will- because, even though they all make questionable decisions at one point or another, you cannot dislike them (the protagonists, some others are pure meanies). I cannot stress enough how real these characters feel- I would go so far as to say they are only rivalled by Donna Tartt.

That said, towards the end the story went a bit too quickly, though I understand that's a product of Shuggie moving and trying to start a new life. However, I don't understand why the book ends when it does, as it seems very abrupt.
That said, this book was an emotional journey and I would be happy to read more of Stuart's work (Young Mungo is actually on my TBR)!

Content Warnings

fallandfox's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Shuggie é um garoto que acompanhamos a trajetória de sobreviver com uma mãe alcoólatra, um pai ausente, irmãos fugindo por conta da dor e abusos sexuais.
Esse livro teve tantos capítulos pesados, vemos eles tendo ações que sabemos que vão ser perigosas e que só vão piorar tudo. Eu nunca convivi com uma pessoa viciada, todos os momentos que li as recaídas de abuso emocional que ela causava nos três filhos me fez querer gritar.
Acredito que o que mais auxiliou na imersão foi a certeza de que o autor passou por essas experiências e levou seu tempo para descrever os estados mentais e traumas.
Foi uma leitura favorita e que eu recomendo, mas já deixo avisado que não vai ser para todo mundo, não só pelo conteúdo pesado e toda a dor que ele transmite, mas também pela mensagem final que dá uma dor, mas mantém o realismo em relação a algumas pessoas que lidam com vício.

Content Warnings

lilacwhisker's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Shuggie is a real one for sure

Content Warnings

lgtl's review

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

A heartbreaking beautifully written story that explores alcoholism, queerness, harassment and overall, life’s struggles in working class 1980s Glasgow. I wish I could give a hug to Shuggie.

A new favorite! 💔

Content Warnings

annatrller's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

stephbysteph's review

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? It's complicated

5.0

5 gut-wrenched stars.

This is one that stays with you and makes you ask yourself/the author/the universe unanswerable questions.

Shuggie is a complicated boy with - to put it extremely mildly - a complicated upbringing. The love he has for his family is heartbreaking at times. At many times.

There are a few nice and/or funny moments that make you feel ok about continuing, and it's written so expertly today you actually really want to keep going. I audio read this one, and kudos to the reader for bringing the Glaswegian accents and slang to life, and for differentiating the characters' voices enough that you could tell who was speaking - but not so much that it was forced or weird.

I don't think this is a book for someone who isn't in a good mental/emotional place. It's HEAVY. But it's also incredible.

Content Warnings