clellman's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
For me, it evoked A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, En finir avec Eddy Belleguele, and A Little Life.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Sexual violence, Alcohol, Death of parent, Pedophilia, Addiction, Sexual assault, Violence, Bullying, and Homophobia
bw23's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, Self harm, Mental illness, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Addiction, Rape, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Suicide, and Suicidal thoughts
ruthmac's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Rape, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Domestic abuse, Addiction, Suicide, and Sexual assault
mj_trearty's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The book focuses on the Bain family, mainly Shuggie, the youngest son, and Agnes his alcoholic mother, living in 80s and early 90s Glasgow. It shows the desperation of many without work due to the mines closing and the fall of the ship building industry amongst others. What life was like in the council houses and tenements and how it was dealing with alcoholism.
The character of Shuggie does not fit in, smaller and more effeminate than other boys, he is bullied throughout his life while having to deal with hunger and desperation as his mother spent the dole and child support on cans of Special Brew. All he wants is his mum to get better and if he tries hard enough she will, in his young mind that is enough.
This is a beautifully crafted and harrowing account that brought tears to the eye on more than one occasion., definitely one of the best books I have read in years.
I think this line sums it up "the more you love someone the more they take the p**s out of that. They will do less and less of what ye want and more and more of just as the f****n' please." That is definitely how life was for Shuggie
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Rape, Self harm, Addiction, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Bullying, Drug use, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Toxic friendship
augie_'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Sexual assault, Homophobia, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Bullying
leah_grace7's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Death, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Rape, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Grief, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Injury/injury detail, Classism, Infidelity, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, and Vomit
lindsaylhunter's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual violence, Alcoholism, Cursing, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Addiction, and Bullying
lucyl97's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Alcoholism, Bullying, Toxic friendship, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Addiction, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, and Rape
laindarko2's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death of parent, Self harm, Addiction, Bullying, Abandonment, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Alcoholism, Death, Pedophilia, Emotional abuse, Grief, Religious bigotry, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Vomit, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Rape
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Racial slurs and Injury/injury detail
k_st3ph's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Sexual assault, and Vomit
Moderate: Death of parent and Suicide attempt