rosareadsblog's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
agiali's review against another edition
2.0
❀ 231/ 100
I am so sad that I didn't like this book. The most heartbreaking thing about it for me was that I was bored throughout this entire reading experience. It's very slow and mostly follows Mungo's adolescence as a working class whilst he grows up falling for a Catholic named James. It is sad, but I was just so bored with this one I stopped caring. I was so tempted to skim read but I still pushed through hoping something would get me to love it I can't give this more than a two-star rating.
I wish I was a lover of this book and I will still try out Douglas Stuart's debut novel, but I'm in no rush to get to that anytime soon.
I am so sad that I didn't like this book. The most heartbreaking thing about it for me was that I was bored throughout this entire reading experience. It's very slow and mostly follows Mungo's adolescence as a working class whilst he grows up falling for a Catholic named James. It is sad, but I was just so bored with this one I stopped caring. I was so tempted to skim read but I still pushed through hoping something would get me to love it I can't give this more than a two-star rating.
I wish I was a lover of this book and I will still try out Douglas Stuart's debut novel, but I'm in no rush to get to that anytime soon.
ehurtubise's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
poppyhearsum's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
mic107's review against another edition
5.0
molto bello, piaciuto particolarmente lo stile di scrittura e l'introspezione dei personaggi. versato abbastanza lacrime :)
ellen_oh's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
clxxre's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sadiereadsagain's review against another edition
5.0
I read [b:Shuggie Bain|52741293|Shuggie Bain|Douglas Stuart|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1602094778l/52741293._SY75_.jpg|72463055] at the end of last year, after holding off for fear that it wouldn't live up to its hype. I loved it, and wish I'd read it sooner. So when I had the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Douglas Stuart's follow-up, I practically bit the publisher's hand off!
Mungo is a boy growing up in the East End of Glasgow in the early 90's. The youngest of three children, he is being raised mainly by his slightly older sister as his mother is often absent and struggles with alcohol dependency. Told over two timelines, both before and after a pivotal moment, the story is split between a fishing trip Mungo is sent on with two of his mum's AA acquaintances, and the development of a relationship between Mungo and another boy, James, on his estate. James and Mungo live on different sides of the Catholic/Protestant divide, but find friendship and connection in James' dovecot. But Mungo's gang-leader older brother is deeply entrenched in the sectarian violence between the two communities, and as the boys grow closer their feelings for one another put them at even greater risk.
There are many parallels that can be drawn between Shuggie Bain and Young Mungo, and at first I was worried that Stuart only had one story to tell. However, it quickly became apparent that this isn't the case, and I think it is more a case of Stuart having themes to explore and possibly things that he wants to revisit in different ways in his writing. And I am totally here for that.
This story is just as compelling as Shuggie...dare I say, more so? In fact, I do dare - I think this book is stronger. The dual timeline worked exceptionally well, and my heart was in my throat so many times. There is a beautiful but realistic tenderness to this book, but an equally realistic violence too, and it felt very authentic to the time and place. Every character is richly crafted, with all the shades of grey that make up a person so that the cast feels really vivid. The sub-plots were just as strong as the main story too, this is a book that is teeming with life.
I feel I'm going to embarrass myself if I keep on gushing like this, but I really loved this book and I think Douglas Stuart is an exceptional writer. I can't wait to see what else he brings into the world.
I received a Netgalley of this title from Pan MacMillan in return for a review. All opinions are my own.
Mungo is a boy growing up in the East End of Glasgow in the early 90's. The youngest of three children, he is being raised mainly by his slightly older sister as his mother is often absent and struggles with alcohol dependency. Told over two timelines, both before and after a pivotal moment, the story is split between a fishing trip Mungo is sent on with two of his mum's AA acquaintances, and the development of a relationship between Mungo and another boy, James, on his estate. James and Mungo live on different sides of the Catholic/Protestant divide, but find friendship and connection in James' dovecot. But Mungo's gang-leader older brother is deeply entrenched in the sectarian violence between the two communities, and as the boys grow closer their feelings for one another put them at even greater risk.
There are many parallels that can be drawn between Shuggie Bain and Young Mungo, and at first I was worried that Stuart only had one story to tell. However, it quickly became apparent that this isn't the case, and I think it is more a case of Stuart having themes to explore and possibly things that he wants to revisit in different ways in his writing. And I am totally here for that.
This story is just as compelling as Shuggie...dare I say, more so? In fact, I do dare - I think this book is stronger. The dual timeline worked exceptionally well, and my heart was in my throat so many times. There is a beautiful but realistic tenderness to this book, but an equally realistic violence too, and it felt very authentic to the time and place. Every character is richly crafted, with all the shades of grey that make up a person so that the cast feels really vivid. The sub-plots were just as strong as the main story too, this is a book that is teeming with life.
I feel I'm going to embarrass myself if I keep on gushing like this, but I really loved this book and I think Douglas Stuart is an exceptional writer. I can't wait to see what else he brings into the world.
I received a Netgalley of this title from Pan MacMillan in return for a review. All opinions are my own.