Reviews with content warning for Mental illness - Shuggie Bain

Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

79 reviews

blanxx_2102's review against another edition

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

munchanchan'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? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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

kennahgracie's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional medium-paced

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

4.5

OVERALL

Initially, my interest in this novel was slow to ignite, but the longer I stayed with its contents, the more captivated I became by Shuggie's tale. I thoroughly enjoyed Douglas Stuart's writing; he effectively described a foreign setting without bogging down the narrative with excessive detail. This novel felt stark. Like Shuggie, I was completely swept up in the wreckage that followed the abuse and alcoholism his parents brought upon their home.

Shuggie, being the only child unable to escape the damaging wrath of his mother's addiction and subsequent neglect, is forced to form an anxious attachment to her welfare, taking up the role of the parent while his mother becomes the child. However, this toxic dynamic begins to change when Agnes starts to sober up and finally take responsibility as a parent. Tragically, this progress is painfully ripped away by the persistent influence of Eugene, a man she meets during a late-night shift.
Over and over, this book reminded me of how consumed we are with our own thoughts as human beings. We are so conscious of others' ideals and perceptions of us that we allow them to destroy all that we've built. What is this pressure? This strange bleakness of alienation, of worrying that we don't fit in? More than anything, I wish we could live happily and uniquely as ourselves. I wish I lived in a world where boys like Shuggie wouldn't face constant harassment and abuse simply because of their characteristics or identity.

MAJOR TAKEAWAYS

First D.S novel —loved his writing and how he conveys the complexities of how domestic abuse/alcoholism affects family dynamics.
The setting was describes so casually yet with enough detail that someone like me with little knowledge of the country’s culture/history could easily picture and understand it.
- I also enjoyed how prominent the focus of taxi culture was.
Effectively highlights the uncertainness common among queer youth. Before being allowed to truly understand and explore who you are, you are stunted and alienated by others immediate perceptions of your “oddity” or “differences”.
- Many children and later teens who are LGBTQIA+ are forced to harden themselves due to the exposure of blatant homophobia from peers/society/even family. But also grapple with still wanting to be accepted/welcomed by those who perpetuate that same hate. This is our human nature, to yearn for connection and acceptance. To be "normal".
Notably, I wish the author would've expanded further on Shuggie's life in South Side.

Content Warnings

lgtl's review against another edition

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