Reviews

Шъги Бейн by Джес Кулсън, Емилия Л. Масларова, Дъглас Стюарт, Иван Масларов, Мила Томанова, Калоян Игнатовски

nufaie's review against another edition

1.0

Would’ve LOVED this had it been about, you know, Shuggie Bain. 

Had high expectations when I picked this up after enjoying the excellence that was young mungo, but In comparison to Stuart's second novel, which actually places the title character at the forefront of its plot, shuggie Bain falls short.

polyvoda_i's review against another edition

5.0

Це відчайдушна, потужна, трагічна історія, від якої йдуть мурашки шкірою. Та серед цього всього трапляються невеличке світло надії, що все буде добре, що все може налагодитися.
Це історія про неправильні вибори, про розбиті мрії, про боротьбу з алкоголізмом.

Читав її навмисно довго аби міг обдумати і проаналізувати. Події часто дуже схожі поміж собою і мені здалося, що автор таким чином хотів показати краще як буває циклічність між тверезістю і пиятикою.

Ми читаємо про малого Шаґґі, який піклується і сильно любить свою маму, поки вона напивається постійно, пропиває всі гроші, всі виплати соціальної допомоги. Часто їм не залишається геть нічого на їжу.

В якийсь момент Аґнес припиняє випивати на рік і цей час видається дуже світлим, і здавалося б, все може налагодитися. Аґнес має невеличку роботу, починає зустрічатися з чоловіком. Цей епізод, мабуть, найсвітліший у книзі.

Та потім все ж Аґнес випиває.

Книжка дуже варта уваги.
Переклад чудесний.

sarahhope's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

janey's review against another edition

4.0

This is as good as everyone says it is, but you can't get there if you open it with those expectations. The first readers of Shuggie Bain are like the first people to see Little Miss Sunshine -- the film was startlingly good for what it was, just a little story, told well, but the message received by the world began and ended at "startlingly good" so many people in the second and later waves weren't startled and so were less enthusiastic. So what I'm saying is: when you pick up Shuggie Bain, forget the nominations and the Booker, forget the praise you've heard, and just remember that this is a debut novel about a family strained by poverty, alcoholism, insufficient education, few opportunities, poor choices, and provincial attitudes.

yorozuya's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.5

mooseabs's review against another edition

5.0

What do I say about this book? People keep saying how beautiful and tragic and tragic and beautiful this is and it still did not prepare me for how beautiful and tragic it was. It grips you and doesn't let you go, and by the end you are sad but hopeful for Shuggie Bain, and sad and relieved that this book had to end here. Douglas Stuart has written something that will be long remembered!

nlaws87's review against another edition

4.0

If Ken Loach wrote a book..

faithhoffmanxo's review against another edition

5.0

I can’t begin to describe this book. I had no expectations when I started it, and I can honestly say this is some of the best writing and storytelling I have ever encountered. It’s also one of the saddest books ever. I loved it from start to finish. I don’t think anything will top this for a long, long time

thatbookgal's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

danielle348's review against another edition

dark emotional sad slow-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