Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

66 reviews

nicnocs511's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• 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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Homophobia, Self harm, Sexual assault, Vomit, and Abandonment

Minor: Cancer and Death

kennahgracie's review against another edition

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

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol

Moderate: Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual content, Violence, Vomit, and Abandonment

Minor: Cancer and Excrement

lgtl's review against another edition

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

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol

annatrller's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, and Alcohol

kbbp080808's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol

willardbug's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

• 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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Abandonment

Moderate: Fatphobia, Sexual assault, and Violence

abassard's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad tense slow-paced

• 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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, and Abandonment

Minor: Homophobia

helen777's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Sexual assault, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Rape

Minor: Cursing, Drug use, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Violence, and Abandonment

burnourhistory's review against another edition

dark sad slow-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

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Drug use, Forced institutionalization, and Abandonment

fkshg8465's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad slow-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? Yes

4.0

Such a sad story, though an honest portrayal of alcoholism and addiction. This is about everyone who has fallen through the societal cracks and those whose resilience is more than others can handle. Shuggie is brilliant.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Outing, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and War