A review by georgia59
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Was it the writing or the audio narration I listened to that made this a five star read for me?  Probably a combination of the two.  I know though that the audio narration (by Angus King) was excellent (10 stars!) and completely brought to life the world that Stuart created in a way I simply couldn't have experienced had I just read it on the page.  Listening to my southern British voice attempting to sub vocalise the Glaswegian dialect would have been a much less rich and nuanced reading experience. 

Absolutely superb character studies and interactions, warts and all.  The depiction of one son's love for his alcoholic mother is one that will stay with me forever.  A stand out read for 2024. 
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