A review by kennahgracie
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

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.


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