A review by lhodgson26
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

challenging dark emotional sad medium-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

This was such a depressing and difficult book to read, however it was an important one. The power alcohol has over someone especially someone who is trying to escape sadness is truly heartbreaking. The awful men and boys who abused Shuggie and Agnes and the lack of support Agnes had. The false hope they were all given when Agnes had been sober for a year to only be let down by Eugene peer pressuring her to drink into another spiral. The strength and heartbreak Link and Catherine both had to escape and try make something of themselves but leave behind their mum and Shuggie. This really was a tough read which had an endless cycle of tragedy. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Grief, and Suicide attempt