A review by thelittlefriend
Shuggie Bain, by Douglas Stuart
3.0
This could have been five stars if it would have been cut by maybe 30%. As it is now, it drags, a lot, and there are scenes that don’t give anything new to the story - only revels in the misery that is already very present. But it’s an epic, descriptive story that paints the characters and surroundings in vivid detail. The book plays out like a three hour movie (or six part mini-series), it’s gritty, harrowing and, even, beautiful at times.
But I do wonder why the title isn’t Agnes Bain. Shuggie plays a part, yes, but it’s still Agnes who is the main focus. Maybe it would have been too close to name the book by her? We know Stuart has talked about his mother’s addiction, and even if this is fiction there’s still probably a lot of lived experience, based on how real the story feels. Maybe putting Agnes in the title would have felt false, like saying her whole life could be summed up in 400 pages of drinking. But that’s not it, is it, the drinking was just one part of her, seen mostly through Shuggie’s eyes.
I get why this one the Booker Prize, but for me some editing would have benefited the story.
But I do wonder why the title isn’t Agnes Bain. Shuggie plays a part, yes, but it’s still Agnes who is the main focus. Maybe it would have been too close to name the book by her? We know Stuart has talked about his mother’s addiction, and even if this is fiction there’s still probably a lot of lived experience, based on how real the story feels. Maybe putting Agnes in the title would have felt false, like saying her whole life could be summed up in 400 pages of drinking. But that’s not it, is it, the drinking was just one part of her, seen mostly through Shuggie’s eyes.
I get why this one the Booker Prize, but for me some editing would have benefited the story.