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4.38 AVERAGE
4.38 AVERAGE
fast-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
From the very first chapter, I knew I’d care too deeply about Mungo’s fate. Mungo is innocent. As innocent as a boy his age should be, and that’s what’s so surprising about it. He is constantly surrounded by teenagers that are way too mature for their age; teenagers that are faced, way too early, to the harsh reality of adulthood. He has an older brother that pushes him into a life that he doesn’t want, a mother that barely acts like one and still, he ends up being the complete opposite of what his circumstances lead him to be. Where Hamish, his older brother, is violent and rough, Mungo is gentle and kind. Mungo was the kind of character that you wanted to root for; that you wanted to see get out of these horrible situations, so when you see him get deeper into the shit that is his life, you can’t help but just ache for him. It’s always devastating to see a bright light getting smothered by darkness, and that’s how it felt to see such an innocent boy slowly loosing himself to the madness of it all.
P.s. For my own sake and because I want to sleep at night, I’ll tell myself that at the very end, he did accept that outstretched hand.
Toodles 🖖🏾
P.s. For my own sake and because I want to sleep at night, I’ll tell myself that at the very end, he did accept that outstretched hand.
Toodles 🖖🏾
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Douglas Stuart has a way with his prose that pulls you in the minute you start reading. He combines the right details and descriptions to take us directly to the scene. Mix this with his skillfully created characters and we have a lovely, profound novel.
The plot is very heavy. It almost brings you down. But there is a light, deft touch with the writing that always leaves us with hope in the end. We root for Mungo and somehow know that he's going to turn out alright. I love how the queer love story is handled. We get something that feels organic and real. Douglas Stuart takes his time developing this relationship and makes us see how it works even beyond the differences and the difficulties they face. I loved how nothing is easy for them. Even as they see what needs to be done to get to the end result they want, they realize it's not easy to get there.
In perfect contrast is the characters at the lake. It begins innocently enough and the tension ratchets upwards as we learn more about the aptly named St. Christopher and Gallowgate. The innocuous setting turns more and more sinister as we read on. This was where the novel got most intense. I wish it hadn't gone there - that there had been an easier way for Mungo to grow up and realize his priorities. These parts are still very well-written and stay grounded to the characters and story.
Overall, an excellent albeit heavy read.
The plot is very heavy. It almost brings you down. But there is a light, deft touch with the writing that always leaves us with hope in the end. We root for Mungo and somehow know that he's going to turn out alright. I love how the queer love story is handled. We get something that feels organic and real. Douglas Stuart takes his time developing this relationship and makes us see how it works even beyond the differences and the difficulties they face. I loved how nothing is easy for them. Even as they see what needs to be done to get to the end result they want, they realize it's not easy to get there.
In perfect contrast is the characters at the lake. It begins innocently enough and the tension ratchets upwards as we learn more about the aptly named St. Christopher and Gallowgate. The innocuous setting turns more and more sinister as we read on. This was where the novel got most intense. I wish it hadn't gone there - that there had been an easier way for Mungo to grow up and realize his priorities. These parts are still very well-written and stay grounded to the characters and story.
Overall, an excellent albeit heavy read.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Good golly, if you want a book to emotionally devastate you, this is the one.
Stuart’s writing style is one of the best I have ever encountered; it is accessible yet so evocative, dry, and absolutely heartbreaking all in one. It is truly a marvel, an author who really takes your breath away with their ability to string words and sentences together in a way that can crush you that no one else can.
Despite how gorgeous the prose is, this tale is so gritty it feels like sandpaper to the brain. Every chapter in this book holds such pain and trauma that I can’t recommend it to everyone, especially those who may have navigated topics that are explored in this book like abuse, sexual assault, and alcohol addiction.
However, for those who feel able and willing to read this book, you truly won’t regret it - even if the pain and emotional damage more of reading it may never leave you. It is a harrowing depiction of poverty, social isolation, and cycles of family abuse that stings but in a necessary way. In short, it is a story that needs to be heard and listened to. If you do choose to take that advice literally and access the audio version, you won’t be disappointed; if anything, the narrator’s skill adds to this book and makes it truly unforgettable.
Stuart’s writing style is one of the best I have ever encountered; it is accessible yet so evocative, dry, and absolutely heartbreaking all in one. It is truly a marvel, an author who really takes your breath away with their ability to string words and sentences together in a way that can crush you that no one else can.
Despite how gorgeous the prose is, this tale is so gritty it feels like sandpaper to the brain. Every chapter in this book holds such pain and trauma that I can’t recommend it to everyone, especially those who may have navigated topics that are explored in this book like abuse, sexual assault, and alcohol addiction.
However, for those who feel able and willing to read this book, you truly won’t regret it - even if the pain and emotional damage more of reading it may never leave you. It is a harrowing depiction of poverty, social isolation, and cycles of family abuse that stings but in a necessary way. In short, it is a story that needs to be heard and listened to. If you do choose to take that advice literally and access the audio version, you won’t be disappointed; if anything, the narrator’s skill adds to this book and makes it truly unforgettable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Abortion, Murder, Alcohol
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
The story opens with Mungo on a fishing trip with two men he doesn’t know. His mother has sent him away to become a man after growing concerned with the relationship he had formed with a neighbouring boy named James.
Between this messed up fishing trip and Mungos messed up family life this book was a little too much for me.
For the vast majority of this book I wanted to stop reading. A little passed the halfway point I did start to get into the story, but it was too little, too late and I couldn’t get behind this book.
Between this messed up fishing trip and Mungos messed up family life this book was a little too much for me.
For the vast majority of this book I wanted to stop reading. A little passed the halfway point I did start to get into the story, but it was too little, too late and I couldn’t get behind this book.
The story opens with Mungo on a fishing trip with two men he doesn’t know. His mother has sent him away to become a man after growing concerned with the relationship he had formed with a neighbouring boy named James.
Between this messed up fishing trip and Mungos messed up family life this book was a little too much for me.
For the vast majority of this book I wanted to stop reading. A little passed the halfway point I did start to get into the story, but it was too little, too late and I couldn’t get behind this book.
Between this messed up fishing trip and Mungos messed up family life this book was a little too much for me.
For the vast majority of this book I wanted to stop reading. A little passed the halfway point I did start to get into the story, but it was too little, too late and I couldn’t get behind this book.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
i get the feeling this book is not going to leave me alone
mungo, stay gold
mungo, stay gold