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theresah's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Rape, and Sexual assault
blainereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
There were moments of such beauty in the prose, devastatingly juxtaposed with the darkest, ugliest elements of humanity. The author is a master of manipulating diction with such subtly that you never feel bulldozed by purple prose or other such literary devices and yet occasionally are just walloped by the truth of the words that you have to go back to reread passages.
I’ve also not read a dual timeline executed SO well before; while I usually find time gimmicks can tend to be a bit annoying, the story is structured in such a way that you just get dizzying, satisfying emotional whiplash. It’s a bit slow in the beginning but the build up is absolutely worth the emotional payoff.
I LOVE location as character and this created an incredibly immersive experience that I immediately felt transported to a gritty blue collar Scotland every time I picked up the book. It’s well-situated in its time and yet is also timeless all the same. The language element, though perhaps a bit distracting at first, added important color and character and facilitated a real rhythm of language that I don’t often feel when reading.
I could probably go on and on. I haven’t read the author’s booker-winning debut yet but after this??? I simply have no choice.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Hate crime, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
rzh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I love Glasgow, and this is obviously written by someone who loves it just as I do: the descriptions of all the streets, all the people...just mesmerising, makes me want to tear up. Every single character has a story, a reason for their ways, a mammy at home... and it never feels overbearing, or too much background. The way it deals with class and sectarianism and alcoholism and toxic masculinity is heartbreaking and red raw. I've seen some people say that this is just a rehashing of Shuggie Bain, and though I can certainly see that, I read another book by Douglas Stuart because I loved Shuggie Bain, and everything it was about. This was different, but not too different where I felt like it was off piste. The non-linear structure built together into a crescendo absolutely beautifully, the prose was so stunning, its about my favourite place in the world for all its flaws... it was just heartbreaking, and magical, and that's everything I loved about Shuggie Bain, and loved all the more here. Jist perfect. <3
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Outing, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Miscarriage, Vomit, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Abortion and Suicide attempt
sapphicsolace's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Religious bigotry, Abortion, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Abandonment
orndal's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
katalia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Self harm, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Murder, and Outing