Reviews with content warning for Violence - Young Mungo

Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart

438 reviews

lindseyhall44's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

“And what for? For liking Mungo Hamilton, the ruiner of all good things.“

I have never felt so absolutely gutted after finishing a book, nor have I wanted to give a character a hug as much as Mungo. Stuart writes such a devastating story of a sweet soul who deserved so much more than what he was given. After checking trigger warnings, I would highly recommend, this is a new favorite for me.

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stephh's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This is probably the best book I've read so far this year. Just like after reading Shuggie, i feel like I'm going to have a massive book hangover that lasts for weeks from this.

Growing up in Glasgow in the 80s is tough for young Mungo; a guy who doesn't quite fit in anywhere: not with his gang-leading brother Hamish, his smart sister Josie or their alcoholic mother. But when he meets James, he finally finds his slot in the world and a solid friend at last. This is a violent story of growing up gay, with Mungo on a journey of self discovery that leads him to a darkness that is hard to read through.

I found at the start that this might be a little too similar to Shuggie, but as the book went on it felt very different. This was a much more violent book where Shuggie was more bleak. It was a really hard read that I had to give myself little breaks from at times, but interspersed between these awful bits were moments of much more happiness than you ever saw in Shuggie. However I felt myself drawn to reading the book - a bit like a car crash you can't help but watch unveil. Reading this is all I thought about for the few days I was reading it, and Douglas Stuart's writing is so incredible that this had to be a 5 star read.
*The book should come with a massive trigger warning for sexual assault and rape.*

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kvasquez1's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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bettinablocksberg's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

4,5*
just as shuggie bain, young mungo had really great writing and storybuilding. for both books, i loved the setting that felt very real, dark und full of desperation. douglas stuart does what he does very well - BUT (and this is my main criticism of this book) the main character mungo felt extremely similar to shuggie. same kind of mother, similar struggles, same surroundings. i am curious to see if the author is capable of something different in the future.

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marnash's review against another edition

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challenging dark sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I came cuz of Shuggie Bain, and left traumatized, which is saying a lot when it comes to me (these kinds of books are my cup of tea). I found myself explaining to my bf that this is a trauma-dump book. I do love some of the characters - they're just as complicated and loveable and sad as the ones in Shuggie Bain, only you add lgbtqi+ teenagers and homophobia into the mix and it becomes extra super duper sad.

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margauxxx's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense

5.0

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archiedh's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Heart-wrenching and often extremely difficult to read, Young Mungo is a gut punch of a book, unflinchingly detailing gang violence, poverty, and homophobia in 80s Glasgow.
Stuart’s description is lyrical and evocative, able to conjure every speck of dirt in a scene and make it feel as though it is stuck to your skin or caked under your nails. The characterisation is wonderful with even minor players feeling fully realised and more nuanced than they might initially appear. Standouts are easily Jodie and Chickie Calhoun.
And at the centre of it, we have James and Mungo. The scenes with them offer a respite from the horror, tactile, intimate, and romantic. Stuart captures blossoming romance almost scarily well.
It is by no means a light or fun read, some chapters even feel pulled out of a horror novel, but it is deeply affecting and a book I can see myself thinking about for a long while.

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