Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

438 reviews

bokslukaren's review against another edition

dark emotional sad

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.25

What does it mean to be a man? This story tackles masculinity, sexuality, the loss of innocence, and the butterfly effect of abuse. The Scottish slang, phonetics, and social lives were, at times, confusing for a person who's lived in Sweden all his life but very effective for immersion. Shuggie’s life was very different from my own, but many times, I saw myself in him and his distinctive ways. I'm very glad to have read this book and gained a new perspective.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Addiction, Sexual assault, and Alcoholism

Moderate: Rape and Drug use

readbycarina's review against another edition

Too dark for my mood right now. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Addiction, Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Rape

Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Infidelity

Minor: Homophobia and Pregnancy

fkshg8465's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Such a sad story, though an honest portrayal of alcoholism and addiction. This is about everyone who has fallen through the societal cracks and those whose resilience is more than others can handle. Shuggie is brilliant.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Outing, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Homophobia, Abandonment, Suicide attempt, Rape, Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, War, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Body shaming, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Infidelity, Sexual harassment, Violence, and Vomit

uuuultraviolennnnt's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

his life was sour when all he craved was sugar sweetness.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Alcoholism

Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual assault

graecus_'s review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

so so good. love this book. very emotional, i was very much feeling things after i finished this book. watching shuggie grow up was absolutely heart wrenching. all of the characters were immaculately written. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Child abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Alcoholism

Moderate: Bullying, Rape, and Homophobia

isabelboswinkel's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Blood, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Drug use, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Bullying, Death of parent, Vomit, Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, and Violence

mrs_v's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-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

3.75

Shuggie grows up in the projects of Scotland with his alcoholic mother. Shuggie begins to realize he is gay.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Bullying and Toxic relationship

gertrudski's review against another edition

emotional funny sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Homophobia

lauren_25's review against another edition

dark 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Homophobia, and Alcoholism

kieranjones's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Addiction, and Alcohol