Reviews with content warning for Vomit - Shuggie Bain

Reviews tagging 'Vomit'

Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

98 reviews

tilla's review against another edition

emotional sad slow-paced

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

4.25

This was a heartbreaking read – I am very glad that I read it, but I don’t think I can ever read it again, though if I did, I would listen to it on audiobook to get the experience of the Scottish accent.

I wanted so much for these characters. I want it to be easier – to get better, but even when there is a second of light it is quickly snuffed out. I want the siblings to stick together. To get out but do it together but they each seem to feel alone in their shitty situation. Even as you kinda hate Agnes for how she treats herself and leaves her children to fend for themselves, you, like Shuggie and probably Leek, cannot help to root for her to get out, get better, be happy

After a few chapters of good times, lighter times, it is heart breaking reading about how a man that seems good, and means well, leads Agnes to break her sobriety, and what that means for the family.
And even though most of the book is sad and hard and heartbreaking, it manages to end on a somewhat hopeful note, even if it is not perse happy.

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stefson's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

4.25

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katlouisee's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.5

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encharro's review against another edition

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challenging emotional sad medium-paced

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

5.0

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clemencepct's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.5

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npolanchik's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad medium-paced

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? Yes

4.0

At its core, this is a story about a son’s unwavering love for his mother despite trauma inflicted from relapses with alcohol. It’s a very sad book and Stuart’s writing is poetic.

I wanted to read this book because of its attributes to LGBTQ+ youth. This theme ebbs throughout the book but doesn’t feel like it’s explicitly touched on - and maybe that’s the beauty of it.

At times this book feels slow, but the writing is so encapsulating, you want to continue. I see why this has such acclaim but slow plot and tons of Scottish slang that confused me didn’t make it a 5-star read for me.

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avareadsoccasionally's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

Really well written and heartbreaking. I thought the characters were well written and the author balanced hope and despair in a really good way. It took me a little longer to get through, but was worth it.

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