Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

63 reviews

miagw962's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

I am in flames yet I do not burn.

Whoah this was a rough one to get through. I don't really know what to say except that it was pretty depressing and seemed to slog on a lot but I think that's why it's valuable as almost a slice of life story. I've seen a few reviews that said they wanted to hear more from Shuggie and less of Agnes and I agree with that. But overall, I think it's an interesting exploration of familial relationships in a context that I acknowledge is very different from my own. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Rape

sarahcollinson's review against another edition

dark emotional sad slow-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Rape, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Drug abuse, and Suicide attempt

danaaliyalevinson's review

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

5.0

This book is really fucking good. I had read Douglas Stuart’s second novel “Young Mungo” before I read this one and liked it a lot. But this was another level. And I’m glad I didn’t read it before “Young Mungo” because I think I would’ve compared the two and I perhaps wouldn’t have enjoyed his second novel quite as much as I did.

Through the lens of a young queer boy being raised by, and more often taking care of, his alcoholic mother, we explore themes of poverty and addiction.

This book will break your heart… so, of course I loved it. The storytelling is impeccable. The characters are beautifully drawn. Its emotionality burns bright on every page. I highly recommend it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Grief, Alcohol, Self harm, Blood, Child abuse, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Vomit, and Abandonment

Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Pedophilia

lduff1's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Abandonment, Domestic abuse, and Rape

Minor: Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, and Pedophilia

selimhannah's review against another edition

dark emotional sad

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Vomit, Sexual violence, Pedophilia, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Child abuse, Bullying, Violence, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Rape, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Infidelity, Homophobia, and Death

feebles640's review against another edition

dark sad tense 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Self harm, Vomit, Abandonment, Addiction, Alcoholism, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, and Rape

Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Blood, and Body shaming

Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Drug use

raisinflakies's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Self harm, Misogyny, Grief, Gaslighting, Child abuse, Bullying, Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Violence, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Sexism, Rape, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Mental illness, Homophobia, Hate crime, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Death, and Alcoholism

Moderate: Blood, Car accident, Abandonment, Cursing, Drug use, Drug abuse, Excrement, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Infidelity, Medical content, Racism, Transphobia, and Vomit

itsjustbethg's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad 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? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Sexual assault, Racial slurs, Homophobia, Sexual harassment, Mental illness, Drug abuse, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Rape, Suicide attempt, Child abuse, Alcoholism, and Abandonment

sash_bun's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

4.75

This is a beautifully raw and honest portrayal of a young boy’s unconditional love for his mother who has been abused time and time again and turns to drink to cope. Even with how oppressive and grey the novel feels, Douglas Stuart still manages to seek out glimmers of hope here and there which makes your heart swell at times. Excellent writing, very honest and observant. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Homophobia, Sexual violence, and Violence

Moderate: Abandonment

biggareader's review against another edition

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Cancer, Death, Domestic abuse, Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Addiction, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Grief, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Suicide, and Suicide attempt