Reviews

Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

harrisonarachel's review against another edition

3.0

Enjoyed the story, was quite hard to read sometimes just because of the language. Sad, but not a far fetched series of events.

gayatriii's review against another edition

5.0

I'm not one for overtly emotional drivel. I can sense it when a book is written to elicit an emotional response and I will not fall prey to that manipulation. But what I've realised I am a sucker for, is earnest, vulnerable, honest writing that does not have an agenda. It is what it is. Shuggie is so vividly told. It's so charming. It's so funny. And it's so painful. But it's not manipulative. It's not vulgar or grotesque in its details and it's very much a respectful recap of someone's life, and your emotions are your responsibility.

That's not to say that this is an easy read. The punches keep coming, relentlessly. There's substance abuse, rape, emotional abuse, suicide, bullying, exploitation, poverty, near constant alcoholism, death, despair, profound sadness... I had to stop reading halfway through because I was ill and just could not put myself through it. And the fact that it's all being told by a child...

Would I recommend this book? Some of us are masochistic, so yeah maybe. Just writing this review and remembering some parts of the book has made me a little bit sad. I would recommend this book just for everybody to experience that kind of impact...

maddyv's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-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

4.5

sonharaoluar's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective 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? It's complicated

4.0

darth_lil's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-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

4.0

corinnab953's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-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

4.75

kathryn_hallows's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-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

3.5

gemmamcl13's review against another edition

dark reflective sad tense medium-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

5.0

mathieudmrs's review against another edition

emotional sad

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.75

efarmer's review against another edition

emotional sad

4.5