Reviews tagging 'Death'

Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

90 reviews

vls847's review against another edition

dark emotional sad slow-paced

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

1.5

I really didn't get on with Shuggie Bain despite it being so highly reviewed. I
found the book so repetitive, I guess the repetition was mostly due the Agnes'
cycle of being an alcoholic but after a while it just became too unreadable. I've
read sad novels before but this just seemed to focus on sadness with
absolutely no hint of joy or other personality trait for the characters.
Realistically, I should have just given up on reading this but I'd paid quite a lot
for my copy oops. It's a 2 star as I did quite enjoy the first few and very last
chapters.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Addiction, Child abuse, Alcoholism, Death, and Death of parent

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

burbs's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Addiction

Moderate: Sexual assault and Child abuse

csteidl93's review against another edition

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Child abuse

Minor: Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Pedophilia, and Vomit

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

rachell37's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad

• 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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, and Child abuse

Moderate: Death of parent, Rape, Death, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Suicide attempt

katiehuntington's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Vomit, Death, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Violence, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Homophobia, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt

laner's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Sexual harassment, Self harm, Alcohol, Suicide attempt, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Rape

Moderate: Death of parent, Cursing, Death, and Grief

bookshelf_of_jess's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense medium-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

This book was absolutely fantastic. I laughed and I cried in equal amounts. I just didn’t want it to end. Poor little Shuggie broke my heart, he is such an amazingly written character. His story highlights the struggles of addiction and poverty in a heart wrenching way. Douglas Stuart is an incredibly talented writer and I cannot wait to read Young Mungo now.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Death, Homophobia, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

naomiwhit's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Rape

Moderate: Death, Homophobia, and Vomit

Minor: Fire/Fire injury