Reviews

Why does Douglas Stuart want to make us miserable? And why is he SO bloody good at it? He has an incredible talent when it comes to his characters - to make you feel intense and frustrating hopelessness but somehow hold out so much hope for them at the same time.

I was a bit sceptical when I started reading Young Mungo, that it was very similar to Shuggie Bain - similar family set up, themes, etc…, and to be honest that is still true even now I’ve finished it, but the story itself became quite different - it just stomped on my heart the same way Shuggie did.

Stuart’s beautiful and brilliant way with words allows him to describe the most heinous things without going into blatant detail - you are left with that specific kind of heaviness in your heart that you only get from a well written, hard-hitting book. Plenty of TWs in this one, so check them out before you pick it up.

I am really interested to see what Douglas Stuart brings out next - I really hope he’s not a one trick pony because his writing style is stunning and, whilst both of his novels have been exceptional IMO, I would like to see him write a slightly different narrative and see how he does with it.

okd4li's review against another edition

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5.0

volevo tardare la fine di questo libro il più possibile ma come immaginavo, più andavano avanti e più sentivo il bisogno di sapere come finiva la tortuosa vita di questo giovane uomo, Mungo Hamilton.
L’inizio era leggermente lento ma la scrittura mi ha aiutato un sacco.
Trovo che la storia per quanto inizialmente l’arco temporale sia un po’ confuso, appena prendi il giusto ritmo scorre e non senti la pesantezza dei capitoli, soprattutto alcuni che duravano più degli altri.
Dire che l’ho amato è poco! poi il personaggio di mungo davvero perfetto. mi sono sentita molto in sintonia con lui, ho empatizzato un sacco. Volevo essere con lui, sostenerlo e soprattutto fargli capire che non era solo.
Decisamente soddisfatta. Lèggerò sicuramente altro dj questo autore.
Leggetelo! non ve ne pentirete!!!

elspethevans23's review against another edition

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dark 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

helenloraine's review against another edition

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challenging dark hopeful tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Douglas Stuart has such a way with words. His slow build up of the murky grey Glasgow in the late half of the 20th century really help to capture the world in which Young Mungo, and also Douglas, grew up in. The slow pace of it really puts you into this world, of maybe a place you have never lived. You feel the pain and hopelessness that these characters face and instead feel empathy where you might feel judgement. I love Douglas’s books and I can’t wait to see this as a film.

helloashluna's review against another edition

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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

4.5

Oof. So beautiful. So heartbreaking. Just read it.

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