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blues's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Ho adorato particolarmente tutte le metafore che Douglas Stuart ha utilizzato per descrivere i sentimenti di Mungo e di tutti questi personaggi, facendomi sempre capire appieno la sensazione che voleva trasmettermi.
Un'altra cosa che ho amato sono le descrizioni degli ambienti: riuscivo davvero a sentirmi dentro ai posti che raccontava. Non solo li vedevo nella mia testa, ma ne sentivo anche gli odori, i rumori e i sapori. Ero davvero insieme ai personaggi.
Questo libro mi ha preso il cuore e me l'ha strappato in mille pezzi, ma mi ha anche lasciato una parte di Mungo, che si muoverà con me ovunque io andrò.
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Violence, Outing, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Abandonment, Homophobia, Murder, Pregnancy, Abortion, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Sexism
Moderate: Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Infidelity, Death, Blood, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Vomit, Bullying, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
Minor: Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Grief
lindseyhall44's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I have never felt so absolutely gutted after finishing a book, nor have I wanted to give a character a hug as much as Mungo. Stuart writes such a devastating story of a sweet soul who deserved so much more than what he was given. After checking trigger warnings, I would highly recommend, this is a new favorite for me.
Graphic: Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Death, Sexual violence, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Addiction, Sexual assault, Rape, Outing, Murder, Homophobia, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Hate crime, and Pedophilia
stephh's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Growing up in Glasgow in the 80s is tough for young Mungo; a guy who doesn't quite fit in anywhere: not with his gang-leading brother Hamish, his smart sister Josie or their alcoholic mother. But when he meets James, he finally finds his slot in the world and a solid friend at last. This is a violent story of growing up gay, with Mungo on a journey of self discovery that leads him to a darkness that is hard to read through.
I found at the start that this might be a little too similar to Shuggie, but as the book went on it felt very different. This was a much more violent book where Shuggie was more bleak. It was a really hard read that I had to give myself little breaks from at times, but interspersed between these awful bits were moments of much more happiness than you ever saw in Shuggie. However I felt myself drawn to reading the book - a bit like a car crash you can't help but watch unveil. Reading this is all I thought about for the few days I was reading it, and Douglas Stuart's writing is so incredible that this had to be a 5 star read.
*The book should come with a massive trigger warning for sexual assault and rape.*
Graphic: Alcoholism, Homophobia, Murder, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Pedophilia, Rape, Child abuse, Death, and Hate crime
margauxxx's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Pedophilia, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Violence, and Rape
archiedh's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Stuart’s description is lyrical and evocative, able to conjure every speck of dirt in a scene and make it feel as though it is stuck to your skin or caked under your nails. The characterisation is wonderful with even minor players feeling fully realised and more nuanced than they might initially appear. Standouts are easily Jodie and Chickie Calhoun.
And at the centre of it, we have James and Mungo. The scenes with them offer a respite from the horror, tactile, intimate, and romantic. Stuart captures blossoming romance almost scarily well.
It is by no means a light or fun read, some chapters even feel pulled out of a horror novel, but it is deeply affecting and a book I can see myself thinking about for a long while.
Graphic: Homophobia, Violence, and Rape
Moderate: Pedophilia, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Child abuse, and Abortion
readingatthemuseum's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Animal cruelty, Death, Animal death, Murder, Rape, Blood, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Misogyny, Abortion, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Hate crime, Child abuse, Excrement, Drug use, Violence, and Religious bigotry
juliep810's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Violence, Addiction, Blood, Sexual assault, Body horror, Child abuse, Mental illness, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, and Rape
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Pregnancy, Abortion, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Religious bigotry, Toxic relationship, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Abandonment, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Outing
mazzie's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Sexual violence, Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Pedophilia, Rape, and Violence
msteasam's review
4.5
Graphic: Pedophilia, Alcoholism, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Murder, Domestic abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Homophobia, and Rape
ekholm13's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Rape, Alcoholism, and Pedophilia