Scan barcode
tom_pietra's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Murder, Outing, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
lauradvb's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
sundaynessie's review
- Strong character development? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Sexual harassment
foxonabook's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved Shuggie Bain and it was hands down my best read of 2021, and as soon as it was announced, Young Mungo became my most anticipated read of 2022.
Douglas Stuart has done it again. Young Mungo is a raw, brutal and captivating coming-of-age story. Just as with Shuggie Bain, the characters are so well written they could have easily been real people you’d heard of through friends. Not all characters are likeable, especially Mo-Maw and Hamish, however Stuart’s skill means that you are still capable of pitying and sympathising with characters who seem to have little to no redeeming qualities. Stuart also did a brilliant job at making Glasgow a secondary character, with its the sectarian and working class culture presented as facets of the city’s complex personality.
Although the book explores similar themes as his debut, such as growing up in a dysfunctional household with an emotionally immature, addict single mother, this book is a lot darker than Shuggie Bain. I don’t want to share too much of the plot out of fear of spoiling it, but I will say that it is heavy with some light, tender moments in between. I was hooked from very early on, but I had to put the book down at several points just to give myself some breathing space before continuing.
I loved the ending though I’m not sure if many will feel the same since it doesn’t offer the reader the same cautiously optimistic and hopeful ending that things might turn out alright like Shuggie Bain did. Instead, I was left mourning for the innocence that Mungo was so violently robbed of, with the ending being reminiscent of the working class Glaswegians who were surrounded by sectarianism, addiction and gang violence.
I’m now going to make myself a very strong cup of tea and nurse this book hangover (which was absolutely worth it). Thank you NetGalley, Picador and Douglas Stuart for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Blood, Vomit, Religious bigotry, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Abortion and Pregnancy
saoirsebb's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Abortion, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
daisywilkes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Cursing, Drug use, Hate crime, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Blood, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment