Reviews

Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart

reflectiverambling_nalana's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

3.0

To its credit, "Young Mungo" is beautifully written. The author really knows how to vividly paint a scene. It also calls to attention serious issues and lightens some elements of social interaction history that people not of the area might not be attuned to. The author does truly know how to make the reader ache for his characters. 

However I think I am an absolute outlier when it comes to this book. Or, it could just be that it is a case of hearing too much hype. Ultimately, I thought this book was good. I did not see what about it that blew people away. 

To me, overall, there wasn't a lot that was really that new to this story. It was gritty, yes. There were atrocities. There was an attempt to balance out some moments of light with the strong family bonds between Mungo and his sister as well as his love interest. I also recognize that people can 'shut off' to shield themselves. But our title character felt so monotone without ever giving an impression or realization of being numb to things that I had a very hard time connecting beyond recognizing that he was in a terrible situation and feeling empathy as I would for any human. It wasn't a case of that on top of an investment. 

I think in part it's because, unfortunately, stories of kids and families like these are all too common. it might also just be a matter that I wasn't in the mood for something that is just an over arching, slow burn, continual tragedy. Though I do give props to the author for being gutsy enough to stick to the misery in places where others might not. 

I recognize that there is craft in this, it just isn't one that resonated with me. 

engelen_sander's review against another edition

3.5

Was this much violence really necessary?

sammyunhinged's review against another edition

dark sad medium-paced

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

4.5

sydsmith23's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

neilkavanagh's review against another edition

4.0

Its so bleak, hard to read at times.

onetrackmind77's review against another edition

emotional sad tense medium-paced

4.0

rintintin's review against another edition

dark 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? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

sneha_sarcar's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

• 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

shonawilson97's review against another edition

3.0

This book was beautifully written, I just never felt like I was really enjoying it. It was gruesome and hard to read for a lot of the book. But you cannot deny how well written it is!

jadenidk's review against another edition

5.0

So sad