A review by coleyreads
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense slow-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

I went into this one a bit scared because of the hype but I’m so glad I’ve finally read it.

Shuggie Bain is a totally unflinching, heartwarming and heart wrenching story of a Glasgow family in the 80’s.

Shuggie is such a sweet character, and he knows there’s something different about him. It was really bitter sweet to watch his growth! But, the heart and soul of this novel is actually Agnes, the mother of Shuggie and his two siblings. Agnes battles alcoholism and goes through extreme highs and terrible lows, and Shuggie is there every step of the way. The love Shuggie has for his mother is deep and exhausting.

Stuart’s writing was so easy and comforting, I felt like an old friend was telling me a story.

It’s evident how much Douglas Stuart cares for these characters as if they were part of his own life story. I know the author has said a few times that Shuggie Bain is a sort of love letter to his own mother, and I think that’s beautiful.

I can’t wait to read Young Mungo!
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