A review by absolutive
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

challenging dark emotional funny sad tense 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

3.5

This book was just too sad and grim and bleak and overwhelming. Though there were some beautiful artistic touches and I'm sure that some people really have lived and do live the lives of Shuggie and his mother, reading this book almost felt like grief porn. Love and pride aren't enough. The book did not contain much of a world beyond alcoholism and its negative effects, even though Glasgow in the 1980s surely did.
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