A review by brewsandbooks
Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

After reading two of Stuart's books, I can't deny he's an amazing writer. He really takes you into the story and the world, I can visualize everything that is going on in such a cinematic way, but also feel so deeply for all these characters. Mungo is so heartbreaking. He is so naïve and wonderful, it's hard not to love him. I will also always commend him on showing how complicated relationships can be with absent parents. 

I will say that some of this book (at least the first half) almost felt like it was treading old ground. An alcoholic mother, a loving sister who wants to leave, and a brother who is stuck in the area for a while. Then at the 50% mark the entire story fell out from under me. I both liked it and wished it had gotten to that point sooner, almost if we back tracked from one point and not the fishing trip beginning at the beginning of the entire novel. However, I ended up loving seeing Mungo grow and become a man on this weekend, how much he came into himself while still keeping some of his youth. Reading about this character growing up in the nineties in Glasgow is fascinating, and each character really brought it in perspective. I also loved James. He is such an interesting and dynamic character, along with the siblings. It really shows what potential trauma can do to a family.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
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