A review by sarahasyouwish
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This was a very well done look at poverty and addiction as it relates to one particular family and their struggles in Glasgow, Scotland. My heart went out to the ever optimistic Shuggie as his family heaved under the weight of his mother’s alcoholism. This book pulls back the covers and gives you a gritty, bleak look, but it also managed to have moments of humor and hope sprinkled in as well. The Bains felt very real and believable so much so that this often felt like a memoir.
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