A review by greypaperboats
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

dark reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

This is one of the best, most heartbreaking books I've read in a long while. The characters are written with such compassionate clarity. They've found a home in my heart. There is not much I can respond with except that I'll be carrying this story with me, hoping that if anyone has Shuggie's heart it should be everyone or no one. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Domestic abuse, Addiction, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Self harm, Rape, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Mental illness, Infidelity, Homophobia, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, Death, Child abuse, Bullying, and Abandonment