A review by fatkidatheartreads
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

dark emotional
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

"She was no use at maths homework, and some days you could starve rather than get a hot meal from her, but Shuggie looked at her now and understood this was where she excelled. Everyday with the make-up on and her hair done, she climbed out of her grave and held her head high. When she had disgraced herself with drink, she got up the next day, put on her best coat, and faced the world. When her belly was empty and her weans were hungry, she did her hair and let the world think otherwise."

A wonderful but haunting story of Shuggie Bain and his mother. It's so terrifying to see how two major decisions made by Agnes Bain shaped the entirety of her life and her children's lives. It was a heavy but necessary read and I took my time living in 1980s Glasgow. This is not a book to be rushed. Reading it, I understand why it deservedly won the 2020 International booker prize. 

Shuggie Bain is a portrayal of addiction and resilience in the face of it. Other themes include sexuality and social & economic struggles in working class and struggling communities.

Content warnings ; sexual violence, homophobia, pedophilia, domestic abuse, misogyny, addiction.

Rating; 4 stars 🌟

Also, Shuggie's and Leanne's friendship reminded me of Mandy and Ian from Shameless and that made me smile.
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