A review by lanafitzgerald
Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart

dark emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

 

My favourite book so far this book. I was completely enamoured by the writing style. Douglas Stuart writes with such gritty realism and it's so utterly captivating. Mungo's voice was crystal clear and every character was written to perfection. I loved the addition of the Glaswegian dialect, which was really immersive. I loved this story, loved Mungo and James' relationship and careful, cautious adoration. They had some beautiful moments, and I was rooting so hard for them, but you just knew it was all going to be ripped apart. I liked the back and forth of the camping scenes and the backstory, and the significance of the camping scenes were revealed with each new chapter of the backstory. It worked so well and flowed so seamlessly. What happened to Mungo at the hands of the two men was so horrible and really, really difficult to read. It was a heartbreaking novel at times and a really uplifting one at others. Douglas Stuart really doesn't shy away from graphic detail, no matter how grim. The family dynamic was written with such precision and the attention to detail was unbelievable. I loved Jodie's character and my heart wrenched for her at times for what she had to put up with, all to protect Mungo, which was all the whole family wanted. Even Hamish, at the end, taking the fall for Mungo, had me nearly in tears. I was so happy with the hopeful ending, the hope of James and Mungo. The only reason this book didn't quite reach 5 stars was that it was just missing one pack of emotion at the end that I felt like it missed out on. Something to make the story tie together perfectly. I needed to cry and sob at the end, but I didn't get that release. I also would've liked to see a little more of James and Mungo's relationship. However, I thought this book was a total masterclass in writing and I'm so glad I picked it up (a total impulse buy based on the provocative cover) and I'm really excited to read Shuggie Bain and whatever else this man writes, because this book was beautiful. 

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