A review by archiedh
Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart

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

4.5

Heart-wrenching and often extremely difficult to read, Young Mungo is a gut punch of a book, unflinchingly detailing gang violence, poverty, and homophobia in 80s Glasgow. 
Stuart’s description is lyrical and evocative, able to conjure every speck of dirt in a scene and make it feel as though it is stuck to your skin or caked under your nails. The characterisation is wonderful with even minor players feeling fully realised and more nuanced than they might initially appear. Standouts are easily Jodie and Chickie Calhoun. 
And at the centre of it, we have James and Mungo. The scenes with them offer a respite from the horror, tactile, intimate, and romantic. Stuart captures blossoming romance almost scarily well. 
It is by no means a light or fun read, some chapters even feel pulled out of a horror novel, but it is deeply affecting and a book I can see myself thinking about for a long while.
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