A review by somethingarosie
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

4.0

‘Shuggie Bain’ follows the story of a young boy growing up in poverty-stricken Glasgow in the 1980s, navigating his complicated relationship with his alcoholic mother, Agnes. The book explores themes of addiction, resilience, and the bond between a mother and her son. 

It is an unrelenting portrayal of bleakness, crafting a narrative that's far from an easy read. The book delves deep into the harrowing effects of addiction on the family unit, particularly through the lens of young Shuggie's relationship with his alcoholic mother, Agnes. Stuart's exploration of addiction is both raw and profound, shedding light on its devastating impact with unflinching honesty. However, due to its overwhelmingly sad and sometimes distressing nature, I'd hesitate to recommend it. I’ve read a lot of books in my time, and I think ‘Shuggie Bain’ is the most bleak story I’ve read in a long time, maybe ever. There is no break in the pessimism, it’s unrelenting.

This story is mainly told from Shuggie & Agnes’ POV. It has to be mentioned though, Douglas Stuart skillfully employs multiple points of view to weave a complex tapestry of voices, offering readers varied perspectives on the story's unfolding events. This narrative technique adds depth and richness to the storytelling, allowing readers to gain insight into the lives and struggles of different characters beyond Shuggie himself. However, the seamless switching of POVs can occasionally lead me to be confused as I was unsure of who is speaking at any given time. While this stylistic choice enhances the novel's overall texture, I found myself momentarily disoriented when the narrative switched to someone other than Shuggie or Agnes. 

4⭐️