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A review by rzh
Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was absolutely beautiful. I wouldn't change a thing.
I love Glasgow, and this is obviously written by someone who loves it just as I do: the descriptions of all the streets, all the people...just mesmerising, makes me want to tear up. Every single character has a story, a reason for their ways, a mammy at home... and it never feels overbearing, or too much background. The way it deals with class and sectarianism and alcoholism and toxic masculinity is heartbreaking and red raw. I've seen some people say that this is just a rehashing of Shuggie Bain, and though I can certainly see that, I read another book by Douglas Stuart because I loved Shuggie Bain, and everything it was about. This was different, but not too different where I felt like it was off piste. The non-linear structure built together into a crescendo absolutely beautifully, the prose was so stunning, its about my favourite place in the world for all its flaws... it was just heartbreaking, and magical, and that's everything I loved about Shuggie Bain, and loved all the more here. Jist perfect. <3
I love Glasgow, and this is obviously written by someone who loves it just as I do: the descriptions of all the streets, all the people...just mesmerising, makes me want to tear up. Every single character has a story, a reason for their ways, a mammy at home... and it never feels overbearing, or too much background. The way it deals with class and sectarianism and alcoholism and toxic masculinity is heartbreaking and red raw. I've seen some people say that this is just a rehashing of Shuggie Bain, and though I can certainly see that, I read another book by Douglas Stuart because I loved Shuggie Bain, and everything it was about. This was different, but not too different where I felt like it was off piste. The non-linear structure built together into a crescendo absolutely beautifully, the prose was so stunning, its about my favourite place in the world for all its flaws... it was just heartbreaking, and magical, and that's everything I loved about Shuggie Bain, and loved all the more here. Jist perfect. <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Rape, Homophobia, Violence, Abandonment, Alcohol, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Blood, Classism, Drug use, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Outing, Sexual violence, Sexual content, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Vomit, Miscarriage, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Abortion and Suicide attempt