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hodgeonlucy 's review for:
Young Mungo
by Douglas Stuart
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Good golly, if you want a book to emotionally devastate you, this is the one.
Stuart’s writing style is one of the best I have ever encountered; it is accessible yet so evocative, dry, and absolutely heartbreaking all in one. It is truly a marvel, an author who really takes your breath away with their ability to string words and sentences together in a way that can crush you that no one else can.
Despite how gorgeous the prose is, this tale is so gritty it feels like sandpaper to the brain. Every chapter in this book holds such pain and trauma that I can’t recommend it to everyone, especially those who may have navigated topics that are explored in this book like abuse, sexual assault, and alcohol addiction.
However, for those who feel able and willing to read this book, you truly won’t regret it - even if the pain and emotional damage more of reading it may never leave you. It is a harrowing depiction of poverty, social isolation, and cycles of family abuse that stings but in a necessary way. In short, it is a story that needs to be heard and listened to. If you do choose to take that advice literally and access the audio version, you won’t be disappointed; if anything, the narrator’s skill adds to this book and makes it truly unforgettable.
Stuart’s writing style is one of the best I have ever encountered; it is accessible yet so evocative, dry, and absolutely heartbreaking all in one. It is truly a marvel, an author who really takes your breath away with their ability to string words and sentences together in a way that can crush you that no one else can.
Despite how gorgeous the prose is, this tale is so gritty it feels like sandpaper to the brain. Every chapter in this book holds such pain and trauma that I can’t recommend it to everyone, especially those who may have navigated topics that are explored in this book like abuse, sexual assault, and alcohol addiction.
However, for those who feel able and willing to read this book, you truly won’t regret it - even if the pain and emotional damage more of reading it may never leave you. It is a harrowing depiction of poverty, social isolation, and cycles of family abuse that stings but in a necessary way. In short, it is a story that needs to be heard and listened to. If you do choose to take that advice literally and access the audio version, you won’t be disappointed; if anything, the narrator’s skill adds to this book and makes it truly unforgettable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Abortion, Murder, Alcohol