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A review by clem
Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for providing me with an ARC of one of my most-anticipated 2022 releases!
At first glance, <i>Young Mungo</i>'s premise seems similar to <i>Shuggie Bain</i>: we have a soft-hearted gay boy growing up in working class east Glasgow, the youngest of three siblings and still clinging to the love of his absent alcoholic mother while the other two have detached from her. But the plot veers in an entirely different direction.
There are two timelines here: one follows Mungo's life in Glasgow as he struggles to live up to the expectations of his brother Hamish, a gang leader, and sister Jodie, who wants to escape her working class life and for Mungo to find a way out too. The novel is billed primarily as the love story between Mungo, who is Protestant, and James, a Catholic. But the relationship between Mungo and James is only a small fraction of the story - tender and well-developed despite its economy. The family dynamics, the cycle of poverty, violence, and addiction, and Mungo's struggles to survive as a soft, loving teenage boy in a harsh world are all equally important aspects of the novel. I personally would say the narrative of loss of innocence is the primary dynamic here.
James's greatest desire is to leave Glasgow and his homophobic father, and Mungo dreams of joining him. When we do see Mungo outside of the city, it is in the second timeline: he is on a fishing trip with two older criminals. I don't want to say much about this timeline because I think it's best to know very little about it, but it functions as scaffolding for the entire novel and it's very effective.
Though at times the writing was a little bit clunky, in general I find Stuart's prose both readable and evocative. The dialogue in <i>Shuggie Bain</i> brought the whole thing to life for me, and he continues to excel there. Glasgow lifts off the page, vibrant and in constant motion. Stuart's character work is wonderful - compassionate, complex. Even minor characters come to life at his hands. Though the story is sad, though there is trauma coursing through the pages, the novel never feels maudlin. The way Stuart depicts the social failings that create violence, the moments of levity, the humour in the characters' banter all make the book feel like much more than a voyeuristic window into suffering.
I'm confident that those who loved <i>Shuggie</i> will love this one. Stuart remains a fantastic chronicler of queer life and love in 80s and 90s working class Glasgow.
At first glance, <i>Young Mungo</i>'s premise seems similar to <i>Shuggie Bain</i>: we have a soft-hearted gay boy growing up in working class east Glasgow, the youngest of three siblings and still clinging to the love of his absent alcoholic mother while the other two have detached from her. But the plot veers in an entirely different direction.
There are two timelines here: one follows Mungo's life in Glasgow as he struggles to live up to the expectations of his brother Hamish, a gang leader, and sister Jodie, who wants to escape her working class life and for Mungo to find a way out too. The novel is billed primarily as the love story between Mungo, who is Protestant, and James, a Catholic. But the relationship between Mungo and James is only a small fraction of the story - tender and well-developed despite its economy. The family dynamics, the cycle of poverty, violence, and addiction, and Mungo's struggles to survive as a soft, loving teenage boy in a harsh world are all equally important aspects of the novel. I personally would say the narrative of loss of innocence is the primary dynamic here.
James's greatest desire is to leave Glasgow and his homophobic father, and Mungo dreams of joining him. When we do see Mungo outside of the city, it is in the second timeline: he is on a fishing trip with two older criminals. I don't want to say much about this timeline because I think it's best to know very little about it, but it functions as scaffolding for the entire novel and it's very effective.
Though at times the writing was a little bit clunky, in general I find Stuart's prose both readable and evocative. The dialogue in <i>Shuggie Bain</i> brought the whole thing to life for me, and he continues to excel there. Glasgow lifts off the page, vibrant and in constant motion. Stuart's character work is wonderful - compassionate, complex. Even minor characters come to life at his hands. Though the story is sad, though there is trauma coursing through the pages, the novel never feels maudlin. The way Stuart depicts the social failings that create violence, the moments of levity, the humour in the characters' banter all make the book feel like much more than a voyeuristic window into suffering.
I'm confident that those who loved <i>Shuggie</i> will love this one. Stuart remains a fantastic chronicler of queer life and love in 80s and 90s working class Glasgow.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Murder, and Abandonment
Minor: Abortion