Scan barcode
A review by lit_laugh_luv
Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart
5.0
Definitely would give this a solid 4.5 stars, though is it genuinely one of the saddest books I’ve ever read. The book focuses on the titular character Mungo who is good hearted but finds himself grappling a queer identity in a homophobic society with a complex family dynamic.
I loved Mungo as a character and his familial relationships felt so well realized. It started slow, but does a good job alternating between timelines to keep suspense going. Definitely not for the faint of heart - be ready for a lot of abuse, neglect, coercion, religious righteousness and homophobia. But would definitely recommend if you’re looking to explore more queer literature that focuses on coming of age and resilience.
“Mungo's capacity for love frustrated her. His loving wasn't selflessness; he simply couldn't help it. Mo-Maw needed so little and he produced too much, so that it all seemed a horrible waste. It was a harvest no one had seeded, and it blossomed from a vine no one had tended. It should have withered years ago, like hers had, like Hamish's had. Yet Mungo had all this love to give and it lay about him like ripened fruit and nobody bothered to gather it up…He would orbit her for an eternity, even as she, and then he, broke into bits.”
I loved Mungo as a character and his familial relationships felt so well realized. It started slow, but does a good job alternating between timelines to keep suspense going. Definitely not for the faint of heart - be ready for a lot of abuse, neglect, coercion, religious righteousness and homophobia. But would definitely recommend if you’re looking to explore more queer literature that focuses on coming of age and resilience.
“Mungo's capacity for love frustrated her. His loving wasn't selflessness; he simply couldn't help it. Mo-Maw needed so little and he produced too much, so that it all seemed a horrible waste. It was a harvest no one had seeded, and it blossomed from a vine no one had tended. It should have withered years ago, like hers had, like Hamish's had. Yet Mungo had all this love to give and it lay about him like ripened fruit and nobody bothered to gather it up…He would orbit her for an eternity, even as she, and then he, broke into bits.”