57 pages 1 hour read

Douglas Stuart

Shuggie Bain

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart follows Shuggie, a young boy growing up in 1980s Glasgow, as he faces the struggles of his mother's alcoholism amidst the backdrop of socio-economic decline. Agnes Bain, Shuggie's mother, battles addiction while Shuggie deals with bullying and family hardships, ultimately seeking to find his own identity in a harsh, judgmental society.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Douglas Stuart's Shuggie Bain has garnered acclaim for its raw portrayal of poverty and addiction in Glasgow, with rich character development and deeply affecting prose. However, some critics find its relentless bleakness overwhelming. Overall, readers appreciate its emotional depth and authenticity, despite its heavy subject matter.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Shuggie Bain?

A reader who would enjoy Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart likely appreciates gritty, character-driven narratives set against a backdrop of socio-economic hardship. Fans of Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt or A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara would find this poignant, emotionally complex tale compelling.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Realistic Fiction

Modern Classic Fiction

Historical Fiction

Topics

Addiction / Substance Abuse

LGBTQ

Trauma / Abuse / Violence

Themes

Identity: Sexuality

Relationships: Mothers

Society: Class