‘Shuggie Bain’ by Douglas Stuart is the author’s debut novel, inspired by his own life. And as hard as it was to read, it was just as brilliant.
Set in 1980s Glasgow, the story follows Shuggie, a young boy growing up in poverty with his mother, Agnes, whose battle with alcoholism shapes their lives. Shuggie adores his mother, despite the instability and hardship that come with her addiction. As he struggles to care for her and navigate his own identity, he is also an outsider—bullied for his mannerisms, his queerness, and his inability to conform to the rough world around him. The novel paints a harrowing yet tender picture of a boy longing for love and belonging, set against a backdrop of economic despair.
It's an exceptionally well-written book—deeply moving, beautifully crafted, and incredibly heartbreaking. Shuggie’s gayness is both central and incidental to the story; while it shapes his experiences, the novel is ultimately about survival, love, and the crushing weight of addiction and poverty.
CW: alcoholism, drug abuse, (child) abuse, rape, suicide
Comments