#25 Shuggie Bain, by Douglas Stuart

 


Booker Prize:  WINNER 2020

Plot Time and Place: Glasgow, Scotland, 1980's, 1990's

Opening sentence:  "The day was flat".

Plot summary:  1981, Glasgow. The city is dying. Poverty is on the rise. When her husband walks out, leaving her with three children, Agnes (Shuggie's mom) turns to alcohol for comfort. The children try their best to save her.

Review:  It's a very sad book. You really feel for Shuggie, a child growing up with an alcoholic mother, and having to take care of her and of himself. I thought it was a bit too long, but I enjoyed it. Although, it's so sad, it's hard to say you enjoyed this. Also I struggled to finish it, the middle section is way too long. I felt like it could have been half the size.

Rating:   3/5





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