Shuggie Bain - has anyone else read it?

Silverbridge. I listened to the audio version too and I thought the narrator was really excellent. Between him and the author every scene was brought to life for me.

It’s a really grim and gritty novel about a family living in the poorest part of Glasgow in the 1980s. I found it disturbing in parts and certainly thought provoking, but brilliant and memorable. I found it one of those books that stays with you after you’ve finished it. I think the author must have drawn on personal experience to write it. If you’re offended by very strong language and explicit sexual content this is not the book for you, but I was gripped by it.

I listened to the audio book version read by Angus King and enjoyed the story despite it's bleakness. Guardian and Observer reviews here:

www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jul/31/shuggie-bain-by-douglas-stuart-review-a-rare-and-gritty-debut

www.theguardian.com/books/2020/aug/09/shuggie-bain-by-douglas-stuart-review-lithe-revelatory-debut

From the second:

This is a deeply political novel, one about the impact of Thatcherism on Glaswegian society, which became a place of “men rotting into the settee for want of decent work”. It is brilliant on the shame of poverty and the small, necessary dignities that keep people going. It is heartbreakingly good on childhood and Shuggie’s growing sense of his otherness, of not being the same as the other boys on the estate. As he grows, and Agnes sinks, there’s a sense of inevitability to the story, but this does not make it predictable; rather the reader is gripped, hoping desperately that the boy and his mother free themselves from the twin traps of poverty and alcoholism.

I read it some months ago as was keen to do so. I agree it was worth the prize but not the Glasgow I remember. Of course, it was set in the 80s and my memories are of the 60s. I neve lived in a Glasgow housing scheme either. I am glad I read it but definitely not a "feel good" read although I knew that before I started. I think there is room left for a sequel. I also think it is semi -autobiographical.

I’m halfway through it. It’s bleak and although it isn’t a life I recognise it’s the life lived by many people.

I think it is well written and although I can’t say it’s enjoyable I’ll finish it as it takes me out of my comfort zone and is thought provoking.

I read it during lockdown. I thought about giving it up once or twice. For a first novel it’s truly amazing and deserved its Booker Prize, but when I’d finished it I felt scoured by the sheer bleakness of it.

I was thinking of getting it but was put off by some reviews I read that mentioned it wasn’t like the Scotland they knew etc etc. Would appreciate your views.

I haven’t read it, but I think Urmstongran (a big reader) mentioned it

Hello op, I haven’t read the book, but I had to stop and comment on your username. It made me smile - is it a reference to the lady in the knitted hat from Take the Highroad?