Young Mungo

I went in not knowing anything about this book and expecting a fairly light coming-of-age romance book. That is not what this is, but I was far from disappointed.

A moving and powerful read that really explores themes that I recognise growing up in Scotland in the 90s / early 00s (although nothing remotely like the events of the book). It's an emotional look back at a very recent past, but also shows how far we've come.

Highly recommend this book. One of the highlights of my 2024 reading year. I'm excited to read Douglas Stuart's first novel.

Audiobook. Brutal but brilliant.

Similar premise to his first book: gay boy with alcoholic mother in Glasgow. But different enough and also superbly executed. Full of precisely drawn, skin-crawling characters & behaviour, from the psychopathic but protective brother, the deadly Protestant vs Catholic brawls, and the slimey alcoholic older male "role models". Such an unattractive cover!