Shuggie Bain

“Shuggie Bain” by Douglas Stuart is a heart-breaking yet powerful exploration of poverty and addiction in a working-class family from Glasgow, Scotland. The story follows the life of eight-year-old Shuggie as he navigates his way through the struggles of growing up with an alcoholic mother and a father who is absent during most of his childhood. Through Shuggie’s perspective, we see the devastating effects that poverty and addiction can have on a family, but also how love and resilience can help to survive even the darkest days. With beautiful prose, Stuart captures the raw emotions of this unique coming-of-age story, giving readers an intimate look into the life of a young boy trying his best to make it through each day. It is a heartbreaking yet ultimately uplifting tale that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.