57 pages • 1 hour read
Young Mungo
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Book Brief
392
Novel • Fiction
Glasgow, Scotland • 1990s
2022
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart follows Mungo, a 15-year-old from a working-class Glasgow neighborhood, who navigates familial dysfunction, gang violence, and a forbidden romance with James, a Catholic boy. The dual narrative shifts between his life in Glasgow and a fateful weekend in the Scottish countryside with two men who subject him to severe trauma. The book contains depictions of sexual abuse, anti-gay bias, addiction, and physical abuse.
Dark
Gritty
Melancholic
Emotional
Mysterious
Reviews & Readership
76,389 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Douglas Stuart's Young Mungo explores tender yet fraught themes of love and survival. Critics laud its richly drawn characters and evocative portrayal of Glasgow's working-class life. However, some note a reliance on bleakness that may overshadow the narrative's emotional depth. Overall, it's seen as a powerful follow-up to Stuart's debut.
Who Should Read Young Mungo?
Readers who appreciate intense, emotionally charged narratives set against gritty backdrops would enjoy Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart. Fans of Shuggie Bain or A Little Life may find this evocative exploration of love and hardship compelling. Ideal for those drawn to deeply rendered characters and social realism.
76,389 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
392
Novel • Fiction
Glasgow, Scotland • 1990s
2022
Adult
18+ years
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