This is a love story of one little boy for his broken mother. Shuggie is just a child, trying valiantly to protect his mother from the alcohol that is destroying their lives. At the same time he struggles with the homosexuality that has inhabited him at an early age. Shuggie Bain is a book for anyone who has a heart.

This book was heartbreaking.

Donald Stuart is a gifted writer,

Depressing. Hopeless. Profoundly forgettable. I should know better than to trust what the masses say about a book; but I obviously haven’t learned. So cut through all of the noise about this book and save yourself the time and frustration of trying to figure out what the heck everyone is going on about. You’ll thank me if you do and join me in wondering what the heck if you don’t.

This book felt like torture to get through. It was sooo long and boring.

Tough depressing realistic book. If you’re from an alcoholic family you could tell a similar story- I know I can. The writing is unique but this was too familiar to me and I had to push through it.

I was drawn in with the first paragraph. A dark novel that is wonderfully written.

Put me in mind of Faulkner. Would love to see this produced as a play.

Won’t forget Shuggie and Agnes. Vivid storytelling and immersive language. A book that will give you pause and force you to reflect on life’s fortunes and misfortunes.

Wow - this was such a sad story to read, but a familiar one to too many families struggling with addiction and those dysfunctional behaviors that characterize it and the resulting misery, poverty, hunger, helplessness, and hopelessness that follow. In the end, we are only responsible for ourselves, and should never allow shame, fear, or guilt to take away our faith or happiness. And as Eleanor Roosevelt said, “no one can make you feel inferior” ( or shame, guilt, etc per me) “without your consent.” If this book hits home, AA, Al Anon, rehabilitation, and therapy are just phone calls or internet searches away. Based on personal experience, all help immensely! Congratulations to this author for expressing the severe pain and extreme sadness many of us have felt but could not put into words. Heartbreaking but there is hope.