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Shuggie Bain
- Narrated by: Angus King
- Length: 17 hrs and 30 mins
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Shuggie Bain
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Summary
Winner of the Booker Prize
Winner of 'Book of the Year' at the British Book Awards
A BBC 'Big Jubilee Read'
A heart-wrenchingly moving novel set in Glasgow during the Thatcher years, Shuggie Bain tells the story of a boy's doomed attempt to save his proud, alcoholic mother from her addiction.
It is 1981. Glasgow is dying and good families must grift to survive. Agnes Bain has always expected more from life, dreaming of greater things. But Agnes is abandoned by her philandering husband, and as she descends deeper into drink, the children try their best to save her, yet one by one they must abandon her to save themselves.
It is her son Shuggie who holds out hope the longest. Shuggie is different, he is clearly no’ right. But Shuggie believes that if he tries his hardest, he can be normal like the other boys and help his mother escape this hopeless place.
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart lays bare the ruthlessness of poverty, the limits of love, and the hollowness of pride. For fans of A Little Life and Angela's Ashes, it is a heartbreaking novel by a brilliant writer with a powerful and important story to tell.
Critic reviews
"Douglas Stuart has written a first novel of rare and lasting beauty." (Observer)
"We were bowled over by this first novel, which creates an amazingly intimate, compassionate, gripping portrait of addiction, courage and love." (The judges of the Booker Prize)
"A heartbreaking novel." (The Times)
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What listeners say about Shuggie Bain
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Pauline
- 30-04-20
Tragic and funny
Probably one of the most tragic books I’ve read/listened to for ages.
Poor Agnes drinking herself to oblivion to be rid of her own life’s bitter disappointments; and poor Shuggie taking on the responsibility of trying to save her.
Touching, relevant, outright laughable in places, raw, and emotional, a memory of Thatcher’s harsh legacy in Scotland.
I loved it and was so disappointed when it ended.
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27 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- nev kidd
- 09-12-21
Breathtakingly beautiful book.
Bittersweet, powerful and wonderfully written, the story of a childhood that so many endure and so many more ignore.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kate78
- 15-08-21
My best read this year
Despite the harrowing subject, this is such a brilliantly written, rich and humane book that I couldn’t stop listening. Haven’t been so absorbed for a very long time. Stuart brings to life characters with amazing depth of feeling and honesty. A brilliant read from start to finish.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr. J. E. Deane
- 20-12-20
Better read by someone with a stronger accent
Better read by someone with a stronger accent, the Krankies maybe :-) great book tho and worth listen
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- John Robson
- 16-12-20
Amazing.
Best book of the year. Shuggie and Agnes are unforgettable. Have given this book to everyone I know.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Avid Reader
- 27-11-21
Remarkable story remarkably told
Piteous and yet inspiring, a strange, sometimes cruel story of love and persistance against a dreadfully common, deadly illness that blights lives, families and societies. Yet Shuggie’s love and spirit shines though, I congratulate the Booker judges for so applauding this atmospheric tour de force. There but for the grace of circumstance………
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 05-02-22
A must read!
Dark and beautiful. I so loved it. Narration really brought it to life for me.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- D
- 05-12-21
Difficult to listen to at times
Beautifully written and read. Gritty, real, no frills. The descriptions and life experiences, I imagine are totally real, despite being a work of fiction. I awarded only 4 stars for the overall score as surely there was some joy in these characters lives? However, I was totally committed to listening to the book. I couldn't listen if I was having a bad day.
I did enjoy it but would not recommend it to friends going through difficult times.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 15-07-21
Best audio book for a long time
Loved this. The story will stay with me for a long time,very thought provoking.I was so glad I listened to it instead of reading, it made it so much more vivid. Excellent characterization. Thanks to author and to reader.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 21-01-22
Addictive read!!
This is a sad book because I can imagine some lives are like this. I really wanted it to turn out differently. The narrator was very good.
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