Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart

The novelist's first novel and this one are set in similar circumstances, slightly set apart by time but the elements of poverty, alcoholism, and parenting that is either absent or cruel. Shuggie was a boy and Mungo is a teen, but they could have been living on the same street there are so many overlaps. That does not in any way detract from the genius of the author's story telling and his ability to bring difficult things to the reader's attention. Mungo Hamilton is the youngest of three children. The family lives on a Glasgow scheme rife with sectarian violence. Mungo's people are Protestants, with the oldest brother, Hamish, the leader of a gang of teenagers who rob and intimidate the local Catholics. Jodie, Mungo’s sister, is a bright and ambitious young woman in a miserable and manipulative relationship with a teacher at school. Mungo is awkward, handsome, and sensitive. With their father long dead, all children live in the shadow of their mother, Mo-Maw, an alcoholic with the same mixture of charm, compassion and cruelty. Horrible things happen, and Mungo survives the best he can. Do not miss this, especially if you loved Shuggie Bain.