Every few years there comes along a book which simply blows you over, makes you rethink your entire life and be proud and grateful for it.
Shuggie Bain is one such book.
I despised her but I rooted for her. I hoped Shuggie would leave her and let her be but instantly wanted Shuggie to come back when he left her (how could he do such a thing to her). I felt this strange emptiness when she passed away even though I knew, with her around, Shuggie would spend the rest of his life in her misery. Yes she was mean, demanding and never present for her children but again she was protective and caring for them as well( at least when she was sober). She was after all his "Mammy", no matter how much she pushed and bullied him, she was the only one he had left.
Shuggie Bain is such a profoundly sad book. In your heart you know how it is going to end but you keep hoping "when she gets better I've to take care of her". It is like the hope that never sees the light of the day just the endless dark clouds of doubt and despair, despair so profound that a 7 year old can feel his stomach churning every time he gets to his home from school.
It is not an easy book to read with the Scottish dialect and all but the book has it's heart in the right place. It will leave you enthralled and with an emptiness inside like someone pulled out your heart from inside and now you're left with that numb feeling.
by Tojo_001