Knowing that this story pulls a lot from the author’s life is what really upped the rating on this for me. I’m kind of amazed at his compassionate portrayal of an alcoholic mother having had one himself. I’m relieved that the author seems to be in a healthy place if even a little bit of this book is straight from his life! I’d have called this book melodramatic and probably liked it less if I didn’t know the author has a similar story. Since it is his story, I don’t feel like he’s manipulating me for emotional impact, or not as much.

It’s rare that a book makes me tear up, but when Agnes first kicks Shuggie out near the end of the book, that hit me hard. Just so sad to read people self-destruct and hurt others on the way down. In contrast, his mother dying the way she did surprised me but didn’t make me cry. It was a little sudden, I think.

I don’t give this 5 stars because my favorite kind of books get really internal, and I was never deep in Shuggie’s head. The scene when his mother dies is a good example of when I’d like to know so much more than what the author has given me about the character’s thoughts.

I was happy to have that hopeful moment in the end when Shuggie dances. It feels like he is starting to become comfortable with who he is, and that his mother was able to pass on at least one nugget of wisdom to him.