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I read and loved Shuggie Bain, also by Douglas Stuart. And Young Mungo has a lot in common — poverty, a mother who manages to be absent and cloyingly oppressive, a child whose difference brings on violence. Young Mungo has a kind of hope and beauty that Shuggie Bain lacks.

The violence in Young Mungo has a kind of intention that lets you see the characters as real people. Though the women in the book feel like caricatures of people, even when they are loving. The only woman that breaks out is a minor player, a neighbor who sees what is happening.

I read and loved Shuggie Bain, also by Douglas Stuart. And Young Mungo has a lot in common — poverty, a mother who manages to be absent and cloyingly oppressive, a child whose difference brings on violence. Young Mungo has a kind of hope and beauty that Shuggie Bain lacks.

The violence in Young Mungo has a kind of intention that lets you see the characters as real people. Though the women in the book feel like caricatures of people, even when they are loving. The only woman that breaks out is a minor player, a neighbor who sees what is happening.

Via a post on Seth Godwin’s blog

This book is about friendship between women, the country music business, feminism, and writing. And it’s about Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn. The voice feels so authentic and close that it’s hard not to be engaged. A really really wonderful read.

The media and conversation with a UK pal made me put it on the list. What does he say about the monarchy?

Not much that’s interesting it turns out. He tells his personal story. And is most damning about the press. But it hard — even with the big sad in his life — to really read it as a social critique.

I feel vaguely embarrassed that this was the first book I finished this year.

Listening to audio book.