Books

[SteveH]

Currently reading 'Julia' by Sandra Newman, a retelling of Orwell's 'Nineteen Eighty-four' from the point of view of Orwell's anti-heroine. Doubleplusgood so far - she captures the dirty seediness of Oceania well; the blocked toilets and bed bugs and coarse soap that makes the skin itch.

[Aruntraveller]

I am currently reading "Young Mungo" by Douglas Stuart.

It is set in 1990's Glasgow and is a very vivid portrait of that time. I don't know enough about Glasgow to comment on its complete accuracy, but it has brilliantly realised characters and wonderful dialogue. 

Apparently, the BBC have commissioned a TV adaptation of the book.

[Nearly Sane]

I am currently reading "Young Mungo" by Douglas Stuart.

It is set in 1990's Glasgow and is a very vivid portrait of that time. I don't know enough about Glasgow to comment on its complete accuracy, but it has brilliantly realised characters and wonderful dialogue. 

Apparently, the BBC have commissioned a TV adaptation of the book.

I read Shuggie Bain, his previous book, and felt conflicted by it. I did think that the dialogue and catacterisation were the best bits. I did also feel that it went down the route of 'poverty porn' a lot and wasn't the most balanced reflection of life. I think he writes in some was in a picaresque style so it's more exaggerated than accurate in that sense. I hadn't felt inclined to pick up Young Mungo on the basis of Shuggie Bain, but I might well do now given you are enjoying it.

[Aruntraveller]

Well, now that you mention it, poverty porn..hmm.

Also, it is much more violent than the fiction I normally read. Still, I did find it engrossing and very well-written.

Having now looked at the themes of "Shuggie Bain" I probably won't read that, as it sounds as if the author was mining the same seam.