The Booker Prize Podcast

Why you should read Shuggie Bain (If you haven't already)

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A happy Burns Night to one and all. In honour of this day of celebration for ol' Rabbie Burns, and by extension all Scottish literature, we're taking a dive into one of the most popular Booker Prize winners: Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart. The novel, Stuart's debut, presents a blistering and heartbreaking exploration of the unsinkable love that only children can have for their damaged parents.


In this episode Jo and James:

  • Share a brief biography of Douglas Stuart
  • Summarise the plot of Shuggie Bain
  • Discuss their thoughts on the novel
  • Delve into the characters, particularly Shuggie and his mother, Agnes
  • Consider the idea of the divided self in Scottish literature


    • Reading list:

    • Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart
    • Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart
    • Loitering With Intent by Muriel Spark
    • His Bloody Project by Graeme Macrae Burnet


      • A full transcript of the episode is available at our website.


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