Douglas Stuart's Young Mungo explores tender yet fraught themes of love and survival. Critics laud its richly drawn characters and evocative portrayal of Glasgow's working-class life. However, some note a reliance on bleakness that may overshadow the narrative's emotional depth. Overall, it's seen as a powerful follow-up to Stuart's debut.

Readers who appreciate intense, emotionally charged narratives set against gritty backdrops would enjoy Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart. Fans of Shuggie Bain or A Little Life may find this evocative exploration of love and hardship compelling. Ideal for those drawn to deeply rendered characters and social realism.

Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart follows Mungo, a 15-year-old from a working-class Glasgow neighborhood, who navigates familial dysfunction, gang violence, and a forbidden romance with James, a Catholic boy. The dual narrative shifts between his life in Glasgow and a fateful weekend in the Scottish countryside with two men who subject him to severe trauma. The book contains depictions of sexual abuse, anti-gay bias, addiction, and physical abuse.

Dark / Gritty / Melancholic / Emotional / Mysterious

- Young Mungo is Douglas Stuart's second novel, following his highly acclaimed debut, Shuggie Bain, which won the 2020 Booker Prize.
- The novel, like Stuart's first, is set in Glasgow, drawing heavily on the author's own experiences growing up in the city.
- Before becoming a full-time author, Douglas Stuart worked as a fashion designer for over 20 years, contributing his artistic flair to the narrative style of his novels.

Douglas Stuart

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore Young Mungo reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read Young Mungo | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Young Mungo and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Young Mungo Summary and Study Guide

Background

Young Mungo Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “The May After”

Part 1, Chapter 1 

Young Mungo Part 1, Chapter 1  Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “The January Before”

Part 2, Chapters 2-6

Young Mungo Part 2, Chapters 2-6 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 7-14

Young Mungo Part 2, Chapters 7-14 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 15-20

Young Mungo Part 2, Chapters 15-20 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 21-28

Young Mungo Part 2, Chapters 21-28 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Young Mungo Character Analysis

theme

Themes

Young Mungo Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Young Mungo Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

Young Mungo Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

Young Mungo Essay Topics

Young Mungo

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Young Mungo?

Reading Age

Book Details