Book Club: Young Mungo
The second novel from Douglas Stuart continues his gritty exploration of doing it tough in Glasgow.
Published in 2022, Young Mungo was the second novel from Douglas Stuart.
Stuart's first novel, Shuggie Bain - published in 2020 - was critically acclaimed, winning the Booker Prize. In his story of Young Mungo, Stuart immerses us in the same milieu - the streets of Glasgow and the dysfunctional families and damaged souls that walk them.
What's it about?
Set in the early 1990s, the story centres around Mungo - he's 15, the youngest of three children.
Mungo's mother is an alcoholic who disappears for extended periods. It's his sister Jodie that provides day-to-day care for him, while his brother Hamish is an unpredictably violent leader of one of the local street gangs.
The narrative unfolds in two distinct timelines. The first, in which Mungo is navigating life in Glasgow and where he begins a tentative relationship with a neighbourhood lad called James. The second, where Mungo is sent on a fishing trip with two men that his mother has befriended - the trip is intended to "make a man" out of Mungo, after his family discover that he has been seeing James.
What themes does the novel explore?
This is first and foremost a coming-of-age story. Mungo connects with his sexuality, reframes his relationship with his family, and finds a path forward that suggests a better future may lay in store.
Stuart is also giving us a version of the classic "star-crossed lovers" tragedy. The streets of Glasgow are divided on sectarian lines - Mungo is from a protestant family and James is from a catholic family: "From ancient grudge break to new mutiny."
Poverty shapes the lives of these characters and limits the options available to them. Socio-economic change has shaped the city of Glasgow, the jobs that are available, and how families live.
Another key theme is masculinity - the expectations of men and how different men navigate the performative masculinity that they're burdened with.
The characters are also never far from violence. Domestic violence, street violence, sectarian violence, and sexual assault.
Why is this an important novel for gay men?
While this story is a period piece, it does give us insights into the forces that have shaped communities in Glasgow - much of which continues to echo across the city today.
It's also an uncomfortably compelling look at queer life from a lower socio-economic perspective - voices that aren't easily heard in contemporary queer culture.
The homophobia and violence that Mungo and James experience is a timely reminder of where we've come from as queer people and why it is important to continue to progress and protect the equality gains that have been made for the LGBTQ community.
Naked Men Talking: Book Club
What if we took our clothes off and talked about books?
Naked Men Talking: Events
Book Club is part of the series of events that are presented by Naked Men Talking.
