I’d heard this book was emotionally devastating, but I had no idea how much it would affect me. Much like “Brother & Sister Enter the Forest,” this book follows a character you want to reach through the pages and save from everyone who fails him. This is a gripping and heart-wrenching tale of love, friendship, and the struggle for acceptance in a world that seems to be against you every step of the way.

Set against the gritty backdrop of 1980s Glasgow, the novel follows the life of Mungo Hamilton, the 15-year-old son of a single alcoholic mother who would rather chase the life she feels she missed out on than take care of her kids. Jodie, Mungo’s older sister, watches over him the best she can, but she is desperate to finish high school so she can attend university. Jodie is determined not to end up like her mother – but she can’t seem to stay away from a married man. Mungo’s older brother, Hamish, is the closest thing to a father figure Mungo knows since his father was killed years ago, but Hamish is violent and leads a gang of Protestants who raise hell around town.

Things change for Mungo when he meets a young man named James who lives nearby. Like Mungo, James struggles with his sexuality. James knows he is gay, but his mother died years ago, and his father is ashamed of James’s sexuality. James dreams of running away so he can be himself, and it’s in James that Mungo finds a sense of hope, but there’s a problem. James is Catholic, and Protestants and Catholics were in a bloody war in the 1980s, and Hamish will not stand for his little brother to be involved with the other side.

In a world where religious and political divides run deep, Mungo and James defy expectations and forge a bond that transcends their differences. As they navigate the complexities of their friendship, they must also wrestle with their inner demons and the harsh realities of the world they inhabit. Stuart deftly weaves together themes of identity, belonging, and the search for a place to call home in a poignant, powerful, and, at times, devastating narrative.

Stuart’s writing is raw, pulling readers into the gritty reality of life in Glasgow and the tumultuous emotions of his characters. This was the 1980s, and homosexuality was absolutely not okay – trust me – I lived it (though not nearly as bad as Mungo did). The novel is unflinching in its portrayal of the harsh realities of poverty, violence, and prejudice. If you are a sensitive reader, check the trigger warnings. Some awful things happen to Mungo, and the author does not sugarcoat the gang violence of Glasgow in the 1980s. It’s not pretty, but through the pain and suffering, the story offers glimpses of tenderness and hope.

Every character in this book is deeply human, each grappling with their own struggles and insecurities, but this is Mungo’s story, and he is a character you will root for. It’s rough to watch him go through the things he does – he did not deserve the hands he was dealt. At his core, Mungo just wants to be loved. He is fiercely loyal – even to those in his life who don’t deserve it. He is dealt some pretty brutal blows physically and emotionally, but somehow, the little guy manages to hold onto hope. I can’t help but wonder what would have happened to him had he not had James as a lifeline.

This book is dark, gritty, and heartbreaking, but glimmers of hope tickle the edges. This book ran me through a gamut of emotions and will leave a lasting impact. If you are a sensitive reader, you may want to skip this one, but if you like your books raw and unfiltered, I highly recommend it. This is a book that I will never forget, and Mungo is a character I will think about often.