Shuggie Bain vs Young Mungo: Which Should You Read?

Both live on shelves: LGBTQ historical fiction, Working class families, LGBTQ young adult, LGBTQ novels, American literature, Fiction

Cover of Shuggie Bain

Shuggie Bain Douglas Stuart · 2019 ★★★★☆ 4.3 538 pages · ≈ 9 h 58 m · Light Find on Amazon

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Cover of Young Mungo

Young Mungo Douglas Stuart · 2022 ★★★★☆ 4.4 416 pages · ≈ 7 h 42 m · Easy Find on Amazon

The verdict

Ratings are close: 4.3 vs 4.4 — either is a safe pick by score.
Young Mungo is the quicker read — about 7 hours vs 9 for Shuggie Bain.
Young Mungo is the easier read (Easy), Shuggie Bain more demanding (Light).

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