Many critics have flagged this up as the story of a young man’s growing awareness of his sexuality in a hostile working-class environment. But in many ways the central character in the novel is Agnes, Shuggie’s mother. She is a chronic alcoholic and her disintegrating life has a corrosive effect on those around her.
Despite the neglect and abuse suffered by Shuggie in his early years his love for his mother is never extinguished and his practical care never exhausted. This gives rise to some profoundly moving passages in the novel.
Through all of his experiences Shuggie’s ‘otherness’ emerges. The way he talks, his style, his interests, the indications of his sexuality make him an oddity in the eyes of peers and adults alike including his teachers. The general consensus is he is ‘no right’.
The reader may not have shared his experiences but if we have ever felt ‘different’ for whatever reason we can connect with Shuggie. And there is a reminder for those of us who are part of the Christian movement to be aware of those on the margins and to respond with sensitivity and understanding.
If perseverance is a premier Christian quality then we are in awe of Shuggie’s refusal to give up on Agnes. It reminds me that Christian love is a choice. It has to be sustained. Shuggie shows the way.
In places this is not an easy read but it reflects the reality of lives that too many people choose to keep at a distance. Their stories need to be told along with effective social policy.
