BOOK REVIEW - 'Shuggie Bain' - 2020 Booker Prize That Hurt My Eyes!

words by @rybazoxo 

2020 was a year that none of us will ever forget. After I saw Morrissey in Leeds in March of that year, the world decided to close, and lockdown. We were all then subjected to, and brutalised by, face masks, vaccinations, mass-media hysteria and erm…death. All very grim. What I didn't notice in that year, and I'd be surprised if anybody did, was the 2020 Booker Prize handed to Douglas Stuart for his debut novel, ‘Shuggie Bain’. It wasn’t until late last year that, scouring a charity shop for books, I picked this one up for 50p and thought I'd give it a whirl. 

A disclaimer at this point would be that I normally don't read fiction. I'm autistic, so fiction isn't real, and I normally stay clear, preferring biographies, true crime stories and memoirs. However, I read all the praise about this Scottish 1980s set melodrama / coming-of-age drama/alcohol abuse drama and enthusiastically began reading. At over 400 pages, it's not a short one but I thought it was worth it. I mean, a booker prize has got to be good, right? Well, not quite. The first 150 - 200 pages of this book are really good. You route for young Shuggie as he battles with his alcoholic mother (I’ll get back to that shortly), his problematic siblings, his absent father, his blatant homosexuality, and living with his grandparents - all against a backdrop of council estate poverty and Thatcherite policies. 

1980s Glasgow. Image by Raymond Depardon

Where Douglas paints a perfect picture of a grim Scotland (I've never been but read about it) and has strong characterisation, he lacks any fleshing-out of the coming-of-age of the book's main protagonist. This book should be called ‘Agnes Bain’ (Shuggie’s Mum) as she is the main character in this book. Agnes battles booze throughout the novel, and every alcoholism cliche you can think of, including with the wrong men,  only to meet her maker at the end, is by and large, rather disappointing. I thought this was going to be some sort of ‘good outweighs the bad’ kind of book - it is not. Shuggie’s character comes good at the beginning and middle but that's it. 

1980s Glasgow. Image by Raymond Depardon

The end of the story has no real conclusion and the last chapter (there are 30 altogether) introduces another character’s alcoholic mother which just regurgitates content. It's a shame as this could have been a good book, and I think 200 pages would have done it and still won the prize. But, rather like COVID-19, this book was very grim, went on for far too long, and I was so glad when it ended. 

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Morrissey's Autobiography : After 12 years, Is It Time For A Sequel?

 

When Autobiography was published in 2013 as a Penguin Classics edition—a distinction usually reserved for long-dead literary greats—it sparked immediate debate. Was it an act of self-indulgence or a well-earned nod to Morrissey's undisputable cultural impact? I remember first reading this sat on a Sheffield tram in the cold winter of that year. Twelve years have passed yet this book has never left my bookcase. During the Winter of 2024, while the rest of the world ate turkey and tinsel, I revisited the book to write a review. Another two months have passed, so here it is. My idol is Morrissey, and I also read like an obsessive librarian, so I thought I'd combine the two and try (once again) to write a book blog. Let me know what you think in the comments box!

There's More To Life Than Books You Know!

From the outset, Autobiography reads unlike any standard memoir. Morrissey’s writing style is as florid and grandiose as his lyrics, overflowing with poetic turns of phrase, obscure references, and sharp humour. His sentences stretch for paragraphs, and his storytelling often lacks conventional structure. It makes for a rich, if sometimes exhausting, reading experience. At times, his prose is breathtakingly beautiful; at others, it veers into self-parody (very similar to his solo work, I feel)

Manchester, you have a lot to answer for!

The book begins with an evocative account of his childhood in 1960s and 1970s Manchester, (think 'The Headmasters Ritual) a city he describes as grey, oppressive, and joyless - "the arse of the world" he once sang. His depictions of corporal punishment in Catholic school, and a violent neighbourhood, describe a generally stifling existence. Yet there is a dark romance in his descriptions, often like these lyrics, he finds beauty in the melancholy - a trait he certainly cashed in on in The Smiths and his solo career. As you can expect for someone who wears his cultural icons on his sleeve - Music and film serve as his escape routes, and he writes movingly about the impact of artists like the New York Dolls, and Patti Smith, and his early fascination with legendary playwright (and Morrissey Iconography image N0.1) Oscar Wilde.

The Smiths: I Won't Share You...

Naturally, Autobiography dedicates considerable space to The Smiths, the band that made Morrissey a household name. His descriptions of meeting Johnny Marr and their creative partnership are joyous at times and seem filled with a sense of destiny. In terms of music history, it's a 'When Lennon Met McCartney' moment. But Morrissey seems unable to celebrate The Smiths without simultaneously mourning their dissolution and cataloguing how he feels wronged. The legal battle over royalties, which saw drummer Mike Joyce successfully sue Morrissey and Marr, is recounted in excruciating detail. While his bitterness is understandable, his obsessive resentment towards Joyce and the legal system feels excessive, dragging down an otherwise exhilarating chapter of the book - 'I bear more grudges than lonely high-court judges' he once sang.

Morrissey Solo Career...

Morrissey’s solo career, which he sometimes frames as a battle for survival, is covered in a more fragmented way. He highlights the successes, like Viva Hate and You Are the Quarry, but also dwells on his struggles with the music industry, dismissive critics, and perceived betrayals. His clashes with record labels, the press, and former associates reinforce his image as a misunderstood, embattled figure. The insight into his songwriting process is rather inspiring.

It's Not Like Any Other Love...

One of the more surprising elements of this book is Morrissey’s candid discussion of his relationships, an aspect of his life he long kept private. He details significant romantic connections, particularly his relationship with photographer Jake Walters. This revelation complicates his long-maintained aura of celibacy and ambiguity, making it one of the book’s most intriguing aspects.

Autobiography is a book that, like its author, refuses to conform. It is brilliant in places, insufferable in others, but always compelling. Morrissey’s storytelling is evocative and often hilarious. For fans, the book is essential reading, offering deep insight into his psyche and creative world. Love him (like I do) or loathe him (like everybody else does) Autobiography ensures that his legacy—flawed, fascinating, and fiercely individual—will endure.

Twelve years after its publication Morrissey's solo career is still going strong. He's also just announced another USA tour.  I would love to see an update to his Autobiography, as Morrissey's career has been just as dramatic these past twelve years.,

My next Morrissey book to re-review is List Of The Lost

Words by @rybazoxo

www.ryanoxleywriter.blogspot.com 

Alan Bennett - 'Keep On Keeping On' : BOOK REVIEW - Ryan's Reads

The finale of 'Gavin and Stacey' on Christmas Day of 2024, and its incredible success, is (for me, anyway) forever tied to the genius of Alan Bennett and the film, of the stage play, 'The History Boys'. The play's cast (including James Corden) were all seen on screen as a few of Smithy's friends in the BBC comedy classic. As plays go, it's one of his best, but the thing with Alan Bennett is this - it's merely the tip of an extraordinary literary iceberg. Alongside his plays, Alan is a celebrated diarist. 

At the back end of last year, and following the finale of 'Gavin and Stacey' I finally got around to reading  'Keep on Keeping On' a collection of Alan's diaries from 2005 - 2015, which included 'backstage' insight into The History Boys play and subsequent film.

Alan Bennett's third collection of prose 'Keeping On Keeping On' follows in the footsteps of the phenomenally successful Writing Home and Untold Stories, each published ten years apart. This latest collection contains Bennett's peerless diaries from 2005 to 2015, reflecting on a decade that saw four premieres at the National Theatre (The Habit of Art, People, Hymn and Cocktail Sticks), a West End double-bill transfer, and the films of The History Boys and The Lady in the Van. The book also includes Alan's passion for visiting old churches, his surprising views on private education, and snippets of essays he's written for LRB (London Review Of Books). 

Alan's self-deprecating and whimsical diary is a clear example of his writing excellence, As a huge fan of Morrissey, I particularly enjoyed Alan's anecdotes of receiving notes from The Smith's songwriter and randomly seeing him outside a pub. Alan Bennett displays many characteristics shared with Morrissey - the whimsical, mundane, almost curmudgeon worldviews whipped into a literary and musical masterpiece. Suffice it to say, like a good The Smiths Album, or indeed, the finale of Gavin and Stacey, I can highly recommend this book, and the works in general, of Yorkshire's greatest playwright. I am also from Yorkshire, so I think that adds to the magic. 

I bought this book via 'World of Books' a brilliantly cheap source of second-hand and rare books!

Ryan's Reads BOOK SCORE 4/5 

Words by @rybazoxo 

BOOK REVIEW - Philip Norman - The Reluctant Beatle

 

This book should have been titled ‘While My Guitar Gentle Weeps’. Not because this is an epic monolith of rock biographies, about the quiet Beatle, George Harrison, but because it made me cry like an out-of-tune Rickenbacker. Let's be clear on one thing: this book is awful. The notoriously ‘quiet Beatle’ was anything but a talent lost in the songwriting shadows of genius tunesmiths: John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Post-Beatle breakup, George Harrison was the most successful solo Beatles, outselling John and Paul until Lennon's untimely death. 

For a biography about George Harrison, you have to wade through 190 pages of well-written and well-worn Beatles lore before learning anything about the book's subject. Aside from Lennon and McCartney, George was best friends with Slowhands guitar genius, Eric Clapton, whose rather racy hands saw him have an affair with his best pals wife, Pattie Boyd. Aside from the genius of Something by The Beatles and Layla by Derek and the Dominoes, this book almost feels like a short biography of Eric Clapton as well. I never knew as much about Clapton until reading this biography of... you get my point. 

The subject matter is poorly researched, mistakenly authoritative and offers no further information on George that I couldn't have read elsewhere. The prologue, by the author, is also a back-handed apology for writing a 3000-word article about George, which slaughtered his songwriting skills, solo career, and reputation. Had I read that bit first, I would have avoided this book. 

Several years ago I read ‘SHOUT’ by the same author, and I’d forgotten that was awful too - lesson learnt! 

To quote the late George Harrison ‘ All Things Must Pass’... and so should this book, because it was rubbish.

I scored this book 2/5 on my GOODREADS feed. 

the book is available to buy here 

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Titanic: 'Iceberg Ahead' by James W Bancroft

                                                  

The historical facts of the RMS Titanic's infamous sinking have been a morbid maritime currency, in non-fiction books, films, and television documentaries, for well over 100 years. With countless articles written and books published, many stories have been told and retold about the 'unsinkable' ship and have been historically re-written on several occasions.

The most famous that spring to mind 'A Night to Remember' by Walter Lord, and James Cameron's 1997 cinematic masterpiece 'Titanic', which are probably the best of both cinematic and non-fiction retellings. Assuming you've read plenty of Titanic's history (like I have) you'd think 'TITANIC - ICEBERG AHEAD' by James W Bancroft is superfluous in this well-stocked subject matter? Well, yes and no.

The beginning of the book recounts all of the usual Titanic information; when she was launched, where she was from, how big, and unsinkable, her maiden voyage, etc. However, by the second half of the book, the author delves deep into the passengers' lives. Unlike those well-versed accounts of the ship's first-class millionaires on board, this book tells the life stories of passengers, survivors and victims, of the Titanic, from second and third class. 

The social history is fascinating and tragic in equilibrium and is told with impressively researched detail.  Foreboding narrative aside, it's a great book for those not familiar with the tragedy of the Titanic or the lives of those who sailed in her. 

A very recommended read for history buffs and true crime fans, alike! 

www.ryanoxleywriter.blogspot.com