Uploaded October 2020 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
It is 1981. Glasgow is dying and good families must grift to survive. Agnes Bain has always expected more from life. She dreams of greater things: a house with its own front door and a life bought and paid for outright (like her perfect, but false, teeth). But Agnes is abandoned by her philandering husband, and soon she and her three children find themselves trapped in a decimated mining town.
As she descends deeper into drink, the children try their best to save her, yet one by one they must abandon her to save themselves. It is her son Shuggie who holds out hope the longest. Join Douglas Stuart as he discusses his Booker Prize longlisted debut novel, Shuggie Bain, which lays bare the ruthlessness of poverty, the limits of love, and the hollowness of pride.
“Douglas Stuart has written a first novel of rare and lasting beauty” – Observer
About the author: Douglas Stuart was born and raised in Glasgow. After graduating from the Royal College of Art, he moved to New York, where he began his design career. He has led design teams for Calvin Klein, Banana Republic and Jack Spade.
In association with the charity StageTEXT, this event will include live surtitles for people with hearing loss. To find out more go to stagetext.org.
Supported by The Castansa Trust.
You can purchase titles relating to this event from the Festival Bookshop online - bookshop.wigtownbookfestival.com
It is 1981. Glasgow is dying and good families must grift to survive. Agnes Bain has always expected more from life. She dreams of greater things: a house with its own front door and a life bought and paid for outright (like her perfect, but false, teeth). But Agnes is abandoned by her philandering husband, and soon she and her three children find themselves trapped in a decimated mining town.
As she descends deeper into drink, the children try their best to save her, yet one by one they must abandon her to save themselves. It is her son Shuggie who holds out hope the longest. Join Douglas Stuart as he discusses his Booker Prize longlisted debut novel, Shuggie Bain, which lays bare the ruthlessness of poverty, the limits of love, and the hollowness of pride.
“Douglas Stuart has written a first novel of rare and lasting beauty” – Observer
About the author: Douglas Stuart was born and raised in Glasgow. After graduating from the Royal College of Art, he moved to New York, where he began his design career. He has led design teams for Calvin Klein, Banana Republic and Jack Spade.
In association with the charity StageTEXT, this event will include live surtitles for people with hearing loss. To find out more go to stagetext.org.
Supported by The Castansa Trust.
You can purchase titles relating to this event from the Festival Bookshop online - bookshop.wigtownbookfestival.com
