Essay review: Poverty, Anxiety, and Gender in Scottish Working-Class Literature (2020) by Douglas Stuart

Welcome to my blog again people. I just wanted to start by saying that I found out the other day that it is Agender Pride day today. I thought it seemed fitting after mentioning it in my definitions part one post.

For today's post I am giving you my second review of May's author of the month - Douglas Stuart. I decided to read and review his essay he did that is on Literary Hub. The essay ‘Poverty, Anxiety and Gender in Scottish Working-Class Literature’ was a eye-opener in what there was to offer. I must admit that out of all the books that Douglas Stuart was recommending, there was only one I had heard. This was the whole premise of his essay - highlighting books that dealt with "the Glasgow effect" and the lives effected.

Having read this article, I understand more behind what is happening in Stuart's own novel Shuggie Bain, which I am currently reading. Keep checking on my blog to see what I have thought of it when I have finished reading it. Of the other books, it gives me some new possible reading material.

One thing I failed to realise what the seriousness of "the Glasgow effect", so Douglas Stuart has taught me something there. I was aware of the damage Margaret Thatcher and the Conservatives had done. Going against the gays was a reason enough to not like Thatcher and the Conservatives for me. I am grateful for this essay and enjoyed reading it. It is not a long read in case anyone wants to read it. For me, I am giving it a 9.5/10.

 

Until next time,


Thomas.

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