“Daring, frightening and life-changing”… meet the 2020 Booker Prize-winning author of Shuggie Bain Douglas Stuart
“Howse aboots some light entertainment?” Douglas Stuart, Shuggie Bain
We’re delighted to welcome Douglas Stuart, winner of the 2020 Booker Prize, to ILFDublin. Described by the Observer as “a first novel of rare and lasting beauty”, and by the Chair of the Booker judges as “daring, frightening and life-changing”, Shuggie Bain took ten years to write and was rejected by 32 publishers before finally being released during last year’s lockdown.
Set predominantly in working-class Glasgow in the 1980s, Agnes Bain’s philandering husband leaves her and her three children trapped in poverty and addiction. Though Shuggie tries to support her, her addiction has the power to eclipse everyone and everything – including her beloved son. Douglas Stuart discusses his former career as a fashion designer in New York, the incredible success of Shuggie Bain and his writing: having completed a second novel, he has also researched a third and planned his fourth.
Douglas Stuart will be in conversation with Mia Gallagher and take questions from the audience.
IMAGE: Clive Smith