Published in 1938, 'Rebecca' is a classic Gothic suspense novel by Daphne du Maurier. The story follows a young, unnamed narrator who meets and marries Maxim de Winter, a wealthy widower, in Monte Carlo. Upon returning to his ancestral estate, Manderley, she finds herself haunted by the memory of his first wife, Rebecca. The novel explores themes of jealousy, psychological realism, and the struggle between the living and the dead. As the narrator navigates her new life, she uncovers dark secrets about Rebecca's past and the true nature of her death, leading to a dramatic and suspenseful climax[2][3][5].
The novel follows Tess Durbeyfield, a naive and innocent young woman from a poor family who discovers her family's supposed noble lineage. She is sent to claim kinship with the wealthy d'Urberville family, where she is seduced by Alec d'Urberville, leading to a series of tragic events. Tess later marries Angel Clare, but their marriage is short-lived due to Angel's rejection of her past. The novel explores themes of social injustice, the rigid Victorian moral code, and the harsh realities of rural life in England during the late 19th century.
Written by Louisa May Alcott, 'Little Women' is a semi-autobiographical novel that details the lives of the March sisters in 1860s Massachusetts. The story is loosely based on Alcott's own childhood and that of her three sisters. It explores themes of domesticity, work, and true love, and is known for its portrayal of the sisters' distinct personalities and their struggles with societal expectations. The novel follows their experiences with poverty, illness, and personal growth, and it has been praised for its realistic and empathetic depiction of family life and the challenges faced by women during that era.
Young Mungo is a deeply affecting novel that follows Mungo Hamilton, a teenager living in poverty with his alcoholic mother and violent brother in early 1990s Glasgow. As Mungo falls in love with a Catholic boy named James, he must confront the harsh realities of homophobia and sectarianism. The novel explores themes of identity, love, and survival in a brutal environment.
Shuggie Bain is a powerful debut novel by Douglas Stuart, telling the story of young Hugh 'Shuggie' Bain and his struggles growing up with an alcoholic mother, Agnes, in post-industrial Glasgow. The novel explores themes of addiction, love, and identity amidst the harsh realities of working-class life during the Thatcher era. It is a poignant portrayal of a family's struggles and the unbreakable bond between a mother and son.
This event is part of Conversations at the Kiln, a new event series at Kiln Theatre programmed by Intelligence Squared. For more events with speakers from the worlds of literature, art, poetry and politics, click here.
Douglas Stuart, Booker Prize-winning author of Shuggie Bain and Young Mungo, is celebrated globally for his heartbreaking, funny and moving depictions of working-class life, identity and resilience.
Born and raised in Glasgow, Stuart’s fiction draws heavily from his own experiences growing up as a gay man in Margaret Thatcher’s Britain. His debut Shuggie Bain received worldwide acclaim for its searing portrayal of poverty, addiction and one young boy’s tumultuous relationship with his mother in 1980s Scotland. It was heralded as a masterpiece by many critics, and received the Booker Prize in 2020; to date, it has sold over a million copies.
In his second novel Young Mungo, Stuart returned to the streets of Glasgow to tell an equally compelling story of vulnerability and strength. This coming-of-age tale delves into the forbidden love between two young men, set against the backdrop of sectarian violence and familial expectations. Similarly critically acclaimed, the book cemented Stuart’s place as one of today’s most compelling literary voices.
In February 2025 Stuart joined us live on stage to discuss his literary journey, the inspiration behind his award-winning novels, and his insights on writing honest depictions of marginalised worlds rarely seen in the literary mainstream.
With the respected production company A24 set to adapt both novels for the BBC, Stuart also discussed the process of bringing his characters to life on screen.
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