Young Mungo

Knowing the historical background of Scotland in the 1980s is important to fully understanding this novel. This setting informs the writing, as Stuart uses slang terms from the period articulates Scottish identity through differing accents that reveal class and social status. The historical context is also important for the novel’s plot, as Stuart models the world of his novel on his own upbringing in working-class Glasgow.

Though Scotland is its own nation, it has been under British rule as part of the United Kingdom since 1707. In the second half of the 20th century, urban environments such as Glasgow developed thriving shipbuilding and oil businesses that employed thousands of working-class Glaswegians. However, in the 1980s, UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher sought to weaken the power of trade unions in Scotland in an attempt to de-industrialize Scotland and open the UK up to cheaper exports from abroad. Interference from the British government effectively shut down mines and yards. This led to massive unemployment and disillusionment, which is seen throughout the novel in the violence, alcohol dependency, and depression facing the men and boys of Glasgow. Unemployment led to reforms in public housing and welfare programs, which helped working class Glaswegians but also oppressed them. Young Mungo explores the many ripple effects of these political decisions.

The novel also highlights the influence of Christianity on working-class Scottish life. Not only do Glaswegian gangs use the Protestant/Catholic divide as an excuse for violence, but James and Mungo suffer from misunderstanding and bigotry born of the culture’s widespread anti-gay bias and toxic masculinity. Same-sex couples only gained the right to marry in Scotland in 2014.