YOUNG MUNGO

Chris Reilly's Scottish accent brings the bleak world of 1990s Glasgow to life. Mungo lives with his unreliable mother, his violent brother, and his protective but preoccupied sister. He finds some joy in his budding romance with another boy, James, but when they're discovered, his mother sends him on a fishing trip to "man up" with two near-strangers. Reilly's narration, especially when he's voicing the people in Mungo's life who hurt him, is full of barely repressed violence. But Reilly also captures Mungo's wonder, love, and irrepressible softness. He imbues the scenes between Mungo and James with tenderness so that their quiet exchanges become a respite for listeners. In an unforgiving story about homophobia, abuse, and shame, these brief moments of murmured endearments are especially welcome. L.S. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2022]