JOHN OF JOHN

The Den loved Douglas Stuart’s debut novel 'Shuggy Bain', more so than 'Young Mungo' which seemed too similar to 'Shuggy Bain' but with less likeable characters. However, we were once again completely hooked with ‘John of John’, which has also been shortlisted for the 2026 Booker Prize. The story follows the lives of a father and son living on the remote Scottish Isle of Harris where life is hard, money is scarce and it’s difficult to break free from island traditions and local gossip.

It's the 90s, and John-Calum Macleod, known as Cal, has been studying art and textiles at college in Edinburgh, when he receives a message from his father, John that his maternal grandmother Ella is ill and he should come home to their remote island, the Isle of Harris in the Outer Scottish Hebrides. Reluctantly, as Cal knows how difficult it will be to leave again once he goes back, he returns home, only to find he has been dragged back dishonestly as his grandmother is fine. Douglas Stuart instantly draws the reader into the islanders’ harsh life, with little opportunity for making money. Not only does the family farm sheep, Cal helps out in the local pub if there are shifts available, the grandmother makes candles and both father and son weave for the mainland.

As Cal once again settles into life on the Isle, we soon learn that his mother has left his father and started a new family. This has been particularly difficult for both father and son as John senior is the local Presbyterian preacher and Cal clearly has unanswered questions as to why she left. Away from Edinburgh, Cal resorts back to hiding his sexuality and tries, mostly with little success to stand up to his strict, principled father who himself is living a closeted life. John senior speaks Gaelic to Cal to exclude Ella from conversations, and recites the New Testament which Cal has naturally absorbed during his childhood. The tension in the Macleod household is palpable.

As with 'Shuggie Bain' and 'Young Mungo' the themes of not disclosing one’s sexuality, alcoholism and abusive relationships are at its core, but in a far more subtle and slow burning manner than Stuart’s previous works. This is an immersive novel and Stuart’s evocative descriptions of this barren isolated isle breathe an atmospheric edginess into the story. These two generations are still repressed into not being able to declare their true feelings. It is a lonely existence and we wonder if either father and son will be able to break free from their repression.