‘I’m a man with a goal, and I will reach that goal no matter
what.’
Shug has learned well. His years with a Jarvis-Cocker-lookalike
therapist during his stay in Saughton Prison have given him something to aim
for. A goal. California.
He’s virtually a reformed character now he’s been released.
We learn that early doors as he treats the old man whose car he’s hijacked
calmly and without resorting immediately to violence. The car he’s nicking is
going to take him home, back to his ex-girlfriend’s Falkirk home where his
stash is hidden and into the territory of the two men with whom he robbed a
post office and weren’t caught – these are
two men who Shug would like to have a word with, a quiet and rational word if
they’re up for it.
‘California’ is a thing of beauty. A real pocket rocket. The
story has energy from the off, driven by the sense of purpose in the main
character. Shug’s history comes to light as events move the plot forwards and
this keeps the momentum up all the way through. What I feel is particularly
special is the way Shug is painted so sympathetically, in spite of his volatile
emotions and unpleasant past. When he reaches the points when he has to make
decisions that are make-or-break (will there be serious consequences or damage
limitation?) the emotional pull is huge. If you’re like me, you’ll be screaming
internally and at different points, ‘DO IT’ and ‘DON’T DO IT’ in the hope that
Shug’s able to get the message somehow.
I loved it and think it’s likely that you will too.
A flawless gem.
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