Overview

We read Hings as a wild, punchy collection of short stories rooted in working-class Scotland and spiked with surreal, absurd twists. McQueer introduces characters in odd situations, from honest fights to fantastical moments, all bound by a voice that’s hilarious, sharp and unfiltered.

Writing & Voice

We found McQueer’s voice fierce and funny, weaving everyday speech with unexpected imagination. The stories don’t just describe events, they revel in them, making the ordinary feel chaotic and alive. Each piece feels invented on the spot, brash and affectionate by turns.

Content & Perspective

The book hops between perspectives, from hapless workers to would-be artists and oddball locals. Each voice brings its own rhythm, and McQueer captures how people talk, think and bumble through life with vivid, rough-edged clarity.

Themes

Hings plays with themes of belonging, chaos, absurdity and the humour inherent in daily struggle. It pokes at social expectations and places recognisable lives in situations that bend logic, showing how strange and funny life can feel when seen close up.

What Worked

• Vibrant, laugh-out-loud moments that surprise and delight.
• Sharp character sketches that feel true and unique.
• Blend of surreal and grounded that keeps the tone lively.

Minor Quibbles

• Certain flights of imagination feel too abrupt.
• Not every story lands with equal force.

Final Thoughts

We think Hings is an exhilarating and hilarious debut that turns short fiction into something unexpectedly wild and thoroughly entertaining.

Rating: ★★★★½ / 5