How to help this bush thrive?

The house we have bought had a huge area over-run by 8-foot high bamboo. When I removed it all, I found in the middle of the bamboo a shrub hanging on for dear life! It has many long and straggly branches with just a few leaves at the end of each. Please see the two photographs below. One shows the entire bush, and the other is a close-up of its leaves.

What should I do to help this plant thrive? Should I cut it right back, so that it becomes a small bush that might be able to "start again"? If so, is it too late in this current year to cut it back? Or should I just leave it as it is and allow it to rejuvenate itself?

The shrub is on a slightly sloping bank which faces south, however in winter it is also in an exposed position, struck by any strong winds there are, and the altitude of the garden is 250 metres above sea-level.

What kind of shrub is it? And what kind of tonic could I give it, to help it thrive?

 

It probably looks like that because it's been smothered by the bamboo. I would cut it back and let it regrow without the babmboo smothering it, and with more light and air it may grow into a nice shape. You can keep it looking a nice shape by pruning it as it grows.

I don't know what shrub it is, although it reminds me of something, but I can't think what.
I would also give it a feed after you cut it back.

 

I would give it a shrub feed and once you know what the shrub is then you can decide on when to prune , I would leave alone for now

 

The leaves in the closeup pic remind me a bit of pieris. I think all you can do is cut back any dead parts (or the whole thing if you're up for the "kill or cure" approach) and wait.

 

I think you're right @JennyJB . A really hefty drink, and mulch with something decent - rotted manure, leaf mould, good compost etc, then keep an eye on it. You may not have got every tiny bit of bamboo out, so check it regularly.
If it is Pieris, you can prune it back to rejuvenate [they're very tough shrubs] but I'd let it have the rest of the season to recuperate. It's not the best site and aspect for it, but it'll manage if the soil's beefed up a good bit. Don't feed it until it's starting to thrive properly.

 

Thanks for your opinions, everyone.
I think I had better become sure of what the plant is before pruning or feeding it. I am reminded of how a fine shrub about three feet from a hydrangea died after I fed iron to the hydrangea. Some shrubs respond severely to the wrong kind of feed.

 

I thnk you could take all the long, straggly stems off - back to the main part of the shrub. Always cut to just above a joint if you can. Those aren't doing anything to help at this stage, and they're poor and etiolated due to that bamboo covering the shrub up. You can then clear the surrounding area of weeds etc - the ground looks really parched, and weedy, so giving it a good watering and a mulch will benefit the shrub.
Once it's doing a bit better, and you get a positive ID [some good close ups of foliage etc] you can then look at a feed, although something like a diluted seaweed will be fine. Just keep an eye on the consistency/moisture level of the soil, and if you water, do it slowly and right in at the base. That will encourage the roots to get right down where they can access water themselves more easily.
Wind and sun will both dry the ground out, so that mulching every now and again of the whole area will be helpful