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amys_hygge_reads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Do they think folk want to live like this? Crusted with their own filth? Cold and old and hungry? Wanting to be seen, and be unseen. Wanting to be present, even in their self-appointed margins. Do they think it’s a choice to be scared and lonely? For life to beat you up so fucking hard that you welcome the beatings, because it’s all you’re good for?
Paper Cup by Karen Campbell was chosen for @another.chapter.podcast January read along, and when I found out the book centred around a main character who is homeless, I knew I had to join along.
The Story 📚
Kelly has been homeless for years. She rough sleeps on the streets of Glasgow, drifting in and out of various services - ultimately trying to stay alive. After an encounter with a stranger, Kelly finds herself on a journey to return something that does not belong to her. We follow Kelly and get an insight into what her life is like, and also the various people she crosses paths with on the way. But, the journey is in the direction of her hometown, and Kelly knows it’s time for her to look at what happened in her past.
The Review 📝
As a social care worker who has worked in homeless services in Dublin, I loved Kelly. I feel like I have met so many people like her through my work. The descriptions were so accurate of her daily life, the struggles of being a woman who is homeless while battling an addiction. On a personal level I enjoyed her insight into the professionals and services she interacted with - and how they either supported or failed her.
I won’t lie, parts of this story did bore me however. There was a lot of descriptions of the pilgrimage route that she took, which is just something that doesn’t interest me. But for Kelly’s story, I stuck with it and enjoyed. Will definitely recommend it to some social care friends.
The chats have been great around this book, really interesting to hear everyone’s take! Honestly a topic I could talk for hours on! So apologies for the the long messages to anyone in the group chat 🙈
Would definitely recommend as an insight into homelessness. The book really came alive as an audiobook book, great narration 🎧
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Suicide, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
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