Reviews

Forcing the reader to take a walk in someone else's street-living shoes.

4.5 stars

Atticus Finch said, “Never judge a person until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes." Well, with Kelly we are destined to walk a few more than that. And hitchhike. And sleep rough. And tiptoe back into her past at what brought her to living on the streets.

Clearly educated and bright, it's not obvious what's brought the now older homeless woman to be someone accepting pennies on Scotland's streets. But when a drunk bride-to-be accidentally gives Kelly her engagement ring as well as some coins, she determines to return the sparkler to its owner in time for the imminent wedding. In her home town.

While Kelly hitchhikes and walks around Scotland, a journalist is also seeking HER out, following a seeming act of bravery on the part of the Homeless Heroine. We see a very different Kelly from the one the media is portraying though.

Our 'heroine' is of course, human, She's made mistakes, she's got weaknesses, she's also got her own moral code and can exceed expectations. The 'quest' that takes us through not only Scotland and its residents (human and canine) but also through Kelly's past. Which at times is traumatic.

A voyage of self-discovery, the audiobook encapsulates the vulnerable and very human Kelly in a worldly-wise yet still likeable Scottish voice. It's third person but still works as an audiobook you feel connected to. Kelly's is the life we wouldn't want for our children, the one we often try and ignore when we see it, and it's upsetting to see behind the overcoat and dirt to the person underneath. The person.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample audio copy.

bookwormclare01's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective 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? Yes

4.0

sbmoocnej's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

mickey09's review against another edition

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emotional funny informative slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Being a native of Glasgow I thought that this book would be a welcome change from what I would normally read. Although I didn’t have a problem with the Glaswegian dialect, I am sure that this would be difficult for some.
This book was recommended to me however I found the idea of the book more compelling than when I actually read it. I found it quite boring at times.
I did feel sorry for Kelly at times.

loesm's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny 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? Yes

4.5

littleloren's review against another edition

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4.0

Would recommend listening to this on Audible !

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