This was a wonderful read but also a difficult title to categorise as it covers many subjects throughout its pages.The author writes with humour and realism whilst conjuring up a magical experience to take readers on. I was drawn in from the prologue and being of a similar age to the author found myself nodding in agreement at various reminiscences. The pairing of Casey and Danny as childhood friends was brilliantly observed with the way they spoke, argued, joked and cried together as they overcame often insurmountable obstacles during the journey. Like Casey I, too, was unsure how the trip would work-if it could work-with the third traveller but it added a positive poignant dimension to the story. I was in admiration of the historical paragraphs relating to each country the trio passed through but it ultimately was a way that helped break the ice between Casey and Ari. It also made for interesting reading and I felt I learned a lot! Alice was a great addition to the storyline and I was sad to see her go before the trip ended. She had been through so much for a second hand ice cream van! However by using other modes of transport other characters could then be brought in subtlety to continue the rich pattern of different cultures and languages. If you are looking for a thought-provoking read covering friendships, relationships and travel tips then look no further. An absolutely fantastic debut novel.
Caroline Highy, A LoveReading Ambassador
| Primary Genre | Modern and Contemporary Fiction |
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Amusing, poignant, insightful and even educational. A real road trip to savour.
The Scoop was not what I was expecting but turned out to be a perfect lockdown book full of escapism. Travelling with Casey and her ice cream van to unexpected places - collecting friends and tales along the way. Amusing, poignant, insightful and even educational.... Read Full Review
Casey Jones’s life is a mess. Her job bores her, her parents confuse her, and she has repeated nightmares about her ex-girlfriend. In a moment of madness she packs in her job and plans an adventure with her schoolfriend, long-time lad Danny. What she didn’t plan for was an extra passenger, in the shape of Danny’s estranged twelve-year-old son, Ari who has troubles of his own.
The three of them are thrown together for an intense rollercoaster ride in Alice – a converted bright pink ice cream van – through some of the most beautiful and dangerous places in the world, from Tulse Hill to Tibet.
The Scoop features in the following genres: Modern and Contemporary Fiction, Humorous Fiction, Indie Books We Love, General Fiction, Fiction, Recommendations
The Scoop is available in Paperback
The Scoop was written by Cat Walker and published by RedDoor Press