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Scratch
An unexpected reminder of his past prompts Jim Cooper, a 33 year-old Glaswegian call centre worker, to make a big decision. He’s going back to adulthood ground-zero - no job, no debt, no, er, home, and starting again. Maybe this time he can do it right and get the girl. The fact that the girl is already married and living in another country and her Bruce Lee obsessed dad apparently wants to turn Jim into his latest pet are only two of the obstacles he faces.Given Jim's forward planning skills don’t extend beyond praying and having panic attacks, it isn’t surprising that he soon finds himself living with his parents and working for minimum wage, in the same pub he worked in when he was 18. What is unexpected is Paula Fraser walking through the pub’s door for the first time in 12 years.What’s even more surprising is that Paula admits she still loves Jim. But yes, she’s married, and no, she won't cheat on her husband. She'll tell him the marriage is over. Soon. When the time is right. As soon as her husband's sick grandfather gets better - or fatally worse.And so, Jim and Paula embark on the tricky business of not having an affair, and not telling anyone they know that they’re not having an affair. As Jim reflects, ‘If not being physically intimate with her in any way and denying to everyone we knew that anything was going on between us was the best way to prove I loved her, then that’s what I would do.’Scratch is an un-sanitised, emotionally honest and hilariously candid story about what it is to grow up as opposed to simply change age, as told by a man who doesn’t know what any of those words mean.Word 98,000By the same You Love Me Tomorrow - some musicians wait a lifetime for a record deal. Bryan Rivers waited three days longer.Will You Love Me Tomorrow is a comedy about death, depression, grief, loss, friendship, family, haircuts and the music business. A Selection of Meats and Cheeses - Twelve short stories from Danny Gillan. Some sad, some funny, some serious some silly, some poignant and some pointless.
293 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 10, 2011
24 people are currently reading
300 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
December 16, 2012
I purchased this book because the author had a great promotional thread in the Meet the Author forum at Amazon. I was not disappointed. I found myself laughing out loud quite often and I really liked and cared about almost every character in the book. It is set in Glasgow so there are a few language differences. Also, there is a lot of swearing, which doesn't bother me as the language fits the characters perfectly. There are surprisingly few typos and punctuation errors which I find refreshing.
I just loved this book and I am glad to have discovered the author at this time. I have feeling we will hear a lot more from him and I, for one, cannot wait.
I just loved this book and I am glad to have discovered the author at this time. I have feeling we will hear a lot more from him and I, for one, cannot wait.
May 28, 2013
I was lent this book through a glitch with lendle and I decided to read it anyway, I am glad I did because it was excellent. At 90% I was thinking it would be a 4 star book unless the ending was something special and it ended up being so much more than I expected. I highly recommend this one and will definitely read more of this author in the future.
April 9, 2011
Scratch is the story of Jim Cooper, as told by him. He works in a call centre, fobbing off customers and has been plodding along until one day a complaint letter appears from an ex's dad. This sparks something in Jim who decides it is time for a fresh start. He leaves his job, with nothing new lined up and sells his flat to clear his debts rendering himself homeless. Age 33 he finds himself living at home again, and working back in the same pub he was working in 12 years earlier - not exactly progress!
However ex Paula's crazy dad befriends him and reveals that she is moving back to Glasgow (with her husband) When she comes back she announces to Jim that her marriage is all but over, and that she loves him, but she can't leave her husband until his seriously ill grandad either recovers or dies. Jim being newly grown up insists on no sex until she has told him, while she insists they keep their non-affair a secret.
The book is is very funny in places, getting me laughing out loud on the train. I loved Jim's relationship with best friend Terry which was a good source of humour, as was Paula's Bruce Lee mad, lonely dad. It was also touching and sad, as Jim and Paula struggle to renew their relationship in less than ideal circumstances. By turns it was also uplifting and made me smile. Seeing the change in Jim's relationship with his parents made me really happy for all three of them. I suppose that must mean the characters were well-drawn, to make me feel like that. Jim is certainly likeable and he and his group of friends and colleagues certainly reminded me of people I have known and been friends with.
If you don't like bad language in your books you'd be well advised not to pick this one up, it gets a bit colourful. It didn't bother me unduly as it seemed to fit with the characters and how they would speak.
If I had anything negative to say about this book it would be the length of it. When I looked at the number of locations when I started reading (if you don't kindle locations were in place of page numbers because of issues with changing font sizes) it was probably the longest book on my kindle by some way. I think a slightly harsher edit might have been worthwhile as in a couple of places I started skimming as conversations rambled or Jim pontificated. The author probably could have made the story closer to the usual length of a novel without losing any of the impact, and in fact possibly tightening the book up a bit.
By and large thought I thought this was a really good read, an honest look at life, growing up and the joy and pain of relationships.
However ex Paula's crazy dad befriends him and reveals that she is moving back to Glasgow (with her husband) When she comes back she announces to Jim that her marriage is all but over, and that she loves him, but she can't leave her husband until his seriously ill grandad either recovers or dies. Jim being newly grown up insists on no sex until she has told him, while she insists they keep their non-affair a secret.
The book is is very funny in places, getting me laughing out loud on the train. I loved Jim's relationship with best friend Terry which was a good source of humour, as was Paula's Bruce Lee mad, lonely dad. It was also touching and sad, as Jim and Paula struggle to renew their relationship in less than ideal circumstances. By turns it was also uplifting and made me smile. Seeing the change in Jim's relationship with his parents made me really happy for all three of them. I suppose that must mean the characters were well-drawn, to make me feel like that. Jim is certainly likeable and he and his group of friends and colleagues certainly reminded me of people I have known and been friends with.
If you don't like bad language in your books you'd be well advised not to pick this one up, it gets a bit colourful. It didn't bother me unduly as it seemed to fit with the characters and how they would speak.
If I had anything negative to say about this book it would be the length of it. When I looked at the number of locations when I started reading (if you don't kindle locations were in place of page numbers because of issues with changing font sizes) it was probably the longest book on my kindle by some way. I think a slightly harsher edit might have been worthwhile as in a couple of places I started skimming as conversations rambled or Jim pontificated. The author probably could have made the story closer to the usual length of a novel without losing any of the impact, and in fact possibly tightening the book up a bit.
By and large thought I thought this was a really good read, an honest look at life, growing up and the joy and pain of relationships.
April 21, 2011
I first encountered Scratch a while back on the Authonomy website and was intrigued enough by the opening posted there to want to read the full book. The plot – 33-year-old Jim Cooper decides to reinvent his life – is classic lad lit territory and Gillan writes in an easy style sprinkled with wry observations and humour. Some characters feel rather stock, the overweight, possibly gay friend for example; but the ex-girlfriend’s retired psychoanalyst father is a great comic invention.
Like many a self-published novel though, Scratch would benefit from the attentions of a good editor. There are too many rambling conversations, mainly in pubs, too much repetition of the same ideas and too many scenes that do nothing to advance the narrative. Gillan also suffers regular homophone confusion, particularly “you’re” for “your”.
Clean this up, cut it by about a third and you’d have an enticing, funny novel to rival the best of Nick Hornby. As it stands what you get is a decent story drowning in a sea of its own words.
Like many a self-published novel though, Scratch would benefit from the attentions of a good editor. There are too many rambling conversations, mainly in pubs, too much repetition of the same ideas and too many scenes that do nothing to advance the narrative. Gillan also suffers regular homophone confusion, particularly “you’re” for “your”.
Clean this up, cut it by about a third and you’d have an enticing, funny novel to rival the best of Nick Hornby. As it stands what you get is a decent story drowning in a sea of its own words.
February 9, 2013
This one by the author had fewer mistakes than his last one, although it wasn't immune. Andi McDowell was spelt as an Andy and there were some apostrophe errors and hyphens added here and there where they weren't needed. As with many other authors he chose waived and pouring instead of waved and poring. This seems to be a common ebook mistake.
I still greatly enjoyed this book, though. I'd downloaded it months ago but after reading the previous one I kept putting this one off as I wasn't sure I wanted to bother because of all the previous mistakes.
It features a guy who's lucky enough to have his first love return to the town he lives in. He's just packed in his job and sold his home and returned to live with his parents for a while in his early thirties when she comes back. However, she had married in the intervening dozen or so years since they first split.
There were some very funny moments in it along with some very well observed and touching ones too.
I still greatly enjoyed this book, though. I'd downloaded it months ago but after reading the previous one I kept putting this one off as I wasn't sure I wanted to bother because of all the previous mistakes.
It features a guy who's lucky enough to have his first love return to the town he lives in. He's just packed in his job and sold his home and returned to live with his parents for a while in his early thirties when she comes back. However, she had married in the intervening dozen or so years since they first split.
There were some very funny moments in it along with some very well observed and touching ones too.
March 6, 2012
Good idea, and well enough written, particularly the dialogue, but ulitmately I felt it fell a bit short of its premise. I found the characters a bit lacking in depth and in the end a bit annoying - would have liked a more serious approach to the issues, but then that's probably more my problem than any fault with the writing.
December 31, 2012
Not a bad read... I'd actually prefer to give this a 2.5 star rating. Scratch is at times amusing, diverting and entertaining; however, it gets rather bogged down in endless dialogues, and scenes that do little to advance a slow-moving and slightly thin plot. The whole thing could have done with some judicious editing and been made somewhat shorter.
Want to read
February 27, 2012Freebie in the kindle store.
Looks interesting.
Very good reviews.
Looks legit.
Looks interesting.
Very good reviews.
Looks legit.
November 7, 2022
Scratch isn't a bad novel just one that becomes a bit predictable as it nears its conclusion. Jim is of course the antihero who has yet to grow up even though he's in his thirties so when he suddenly sells his flat and quit his job you would think there would be some growth and there is but the main story is about Paula and Jim who reconnect after twelve years. This is the main problem. You know where this is going, and even how it's going to end but you hope you're wrong and read it anyway.
The plot is simplistic which isn't a bad thing but it's so dialouge heavy you almost wish there was less of it. You don't get a lot in terms of character development but what you do get is just enough to keep things interesting. Scratch is like a romance novel for guys. We have the boy looses girl, boy reconnects with girl and there's a possibiity of happily ever after but sometimes things don't work out that way.
The plot is simplistic which isn't a bad thing but it's so dialouge heavy you almost wish there was less of it. You don't get a lot in terms of character development but what you do get is just enough to keep things interesting. Scratch is like a romance novel for guys. We have the boy looses girl, boy reconnects with girl and there's a possibiity of happily ever after but sometimes things don't work out that way.
July 1, 2017
This book seemed to me to be chick lit for men, in the same ballpark as Mike Gayle for example. I liked the Glasgow setting and the incidental characters who work in the bar with the protagonist. I liked Jim a lot, but I wasn't as keen on the love of his life which made some of the book a bit of a strain. On the whole quite enjoyed it and would read something else by the author if I came across it.
March 29, 2014
I've read a lot of this genre and can confidently state this one is far, far better than anything else in its field.
With Scratch, Danny Gillan achieves what David Nicholls cannot and what Tony Parsons can only dream about.
This book reminds me of Jim Keeble or John O'Farrell - but it really is much better.
Scratch is honest-funny, not synthetic-funny.
This is funny, sharply observed comedy with a wry contemporary and Glaswegian slant on age-old problems.
It appeals to men and women alike (I tested it) in its disarming tone, disguising an intelligence and philosophical angle with humour, hilarious set pieces and a refusal to fit conventional Hollywood formulae.
Gillan's crucial advantage is that he writes likeable key characters; people we understand, recognise and could be persuaded to join for a pint. Which is handy, as much of the action is set in the pub.
But it's more than one man's painful journey through lager to maturity; it examines how people choose to live their lives, how external facades hide rifts, patterns of behaviour and deeply held assumptions.
His cast of characters; Terry the Not-In-The Closet mate, Kate the Beautiful-But-Crap co-worker, Joe/Simon the astute psychologist with a Bruce Lee obsession, Sammy the Out-of-the-Closet boss, all weave a wonderfully rich background against which our Jim fights his battles.
There's a love story at the heart of this, but it isn't the one you think.
The bits that made me cry and nod came from the most unexpected quarter, and meant all the more for it. Near the end, Jim and Martin's conversation, so perfectly pitched, lifted this book to another level. Gillan's writing - quite literally - makes us grow up.
Scratch avoids cliche, skips cheap solutions and provides a thoroughly satisfying, if bittersweet end to Jim Cooper's journey.
Why this isn't kicking One Day etc out of the water, I don't know - it has warmth, humour and honesty, loveable individuals and a genuine attempt to answer the essential question - how should you live your life?
This writer is going to be massive - because he's better than the rest.
Read him now so you can tell them all 'I told you so'.
With Scratch, Danny Gillan achieves what David Nicholls cannot and what Tony Parsons can only dream about.
This book reminds me of Jim Keeble or John O'Farrell - but it really is much better.
Scratch is honest-funny, not synthetic-funny.
This is funny, sharply observed comedy with a wry contemporary and Glaswegian slant on age-old problems.
It appeals to men and women alike (I tested it) in its disarming tone, disguising an intelligence and philosophical angle with humour, hilarious set pieces and a refusal to fit conventional Hollywood formulae.
Gillan's crucial advantage is that he writes likeable key characters; people we understand, recognise and could be persuaded to join for a pint. Which is handy, as much of the action is set in the pub.
But it's more than one man's painful journey through lager to maturity; it examines how people choose to live their lives, how external facades hide rifts, patterns of behaviour and deeply held assumptions.
His cast of characters; Terry the Not-In-The Closet mate, Kate the Beautiful-But-Crap co-worker, Joe/Simon the astute psychologist with a Bruce Lee obsession, Sammy the Out-of-the-Closet boss, all weave a wonderfully rich background against which our Jim fights his battles.
There's a love story at the heart of this, but it isn't the one you think.
The bits that made me cry and nod came from the most unexpected quarter, and meant all the more for it. Near the end, Jim and Martin's conversation, so perfectly pitched, lifted this book to another level. Gillan's writing - quite literally - makes us grow up.
Scratch avoids cliche, skips cheap solutions and provides a thoroughly satisfying, if bittersweet end to Jim Cooper's journey.
Why this isn't kicking One Day etc out of the water, I don't know - it has warmth, humour and honesty, loveable individuals and a genuine attempt to answer the essential question - how should you live your life?
This writer is going to be massive - because he's better than the rest.
Read him now so you can tell them all 'I told you so'.
September 28, 2011
Hating his job and in debt up to his neck, Jim decides to start from scratch. He quits his job, sells his flat and moves back in with his parents. So begins Jim's quest to have another go at 'getting it right.'
I so enjoyed this story. It was entertaining and funny, thought-provoking and poignant. In this current economy, I can easily see this story unfolding in the real world.
The characters are so well fleshed, each with his/her own strengths and weaknesses, that I am left feeling as if I could go to the corner pub and have a drink with any one of them as we have a good chat. I love Jim. He really is a wanker (of course, I'm using the Joe/Simon definition!). I am terribly disappointed in Paula, but then I write romance novels for a living and wanted, well, I can't tell you what I wanted without giving away some good bits. I enjoyed watching Terry grow and mature…but only so far (I'm shaking my head and grinning, you'll see why when you meet him). I love Abe and Jeb…their working relationship is something we all wish we had in our work-a-day lives (I'm laughing even as I type this). I even loved Kate, and especially enjoyed learning the unexpected 'motive' behind her laziness.
Buy this book. But don't just read it. Savor it. You won't be sorry.
Highly recommended.
I so enjoyed this story. It was entertaining and funny, thought-provoking and poignant. In this current economy, I can easily see this story unfolding in the real world.
The characters are so well fleshed, each with his/her own strengths and weaknesses, that I am left feeling as if I could go to the corner pub and have a drink with any one of them as we have a good chat. I love Jim. He really is a wanker (of course, I'm using the Joe/Simon definition!). I am terribly disappointed in Paula, but then I write romance novels for a living and wanted, well, I can't tell you what I wanted without giving away some good bits. I enjoyed watching Terry grow and mature…but only so far (I'm shaking my head and grinning, you'll see why when you meet him). I love Abe and Jeb…their working relationship is something we all wish we had in our work-a-day lives (I'm laughing even as I type this). I even loved Kate, and especially enjoyed learning the unexpected 'motive' behind her laziness.
Buy this book. But don't just read it. Savor it. You won't be sorry.
Highly recommended.
April 19, 2011
I just spent a week in a pub
The pub in question is 'The Basement', situated in Glasgow and is populated by some wonderful, funny, lovable characters. I felt at home there, I wanted Jim to pull me a pint and I wanted to have a girly chat with Paula Fraser. This is the magic of Danny Gillan's writing; he pulls you into a fictional world you don't want to leave. You laugh and cry with the hero, you cheer him on and truly feel for him when the chips are down. And sometimes you want to kick his butt.
This is the very best of British writing, the same quality as 'The Likely Lads', 'The Full Monty' and 'Men Behaving Badly'. Not that Danny Gillan has borrowed any of this, he has his own very unique style. But this book has that 'real' feel and the people in it become your friends.When I finished the book, I really missed the world I had been in while reading the story. It was a bit like coming out of the cinema after a really good movie, you're still thinking about the story while slowly getting back to the real world.
One of the best books I have read for a very long time.
The pub in question is 'The Basement', situated in Glasgow and is populated by some wonderful, funny, lovable characters. I felt at home there, I wanted Jim to pull me a pint and I wanted to have a girly chat with Paula Fraser. This is the magic of Danny Gillan's writing; he pulls you into a fictional world you don't want to leave. You laugh and cry with the hero, you cheer him on and truly feel for him when the chips are down. And sometimes you want to kick his butt.
This is the very best of British writing, the same quality as 'The Likely Lads', 'The Full Monty' and 'Men Behaving Badly'. Not that Danny Gillan has borrowed any of this, he has his own very unique style. But this book has that 'real' feel and the people in it become your friends.When I finished the book, I really missed the world I had been in while reading the story. It was a bit like coming out of the cinema after a really good movie, you're still thinking about the story while slowly getting back to the real world.
One of the best books I have read for a very long time.
June 20, 2012
The tone in which this book is written is like your best friend sitting you down with a frothy coffee, or beer if you prefer, and telling you about his life. It's very light, warm, friendly and easy to read.
I wouldn't be surprised if Gillan has put a fair amount of himself into this book, and it works. There is a vast array of characters who are both lovable and believable. As Jim makes his various decisions, by his side are his best mate Terry, who may or may not be gay, Paula Fraser's father, who some days is Joe and some days is Simon, a collection of characters in the pub and his parents. All play their part in supporting Jim through his re-acquaintance with the lovely Paula Fraser.
On top of the warm tone and the great characters, this book was extremely funny! Gillan has created a great character with Jim along with the dialogue and situations and the cast of characters are great. I had many laugh out loud moments on the train on the way to work. What a great way to start or end your day!
I wouldn't be surprised if Gillan has put a fair amount of himself into this book, and it works. There is a vast array of characters who are both lovable and believable. As Jim makes his various decisions, by his side are his best mate Terry, who may or may not be gay, Paula Fraser's father, who some days is Joe and some days is Simon, a collection of characters in the pub and his parents. All play their part in supporting Jim through his re-acquaintance with the lovely Paula Fraser.
On top of the warm tone and the great characters, this book was extremely funny! Gillan has created a great character with Jim along with the dialogue and situations and the cast of characters are great. I had many laugh out loud moments on the train on the way to work. What a great way to start or end your day!
September 18, 2011
The “coming-of-age” story is a popular story type that involves someone young (usually early twenties or younger) who has an experience that helps them move from childhood towards the adult world. Scratch is a coming-of-age-again story. It’s a story about second chances, the choices we make, and their consequences.
If this sounds deep, it is. The themes explored in "Scratch" are serious and the struggles Jim has are the same kind of thing all but the most charmed and decisive of us have experienced at some point. Yet "Scratch" doesn’t feel serious, because it is infused with humor and wit. "Scratch" is a serious book while being fun, instead of pretentious; a perfect combination.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
If this sounds deep, it is. The themes explored in "Scratch" are serious and the struggles Jim has are the same kind of thing all but the most charmed and decisive of us have experienced at some point. Yet "Scratch" doesn’t feel serious, because it is infused with humor and wit. "Scratch" is a serious book while being fun, instead of pretentious; a perfect combination.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
May 4, 2012
The protagonist is 33 years old so this is not a ‘coming of age’, but still something of a ‘growing up tale’. Nothing deeply revealing about life’s trials and tribulations but reflects the messy, inconsistent and illogical goings-on in complicated personal relationships. Recreational life in Scotland seems solely to revolve round the pub, if many recent north-of-the-border novels are representative, but this is nevertheless an entertaining read. The ‘hero’ is full of flaws and consequently seems more endearing, although all those who know him repeatedly remind him of his shortcomings and their one word definition of him – and banker isn’t it. As a free download this was brilliant.
May 27, 2012
Quite well written to point that thought I wondered I was even reading the book [free download for my Kindle] I persevered. Unlike the TV shows hooking up with an old girlfriend who is now unhappily married does not lead to happiness. How can an unfaithful person be trusted. Written in the first person the narrator tries to do right by his own values [not sleeping the ex until she has told her husband it's over]. A nice in that although abandoned by the ex he enjoys the support of his parents and particularly his father to whom he had never been close.
Good read in it's realism.
Good read in it's realism.
December 27, 2012
This is a tale of ordinary folk in an unremarkable setting, told in a conversational tone, yet it managed to completely captivate me.
I'm not entirely comfortable with the fact I found myself a little bit in love with Jim Cooper - a heavy smoker and drinker with a foul mouth, no self respect, poor personal hygiene and only one real friend - but that's the skill of Danny Gillan's writing.
A love story, a lesson in philosophy, a social commentary, a comedy: Scratch is all these things and more.
I'm not entirely comfortable with the fact I found myself a little bit in love with Jim Cooper - a heavy smoker and drinker with a foul mouth, no self respect, poor personal hygiene and only one real friend - but that's the skill of Danny Gillan's writing.
A love story, a lesson in philosophy, a social commentary, a comedy: Scratch is all these things and more.
April 24, 2012
This is the second of Danny Gillan's novels I've read (the other being Will You Love Me Tomorrow in paperback) but this one is by far the funnier of the two. It's true to life, sad, whimsical and sort of romantic (but unlike any other romantic novel, although I can't say why without giving away one of the main humour strands). Do yourself a favour - buy this and settle down for a really satisfying read. It made me laugh out loud.
April 2, 2012
Jim decides to leave his call centre job, sell his flat, pay his debts and put his life back to scratch. He ends up moving back with his parents and going back to the bar job he first started at. Then the love of his life returns after an absence of 12 years.
As the book develops, he finally learns who he really is and what is important to him. A funny and thought provoking story about relationships and life.
As the book develops, he finally learns who he really is and what is important to him. A funny and thought provoking story about relationships and life.
November 11, 2013
This is a wonderful story with actual real to life characters. Jim takes a leap of faith and starts his life over from scratch. You identify with him, and cheer him on. You laugh at him and with him; you become invested in his future. You actually fall in love with Jim yourself. His story is heart warming and heart wrenching. This story is well worth every minute you spend reading it. I highly recommend this book, it is worth every penny, no matter the cost!
March 29, 2012
Good book! It's about a guy in his early 30s who realizes that he's miserable and starts over, even moving back in with his parents. Not a new premise, but well written, with interesting characters. I even liked the way it ended...no romantic bow on top (because, really, when does life ever give you the bow on top?)
March 6, 2012
I enjoyed reading about love and relationshipsfrom a male perspective. This was a random free ebook find, and I adored it!
March 22, 2012
It was pretty good until the end. Lost me there
July 24, 2012
Not really into British/Scottish books-can't stand fecking, shite, arse. Quite boring, felt like the longest book I ever read.
June 21, 2014
I could easily see this as a movie starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. Many laugh-out-loud moments.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews