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The Tongue She Speaks
Glasgow. 2007. Emo culture is thriving, but fifteen-year-old Cathy O’Kelly’s world couldn’t be more insular. It’s her first day at high school. Bullied out of primary, she’s got a new start after two years being taught at home by her Mammy. She’s dreaming of getting the marks she needs to be a proper Scots writer and avoiding getting on the wrong side of the neds. Again.
But her bully doesn’t wear a tracksuit. Mark’s a third year in an oversized hoodie and Converse. A poet. Or so he wants to be. When he learns of Cathy’s dream, he’s makes it his mission to tear it down — and win her admiration.
Will a chance encounter with a punk band at Glasgow’s seminal underage club save her? Or will a different kind of bully push Cathy further into herself?
But her bully doesn’t wear a tracksuit. Mark’s a third year in an oversized hoodie and Converse. A poet. Or so he wants to be. When he learns of Cathy’s dream, he’s makes it his mission to tear it down — and win her admiration.
Will a chance encounter with a punk band at Glasgow’s seminal underage club save her? Or will a different kind of bully push Cathy further into herself?
- GenresYoung Adult
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2022
4 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Emma Grae
7 books22 followersEmma Grae is an author and journalist from Glasgow. She is a passionate advocate of the Scots language and breaking the stigma around mental illness. She has published fiction and poetry in the UK and Ireland since 2014 in journals including The Honest Ulsterman, From Glasgow to Saturn and The Open Mouse. Her debut novel, Be Guid tae yer Mammy, published by Unbound in August 2021, was shortlisted for the Saltire Scottish Fiction Book of the Year Award 2022 and won the Scots Book of the Year at the Scots Language Awards 2022. Her second novel, The Tongue She Speaks, was published by Luath Press in October 2022. As a journalist, she writes under her birth surname, Guinness, and has bylines around the world. Her first children’s book, The Hoolet Thit Couldnae Fly, was published in 2023 and shortlisted for Scots Bairns Book of the Year 2024. The Moggie Thit Meowed Too Much is her second children’s book.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 28, 2023
Dinnae like that its nostalgic fur 2007 when it wis only five minutes ago
Ithar than that a grand read
Ithar than that a grand read
January 28, 2023
I was a big fan of @emmagraeauthor first book, Be Guid Tae Yer Mammy (which won Scots Book of the Year 2022!), so was very excited to take part in the book tour for her latest novel!
The Tongue She speaks is a brilliant coming of age novel, which has a big emphasis on the Scots language. Emma is a huge promoter of the Scots language and various parts of this book felt like Emma was writing about herself, or her own experiences.
Cathy O’Kelly is such a likeable character and it was a pure joy to read her story and she her character develop! After having trouble with bullying at school, Cathy begins afresh at a new school and I loved the can do attitude she shows, especially with all things Scots. This book is very funny but there are also some raw, honest moments which are written well.
A heart warming, nostalgic read - there’s something we can all take from this book, but the main message of striving for what you feel is right rings true!
The Tongue She speaks is a brilliant coming of age novel, which has a big emphasis on the Scots language. Emma is a huge promoter of the Scots language and various parts of this book felt like Emma was writing about herself, or her own experiences.
Cathy O’Kelly is such a likeable character and it was a pure joy to read her story and she her character develop! After having trouble with bullying at school, Cathy begins afresh at a new school and I loved the can do attitude she shows, especially with all things Scots. This book is very funny but there are also some raw, honest moments which are written well.
A heart warming, nostalgic read - there’s something we can all take from this book, but the main message of striving for what you feel is right rings true!
November 16, 2022
Emma very kindly gave me a #gifted ebook as I had read and reviewed her last book ‘Be Guid Tae Yer Mammy’! I was super excited to pick her new book up, especially on the back of her winning Scots Book of the Year for her debut.
Cathy O’Kelly is finally making her way to the big school and she can't be happier. After year's of sustained bullying she had been homeschooled for a few years but is now returning to school. Cathy has got spunk. She is determined to become a writer and more than anything she wants to write in Scots. If the Bard can do it why can't she?! Only some of her teachers aren't that encouraging and Cathy desperately wants to get a spot in that coveted top set of English. It doesn't help that she is sat next to a wordsmith, someone who can create stories written in English. And he is the teacher's pet!
I get the impression that there is a lot of Emma herself in wee Cathy. For those that don't know, Emma is a passionate campaigner on the Scots language - determined to see it more assimilated into Scottish culture! A very worthy aim and it shows parallels with Cathy’s experiences in the book. She is definite that Scots is a language and is going to show everyone that she is correct. Everyone around her growing up talks that way so why can't she write that way? Plus, there is a more varied vocabulary in Scots, it's more evocative of how she sees the world!
The scenes in the Catty made me laugh - I used to work there whilst at uni and unders was the worst shift going! It was a riot and full of drunken twats. So Cathy got a much nicer experience than I can remember! I resonated with Cathy trying to find her way in life though, as it was that period and in these locations that I was trying to do the same! Try to decipher all these new emotions, events and relationships. Emma’s writing is spot on here. Also, I had totally forgotten about Bebo! Thanks for a memorable trip down memory lane.
It is the relationships in this book that touched me though, especially with her mother. It's clear they don't have a lot of money but it shows that despite obstacles they have a solid and supportive one. But it's Cathy’s relationship with herself that is the most striking. She finds it hard to fit in, make friends and even understand her sister. She has PTSD from the bullying and Emma’s portrayal of this is again spot on. I felt many of the fears that goes through Cathy’s head and I think that teenagers reading this book will definitely walk away from reading this and feeling as if they have been seen!
Cathy O’Kelly is finally making her way to the big school and she can't be happier. After year's of sustained bullying she had been homeschooled for a few years but is now returning to school. Cathy has got spunk. She is determined to become a writer and more than anything she wants to write in Scots. If the Bard can do it why can't she?! Only some of her teachers aren't that encouraging and Cathy desperately wants to get a spot in that coveted top set of English. It doesn't help that she is sat next to a wordsmith, someone who can create stories written in English. And he is the teacher's pet!
I get the impression that there is a lot of Emma herself in wee Cathy. For those that don't know, Emma is a passionate campaigner on the Scots language - determined to see it more assimilated into Scottish culture! A very worthy aim and it shows parallels with Cathy’s experiences in the book. She is definite that Scots is a language and is going to show everyone that she is correct. Everyone around her growing up talks that way so why can't she write that way? Plus, there is a more varied vocabulary in Scots, it's more evocative of how she sees the world!
The scenes in the Catty made me laugh - I used to work there whilst at uni and unders was the worst shift going! It was a riot and full of drunken twats. So Cathy got a much nicer experience than I can remember! I resonated with Cathy trying to find her way in life though, as it was that period and in these locations that I was trying to do the same! Try to decipher all these new emotions, events and relationships. Emma’s writing is spot on here. Also, I had totally forgotten about Bebo! Thanks for a memorable trip down memory lane.
It is the relationships in this book that touched me though, especially with her mother. It's clear they don't have a lot of money but it shows that despite obstacles they have a solid and supportive one. But it's Cathy’s relationship with herself that is the most striking. She finds it hard to fit in, make friends and even understand her sister. She has PTSD from the bullying and Emma’s portrayal of this is again spot on. I felt many of the fears that goes through Cathy’s head and I think that teenagers reading this book will definitely walk away from reading this and feeling as if they have been seen!
January 31, 2023
The story:
The year is 2007, and Cathy O’Kelly is about to get a fresh start; joining the big school having been bullied out of primary and her life made a misery. Thoughtful and sensitive, Cathy has suffered a lot in her 15 years, from bullying to the loss of a parent. But she has a dream — to make it as a Scots writer. The big school will bring new challenges as well as opportunities, and Cathy will need to prove those around her wrong, and stay true to herself if she’s to achieve her ambitions of writing in the tongue she speaks.
My thoughts:
“The Tongue She Speaks” by Emma Grae (whose debut novel, “Be Guid tae yer Mammy”, was published in 2021) is written in the Scots language, and is the first such book I’ve read. I found it took me a paragraph or two to get into the flow of reading, but surprisingly quickly I was completely absorbed and found it a great read — so don’t worry if you’re not used to reading in Scots! Reading in the language of the main character really added to my appreciation of Cathy and her dream to write.
The story moves back and forth between two time frames, the first starting in 1997 with Cathy’s experiences at the “Wee School” and the second starting in 2007 where we find Cathy starting at the “Big School” Bonnieburgh Academy, having been taught at home by her mother for the past few years.
The early 2000s nostalgia (although a bit past my school days!) was great to read, with the internet just starting to establish itself in people’s daily lives, and allowing Cathy to find an online support network lacking in her own community.
At the big school she meets the self-styled Dorian (real name Mark), who also wants to be a writer, and is immediately disdainful of Cathy’s Scots ambitions. The lack of encouragement Cathy receives for writing in Scots, including from her English teacher, is marked — it being seen as ok to speak that way, but that writing should be done in ‘proper English’ (Burns’ poetry excluded!). But Cathy, although sometimes discouraged and massively hard on herself, is also determined, and I was cheering her on to persevere throughout. Watching Cathy’s struggles, successes and realisations about herself makes this an enjoyable, heartwarming and satisfying read that I’d recommend to all lovers of coming-of-age stories and heroines you can root for.
The year is 2007, and Cathy O’Kelly is about to get a fresh start; joining the big school having been bullied out of primary and her life made a misery. Thoughtful and sensitive, Cathy has suffered a lot in her 15 years, from bullying to the loss of a parent. But she has a dream — to make it as a Scots writer. The big school will bring new challenges as well as opportunities, and Cathy will need to prove those around her wrong, and stay true to herself if she’s to achieve her ambitions of writing in the tongue she speaks.
My thoughts:
“The Tongue She Speaks” by Emma Grae (whose debut novel, “Be Guid tae yer Mammy”, was published in 2021) is written in the Scots language, and is the first such book I’ve read. I found it took me a paragraph or two to get into the flow of reading, but surprisingly quickly I was completely absorbed and found it a great read — so don’t worry if you’re not used to reading in Scots! Reading in the language of the main character really added to my appreciation of Cathy and her dream to write.
The story moves back and forth between two time frames, the first starting in 1997 with Cathy’s experiences at the “Wee School” and the second starting in 2007 where we find Cathy starting at the “Big School” Bonnieburgh Academy, having been taught at home by her mother for the past few years.
The early 2000s nostalgia (although a bit past my school days!) was great to read, with the internet just starting to establish itself in people’s daily lives, and allowing Cathy to find an online support network lacking in her own community.
At the big school she meets the self-styled Dorian (real name Mark), who also wants to be a writer, and is immediately disdainful of Cathy’s Scots ambitions. The lack of encouragement Cathy receives for writing in Scots, including from her English teacher, is marked — it being seen as ok to speak that way, but that writing should be done in ‘proper English’ (Burns’ poetry excluded!). But Cathy, although sometimes discouraged and massively hard on herself, is also determined, and I was cheering her on to persevere throughout. Watching Cathy’s struggles, successes and realisations about herself makes this an enjoyable, heartwarming and satisfying read that I’d recommend to all lovers of coming-of-age stories and heroines you can root for.
September 11, 2023
The tongue she speaks is a coming of age story following Cathy as she pursues her passion for Scot’s language. This book was full of nostalgia for me from using the Jane Norman bags to carry your P.E kit, Choices for Life, dream matte mousse, making babies with your jelly aliens to sea monkeys. This book really made me feel seen!
Cathy is such an inspirational main character and she stands up for what she is passionate about. I loved that the main focus of the book was around Scot’s language. I also grew up with my gran, who still to this day makes comments on the way I speak and my accent, so found that really relatable and funny.
The book is written in Scots, which I think might of been one of the reasons it took me so long to pick up as I was a bit intimidated but after the first chapter it just flows off the page!
This felt like such a comfort read. I highly recommend 👏👏
Thanks so much to @lauthpress and Emma Grae for this gifted copy 🫶 can’t wait to read be guid tae yer mammy now!!
Cathy is such an inspirational main character and she stands up for what she is passionate about. I loved that the main focus of the book was around Scot’s language. I also grew up with my gran, who still to this day makes comments on the way I speak and my accent, so found that really relatable and funny.
The book is written in Scots, which I think might of been one of the reasons it took me so long to pick up as I was a bit intimidated but after the first chapter it just flows off the page!
This felt like such a comfort read. I highly recommend 👏👏
Thanks so much to @lauthpress and Emma Grae for this gifted copy 🫶 can’t wait to read be guid tae yer mammy now!!
February 1, 2023
Glasgow. 2007. Emo culture is thriving, but fifteen-year-old Cathy O’Kelly is not. Bullied out of primary, she’s finally got a new start at the big school after two years being taught at home by her Mammy. She dreams of earning the marks she needs to be a proper Scots writer and avoiding getting on the wrong side of the bams. Again.
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The Tongue She Speaks is a brilliant coming of age story all about being true to yourself and following your passions in life no matter what might be standing in your way. This book was FULL of noughties nostalgia for me, Tammy girl, Jane Norman bags for PE and Dream Matt Mouse foundation, I felt like I was back living my best emo days at secondary school!
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The book is written entirely in Scots, which I loved, I have Scottish family so found myself reading it in their voices if I was struggling with the language. You can really feel the passion that Cathy (and Grae) have for the language. Grae explores themes of grief, bullying and navigating a world that seems to be against you being your true self. It was an impressive read and I’ll definitely keep an eye out for more from Grae and more written in Scots too!
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The Tongue She Speaks is a brilliant coming of age story all about being true to yourself and following your passions in life no matter what might be standing in your way. This book was FULL of noughties nostalgia for me, Tammy girl, Jane Norman bags for PE and Dream Matt Mouse foundation, I felt like I was back living my best emo days at secondary school!
•
The book is written entirely in Scots, which I loved, I have Scottish family so found myself reading it in their voices if I was struggling with the language. You can really feel the passion that Cathy (and Grae) have for the language. Grae explores themes of grief, bullying and navigating a world that seems to be against you being your true self. It was an impressive read and I’ll definitely keep an eye out for more from Grae and more written in Scots too!
December 7, 2022
A coming of age story of a central Scotland high school kid diving into a world of insecurity, low self esteem and self doubt as they juggle their dreams with simply growing up. The misery of being made to feel like you're 'different' is explored alongside the absolute joy of finding your own identity through music. All written wonderfully in Scots.
Funny, heart warming and extremely nostalgic for those of an age now who remember their own similar struggles like they were yesterday. This is a great Scots novel which draws obvious comparisons to Ely Percy's Duck Feet.
A must read for anyone from central Scotland who grew up in the kerrang / emo days (it's not a phase) and loving the Catty, Myspace and big back combed hair.
Funny, heart warming and extremely nostalgic for those of an age now who remember their own similar struggles like they were yesterday. This is a great Scots novel which draws obvious comparisons to Ely Percy's Duck Feet.
A must read for anyone from central Scotland who grew up in the kerrang / emo days (it's not a phase) and loving the Catty, Myspace and big back combed hair.
June 27, 2023
There's a saying among musicians that basically says you have your entire life to make your first album & then two years to make your second. That shouldn't worry author Emma Grae, whose debut novel won the Scots Book of the Year award, only to be followed up by this equally enjoyable coming of age story about 15 year old Cathy O'Kelly, who, growing up in Glasgow, faces many of the same struggles shared by all young women, along with bullies both tangible & intangible, as she hopes to pursue her dream to be a writer. Set against the backdrop of 2007, there are many timely references that should work well as touchstones that readers familiar with the era should identify with, even if they find Scots a bit of a challenge.
January 19, 2023
MY REVIEW
After being bullied at primary school, and home schooled by her mum. Cathy had some trepidation about starting secondary school. Throughout the story I felt like we all had a Cathy O' Kelly at school. When I first started reading the book, I did find it a struggle to read, as it's written in Scots. Once I started to understand it, I found that I really did enjoy the book, there were many laugh out loud moments and other times where I just wanted to give Cathy a hug. Also loved the emo music references.
I'll definitely be putting Emma Grae on my list of authors to look out for.
After being bullied at primary school, and home schooled by her mum. Cathy had some trepidation about starting secondary school. Throughout the story I felt like we all had a Cathy O' Kelly at school. When I first started reading the book, I did find it a struggle to read, as it's written in Scots. Once I started to understand it, I found that I really did enjoy the book, there were many laugh out loud moments and other times where I just wanted to give Cathy a hug. Also loved the emo music references.
I'll definitely be putting Emma Grae on my list of authors to look out for.
January 19, 2023
With this book being written in Scots in takes some concentration to read, but i literally felt like i was talking / listening to my Scottish family them as i was reading this book.
Cathy's story about bullying, school, teenage years in the noughties really resonated with me...the music scene really does make all the difference. Its all about being true to yourself and believing that you can achieve your goals in life.
Cathy showed that even with all the bullying you can move on, make new friends and achieve - just be your true authentic self
A truly different read and i enjoyed this.
Cathy's story about bullying, school, teenage years in the noughties really resonated with me...the music scene really does make all the difference. Its all about being true to yourself and believing that you can achieve your goals in life.
Cathy showed that even with all the bullying you can move on, make new friends and achieve - just be your true authentic self
A truly different read and i enjoyed this.
November 14, 2022
Following sustained bullying at the wee school and two years of home schooling, Cathy O'Kelly is finally moving to the big school where she hopes to fulfil her dream of becoming a writer and furthermore a writer in Scots which – despite what some of her teachers may say – she has come to realise is just as much a language as the English she's expected to write in if she's got a chance of being in the top English group.
The Tongue She Speaks is a mesmerising experience, immersing the reader in the mind of a teenaged girl, privy to all of the thoughts, doubts and uncertainties we all have but never tell anyone about. This is not just a story about a drive to succeed, it reminds the reader of how inscrutable the world can be to the young, especially if you’re a bit different and have trouble fitting in.
Cathy struggles with mental health, with making friends, a childhood shot through with tragedy and a puritanical Mammy. Nevertheless, despite all this and the further setbacks that are thrown at her thanks to Dorian the indecipherable poser who is in direct competition with her for a place in the top group and her spiteful sister Morag desperate to get her in trouble with Mammy she never lets go of her ambition.
An emotionally raw and very honest novel – and completely accessible even if Scots isn’t your mother tongue.
"Naewan writes like they talk. Everywan's tryin tae be sommat they're no."
The Tongue She Speaks is a mesmerising experience, immersing the reader in the mind of a teenaged girl, privy to all of the thoughts, doubts and uncertainties we all have but never tell anyone about. This is not just a story about a drive to succeed, it reminds the reader of how inscrutable the world can be to the young, especially if you’re a bit different and have trouble fitting in.
Cathy struggles with mental health, with making friends, a childhood shot through with tragedy and a puritanical Mammy. Nevertheless, despite all this and the further setbacks that are thrown at her thanks to Dorian the indecipherable poser who is in direct competition with her for a place in the top group and her spiteful sister Morag desperate to get her in trouble with Mammy she never lets go of her ambition.
An emotionally raw and very honest novel – and completely accessible even if Scots isn’t your mother tongue.
January 11, 2023
thank you to the author and @instabooktours for the copy! i really enjoyed this book. i found it funny yet brave, raw and emotional. the book is written with scottish dialect and that’s just something to bear in mind as i think if you’re not familiar with it, it might be a bit tricky to read.
March 28, 2023
This was a belter o ae buik. A wee comfort blanket that made me laugh an greet hinking aboot ma ain time as a wain in Central Scotland. It even pushed me tae try and scrive and read mare in Scots as it was sae braw. Cheers Emma. :)
November 4, 2022
Well, here I go again.
Ah love wee Cathy O'Kelly and ah reckon this buik's a winner an aw.
Ah love wee Cathy O'Kelly and ah reckon this buik's a winner an aw.
February 24, 2023
Lovely wee read.
July 16, 2023
there wasn’t that much of a story but it was hella refreshing to read a book in scots
November 12, 2023
Brilliant book. I could not put it down
January 15, 2026
Crackin'
A positive representation of the Scots language and the stigma surrounding class in relation to the use of local dialect.
A positive representation of the Scots language and the stigma surrounding class in relation to the use of local dialect.
January 30, 2023
Emma Grae’s novels are like a big comfort blanket that are so nostalgic they make you wonder where she hid the cameras in your life to be so relatable! Both Be Guid Tae Yer Mammy & The Tongue She Speaks we’re hugely relatable novels for me and I loved the characters as a result. The story line in this book was really engaging and heart warming.
I thoroughly enjoyed the exploration into the Scots language and how Cathy stands up for herself in the face of experiencing bullying. She’s a really strong and likeable character, and really made this book for me! I can’t wait for the next book!
Thank you so much to instabooktours and Emma Grae for the chance to review this book on this book tour.
I thoroughly enjoyed the exploration into the Scots language and how Cathy stands up for herself in the face of experiencing bullying. She’s a really strong and likeable character, and really made this book for me! I can’t wait for the next book!
Thank you so much to instabooktours and Emma Grae for the chance to review this book on this book tour.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews