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The Way Back
The three Cadogan children, Jessica, Kirsty and Patrick, haven't spoken to each other for three years. An argument after their mother's death was the latest excuse to blame one another for their family's troubles in a long, unhappy series that's lasted almost a decade.
When their father, Gerry, dies they are given instructions as to where he wants his ashes to be scattered. But first they must together drive his old camper van up the country to the Scottish Isle of Islay. For the journey, he's given them his old fishing tackle box containing three photo albums through which they can explore their past, and a bottle of single malt whisky he had been saving for the 70th birthday he never reached.
Along the way, they'll be forced to confront the most painful moments in their shared history, lay to rest a ghost who's haunted them for years - and maybe even become a family again.
When their father, Gerry, dies they are given instructions as to where he wants his ashes to be scattered. But first they must together drive his old camper van up the country to the Scottish Isle of Islay. For the journey, he's given them his old fishing tackle box containing three photo albums through which they can explore their past, and a bottle of single malt whisky he had been saving for the 70th birthday he never reached.
Along the way, they'll be forced to confront the most painful moments in their shared history, lay to rest a ghost who's haunted them for years - and maybe even become a family again.
- GenresFiction
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 8, 2021
The three Cadogan siblings, Jessica, Patrick and Kirsty have a fractured relationship and have barely spoken to each for three years. Their father Gerry has set in motion plans he hopes will bring them back together. When he dies he has asked that his ashes be scattered at a specific place in Scotland and for the three siblings to travel there together in his old campervan. He has given them a fishing box in which are three photo albums and a bottle of aged and expensive whisky from Port Ellen. Will the journey bring them back together or drive them apart forever?
The story is told from the three points of view which gives good insight into each character and their thoughts and issues. It certainly helps the reader understand what has gone on and the fallout from it. This is an interesting look at family dynamics and how some things can be blown out of all proportion. I can’t say I was particularly enamoured of any of the three characters, although they were all well portrayed but it still did make for a good story that kept my interest. However, I could have done without the liberal sprinkling of the F word throughout, which may not worry some other readers as much. Still, an insightful read about family and the losses that can change lives.
The story is told from the three points of view which gives good insight into each character and their thoughts and issues. It certainly helps the reader understand what has gone on and the fallout from it. This is an interesting look at family dynamics and how some things can be blown out of all proportion. I can’t say I was particularly enamoured of any of the three characters, although they were all well portrayed but it still did make for a good story that kept my interest. However, I could have done without the liberal sprinkling of the F word throughout, which may not worry some other readers as much. Still, an insightful read about family and the losses that can change lives.
April 19, 2020
4 stars!
I fear I don't have enough words to describe how this book made me feel. Jamie Fewery writes a thought provoking, painful story about family, ghosts of the past and what it means to reconcile with the ones you're meant to love the most.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Cadogans haven't always had an easy life. After their mother's passing, the three children Kirsty, Jessica and Patrick had a falling out so huge that they didn't speak at all after it. Now upon facing the death of their father, they are forced together one last time in order to arrange funeral plans and empty their family home. But Gerry Cadogan, the father, had other plans for their children and left very specific instructions of what he wanted them to do with their ashes. Now the three siblings are forced to go to Scotland on their father's old camper van to scatter his ashes along the Isle of Islay.
Spending days on end trapped in a camper van with family members you don't get along with, especially because no one has buried the hatchet of their old arguments yet, can be the most taunting and challenging experience. Kirsty seems to think that the only reason Gerry has sent them on this trip is because he was hoping they would make amends, but Patrick and Jessica start to think that the real reason is hidden in an old unresolved ghost.
Jamie Fewery's writing is beautiful and thought penetrating and the fact that we are constantly swapping between the POVs of the three children allows for a much more in-depth knowledge of the story. The intertwining of several flashbacks within the main story also create a clearer image of these people's lives and everything they've had to go through to get here.
The fact that a big part of this story is based in Brighton and Hove reached a really soft spot in my heart and I think now whenever I'll walk around Hove or the Brighton Laines I'll keep saying the Cadogans somewhere on the street.
The Way Back is a beautiful story about family, love, self-preservation, and fear and anxieties. It perfectly represents the ugliest parts of ourselves and of our families that we sometimes don't know how to deal with and puts a hopeful spin on it.
I fear I don't have enough words to describe how this book made me feel. Jamie Fewery writes a thought provoking, painful story about family, ghosts of the past and what it means to reconcile with the ones you're meant to love the most.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Cadogans haven't always had an easy life. After their mother's passing, the three children Kirsty, Jessica and Patrick had a falling out so huge that they didn't speak at all after it. Now upon facing the death of their father, they are forced together one last time in order to arrange funeral plans and empty their family home. But Gerry Cadogan, the father, had other plans for their children and left very specific instructions of what he wanted them to do with their ashes. Now the three siblings are forced to go to Scotland on their father's old camper van to scatter his ashes along the Isle of Islay.
Spending days on end trapped in a camper van with family members you don't get along with, especially because no one has buried the hatchet of their old arguments yet, can be the most taunting and challenging experience. Kirsty seems to think that the only reason Gerry has sent them on this trip is because he was hoping they would make amends, but Patrick and Jessica start to think that the real reason is hidden in an old unresolved ghost.
Jamie Fewery's writing is beautiful and thought penetrating and the fact that we are constantly swapping between the POVs of the three children allows for a much more in-depth knowledge of the story. The intertwining of several flashbacks within the main story also create a clearer image of these people's lives and everything they've had to go through to get here.
The fact that a big part of this story is based in Brighton and Hove reached a really soft spot in my heart and I think now whenever I'll walk around Hove or the Brighton Laines I'll keep saying the Cadogans somewhere on the street.
The Way Back is a beautiful story about family, love, self-preservation, and fear and anxieties. It perfectly represents the ugliest parts of ourselves and of our families that we sometimes don't know how to deal with and puts a hopeful spin on it.
May 11, 2020
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an eARC of this book
Following the death of their farther, three siblings come together to fulfill one last wish from their dad. Take a road trip to Scotland in his camper van to scatter his ashes. Only, there's one slight problem, the siblings haven't spoken to each other for 3 years prior to their dad passing.
A story of love, loss, grief, family, relationships and siblings. Such a beautiful story with plenty of spanners thrown in the works. I read this in one sitting as I couldn't put it down.
This is the second novel from Jamie that I've really enjoyed and I'll definitely be picking more up from him in the future.
Following the death of their farther, three siblings come together to fulfill one last wish from their dad. Take a road trip to Scotland in his camper van to scatter his ashes. Only, there's one slight problem, the siblings haven't spoken to each other for 3 years prior to their dad passing.
A story of love, loss, grief, family, relationships and siblings. Such a beautiful story with plenty of spanners thrown in the works. I read this in one sitting as I couldn't put it down.
This is the second novel from Jamie that I've really enjoyed and I'll definitely be picking more up from him in the future.
May 7, 2020
The Way Back is a story of a family torn apart. It is packed with memories and stories full of love and loss.
We join the three Cadogan siblings, as they travel the length of Britain in a clapped out camper van to fulfill their father's wishes. We are told the story from the perspective of each sibling. And, it's perfectly clear that they have lost the bond they used to have as children. But, what has happened in the family, for this once close knit unit to be so negative?
Jamie Fewery has a splendid way of weaving this tale and allowing us the reader to uncover the mysteries of what has happened. And, I must say well done for the little family revelation that I didn't see coming at all. Very clever.
I must admit that Jessica was a character that I didn't like. She was very materialistic and thought too highly of herself. Did I feel differently towards the end? Well, I guess that would spoil the story slightly.
Fewery has written characters that I'm sure each of us can find one to relate to. And, it's at times like this when I read stories of sibling drama. I'm glad that I am an only child.
I really enjoyed this story, it was so easy to dip in and out. Yes, there's a poignant tale behind The Way Back, but Fewery has injected enough humour into the story to give it a nice balance.
The Way Back is an emotional family drama perfect for fans of David Nicholls, Beth O'Leary, Mike Gayle and Caroline Hulse.
We join the three Cadogan siblings, as they travel the length of Britain in a clapped out camper van to fulfill their father's wishes. We are told the story from the perspective of each sibling. And, it's perfectly clear that they have lost the bond they used to have as children. But, what has happened in the family, for this once close knit unit to be so negative?
Jamie Fewery has a splendid way of weaving this tale and allowing us the reader to uncover the mysteries of what has happened. And, I must say well done for the little family revelation that I didn't see coming at all. Very clever.
I must admit that Jessica was a character that I didn't like. She was very materialistic and thought too highly of herself. Did I feel differently towards the end? Well, I guess that would spoil the story slightly.
Fewery has written characters that I'm sure each of us can find one to relate to. And, it's at times like this when I read stories of sibling drama. I'm glad that I am an only child.
I really enjoyed this story, it was so easy to dip in and out. Yes, there's a poignant tale behind The Way Back, but Fewery has injected enough humour into the story to give it a nice balance.
The Way Back is an emotional family drama perfect for fans of David Nicholls, Beth O'Leary, Mike Gayle and Caroline Hulse.
May 14, 2020
I was taken on a family journey of discovery, pain and enlightenment as I turned each page of this gorgeous read from Jamie Fewery.
Three siblings set off in a camper van, to fulfil the final request of their deceased Dad. All are sceptical, each has their own reasons why this journey is a bad idea, but on the way they learn more about themselves than they were ready to find out.
Beautiful flowing prose, a ready understanding of the complexity and intricacy of sibling relationships fills this book with a story of family, of loss, of patching, mending, making do and carrying on. This is the first of Jamie's books I've read so I'm off to order his debut novel Our Life in a Day. Bravo! Jamie.
Three siblings set off in a camper van, to fulfil the final request of their deceased Dad. All are sceptical, each has their own reasons why this journey is a bad idea, but on the way they learn more about themselves than they were ready to find out.
Beautiful flowing prose, a ready understanding of the complexity and intricacy of sibling relationships fills this book with a story of family, of loss, of patching, mending, making do and carrying on. This is the first of Jamie's books I've read so I'm off to order his debut novel Our Life in a Day. Bravo! Jamie.
March 11, 2024
Pleasant
May 6, 2020
Jamie Fewery’s new book The Way Back, published by Orion, explores the rather complex subject of family.
The Cadogans, his protagonists, open the novel as estranged siblings brought together by the demise of their father.
Gerry Cadogan, directing his children even from beyond the grave, forces Patrick, Kirsty and Jessica on a road trip to Scotland to dispose of his ashes. What follows is an insightful, poignant and, at times, funny dissection of how a family deals with the extraordinary rawness of grief, and also guilt and love, in all its guises.
Fewery writes fluidly and cohesively about family issues, creating characters who most of us, at times, will relate to, the siblings’ pettiness, unresolved conflicts and honesty feeling uncomfortably authentic.
It’s well-written and highly readable. Recommended.
https://www.theliteraryshed.co.uk/rea...
This review was originally published as part of the publisher virtual book tour. All opinions are our own. All rights reserved.
The Cadogans, his protagonists, open the novel as estranged siblings brought together by the demise of their father.
Gerry Cadogan, directing his children even from beyond the grave, forces Patrick, Kirsty and Jessica on a road trip to Scotland to dispose of his ashes. What follows is an insightful, poignant and, at times, funny dissection of how a family deals with the extraordinary rawness of grief, and also guilt and love, in all its guises.
Fewery writes fluidly and cohesively about family issues, creating characters who most of us, at times, will relate to, the siblings’ pettiness, unresolved conflicts and honesty feeling uncomfortably authentic.
It’s well-written and highly readable. Recommended.
https://www.theliteraryshed.co.uk/rea...
This review was originally published as part of the publisher virtual book tour. All opinions are our own. All rights reserved.
April 28, 2020
Following his debut novel, Our Life in a Day, Fewery again looks at the close knit relationships this time on familial binds not of the romantic notion. He has a good ear for dialogue between people and how siblings in this instance co-exist or alter their normal persona when in the presence of loved ones; the challenge of writing three headstrong individuals as opposed to the debut with two is well done and successful.
A writer that writes with great fluidity and care for his characters, this is a likeable novelist who will garner great attention with another lovely read.
A writer that writes with great fluidity and care for his characters, this is a likeable novelist who will garner great attention with another lovely read.
April 5, 2020
The way back appealed to me as I have a camper van and have always wanted to tour the NC500 route in Scotland so was keen to read this book.Jamie Fewery is not an author I have heard of before but one I would definetly read again!
Gerry cadogan is dying but is keen to ensure his three remaining children unite together and don’t remain estranged from each other,he devises a plan for them to follow after his death this involves an elderly camper van,photo albums, whisky and the three siblings! What follows is a journey of up and downs where the siblings reconnect with each other,reminisce, forgive and ultimately move on as friends as well as family.A beautiful read that highlights the importance of family, the power of forgiveness and the bonds that tie us to each other!
Thank you net galley for this early read.
Gerry cadogan is dying but is keen to ensure his three remaining children unite together and don’t remain estranged from each other,he devises a plan for them to follow after his death this involves an elderly camper van,photo albums, whisky and the three siblings! What follows is a journey of up and downs where the siblings reconnect with each other,reminisce, forgive and ultimately move on as friends as well as family.A beautiful read that highlights the importance of family, the power of forgiveness and the bonds that tie us to each other!
Thank you net galley for this early read.
May 15, 2020
As someone who loved Jamie Fewery’s debut novel Our Life In A Day, I was excited to be given the opportunity to read his second book The Way Back, which I’m very happy to say did not disappoint! Everything I loved about the author’s debut work was here in abundance, taking me on a heartwarming journey of love, loss, family and second chances.
Even in death, Gerry Cadogan has a plan to bring his estranged children together. His final wish is for them to scatter his ashes in Scotland, but to get there they must travel together in his old camper van. For the trip, Gerry has provided them with three photograph albums and a bottle of single malt whisky. Patrick, Kirsty and Jessica are appalled at what their father has done, but know they can’t deny him his last dying wish.
What follows is a heartwarmingly poignant story that explores the complex issues of grief, loss, love and sibling relationships. It’s an insightful and often humorous tale that made me laugh out loud one moment and then brought a lump to my throat the next. Jamie Fewery is an author who writes with such warmth that I felt as though I’d known these bickering siblings all my life. Beautifully written, The Way Back is an honest, sometimes uncomfortable, often moving book that brings these flawed characters vividly to life.
I loved this book and can’t wait to read whatever Jamie Fewery comes up with next.
Highly recommended.
Even in death, Gerry Cadogan has a plan to bring his estranged children together. His final wish is for them to scatter his ashes in Scotland, but to get there they must travel together in his old camper van. For the trip, Gerry has provided them with three photograph albums and a bottle of single malt whisky. Patrick, Kirsty and Jessica are appalled at what their father has done, but know they can’t deny him his last dying wish.
What follows is a heartwarmingly poignant story that explores the complex issues of grief, loss, love and sibling relationships. It’s an insightful and often humorous tale that made me laugh out loud one moment and then brought a lump to my throat the next. Jamie Fewery is an author who writes with such warmth that I felt as though I’d known these bickering siblings all my life. Beautifully written, The Way Back is an honest, sometimes uncomfortable, often moving book that brings these flawed characters vividly to life.
I loved this book and can’t wait to read whatever Jamie Fewery comes up with next.
Highly recommended.
May 19, 2020
Jessica, Kirsty and Patrick have not spoken to each other for the last three years following their mother’s death. Now after their father dies – a man who has left instructions as to where he wants his ashes scattered – they have to band together in harmony to carry out his last wishes. This requires them driving an old camper van up to Scotland to the beach at Islay. Provided with three photo albums and a bottle of whiskey, they have to help each other banish their ghosts and begin acting like a family. This story is sad, honest and poignant. I read it in one sitting.
June 22, 2022
Honestly I did enjoy this book, but it is verrrryyyy slow paced and if you tend to get into reading slumps easy I wouldn't recommend this. The plot is fairly interesting, but not worth the slump if you get into one. I usually go into reading slumps very easy and I think this was just the exception for me that I still got through it. I don't know how I feel about this novel in many ways. I guess this is just a very average book...
May 22, 2020
A sincere thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for providing me with an ebook copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This is not my usual genre, I’m more into crime/thriller books and even psychological thrillers too so I am extremely pleased and grateful to them for opening up my mind to something totally different.
This is not my usual genre, I’m more into crime/thriller books and even psychological thrillers too so I am extremely pleased and grateful to them for opening up my mind to something totally different.
May 21, 2021
I have to be honest, I initially chose this book because of the camper van connection, but I quickly connected with all the characters. It describes family relations perfectly and doesn't shy away from the ugly bits, as the author puts it. It alternately breaks your heart and gives you a warm fuzzy feeling. Loved it!
May 1, 2022
This was an interesting book as it was both ‘light’ and ‘thought-provoking’.
It was ‘light’ in the sense it was easy to read and flowed nicely.
It was ‘thought-provoking’ in the sense of making the reader think of their own family and the ‘secrets’ family members have. Overall I enjoyed reading this book.
It was ‘light’ in the sense it was easy to read and flowed nicely.
It was ‘thought-provoking’ in the sense of making the reader think of their own family and the ‘secrets’ family members have. Overall I enjoyed reading this book.
February 13, 2025
A solid drama about three 30-somethings travelling up to Scotland to scatter their father's ashes. It was a little dull in places, although I identified with some characters having lost my parents in my thirties as well. There are some unlikeable characters to navigate through, and lots of arguing. I felt it was missing a real spark and was left slightly disappointed by the ending, which was a touch predictable. Overall, probably wouldn't recommend, unfortunately, but not a bad piece of work.
August 8, 2025
Chirpbook
I was pleasantly surprised by this story. I expected it to be smaltzy but it actually was well written and I wanted to keep listening to it. The family members were quite likable (maybe not Jessica) and I found them to be realistic with true family issues. I would like to read/listen to more of Jamie Fewery books.
I was pleasantly surprised by this story. I expected it to be smaltzy but it actually was well written and I wanted to keep listening to it. The family members were quite likable (maybe not Jessica) and I found them to be realistic with true family issues. I would like to read/listen to more of Jamie Fewery books.
May 16, 2020
This was a heartfelt and heartbreaking novel. The siblings were written really well and they were all very interesting to follow. I liked how the premise was vague about what caused the fault out as this made it even more interesting to learn what happened to the siblings. The mystery side achieved all I wanted it to and there were a few moments that really got to me and made me shed a few tears. An excellent contemporary read that reminds us why family is important.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 19, 2020
An average read but at least it wasn’t lovey-dovey.
The siblings were very annoying for lots of reasons so I never empathised with them. The reason they stopped talking to each other seemed really stupid but it was caused by the role each played in the family dynamics.
The siblings were very annoying for lots of reasons so I never empathised with them. The reason they stopped talking to each other seemed really stupid but it was caused by the role each played in the family dynamics.
May 18, 2024
I liked this a bit more than I expected to. But it was fairly predictable, the main characters were annoying, and I couldn't look past the heavy-handed foreshadowing of the plot twists in the first half.
October 25, 2020
Absolutely loved this book. It's given me so many ideas about how to write my will so that my offspring will resolve their differences and look after each other after I've gone.
November 12, 2020
An easy enough read, nothing ground-breaking, more a 3 and a half stars really. Enlivened by regular references to Watford FC, which could be irritating to non-Hornets.
March 7, 2021
Arh this is a lovely story, sad but lovely. Quite an emotional book, but certainly one to read.
Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.
August 16, 2022
Despite a slightly predictable ending it was an insightful tale of family feuds and rifts that are sometimes difficult to resolve.
December 22, 2023
A very warm story of the Cadogan family. Well, a trip with your family really does work to make everything up. It could bring old memories, recalling everything you had done together. Lovely.
May 6, 2024
Was a heart warming story of siblings who were estranged and found their way back to each other.
August 27, 2022
Meh. Not my thing. Didn’t feel attached to the characters, and found their constant arguing to be tiring.
December 20, 2021
I read Jamie Fewery’s brilliant debut Our Life in a Day back in 2019, and I have no idea why it took me this long to read his second, but I’m so glad I did because I think I liked it even more. It’s about the Cadogan family, in which the patriarch has just died and he has asked his three grown up children who are semi-estranged to travel to Scotland so his ashes can be scattered at Port Ellen. All three of the Cadogan children are so well developed that they felt like real, three-dimensional people; I can’t quite say I liked Jessica but I understood why she was the way she was, Patrick was incredibly likeable and I really felt for him with his marriage situation but also loved his little romance subplot, and I thought Kirsty was absolutely great, she was definitely my favourite of the three and I loved the way she was with Livvy. I am very into books about family secrets being revealed and the big one in this book was an absolute doozy; I did sort of guess what was coming because the foreshadowing was great, but I certainly didn’t guess all the aspects of it and I got really emotional at one particular reveal. Given it’s basically my favourite show of all time, I do not say this lightly, but if you enjoy This Is Us, I think the Way Back is definitely something you should be picking up.
June 15, 2024
I was lucky to get a copy of this from Netgalley as I really wanted to read more Contemporary Books.
The book starts of with a the Cadogan's Dad Gerry who I would of like to spend more time with as out of the other Cadogan's he was the better one had passed away.
Throughout the book we go back and forwards via each of the Cadogan siblings and to be honest I did like that idea as you saw first hand why they had fallen out.
It is all through the looking back at the past we learn about the missing brother Patrick and it is my view that Jamie could of fleshed this storyline out as for me this was the most interesting part of the story. I really did not care for the other siblings and this kind of spoiled the book for me. For all these reasons I had to give it 3 stars.
The book starts of with a the Cadogan's Dad Gerry who I would of like to spend more time with as out of the other Cadogan's he was the better one had passed away.
Throughout the book we go back and forwards via each of the Cadogan siblings and to be honest I did like that idea as you saw first hand why they had fallen out.
It is all through the looking back at the past we learn about the missing brother Patrick and it is my view that Jamie could of fleshed this storyline out as for me this was the most interesting part of the story. I really did not care for the other siblings and this kind of spoiled the book for me. For all these reasons I had to give it 3 stars.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews