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Sofa Surfer
'A story with great heart, and wisdom, which shows the healing power of true friendship' Ele Fountain, author of Boy 87.
Written with humour and heart, Sofa Surfer looks at what it means to be homeless.
Malcolm Duffy's debut novel Me Mam. Me Dad. Me., about domestic violence, won the YA category of the Sheffield Children's Book Award 2019, the Redbridge Children's Book Award 2019, was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Prize 2019 and selected for World Book Night.
15-year-old Tyler's teenage angst turns to outright rebellion when his family leave London for a new life in Yorkshire. He's angry with his parents about the upheaval and furious at losing his home. With only the dog to confide in, Tyler has no idea that a chance meeting with a skinny girl called Spider will lead him into a world he never even knew existed. Spider is sofa surfing and Tyler finds himself spinning a tangled web of lies in his efforts to help her escape her world of fear and insecurity.
Sofa Surfer shows how empathy and action can help those without a home to go to. As with his widely praised debut Me Mam. Me Dad. Me., Malcolm Duffy finds humour and heart even in dire situations. Relevant, warm and rewarding Sofa Surfer is about what happens when going home isn't an option.
Written with humour and heart, Sofa Surfer looks at what it means to be homeless.
Malcolm Duffy's debut novel Me Mam. Me Dad. Me., about domestic violence, won the YA category of the Sheffield Children's Book Award 2019, the Redbridge Children's Book Award 2019, was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Prize 2019 and selected for World Book Night.
15-year-old Tyler's teenage angst turns to outright rebellion when his family leave London for a new life in Yorkshire. He's angry with his parents about the upheaval and furious at losing his home. With only the dog to confide in, Tyler has no idea that a chance meeting with a skinny girl called Spider will lead him into a world he never even knew existed. Spider is sofa surfing and Tyler finds himself spinning a tangled web of lies in his efforts to help her escape her world of fear and insecurity.
Sofa Surfer shows how empathy and action can help those without a home to go to. As with his widely praised debut Me Mam. Me Dad. Me., Malcolm Duffy finds humour and heart even in dire situations. Relevant, warm and rewarding Sofa Surfer is about what happens when going home isn't an option.
320 pages, Paperback
Published September 3, 2020
2 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Malcolm Duffy
7 books10 followersMalcolm Duffy was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Having spent many years as a successful advertising copywriter he decided it was time to write something that didn't have a pack-shot and logo.
The idea for his debut novel came when he was working as Creative Director at Comic Relief. He visited a project that helped women and children who'd suffered as a result of domestic violence. The idea for Me Mam. Me Dad. Me was born. But the book doesn't just focus on the heavy issue of domestic abuse. The story is about a boy's love for his mam. A mam's love for her son. And a dad's love for his boy.
The idea for his debut novel came when he was working as Creative Director at Comic Relief. He visited a project that helped women and children who'd suffered as a result of domestic violence. The idea for Me Mam. Me Dad. Me was born. But the book doesn't just focus on the heavy issue of domestic abuse. The story is about a boy's love for his mam. A mam's love for her son. And a dad's love for his boy.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 12, 2020
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
Teenager Tyler has had his world turned upside-down when his parents up sticks and move the family from London to Ilkley, Yorkshire. He has no friends, hates the area, and is bored. Luckily he has a new dog to keep him company and the local Lido.
One afternoon whilst at the Lido, he is approached by a skinny girl asking if he can teach her to swim. Apart from that, her name is Spider, she is eighteen, suffers from anxiety, and that her mum died a few years ago he doesn’t really know much else. He does though need a new pair of headphones and so he agrees to teach her as long as she pays him.
Throughout the lessons it becomes clear that Spider doesn’t have much money, she is short each time, and when he sees her one afternoon asleep on a wall Tyler wants to know more. As her situation is unveiled he tries to help her but not everyone is happy with him getting involved or his methods.
Sofa Surfer is a YA book that covers some pretty important subject areas, from homelessness to family life and even dating. Tyler is angry that he has had to leave his school, friends, and life down in London to move to a place he’d never even heard of before and where he knows no-one.
It was supposed to be a big happy change for the family as both his mum and dad had new jobs, however, things were worse than they were in London. His dad is always working or golfing and his mum works from home checking websites/social media for things that need to be reported and removed. She is stressed and always working too. His little sister Tallulah is the only one who genuinely seems happy by the move.
Spider has had a tough life and has been sofa surfing for the last few years. She is staying with her cousin when she first meets Tyler but that doesn’t last long and so she is out on the streets again. She is a Geordie and her parts are written in her accent so get used to having to decipher the Geordie words.
Tyler, even at the age of fifteen knows that life is hard for Spider and wants to help her and has a plan but his parents are not happy with him and they seem to think that he shouldn’t be helping a homeless person and that it should be left up to the authorities. They see her as an unclean, scruffy, druggy or drunk, even-thought they haven’t met her.
Tyler’s parents annoyed me the way they approached not only the situation with Spider but also the way they spoke to their son and dictated his every move. Being the mum of three sons – 23, 16 and 14, I know this is not how you talk to your children and they could have offered a lot more support. It goes to show you how emotional the book can make you when you find yourself getting angry at fictional characters.
Author Malcolm Duffy has written a near-perfect novel that I found exceptionally touching. The subject matter of homelessness was done so considerately and he has tried to show the reader exactly what life can be like for someone never having a home of their own, just a sofa or a makeshift room in a woods. He especially tried to show what it was like for females – think to be homeless and penniless when the time of the month comes.
The chapters are short which kept the book moving at quite a fast pace and the character was realistic and easy to visualise, as was the area of Ilkley. I fell in love with this novel from the very beginning and I didn’t want it to end as I enjoyed it so much.
Teenager Tyler has had his world turned upside-down when his parents up sticks and move the family from London to Ilkley, Yorkshire. He has no friends, hates the area, and is bored. Luckily he has a new dog to keep him company and the local Lido.
One afternoon whilst at the Lido, he is approached by a skinny girl asking if he can teach her to swim. Apart from that, her name is Spider, she is eighteen, suffers from anxiety, and that her mum died a few years ago he doesn’t really know much else. He does though need a new pair of headphones and so he agrees to teach her as long as she pays him.
Throughout the lessons it becomes clear that Spider doesn’t have much money, she is short each time, and when he sees her one afternoon asleep on a wall Tyler wants to know more. As her situation is unveiled he tries to help her but not everyone is happy with him getting involved or his methods.
Sofa Surfer is a YA book that covers some pretty important subject areas, from homelessness to family life and even dating. Tyler is angry that he has had to leave his school, friends, and life down in London to move to a place he’d never even heard of before and where he knows no-one.
It was supposed to be a big happy change for the family as both his mum and dad had new jobs, however, things were worse than they were in London. His dad is always working or golfing and his mum works from home checking websites/social media for things that need to be reported and removed. She is stressed and always working too. His little sister Tallulah is the only one who genuinely seems happy by the move.
Spider has had a tough life and has been sofa surfing for the last few years. She is staying with her cousin when she first meets Tyler but that doesn’t last long and so she is out on the streets again. She is a Geordie and her parts are written in her accent so get used to having to decipher the Geordie words.
Tyler, even at the age of fifteen knows that life is hard for Spider and wants to help her and has a plan but his parents are not happy with him and they seem to think that he shouldn’t be helping a homeless person and that it should be left up to the authorities. They see her as an unclean, scruffy, druggy or drunk, even-thought they haven’t met her.
Tyler’s parents annoyed me the way they approached not only the situation with Spider but also the way they spoke to their son and dictated his every move. Being the mum of three sons – 23, 16 and 14, I know this is not how you talk to your children and they could have offered a lot more support. It goes to show you how emotional the book can make you when you find yourself getting angry at fictional characters.
Author Malcolm Duffy has written a near-perfect novel that I found exceptionally touching. The subject matter of homelessness was done so considerately and he has tried to show the reader exactly what life can be like for someone never having a home of their own, just a sofa or a makeshift room in a woods. He especially tried to show what it was like for females – think to be homeless and penniless when the time of the month comes.
The chapters are short which kept the book moving at quite a fast pace and the character was realistic and easy to visualise, as was the area of Ilkley. I fell in love with this novel from the very beginning and I didn’t want it to end as I enjoyed it so much.
February 9, 2020
Part of the 2020 official blog tour for Sofa Surfer! ARC copy kindly sent to me by Malcolm and the publishers Zephyr Books.
Topics: Coming-of-age, homelessness, relationships
This was the first time reading a book written by Malcolm and I loved the whole Yorkshire setting. It’s not often that I find a well-written UKYA that tackles so many of today’s issues and finding scenarios such as dating dilemmas or figuring out the right actions to take. This is a good read about a boy coming of age, who isn’t keen to follow along his family’s plan to move away. However, when he does, a young girl suddenly enters his life with some shocking stories to tell. Spider has anxiety and struggled with past traumas. I thought the anxiety representation was good, the short chapters were very get to the point and keep the pacing flowing well. I did really feel sorry for Tyler as he knew he was trying to do the right thing but struggling to get anyone else on his side. The ending answered all the questions I had. Overall, I would love to read more and am looking forward to Malcolm’s next book!
Topics: Coming-of-age, homelessness, relationships
This was the first time reading a book written by Malcolm and I loved the whole Yorkshire setting. It’s not often that I find a well-written UKYA that tackles so many of today’s issues and finding scenarios such as dating dilemmas or figuring out the right actions to take. This is a good read about a boy coming of age, who isn’t keen to follow along his family’s plan to move away. However, when he does, a young girl suddenly enters his life with some shocking stories to tell. Spider has anxiety and struggled with past traumas. I thought the anxiety representation was good, the short chapters were very get to the point and keep the pacing flowing well. I did really feel sorry for Tyler as he knew he was trying to do the right thing but struggling to get anyone else on his side. The ending answered all the questions I had. Overall, I would love to read more and am looking forward to Malcolm’s next book!
January 7, 2020
This was a really heart warming and important book about homelessness which carried a really good message.
I think this is such a good book, for teenagers. I think it deals with the topic of homelessness in a really thoughtful way, being careful to avoid negative and unhelpful stereotypes.
I really liked how the homeless character in this book was a young girl, instead of being a stereotypical middle aged man. I think it would be quite eye opening for teenagers to read, that potentially friends and classmates, they're age could be homeless.
I loved the writing of this book. It was very easy to read, although, it did take me a while to get used to the geordie dialogue.
I also loved the two main characters. Tyler and spider are really well developed characters, which I really started to feel for. I loved how much Tyler cared about Spider and how he was able to stand up to his parents.
I also loved how there was panic attack rep in this book. Although, maybe it could have been covered just a little bit more.
Overall, I think this was a really good book that has such an important take home message. Couldn't recommend it enough
I think this is such a good book, for teenagers. I think it deals with the topic of homelessness in a really thoughtful way, being careful to avoid negative and unhelpful stereotypes.
I really liked how the homeless character in this book was a young girl, instead of being a stereotypical middle aged man. I think it would be quite eye opening for teenagers to read, that potentially friends and classmates, they're age could be homeless.
I loved the writing of this book. It was very easy to read, although, it did take me a while to get used to the geordie dialogue.
I also loved the two main characters. Tyler and spider are really well developed characters, which I really started to feel for. I loved how much Tyler cared about Spider and how he was able to stand up to his parents.
I also loved how there was panic attack rep in this book. Although, maybe it could have been covered just a little bit more.
Overall, I think this was a really good book that has such an important take home message. Couldn't recommend it enough
February 29, 2020
Big subjects are tackled in this book with ease and subtlety. You genuinely feel sympathy and love for the characters and drawn in to the story.
February 10, 2022
A very heartwarming story about Tyler and spider’s friendship. I like the part where we found out that spider is a homeless girl and what she has to deal with .
December 9, 2022
It's GOOD! Tyler is such a self-involved muppet BUT he always tries and he grows so much and we love him. Spider is so heart-breaking and way Tyler's understanding and knowledge of her situation just kept unfolding, shifting his views (and knock-on affecting his parents') was fantastic. Really enjoyed it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2020
Sofa Surfer is a young adult novel about a teenage boy who befriends a homeless girl and finds himself torn between helping her and obeying his parents' rules. When Tyler's parents move him and his sister from London to Yorkshire, he is furious at having to leave behind his life and friends. A ray of light comes when he agrees to help a strange girl learn to swim at the local lido, whose name is Spider. As Tyler is drawn into Spider's life, he discovers she is sofa surfing, and is about to be without a sofa. He wants to help, but his parents are wary and he has to lie to them to keep the peace.
This is a novel that tackles a big subject without being overdramatic, focusing on views about homelessness and how empathy and action can help, but also sometimes complicate things. Using Tyler's point of view as a fairly privileged teenager who is frustrated with his parents for typical teenage things gives the reader a way into the story, showing how for many people homelessness in any form isn't something they have to think about. Duffy keeps the content relatively light, touching on some of the harsher realities of living on the streets but creating a novel focusing on hope rather than grittiness. Sofa Surfer is a good book for showing younger readers some of the realities of homelessness whilst also having a protagonist who has relatable worries and fears.
This is a novel that tackles a big subject without being overdramatic, focusing on views about homelessness and how empathy and action can help, but also sometimes complicate things. Using Tyler's point of view as a fairly privileged teenager who is frustrated with his parents for typical teenage things gives the reader a way into the story, showing how for many people homelessness in any form isn't something they have to think about. Duffy keeps the content relatively light, touching on some of the harsher realities of living on the streets but creating a novel focusing on hope rather than grittiness. Sofa Surfer is a good book for showing younger readers some of the realities of homelessness whilst also having a protagonist who has relatable worries and fears.
October 14, 2023
Better than I thought it was gonna be tbh.
January 12, 2020
An eye-opening look at the hidden homelessness of people who are 'sofa surfing' because they have nowhere else to go.
Tyler is a typical 15-year old boy who is annoyed when his parents decide to relocate their entire family from London to Yorkshire, forcing him to leave behind all of his friends. Luckily, swimming is something he loves and he begins to spend time at the local lido. While there, he meets a girl who calls herself Spider and promises to pay him for swimming lessons, but there seems to be a lot more to her story.
Tyler is a realistic, flawed character who develops a lot over the course of the novel. Spider's voice is equally unique, particularly as we gradually put the puzzle pieces together to figure out how she has ended up in such a tricky situation.
This book could be used to raise awareness of young people who are homeless, particularly the 'hidden homelessness' epidemic where young people are not on the streets, but equally, do not have a safe space.
Full review to come closer to publication!
Tyler is a typical 15-year old boy who is annoyed when his parents decide to relocate their entire family from London to Yorkshire, forcing him to leave behind all of his friends. Luckily, swimming is something he loves and he begins to spend time at the local lido. While there, he meets a girl who calls herself Spider and promises to pay him for swimming lessons, but there seems to be a lot more to her story.
Tyler is a realistic, flawed character who develops a lot over the course of the novel. Spider's voice is equally unique, particularly as we gradually put the puzzle pieces together to figure out how she has ended up in such a tricky situation.
This book could be used to raise awareness of young people who are homeless, particularly the 'hidden homelessness' epidemic where young people are not on the streets, but equally, do not have a safe space.
Full review to come closer to publication!
January 30, 2020
Tyler finds himself struggling to find the right thing to do when he meets Spider, a young girl with nowhere to go.
Tyler's parents have moved their family to a small town in the north of England. Tyler isn't taking it well; he misses his friends, his school and the busy, bustling London he's used to. The only thing he enjoys is swimming at the lido (I had to look this up, but it's just the British English term for a public, open air swimming pool.) While swimming one day he meets a girl called Spider, a Geordie with tattoos and a spiky attitude. Tyler finds himself dragged into her world, a far more terrifying place than he ever imagined...
I know, I've made it sound like an urban fantasy. Spider's probably fighting demons or ghosts, right? Wrong. Spider is a young homeless girl, temporarily sleeping on her cousin's couch, but thrown out over a misunderstanding. Although Tyler has no real grasp of what it's like to be homeless, he does his best to help her out, with food and supplies, with somewhere to stay when he can manage it.
There's an episode of the Sarah Jane Adventures I kept thinking of while reading this. In it, one of the characters finds himself on the streets in the space of about half an hour. He and another homeless character discuss how easy it is, how things can just vanish from under you without warning. It even happens to Tyler in this novel, and all he's done is get the bus times wrong.
This is the kind of story that stays with you for a long long time. I'm looking forward to getting to share it with people.
Tyler's parents have moved their family to a small town in the north of England. Tyler isn't taking it well; he misses his friends, his school and the busy, bustling London he's used to. The only thing he enjoys is swimming at the lido (I had to look this up, but it's just the British English term for a public, open air swimming pool.) While swimming one day he meets a girl called Spider, a Geordie with tattoos and a spiky attitude. Tyler finds himself dragged into her world, a far more terrifying place than he ever imagined...
I know, I've made it sound like an urban fantasy. Spider's probably fighting demons or ghosts, right? Wrong. Spider is a young homeless girl, temporarily sleeping on her cousin's couch, but thrown out over a misunderstanding. Although Tyler has no real grasp of what it's like to be homeless, he does his best to help her out, with food and supplies, with somewhere to stay when he can manage it.
There's an episode of the Sarah Jane Adventures I kept thinking of while reading this. In it, one of the characters finds himself on the streets in the space of about half an hour. He and another homeless character discuss how easy it is, how things can just vanish from under you without warning. It even happens to Tyler in this novel, and all he's done is get the bus times wrong.
This is the kind of story that stays with you for a long long time. I'm looking forward to getting to share it with people.
March 1, 2020
Heart warming, funny, real!
"Of all the people in the country it had taken a foreigner to give her the safety and security she needed."
"Homeless doesn’t equal hopeless, ... everyone is the same."
Goosebumps and lump in the throat, and a grin on the face at the same time.
After reading "Me Mam, Me Dad, Me" I've been waiting for Malcolm Duffy's next offering. And "Sofa Surfer" did not disappoint.
I'm not sure what it says about him, but Malcolm seems to 'get' young adolescent boys! He must have been one once.
As a typical Kiwi, it's a challenge to 'hear' the Geordie accent, but once you get there .... it's brilliant.
The target audience is young teenagers, but for those of us older folks who live a privileged life, there is also something to learn. A reminder of how we can teach our own children to never judge a book by its cover and to appreciate all that we have.
Such a heart warming tale, that could easily be true. Absolutely worth reading, aside from being entertaining, it is also a reminder of how much we take for granted.
Highly recommend!
"Of all the people in the country it had taken a foreigner to give her the safety and security she needed."
"Homeless doesn’t equal hopeless, ... everyone is the same."
Goosebumps and lump in the throat, and a grin on the face at the same time.
After reading "Me Mam, Me Dad, Me" I've been waiting for Malcolm Duffy's next offering. And "Sofa Surfer" did not disappoint.
I'm not sure what it says about him, but Malcolm seems to 'get' young adolescent boys! He must have been one once.
As a typical Kiwi, it's a challenge to 'hear' the Geordie accent, but once you get there .... it's brilliant.
The target audience is young teenagers, but for those of us older folks who live a privileged life, there is also something to learn. A reminder of how we can teach our own children to never judge a book by its cover and to appreciate all that we have.
Such a heart warming tale, that could easily be true. Absolutely worth reading, aside from being entertaining, it is also a reminder of how much we take for granted.
Highly recommend!
February 13, 2023
Goddamn, this was such a sweet book.
There aren't a huge amount of Young Adult books that talk about homelessness so I have only read a small selection, but this one does it really well. Instead of being from the perspective of someone who is homeless, it focuses on someone seeing it for the first time from the outside.
Tyler meets Spider, and quickly realises that her life isn't what he thought it was. She has had a hard life, and as a young teen all he wants to do is help but he doesn't know how.
It's so interesting reading this book from the perspective of someone who isn't homeless as it offers young readers a relatable character that might make them also wonder what they can do to help.
'Sofa Surfer' was a short and quick read, but I can definitely see the big impact it will have on readers, particular younger ones.
There aren't a huge amount of Young Adult books that talk about homelessness so I have only read a small selection, but this one does it really well. Instead of being from the perspective of someone who is homeless, it focuses on someone seeing it for the first time from the outside.
Tyler meets Spider, and quickly realises that her life isn't what he thought it was. She has had a hard life, and as a young teen all he wants to do is help but he doesn't know how.
It's so interesting reading this book from the perspective of someone who isn't homeless as it offers young readers a relatable character that might make them also wonder what they can do to help.
'Sofa Surfer' was a short and quick read, but I can definitely see the big impact it will have on readers, particular younger ones.
December 30, 2019
I loved this an awful lot! An incredibly duet of characters: one who wants to help, albeit not in the the best ways, and one who didn’t ask for help. I love reading Geordie characters so Spider being a Geordie made me so happy. You see the realities of being a youngster who is homeless in this and I really felt for Spider. I’d love to hug her. Another brilliant story from Malcolm Duffy: I look forward to whatever else he writes!
June 7, 2021
Whilst I did mainly enjoy this book, I think it is aimed at the younger/early teenage part of the YA audience...a demographic I am definitely not in! That meant that, for me, it was a little over-simplistic in dealing with a very complex issue.
This shouldn't be read as taking away from the story, just that it will work better for a younger reader.
The characters are lovely and the core of the book is heart-warming and uplifting.
This shouldn't be read as taking away from the story, just that it will work better for a younger reader.
The characters are lovely and the core of the book is heart-warming and uplifting.
January 8, 2021
YA fic, shining the light on a teen who has come through a social care system that hasn't met her needs and the boy who observes and questions and tries to save her. He doesn't succeed, but luckily she gets a break. I appreciated the marginal voice of a homeless teen and also loved that she still chooses her own path at the end of the book.
May 20, 2022
It had a good message... the writing wasn't very poetic or revolutionary, but it was a topic I hadn't read much about before.
I don't think I would have picked up this book if it wasn't free at school, but I am glad I read it, as it adds more dimension to my mental collection of genres and topics I have read about!
I don't think I would have picked up this book if it wasn't free at school, but I am glad I read it, as it adds more dimension to my mental collection of genres and topics I have read about!
April 1, 2020
This was well written, so many issues tied in to one story. Excellent!
August 3, 2020
An excellent, informed and moving account.
February 19, 2021
Warm hearted, compelling narrative voice.
August 2, 2021
First one of his books i have read and it was a great story. I Wasn’t expecting a lot of the things that happened in it
August 28, 2021
A heartwarming and eye opening story about teen homelessness
Read
January 24, 2022DNF at 25%. This was so boring
March 24, 2022
This was a very heart warming book which really makes you realise how lucky you actually are. I would recommend this to anyone. Great read.
October 5, 2024
This books shows a very interesting perspective about homelessness. I’m a 61 year old woman and really enjoyed the book. Would recommend.
December 30, 2020
Interesting book.
March 10, 2021
This is Malcolm's second YA/ teen novel and once again he has brought to attention another important issue, one which a majority of the population ignore, and this time it is homelessness. I think 'ignore' is not quite the right word, maybe turning a blind eye is more appropriate as people struggle with finding ways to help or feel that they are not able to help as they have perceived conceptions of why people end up living on the streets or sofa surfing, and I would be lying if I didn't say I was guilty of this.
In this wonderfully compelling story, we are introduced to 15-year-old Tyler who is uprooted from his life in London, as he and his family move to a town called Ilkey in West Yorkshire. Tyler has not only left behind the place where he felt safe and happy, but he has also left his best friends and as a result, he is struggling with adjusting to his new home.
In the short amount of time Tyler has lived in Ilkey, he has made two flaky friends, gained a sort of girlfriend, and has new pet dog for company, and so he embarks on what he expects to be his most unmemorable summer. However, his expectations are exceeded when he meets a girl called Spider, and his summer transforms and becomes his most remarkable as he learns some all-important life lessons.
I was engrossed by this story and read it in one sitting, as I did with Malcolm's first book Me Mam, Me Dad, Me. It has re-opened my eyes to the homeless situation in the UK, one which seems to be ever-growing. The premise of this story has helped take off the blinkers and has brought to my attention that not everyone who ends up with no home to go to is a fault of their own. I always knew this, I just feel like I have hardened off and closed my eyes to the situation due to homelessness being a common sight, one which I sadly see every day.
Although this book is aimed at a younger audience, it is brilliantly written and a highly captivating story with a lesson to be learnt by all!
In this wonderfully compelling story, we are introduced to 15-year-old Tyler who is uprooted from his life in London, as he and his family move to a town called Ilkey in West Yorkshire. Tyler has not only left behind the place where he felt safe and happy, but he has also left his best friends and as a result, he is struggling with adjusting to his new home.
In the short amount of time Tyler has lived in Ilkey, he has made two flaky friends, gained a sort of girlfriend, and has new pet dog for company, and so he embarks on what he expects to be his most unmemorable summer. However, his expectations are exceeded when he meets a girl called Spider, and his summer transforms and becomes his most remarkable as he learns some all-important life lessons.
I was engrossed by this story and read it in one sitting, as I did with Malcolm's first book Me Mam, Me Dad, Me. It has re-opened my eyes to the homeless situation in the UK, one which seems to be ever-growing. The premise of this story has helped take off the blinkers and has brought to my attention that not everyone who ends up with no home to go to is a fault of their own. I always knew this, I just feel like I have hardened off and closed my eyes to the situation due to homelessness being a common sight, one which I sadly see every day.
Although this book is aimed at a younger audience, it is brilliantly written and a highly captivating story with a lesson to be learnt by all!
March 30, 2020
*ARC kindly provided by Zephyr/Head of Zeus in exchange for an honest review*
“I’d thought it would be the most forgettable summer ever, but it turned into the most memorable.”
My first book by Malcolm Duffy and it surpassed my expectations! I so loved it! Sofa Surfer is one of the easiest and probably the quickest book I’ve read (so far) this year. I feel like it was just a breeze reading this book.
“But I didn’t want to give Yorkshire a chance. I didn’t want to give anywhere a chance.”
To say that Tyler was furious to leave his friends and home in London is an understatement. He’s manic, he’s angry. How could his parents decide to leave the bustling city and move to Yorkshire, an almost unknown place? Tyler had a hard time making friends and there really isn’t much that you can do on this new city. Until he met Spider. A girl at the local lido (this is like a community pool) who wanted to learn how to swim.
“It was a though Spider has taken her sleeping bag and moved in my head. No matter how hard I tried I couldn’t get rid of her.”
Things get a bit complicated when Tyler found out that Spider was thrown out of her cousin’s house where she is couch surfing. Tyler did his best to help Spider by bringing her food, some other supplies and even extending a place for her to stay at temporarily.
Sofa Surfer mainly tackles about the topic of homelessness. I will not bore you guys by giving statistics and such, but we are all aware that a number of people everywhere in the world in homeless. I believe that this book conveys such a good message that empathy and action goes hand in hand especially in helping people. Without the other, things would just not work out properly.
For such a heavy topic, homelessness was handled in such a light, poignant and thoughtful way. I especially like the lack of overdramatic effects! It was just light and touching. Simple as that. Especially viewed in the young eyes of the lead character Tyler. Reading this from his point of view has made a huge difference because everything feels simple but real. At such a young age, Tyler already has the heart to help. I like how he really stood up to his parents especially in helping Spider. Spider on the other hand is such a strange character. I’m honestly hesitant about her character on the first few chapters of the book but at the end I kind of felt for her. For such a young age as well, she was given one of the hardest things to deal with – homelessness. I would’ve loved to know more of her backstory, I guess. It feels that there is the loss connection with her.
Overall, Sofa Surfer is such a relevant and great book! Definitely recommended for everyone!
*For more reviews, please feel free to visit Reads and Thoughts*
“I’d thought it would be the most forgettable summer ever, but it turned into the most memorable.”
My first book by Malcolm Duffy and it surpassed my expectations! I so loved it! Sofa Surfer is one of the easiest and probably the quickest book I’ve read (so far) this year. I feel like it was just a breeze reading this book.
“But I didn’t want to give Yorkshire a chance. I didn’t want to give anywhere a chance.”
To say that Tyler was furious to leave his friends and home in London is an understatement. He’s manic, he’s angry. How could his parents decide to leave the bustling city and move to Yorkshire, an almost unknown place? Tyler had a hard time making friends and there really isn’t much that you can do on this new city. Until he met Spider. A girl at the local lido (this is like a community pool) who wanted to learn how to swim.
“It was a though Spider has taken her sleeping bag and moved in my head. No matter how hard I tried I couldn’t get rid of her.”
Things get a bit complicated when Tyler found out that Spider was thrown out of her cousin’s house where she is couch surfing. Tyler did his best to help Spider by bringing her food, some other supplies and even extending a place for her to stay at temporarily.
Sofa Surfer mainly tackles about the topic of homelessness. I will not bore you guys by giving statistics and such, but we are all aware that a number of people everywhere in the world in homeless. I believe that this book conveys such a good message that empathy and action goes hand in hand especially in helping people. Without the other, things would just not work out properly.
For such a heavy topic, homelessness was handled in such a light, poignant and thoughtful way. I especially like the lack of overdramatic effects! It was just light and touching. Simple as that. Especially viewed in the young eyes of the lead character Tyler. Reading this from his point of view has made a huge difference because everything feels simple but real. At such a young age, Tyler already has the heart to help. I like how he really stood up to his parents especially in helping Spider. Spider on the other hand is such a strange character. I’m honestly hesitant about her character on the first few chapters of the book but at the end I kind of felt for her. For such a young age as well, she was given one of the hardest things to deal with – homelessness. I would’ve loved to know more of her backstory, I guess. It feels that there is the loss connection with her.
Overall, Sofa Surfer is such a relevant and great book! Definitely recommended for everyone!
*For more reviews, please feel free to visit Reads and Thoughts*
August 17, 2020
Sofa Surfer is about a teenage boy who starts teaching a gir how to swim. Tyler has been told by his parents to find a summer job though the aren't too happy about his choice. When Spider disappears, Tyler begins a wild goose chase.
This book addresses homelessness which was very upsetting to hear about. I think that the moral of the book was brilliant though the storyline was a little boring.
This book addresses homelessness which was very upsetting to hear about. I think that the moral of the book was brilliant though the storyline was a little boring.
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