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Daisy on the Outer Line
Life, Death & Time Travel on the Glasgow Subway.
After selfish student Daisy makes a scene at her stepdad’s funeral, she drunkenly falls asleep on the Glasgow subway and wakes to find she has travelled back in time. And to make matters worse, she's in someone else's body.
To make amends for her behaviour, she must save a life—but she doesn’t know who, how, or where to begin. She’ll have to find out fast if she wants to make it back to her old life and avoid being trapped in the wrong timeline forever.
(This novel was awarded one of the first Scots Language Publication Grants funded by the Scottish Government and administered by the Scottish Book Trust.)
After selfish student Daisy makes a scene at her stepdad’s funeral, she drunkenly falls asleep on the Glasgow subway and wakes to find she has travelled back in time. And to make matters worse, she's in someone else's body.
To make amends for her behaviour, she must save a life—but she doesn’t know who, how, or where to begin. She’ll have to find out fast if she wants to make it back to her old life and avoid being trapped in the wrong timeline forever.
(This novel was awarded one of the first Scots Language Publication Grants funded by the Scottish Government and administered by the Scottish Book Trust.)
236 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 5, 2020
10 people are currently reading
546 people want to read
About the author
Ross Sayers
4 books57 followersRoss Sayers is an author, originally from Stirling, now based in Glasgow.
His first novel, 'Mary's the Name', was shortlisted for the Saltire First Book of the Year Award.
His first novel, 'Mary's the Name', was shortlisted for the Saltire First Book of the Year Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
February 23, 2021
I cried.. I laughed. I stayed up late on a school night to finish it.
Only regret is not reading it sooner.
This is the second book in Scots I've read this year and although they couldn't be more different, I love the fact we have young, Scottish authors writing this way, making characters who are intelligent and speak like the audience they are aimed at.
Only regret is not reading it sooner.
This is the second book in Scots I've read this year and although they couldn't be more different, I love the fact we have young, Scottish authors writing this way, making characters who are intelligent and speak like the audience they are aimed at.
December 28, 2020
Time travelling book written in Scots. Bloody brilliant and makes me miss Glasgow
November 10, 2020
What a wonderful book! It's funny, sad, and thoughtful. Better still, the writing flows fast and you'll find yourself reading this in record time. The protagonist isn't perfect but you'll definitely understand her by the end of the story. BBC Scotland should make this into a TV show.
January 29, 2022
“Life isnae a fulm. It’s barely even a story. Thur’s nae such thing as gid guys and bad guys, thur’s jist... guys.”
August 17, 2022
I always know that I’m going to enjoy a book by Ross Sayers and I can’t believe that I haven’t picked this one up before now, I’ve had it sat on my shelf for a while, but I’m glad I finally picked it up because it is just brilliant. There is something I find so enjoyable about reading a book set in Glasgow and written in Scots, I think it adds to the sense of place in the book and because I can really hear the accent whilst reading it gives me that cosy home feeling.
The plot is fantastic, when I first heard about time travelling on the subway I thought that it was an amazing idea but as I started reading the book I wasn’t sure how it would fit, but it soon all makes sense and it was a journey full of so many unexpected things. This is the kind of book that I want to gush over but can’t say too much because I don’t want to spoil the experience, but it was so funny and also very enlightening. There are some really big topics dealt with in this book, such as grief and mental health, but it never leaves you feeling heavy, there is always a little dose of humour injected.
I loved Daisy, she is spontaneous and witty, even at the start of the book when she is selfish and self-destructive there is something in her that I could relate to. It was great going on the journey with her and seeing the change as she gets the chance to see parts of her life from a different perspective, but I loved that she was still a bit cheeky and outrageous even at the end. Even though Daisy is the star of this particular show I really enjoyed some of the other characters in the book, they were all surprising in their own way, some more than others, I feel like Daisy met her match in a few of them too.
If you haven’t read Daisy On The Outer Line yet then you really need to, I highly recommend it, I absolutely loved it and I’m sure you will too.
Originally posted on everywhere and nowhere
The plot is fantastic, when I first heard about time travelling on the subway I thought that it was an amazing idea but as I started reading the book I wasn’t sure how it would fit, but it soon all makes sense and it was a journey full of so many unexpected things. This is the kind of book that I want to gush over but can’t say too much because I don’t want to spoil the experience, but it was so funny and also very enlightening. There are some really big topics dealt with in this book, such as grief and mental health, but it never leaves you feeling heavy, there is always a little dose of humour injected.
I loved Daisy, she is spontaneous and witty, even at the start of the book when she is selfish and self-destructive there is something in her that I could relate to. It was great going on the journey with her and seeing the change as she gets the chance to see parts of her life from a different perspective, but I loved that she was still a bit cheeky and outrageous even at the end. Even though Daisy is the star of this particular show I really enjoyed some of the other characters in the book, they were all surprising in their own way, some more than others, I feel like Daisy met her match in a few of them too.
If you haven’t read Daisy On The Outer Line yet then you really need to, I highly recommend it, I absolutely loved it and I’m sure you will too.
Originally posted on everywhere and nowhere
December 17, 2020
I cannot recall having met a protagonist I loved, related to, and shook my head in frustration at more than Daisy. Sayers masterfully creates a character in who we can see the rawest and most flawed parts of ourselves, whilst also making her so likeable, genuine, and funny that we long for her story to end "happily".
Though this book is filled with important and often hard-to-swallow themes of grief, mental health, and fractured relationships, Sayers manages to keep readers uplifted with appropriately-timed comedy and realistic characters; whose authenticity prevents the story from ever feeling forced or cliché. Sayers has navigated these sensitive subjects so carefully that we are able to clearly see, relate to, and be fascinated by seeing the world both as it is, and how Daisy's perceptions of it sometimes become mutated in her head. Powerful and enjoyable for anyone who has experienced challenges with their mental wellbeing.
Daisy's accessible storytelling ensures this book can be enjoyed by both Young Adults and slightly-less-Young Adults alike. Meanwhile the understated narrative style often leaves readers reeling, with each poignant reflection/conversation/plot twist Daisy experiences hitting harder because they have been put so simply. I guarantee you'll be hooked from the first page.
Though this book is filled with important and often hard-to-swallow themes of grief, mental health, and fractured relationships, Sayers manages to keep readers uplifted with appropriately-timed comedy and realistic characters; whose authenticity prevents the story from ever feeling forced or cliché. Sayers has navigated these sensitive subjects so carefully that we are able to clearly see, relate to, and be fascinated by seeing the world both as it is, and how Daisy's perceptions of it sometimes become mutated in her head. Powerful and enjoyable for anyone who has experienced challenges with their mental wellbeing.
Daisy's accessible storytelling ensures this book can be enjoyed by both Young Adults and slightly-less-Young Adults alike. Meanwhile the understated narrative style often leaves readers reeling, with each poignant reflection/conversation/plot twist Daisy experiences hitting harder because they have been put so simply. I guarantee you'll be hooked from the first page.
January 10, 2021
This was absolutely brilliant. The plot was super interesting and kept me guessing, full of twists and turns, a storyline surrounding time travel can in fact be unpredictable and this book proves it.
Daisy as a character was wonderful; she is selfish, emotionally closed off and flawed, but you can tell deep down she is highly sensitive and caring (not to mention hilarious) but just insecure and unable to see her own worth. I feel like she could be a very relatable character to many of us.
A book set in my hometown Glasgow is always appealing to me, I love being able to recognise the places mentioned, and the use of Scots gave the writing a lovely familiar tone, like talking to an old friend.
A new favourite of mine I think!
Daisy as a character was wonderful; she is selfish, emotionally closed off and flawed, but you can tell deep down she is highly sensitive and caring (not to mention hilarious) but just insecure and unable to see her own worth. I feel like she could be a very relatable character to many of us.
A book set in my hometown Glasgow is always appealing to me, I love being able to recognise the places mentioned, and the use of Scots gave the writing a lovely familiar tone, like talking to an old friend.
A new favourite of mine I think!
April 2, 2021
I ended up loving this book. It deals with a lot of quite intense themes without feeling too heavy. It took me a while as Daisy's behaviour at times is just... Very cringe worthy... But once I got into it it ended up being a stay away til 3am to find out what happens. Definitely recommend.
March 8, 2021
What a belter of a wee book. Absolutely flew in and amazed so much was backed into the pages.
Was quite different to what I thought it would be when I heard about it but made me love it all the more. Especially the Scots language 💙 Also you just can’t beat all the Glasgow references throughout
Can really relate to Daisy’s perspective through the book and finished it feeling like she’s a pal.
Was quite different to what I thought it would be when I heard about it but made me love it all the more. Especially the Scots language 💙 Also you just can’t beat all the Glasgow references throughout
Can really relate to Daisy’s perspective through the book and finished it feeling like she’s a pal.
November 24, 2020
I bloody loved this book.
December 27, 2024
I was more enthralled by the Scottish language than the plot itself. As a non-native speaker this was a journey!
January 22, 2022
Another fantastic read, the fourth novel from one of Scotland's very best writers.
This is a time travel tale of redemption set in Glasgow, where the infamous subway is the transportation. The titular Daisy is given the chance to go back in time to right her many wrongs and to hopefully make it back to her own timeline, but as an added challenge she has to do so whilst being in a different body.
It's a fast-paced, funny and at times poignant story, with many clever twists and turns (and Paesano pizzas) through the streets and train stations of Glasgow. Ross has a real knack for always writing very believable characters, and Daisy is his most flawed but ultimately endearing character yet.
The supporting cast are also very well-written, so much that you'll no doubt recognise aspects of these people in your life. I also have a soft spot for any writer who takes a well-known theme, such as time travel is, and plonks it into the real world with real people; somehow, at no point does the premise seem implausible, a further measure of Ross' skills in being able to bring much-needed freshness to the genre.
I loved it, and I implore everyone to go out and read this, and all his other books too.
This is a time travel tale of redemption set in Glasgow, where the infamous subway is the transportation. The titular Daisy is given the chance to go back in time to right her many wrongs and to hopefully make it back to her own timeline, but as an added challenge she has to do so whilst being in a different body.
It's a fast-paced, funny and at times poignant story, with many clever twists and turns (and Paesano pizzas) through the streets and train stations of Glasgow. Ross has a real knack for always writing very believable characters, and Daisy is his most flawed but ultimately endearing character yet.
The supporting cast are also very well-written, so much that you'll no doubt recognise aspects of these people in your life. I also have a soft spot for any writer who takes a well-known theme, such as time travel is, and plonks it into the real world with real people; somehow, at no point does the premise seem implausible, a further measure of Ross' skills in being able to bring much-needed freshness to the genre.
I loved it, and I implore everyone to go out and read this, and all his other books too.
August 18, 2024
This is by far the most enjoyable book I’ve read so far this year. Sayers creates such a wonderful story of grief, time travel and fractured relationships. It filled me with the perfect balance of joy and sadness. I loved every bite.
August 14, 2021
Featuring Clan Ice Hockey games, a night out in the Catty, several mentions of my favourite band (Frightened Rabbit), plenty of humour & the idea of time travelling on the Glasgow subway its nae wonder I loved this book!
November 6, 2020
I really enjoyed this book - it kept me guessing, ha meant laughing and crying. Good fun.
April 5, 2021
In this cleverly woven time travel story set in Glasgow, Daisy is one of those characters you’ll never forget. With its non-stop humour and genius observations Daisy on the Outer Line is set to become as iconic as Glasgow’s subway. Buy. This. Book.
January 2, 2023
Great wee story of self discovery, redemption and dealing with mental health. The time travel element is a familiar trope but it’s the characters and first person narrative that really makes the book. The protagonist is very unlikeable to begin with although you are made aware of the potential reasons early on. I also found the use of Scots language jarring (as a Scottish person) at first but within a few chapters it felt completely natural. This book is classed as YA but I’d recommend to any age group particularly for its use of Scots.
It is also to date, the only novel I’ve read which includes my home town of East Kilbride (and famous local pub “the Monty”) as a prominent location.
It is also to date, the only novel I’ve read which includes my home town of East Kilbride (and famous local pub “the Monty”) as a prominent location.
June 5, 2022
I really loved this.
February 17, 2021
Hard in places, because it's familiar, but I loved it.
November 6, 2020
‘Daisy on the Outer Line’ by Ross Sayers is one of the best books I've read this year - even though its main character is definitely not an attractive personality. Self-obsessed, callous and a liability to her friends, Daisy is, at first sight, a detestable individual. It is a tribute to the author’s skill that we find ourselves drawn into the story of Daisy’s (unwilling) search for redemption.
Thrown back in time after a drunken night in Glasgow, Daisy is condemned to a marginal existence - unless she can save someone’s life.
Assisted by the wisecracking, unhelpful Yotta, we follow Daisy on a journey to confront her failings. The author has a real gift for characterisation and dialogue and paints a vivid picture of Glasgow life as we follow Daisy’s progress through a developing awareness of the damage she has inflicted on herself and those around her. On the way I found my sympathy growing, until my perception of this damaged soul turned full circle.
Sad, funny and uplifting, Daisy is not your typical hero but I was rooting for her all the way. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Thrown back in time after a drunken night in Glasgow, Daisy is condemned to a marginal existence - unless she can save someone’s life.
Assisted by the wisecracking, unhelpful Yotta, we follow Daisy on a journey to confront her failings. The author has a real gift for characterisation and dialogue and paints a vivid picture of Glasgow life as we follow Daisy’s progress through a developing awareness of the damage she has inflicted on herself and those around her. On the way I found my sympathy growing, until my perception of this damaged soul turned full circle.
Sad, funny and uplifting, Daisy is not your typical hero but I was rooting for her all the way. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
November 21, 2020
Probably the best book I have read this year. Utterly memorable. It's written entirely in Scots and has JUST the right balance between funny and moving. I absolutely loved it. Daisy, Yotta and the gang will stay with me for a long time - I'm sure of that!
March 18, 2025
It's all right. Decent Glasgow based book, interesting take on time travel.
I did almost give up about twenty pages in because the main character was so annoying, but it's a redemption story, so they got better and agreeable as the book went in.
I did almost give up about twenty pages in because the main character was so annoying, but it's a redemption story, so they got better and agreeable as the book went in.
April 23, 2021
"Daisy on the Outer Line" follows the story of a young Glaswegian girl who seems quite lost in her relationships and identity. She finds herself going back in time after getting the last subway home on a night out, on this journey she tries to figure out how to make amends and get back to her old life.
The story has a strong plot and is paced well, giving the reader a consistently interesting read throughout the whole book. Considering it was about time-travel it was unique in its events, message and characters which was a pleasure to delve into. Sayers navigates Daisy's mental health skilfully - unravelling her story and character through the book.
The character development of Daisy was a powerful one, reminiscent of Ebenezer Scrooge, following her personal growth and drive to repair her relationships. Daisy felt both authentic and two dimensional to me at certain moments. For the most part she was accessible and relatable even with her flaws which is somewhat challenging to read. As she is faced with her bad characteristics, the reader is faced with theirs too. My only hardship with Daisy's character was that I sometimes felt that her being written by a man was obvious at points, as if Sayers would think women would feel a certain way about specific things rather than knowing from personal experience.
It felt creative and fresh to read something in Scots. I'd say it's very easy to read being from Glasgow especially but I'm sure it would be reasonably straightforward for anyone who understands English too. The writing has a very modern touch which made it pleasant and comfortable to read - though I personally found the constant pop-culture references a bit overkill I know this is something some readers enjoy especially within YA fiction. With that I also found the constant referencing of places in Glasgow a bit forced and unnecessary. It is nice to picture exactly where things are happening, if you know the city, and I can see the appeal it's just not quite to my taste. I think it would have been more tasteful to reference things with a bit more subtlety.
All in all, I liked this a book a great deal. I was stuck between three and four stars as I found certain aspects a bit frustrating but the overall character arc, effectiveness of the pacing, writing and story pulled it together and left me feeling attached. I would definitely recommend this book and will be seeking out more of Sayers engrossing writing.
November 8, 2020
Daisy is a 19 year old Strathclyde Uni student who works in Boots. She has a steadily increasing alcohol problem and drives away anyone who cares for her before they can reject her. Her stepdad has just died, and Daisy has rampaged her way through his purvey (a post funeral reception), because if everyone’s going to expect the worst of her then she can’t let them down can she? And
she never even knew him anyway so what’s the big deal?
Daisy, Oh Daisy, what are we going to do with you? Stick you on a mysterious, after hours train on the Outer Line of the Glasgow Underground and send you back in time to act as a witness to your own follies is what.
At her darkest moment, Daisy is taken under the wing of her very own Clarence-like angel – Yotta and sent rattling back 16 days. Her mission? To undo some unknown wrong, and under no circumstances be seen by her past self. But with no money, nowhere to stay and no idea what she’s doing, can Daisy overcome her own fuckwittery and find her way home?
Daisy on the Outer Line has been lined up as one of my must reads for 2020 since last November – I’ve been raving about it since I heard it was coming out for one simple reason – Ross Sayers makes me laugh. Hard. More than that, his writing is infused with kindness and takes complex imperfect characters and drills them into your heart.
His previous book Sonny and Me is still one of my “you HAVE to read this” recommendations
(though that is less philosophical and more out right laugh out loud), so when I heard he was taking my favourite trope – time travel - and running with it I was THERE for it. Do I regret my anticipation?Not for a second. Despite months of daydreaming my ideal version of a Scots Time Travel comedy novel, Sayers has still exceeded my expectations, because I was not for a second anticipating a character like Daisy.
She is a lost, lonely teenage girl, disenfranchised and steadily disengaging with the world around her, which as anyone who was a Scottish teenager can attest too, very quickly leads to the bottom of a bottle, horrific mistakes and staring into the abyss wondering if there’s any point.
Then the Glasgow underground rattles around and Daisy is given a gift. The journey of self-awareness that Yotta propels her on is funny, and emotional and eye opening, and life-affirming and it is written with Sayers’ trademark sense of cheesy humour. I laughed through the dark bits and cried through the
joyful ones, and if that isn’t the sign of a belter of a book then I don’t know what is.
I adored it and I adored Daisy and the final chapter made me squeal for joy at the potential for world building and spending more time with her.
Part of my love for this book may have been because it felt like coming home. Islanders from the Hebrides have a tendency to spend a lot of time in Glasgow – it’s very much viewed as our home away from home and there is a natural affinity there. In all of Sayers novels he has managed to turn his settings into characters in and of themselves – Skye, Stirling and now Glasgow are so strongly
invoked that the locations are brought to life through not only the familiar sensations and locations, but the characters that inhabit them. Anyone who has spent an iota of time in Glasgow will find themselves transported back there with Daisy, and it’s going to be very hard to resist trying to catch the last train on the Outer Line next time I’m there. But this is not usually the case for me – I struggle with Peter May’s books because the familiarity is too jarring for me, despite others adoring them –
so it is a testament to the writing and the quality of characters here that I never once felt jarred by following round the familiar landmarks, just excited to see what happened next.
she never even knew him anyway so what’s the big deal?
Daisy, Oh Daisy, what are we going to do with you? Stick you on a mysterious, after hours train on the Outer Line of the Glasgow Underground and send you back in time to act as a witness to your own follies is what.
At her darkest moment, Daisy is taken under the wing of her very own Clarence-like angel – Yotta and sent rattling back 16 days. Her mission? To undo some unknown wrong, and under no circumstances be seen by her past self. But with no money, nowhere to stay and no idea what she’s doing, can Daisy overcome her own fuckwittery and find her way home?
Daisy on the Outer Line has been lined up as one of my must reads for 2020 since last November – I’ve been raving about it since I heard it was coming out for one simple reason – Ross Sayers makes me laugh. Hard. More than that, his writing is infused with kindness and takes complex imperfect characters and drills them into your heart.
His previous book Sonny and Me is still one of my “you HAVE to read this” recommendations
(though that is less philosophical and more out right laugh out loud), so when I heard he was taking my favourite trope – time travel - and running with it I was THERE for it. Do I regret my anticipation?Not for a second. Despite months of daydreaming my ideal version of a Scots Time Travel comedy novel, Sayers has still exceeded my expectations, because I was not for a second anticipating a character like Daisy.
She is a lost, lonely teenage girl, disenfranchised and steadily disengaging with the world around her, which as anyone who was a Scottish teenager can attest too, very quickly leads to the bottom of a bottle, horrific mistakes and staring into the abyss wondering if there’s any point.
Then the Glasgow underground rattles around and Daisy is given a gift. The journey of self-awareness that Yotta propels her on is funny, and emotional and eye opening, and life-affirming and it is written with Sayers’ trademark sense of cheesy humour. I laughed through the dark bits and cried through the
joyful ones, and if that isn’t the sign of a belter of a book then I don’t know what is.
I adored it and I adored Daisy and the final chapter made me squeal for joy at the potential for world building and spending more time with her.
Part of my love for this book may have been because it felt like coming home. Islanders from the Hebrides have a tendency to spend a lot of time in Glasgow – it’s very much viewed as our home away from home and there is a natural affinity there. In all of Sayers novels he has managed to turn his settings into characters in and of themselves – Skye, Stirling and now Glasgow are so strongly
invoked that the locations are brought to life through not only the familiar sensations and locations, but the characters that inhabit them. Anyone who has spent an iota of time in Glasgow will find themselves transported back there with Daisy, and it’s going to be very hard to resist trying to catch the last train on the Outer Line next time I’m there. But this is not usually the case for me – I struggle with Peter May’s books because the familiarity is too jarring for me, despite others adoring them –
so it is a testament to the writing and the quality of characters here that I never once felt jarred by following round the familiar landmarks, just excited to see what happened next.
August 10, 2022
I wasn't too sure about this book at first because I find time travel stories to be very hit or miss, but this one turned out to be a complete hit. Daisy was such a fun but also sad character to follow, at first you see the version of her she shows the world - fun, outgoing, loud and bold. As you get to really know her though you see how scared and vulnerable she really is underneath that shell. I loved following her journey and watching her do her best to fix what she had to fix.
The book is written in Scots language / dialect (a debate I can't decide on) and it added so much character to the story. I've read quite a few books written this way recently, another recent one being 'The Young Team' and I actually really enjoy it. While it must be a bold writing decision as it most definitely turns some readers off, I think it ultimately benefits these types of stories by adding some authenticity to the character's voice. I would like to see more books written like this and wonder if we might enter a second Scottish Renaissance in literature.
'Daisy on the Outer Line' is both funny and sad while also being heartwarming and heartbreaking. It takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions and leaves you with a strong message - be kind to people, you never know what a little conversation or a smile could do to help someone that is struggling. You also never know when someone (or you) could be gone, so try and enjoy every moment of life.
The book is written in Scots language / dialect (a debate I can't decide on) and it added so much character to the story. I've read quite a few books written this way recently, another recent one being 'The Young Team' and I actually really enjoy it. While it must be a bold writing decision as it most definitely turns some readers off, I think it ultimately benefits these types of stories by adding some authenticity to the character's voice. I would like to see more books written like this and wonder if we might enter a second Scottish Renaissance in literature.
'Daisy on the Outer Line' is both funny and sad while also being heartwarming and heartbreaking. It takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions and leaves you with a strong message - be kind to people, you never know what a little conversation or a smile could do to help someone that is struggling. You also never know when someone (or you) could be gone, so try and enjoy every moment of life.
November 13, 2020
Daisy is a 19 year old student at Strathclyde Uni and works part time in Boots, she’s on a rollercoaster to self destruction with an increasing alcohol addiction and a ‘I don’t care about what any one thinks kind of attitude’ but deep down Daisy is lonely, even though she would never admit it.
Daisy on the Outer Line tackles some serious issues like mental health, broken relationships and grief and even though they’re difficult to read about, Sayers has this uncanny ability to bring some laughter and joy to the story. One minute you might be shedding a wee tear and the next you’re spitting your coffee out laughing.
I adored Daisy, she was so real and even though I’m old enough to be her mum I could relate to her a little bit and understand her ways of thinking. She’s a character you can’t help taking to you’re heart but I lost track of the amount of times I said “Oh no Daisy” or “Don’t do it Daisy” and just desperately wanted her to have a happy ending.
Daisy on the Outer Line is another fantastic read from Ross Sayers and I loved the use of Scots Language. This book will appeal to the young, old and in-between and I’d absolutely love to hear more from Daisy. Just saying her name brings a wee smile to my face.
If you only read one more book this year then make sure it’s this one, you won’t regret it and it would make a fantastic present.
Daisy on the Outer Line tackles some serious issues like mental health, broken relationships and grief and even though they’re difficult to read about, Sayers has this uncanny ability to bring some laughter and joy to the story. One minute you might be shedding a wee tear and the next you’re spitting your coffee out laughing.
I adored Daisy, she was so real and even though I’m old enough to be her mum I could relate to her a little bit and understand her ways of thinking. She’s a character you can’t help taking to you’re heart but I lost track of the amount of times I said “Oh no Daisy” or “Don’t do it Daisy” and just desperately wanted her to have a happy ending.
Daisy on the Outer Line is another fantastic read from Ross Sayers and I loved the use of Scots Language. This book will appeal to the young, old and in-between and I’d absolutely love to hear more from Daisy. Just saying her name brings a wee smile to my face.
If you only read one more book this year then make sure it’s this one, you won’t regret it and it would make a fantastic present.
November 15, 2020
I was worried i would struggle with Scottish dialect in the book but I was really surprised by how quick it was to pick up and it really added more depth to the story, so please don't let that put you off, as I know it would have for me in the past!
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I really, really enjoyed this book, more than I was expecting to! I loved Daisy as a character, not because she is instantly loveable but she is real and relatable. She has flaws and characteristics that some of us can probably relate to at some point in our lives. I thought the touches on mental health were really subtle but impactful and portrayed in a way that makes it more prevalent that you realise.
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There were a few twists in the book that I really didn't see coming and I loved how the rules of the time travelling worked it was really fun! It had a slight 'its a wonderful life' vibe, especially with it being set around Xmas but is also very different!
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I'm trying not to give any spoilers but I loved Daisy's self discovery and how she becomes more self aware throughout the book. I think its hard to show when characters own their own actions and behaviours without it being done just for the plot but the author does it very well.
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Overall this was a solid read for me and I highly recommend you give this book a go!
.
I really, really enjoyed this book, more than I was expecting to! I loved Daisy as a character, not because she is instantly loveable but she is real and relatable. She has flaws and characteristics that some of us can probably relate to at some point in our lives. I thought the touches on mental health were really subtle but impactful and portrayed in a way that makes it more prevalent that you realise.
.
There were a few twists in the book that I really didn't see coming and I loved how the rules of the time travelling worked it was really fun! It had a slight 'its a wonderful life' vibe, especially with it being set around Xmas but is also very different!
.
I'm trying not to give any spoilers but I loved Daisy's self discovery and how she becomes more self aware throughout the book. I think its hard to show when characters own their own actions and behaviours without it being done just for the plot but the author does it very well.
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Overall this was a solid read for me and I highly recommend you give this book a go!
February 2, 2021
I got this for a book group with friends from Glasgow, and we thought it would be good to read something set there (yes yes, we know, Lanark and Shuggie Bain are also on the list). Daisy On The Outer Line is a great nostalgia trip for anyone who's been a student in Glasgow, but the setting isn't really used to its full potential. It should be the Outer Circle, for starters! All the name checking feels a little forced - the Cat House, the specific street names - and the story could have been set anywhere.
Having said that, it was a fun mystery, and Daisy's emotional journey is well-rendered. Sayers manages to avoid a lot of the traps of time travel by simply not engaging with them, particularly, which can be slightly frustrating sometimes, but it helps to keep the story focussed. The ending leaves us open to a sequel (or more), which feels a little unnecessary, and possibly diminishes the emotional impact of the main storyline, but overall this is a fun read. And yes, it is *all* in Scots, but you can manage, I promise!
Having said that, it was a fun mystery, and Daisy's emotional journey is well-rendered. Sayers manages to avoid a lot of the traps of time travel by simply not engaging with them, particularly, which can be slightly frustrating sometimes, but it helps to keep the story focussed. The ending leaves us open to a sequel (or more), which feels a little unnecessary, and possibly diminishes the emotional impact of the main storyline, but overall this is a fun read. And yes, it is *all* in Scots, but you can manage, I promise!
February 3, 2022
An incredibly special novel.
We follow Daisy who, after being sent back in time, must confront the things she has been desperately trying to avoid. I don't want to spoil anything because the time travel woven throughout the book is so cleverly crafted but trust me - it's a beautiful journey.
Sayers' writes with such grace and humour. The novel works so well because of his ability to create characters who are so fully realised. We understand Daisy's vulnerabilities and fears and feel very close to her throughout the story.
The other characters in the novel are equally full of life and the city of Glasgow is sketched in all its vibrant colours. This is a perfect book for many different age ranges as it is so earnest and full of heart.
Five stars. An uplifting and brilliant book. I would highly recommend and cannot wait to read more of Ross Sayers' work.
We follow Daisy who, after being sent back in time, must confront the things she has been desperately trying to avoid. I don't want to spoil anything because the time travel woven throughout the book is so cleverly crafted but trust me - it's a beautiful journey.
Sayers' writes with such grace and humour. The novel works so well because of his ability to create characters who are so fully realised. We understand Daisy's vulnerabilities and fears and feel very close to her throughout the story.
The other characters in the novel are equally full of life and the city of Glasgow is sketched in all its vibrant colours. This is a perfect book for many different age ranges as it is so earnest and full of heart.
Five stars. An uplifting and brilliant book. I would highly recommend and cannot wait to read more of Ross Sayers' work.
December 27, 2021
I fully picked up this book only for the glesga memories and descriptions of places I know - reading books where settings are familiar is just so lovely. So I was proper surprised when this book, which seemed funny and like an okay read turned out to be surprisingly ~deep~ and more than just a lighthearted trip down the memory metro.
It was also that, and there’s just no beating all the references to that home city of mine. Made my heart ache. However, I also did relate to Daisy’s thoughts, even though I did not get as good a feel for her as I wished for. But I understood her, I guess, and found some surprisingly scary similarities between herself and me. Life ain’t easy, but it happens. I also really liked the ending. Good finish line.
It was also that, and there’s just no beating all the references to that home city of mine. Made my heart ache. However, I also did relate to Daisy’s thoughts, even though I did not get as good a feel for her as I wished for. But I understood her, I guess, and found some surprisingly scary similarities between herself and me. Life ain’t easy, but it happens. I also really liked the ending. Good finish line.
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