Joined Up

by Damien Mosley

Scott’s life isn’t exactly going according to plan.

He is approaching his mid-thirties, broke, shares a condemned squat with a flatmate who thinks he is a pervert, and is trying to rebuild a relationship with a sister who pathologically loathes him.

All so they can sue their mother.

A year on from his father’s death and six months after spiralling into a bout of depression, Scott is trying to face the world again and, with the help of his therapist, confront the problems in his life he has determinedly avoided since childhood, the most pressing being that his father has accidently left their family home to the woman who walked out on them twenty years earlier.

However, as unique a situation Scott believes himself in, he gradually realises that those around him are not having things their own way either…

550 pages, Paperback

Published September 29, 2021

Reviews

[Pheadra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this through my online book club. Though there were subtle touches of humour throughout the story about Scott and his sister Ellie and their journey from the time their mother leaves but doesn't divorce his father, the overall feeling I had was one of sadness. So much so, that I highlighted poignant passages about feelings and mental health and the effects these have on families. 

This tale came across as a long drawn out autobiography rather than fiction about depression, secrets, guilt, blame and what parents make children suffer through. In turn it is the tale of what children don't see parents suffer from. 4 stars.

[Elaine Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read. Kept me entertained from beginning to end. Brilliantly observed and the dynamics between the characters is cleverly captured. Hilarious in parts and also tender and moving.

[Jodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joined Up is a very honest and engaging depiction of one man’s struggle with depression. The book follows as Scott tries to come to terms with his mental health issues, examining why he feels the way he does, and trying to fix the issues in his life that contribute to his depression.

The tense and complicated family dynamics are well-observed and the main characters are incredibly flawed but still likeable. There are many really moving parts of this book, but there are also some moments that actually made me laugh out loud. I like that it wasn’t all straight forward and simple and things just magically working themselves out in the end. The reader follows Scott through therapy sessions and uncomfortable conversations and days under a duvet hiding from the world. I think it could maybe offer a little bit of hope to anyone struggling as Scott does.

[Kriss · Rating 5 out of 5]

An insightful book about depression and its impact on Scott in particular who is trying to keep his life together by gardening after having been in the corporate world and then the international NGO world where he learnt a great deal about the magic of creating gardens.
The characters seem very honestly depicted, slight let down in the final chapter, but sibling, family and friendship dynamics are painted with painful accuracy.
Humorous, sad, painful and challenging, the book is written with great energy and the duvet days bring back many memories but maybe not as difficult.
I also know the places referred to in the book as I lived in London for many years so made it even more interesting. Thanks to PH and Damien Moseley for an absorbing read.

[Nicola Mackenzie-Smaller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damien Mosley’s book is about Scott; a thirty-something gardener who used to inhabit a more corporate world. He lives in a grotty flat with the sister of his best friend and his life is pretty miserable. To add to his woes, his dad has just died, his relationship with his sister is pretty fragile and his mother, who abandoned him as a child, is going to inherit the family home.
Pretty depressing then?
Actually, this is a well-written book about finding your way through depression and realising your self-worth. Apart from the last half a page, which was a deeply frustrating end to the book, I enjoyed this a lot.
Read with The Pigeonhole

[Laura Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was well written and the descriptions of depression were well done. It did take a little bit longer to get in to, but once I did, I became heavily invested in the outcome for Scott, Ellie and Katie. The last few paragraphs were a little bit of a disappointment, didn't feel they properly matched the characters personalities shown in the rest of the book. Not sure if author went a bit made with the "neatly tied up in happy ending"/"Scott having his cake and eating it".
In all, an absorbing read. With thanks to the author and the Pigeonhole for the opportunity to read.

[Ellena Downes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an emotional books about one man's struggle to get over his depression and the fall out from his dysfunctional family. I really was moved by some bits of this book and felt for Scott and his sister Ellie, don't get me wrong this does have a lot of comedic sections and was very funny in places, but mental health is one of the main themes.
My only criticism would be the very end which I won't spoil but didn't quite work for me.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book through an online book club.

This is a really good story of the fallout from abandonment and a family’s struggle after the death of the other parent. It deals movingly with mental health, and the complicated relationships that siblings have.

It is also very funny at times, and while it’s starts in a fairly dark place the story then describes realistically how relationships can develop after that joint grief.

[Amina Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read, although I have to admit I'm not sure about the ending. It just didn't fit in with Scott's character!

Apart from the ending, I loved Scott and co.

The book was well written and the characters realistically portrayed. The therapy sessions were well written too.

Thank you to PH and Damien for the chance to read this book.

[Amanda Holyoak · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an engaging, if rather long book with some interesting observations on family and mental health. The characters were well drawn and I enjoyed the family dynamics with an sympathetic main character. Ultimately a very well written book and a good read which would have been 4 stars but for the ending which for me didn't ring true for the characters.

[Chris Humm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very engaging narrative and a compelling storyline.
Great real life observations throughout
I was entertained by this book and would recommend it without reservation

[Bruno Noble · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what I would call a writer’s book. By which I mean it’s not about the arriving but the journeying. I took as much pleasure in the language and the writing as in the story. A long book, that I didn’t want to end. A great achievement.

[Gail Danks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written but sadly I didn’t enjoy this one

[Linda Kendell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too long. Got into it and enjoyed it but skipped through the last part because I’d given up caring.