Its has taken me a while to reach this one but I'm glad that I did. Written with so much compassion, it was a difficult journey to be on with Kelly at times but I'm glad that I did. Homelessness through different eyes, difficult problems dealt with tenderly. Such a good story I kept forgetting it was actually fiction, completely absorbing. Highly recommend.

A heartbreaking and profoundly human story where we get to know Kelly, a Scottish woman who spends her life on the streets of Glasgow. Homeless and mostly keeping herself to herself, she tends to slip into the background, however she has a small but solid network of people.
As Kelly is usually more of an observer than an active participant in life, she spends her time reflecting on past mistakes which continue to haunt her. She lives life on the sidelines, a footnote in other people’s lives, an inconvenience to step around.

When Kelly inadvertently ends up with a bride’s engagement ring in the midst of her drunken hen night, it’s somewhat of a sign. The ring leads her to start a journey, a pilgrimage of sorts, where she meets a variety of people along the way and discovers things about herself that she had lost.
Parts of this book are deeply sad but overall it’s touching, beautifully written, authentically Scottish and a brilliant read that shines a tender and poignant light on the power of human connection.

I highly recommend the audiobook as Kelly’s voice vividly comes to life through the skilful narration.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me access an advance copy of this book in exchange for my feedback.

Kelly is a homeless woman in Glasgow, scraping out an existence in the cold streets of the city. Following a chance encounter with a bride to be, she finds herself in possession of some money - and the bride to be’s engagement ring. After witnessing a terrible accident, Kelly is driven to leave Glasgow and return to Galloway, so that she can return the engagement ring and revisit her past, to try and overcome some of her previous issues.

My feelings were quite split on this book. There were lots that I liked about it - some of the writing was really evocative and I thought that it shone a light on many important issues, such as homelessness and how people can easily fall through the cracks of the support network that is in place for people. However, there were some parts that just didn’t quite sit right personally with me, which I appreciate is entirely on me. I didn’t quite feel comfortable with the major incident that was used in the book - I was resident in Glasgow at the time of the bin lorry crash and still very vividly remember this incident, and felt a bit uncomfortable with it essentially being used in this way. I appreciate that this is a personal feeling though.

There were parts of the book that made me feel quite uncomfortable but in a good way - life on the streets is a reality for many people, and as someone who lives and works in Glasgow, seeing homelessness is a regular part of life. I thought it was good to gain more of a perspective on how life can be for homeless people, particularly women, and all the challenges that they may face. It is also a stark reminder that many people are only two or three bad decisions away from being homeless themselves.

I would actually recommend this book to others, although there were parts that I found uneven, I actually think that this is a really good book group choice - there are lots of themes for discussion and it can kick off some really interesting perspectives.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a heartbreaking story of the realities of real life. Just how easy it is to go from being care free and fun loving on a night out. To being estranged from the family and living on the streets.

A tough, raw and emotional read but in the end a message of hope also.

A lovely story.

Disturbing, heartbreaking and heartwarming exploration of how easy it is to fall between the cracks into homelessness, and our preconceptions of who homeless people are
and what it means to be homeless.

We are first introduced to Kelly through the eyes of a rowdy hen party, which leads to Kelly following a pilgrimage to return the bride's lost engagement ring. But will she be able to return to her hometown and face up to her actions.?

Along her journey we are shown the various challenges and characters she encounters daily, and gradually peel back the layers of how Kelly came to be in this situation.

This is a very important book, tackling an issue of somewhat scary and marginalized people - the homeless ones. Here we are journeying with Kelly, who is living on the streets for years (while still being young) and also battling her alcoholism. She is stuck in this lifestyle - and, as we are with her on her journey, we start to uncover her story. Because yes, Kelly is a woman on mission, or maybe a pilgrimage - she is travelling to return very important thing she had found to its right owner. And this journey is bringing her closer and closer to her hometown and to the reasons of her broken heart, her deep shame and her reasons to hate herself so much she can not seem to see herself as a good person (anymore). But Kelly is a good person. Not a perfect one! But in all of the pain and marginalization of her life she still somehow is able to have a pure heart. And I loved being with her on her way towards forgiveness.
Lovely, beautiful novel.

Homeless Kelly witnesses a horrific accident in Glasgow which sets her on a course towards her hometown in Galloway. Paper Cup by Karen Campbell is Kelly’s story as she faces her long-buried demons and receives gestures of kindness from complete strangers.
A new author for me, I found the first few pages slow to get into but I persevered and was glad I did. There are many ‘finding yourself’ road trip novels – THE UNLIKELY PILGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRY by Rachel Joyce being the first that comes to mind – and most are uplifting, verging on the sentimental. This one is different. Campbell’s gritty portrayal of Kelly’s struggles, and finally the truth of why she is a vagrant, challenges the reader to be open-minded and compassionate.
A long way from home, cadging pennies to buy the alcohol which keeps her going from day to day, Kelly blocks out troubling memories until a lost ring gives her purpose and a forlorn puppy becomes a companion. Re-learning to love and care for Collie [short for Cauliflower] redirects Kelly’s self-focus and gives her strength to put one step in front of the other. Kelly originally starts walking in order to return an engagement ring to a drunken bride who, on her hen night, didn’t realise that in the pile of coins she left at a dosser’s feet was her diamond ring.
This is a generous, sympathetic portrayal of a character who is lost in so many ways and Campbell encourages us to be kind and less judgemental. In order to move on emotionally, Kelly must open the box full of bad memories and be kind to herself. During an encounter with a minibus of tourists, Kelly is given a leaflet. ‘Pilgrims’ Progress. Travel through Scotland in the footsteps of saints and sinners.’ She decides to follow the map. Four places in four days. ‘Her own wee walkabout’ alone amongst the heather. ‘And the best of it is, no one knows she is here.’ Meanwhile Kelly is pursued from Glasgow by friends, and a journalist keen to tell her story.
There is Glaswegian slang but after a few pages I just learned to go with the flow of language. Kelly walks through a beautiful part of the world and Campbell’s description brings this to life, always tempered with edginess which brings us back to Kelly’s past and present, the sad reasons for her homelessness and alcoholism.
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-reviews-a-z/

This was a heart-wrenching story. Nothing about it rings untrue, making it sadder than it is. I am used to watching and reading books set in the US, which is why to see a story about a homeless woman in Scotland felt quite different, and it was not just the language used either.
This is not for the faint of heart. The author leaves no stone unturned to show our lead protagonist's desperation and pain in the form of the most basic indignities.
When the story begins, it is easy to mistake it for a contemporary narrative with the focus being on a woman on her bachelorette and with pretty ridiculous friends (or so it felt). This woman ends up tipping the homeless person she ends up confiding in. The book, however, is about that homeless person.
Kelly's story is not a linear one. We know she has her demons and is an alcoholic whose addictions have ruined her life. She finds herself in possession of the bride's engagement ring and feels duty bound to return it to her. Her initial attempts are thwarted by many who thought her crazy. She wanted to do something simple, but her very presence had people responding in a very aggressive fashion.
Kelly then sets off on the journey to return the ring on her own, but given her mental state, it takes longer than it should with many diversions. The main one is a pilgrimage of sorts to visit the past, both in her mind and physically.
There is nothing cheery about the plot. If ever there's a ray of sunshine, we are soon shown how long it is practically possible for it to be useful to someone in Kelly's situation. It is nothing like any other book I have read. It was not dark enough for me to set it aside and move on, but despite the almost perfect ending, it felt profound.
I must admit to not being bold enough to approach/respond to the people on the street. I have not directly said anything nasty, but having read a book from the other point of view, even that mild shunning feels like a pretty bad stance to take. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to brave a trip along a very different journey.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is based on my own reading experience.

This book reminded me of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and The 100 Year Old Man Who Jumped Out Of A Window And Disappeared. Kelly is homeless and hopeless, ignored or abused, until she sets off on a journey to reunite an engagement ring with a bride to be. Along the way Kelly discovers the kindness of strangers and the love and loyalty of a dog. At times she faces aggression and insults from people who are quick to judge, but Kelly (almost) retains her dignity. This is so well written and heart warming.

How often do we get our first impressions of someone else through another? The start of this book introduces us to Kelly, homeless and living on the streets, through the eyes of the hen party that stumble across her.

We meet Kelly in chapter one, through other peoples eyes. But we get to truly know her story through every single page of the book.

It’s raw, honest, humbling and, at times, hilarious. The way that Karen writes will pull you right in so that by the final pages, you will feel as if you’ve walked every step of Kelly’s journey.

I found myself not quite able to connect with this book and kept putting it aside. In the end I finished it but it was not one of my favourites of the year. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

Paper Cup is a disturbing but also quite thoughtful, compassionate and relevant book. Kelly is a homeless alcoholic living on the streets in Glasgow. One night an encounter with members of a drunken hen party provides the catalyst for a change. She ends up on a pilgrimage.

I’d describe this book as realistic fiction. The author has done an amazing job at creating imaginary characters and situations that depict the world and society. The characters focus on themes of growing, self-discovery and confronting personal and social problems. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

This hooked me right from the start, making me invested in Kelly's journey from page 1. Thought-provoking and insightful without being moralistic, visceral without being gratuitous, it felt like a privilege to see the world through the eyes of such an honest, disarming and witty protagonist. A read to open your mind to the unfairness of the world we're created, yet remain hopeful that change is possible.

Unfortunately this book wasn't for me, im not sure why maybe it was the writing style more than the storyline as the premise is so inviting. I can see that there will be a massive audience for it.
I'm gutted because I really wanted to love it!
I will try again soon.

Kelly is homeless and has battled drink problems and mental health issues. She is on the city streets of Glasgow but wishes to escape. One day, she finds a ring in her cupful of money and instead of selling it decides to return it to its owner, after witnessing an accident.

I enjoyed every moment of this stunning, beautifully written book. It's raw, sad, gripping and honest. Very highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Canongate Books via NetGalley at my request and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

It's quite a feat to draw the reader in until you feel as if you are living and breathing a character, but Karen Campbell does exactly this with Kelly, the hero of Paper Cup. it's all the more impressive because I'd imagine that most readers wouldn't think they had much in common with Kelly – a woman who is homeless and has battled drink problems and mental health issues. But we're swept along with Kelly as a series of events set her off on an extraordinary mission, leaving Glasgow to travel back to the hometown she left many years ago. Along the way, we learn more about why she left and how the social care and housing system aided and abetted her downward spiral. There's a secret in Kelly's past too, which is tenderly revealed towards the end. I badly wanted Kelly to reach home, but I didn't ever want to say goodbye to her. Oh, and there's a dog. Who doesn't love a journey with a dog? Thank you for this story, Karen Campbell. I loved it.

Oh dear - I feel I am a lone voice - I really did not get on with this. Maybe I am too southern and found the Glasgow accent/tone difficult to read, maybe I was in a more action than observational mood - but it was not for me.

Absolutely brilliant book. The descriptive writing, the character development, the chosen family, the journeys, the little side stories, the portrayal of addiction and homelessness and shame and hope, the portrayal of life. All of it is exquisitely and compassionately written. I read it in 2 sittings because I just couldn't stop joining Kelly on her journey. I think I'll be thinking about this book for a long while.

Thank you to Canongate and NetGalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

A young woman is drunk and lost, with sore feet and a potty stuck on her head. She’s on a bench on her own and she doesn’t know how she got there. This is the first chapter of this book and it draws you in from the start. I expected us to follow her, but instead we track her quiet companion on the bench, a homeless woman called Kelly who’s trying to keep warm under some cardboard and newspapers. Introducing us to Kelly through the hen party is a brilliant way of getting us to first see her as others see her, and then gradually getting to know her as she is as we join her on her philosophical and literal journey.

The narrative is a relatively simple one, but many layered and carefully placed so we understand why Kelly does what she does, at least in part. The initial description of her daily tasklist, to keep warm, to get some food, to try and be clean, is exhausting. She has bright spots of nearly but not quite friendship but for each of those there’re three tales of being beaten, abused and/or mocked by people who should be looking out for others, people going out of their way to make her tough existence a little bit worse. I am lucky, I have never felt the crushing worry of being safe and warm, I have a roof and food. I do not think that others are somehow responsible for this life, that they didn’t work hard enough or their actions caused it. We are all 3 pay packets away, on average, after all. Wear through the patience of family and friends and soon enough you’re out of options in all but state support, and as we know, this is few and far between. It’s described in this book as not one net but a series of nets with big gaps to fall through, and some of this hopelessness is in Kelly’s telling of how she got where she is today. A series of unfortunate actions, some horrible people, her own pride - being told she has to be contactable without a phone or power, no access to computers and the ever present threat of ‘sanctions’ from an already meagre benefit.

A set of circumstances pushes Kelly to set off on a mission, of sorts, which sees her follow a pilgrimage trail in the South West of Scotland, setting out from her usual Glasgow spots. Along the way she meets good people, and not, and crucially she makes questionable decisions borne of necessity or driven by her inner demons. It’s a story of hopelessness and ultimately, the humanity that binds us together and keeps that hope alive. It’s also funny - the other characters are sharp witted and dry and there’s a gallows humour which keeps it from being too depressing.

I was rooting for Kelly, along with the people rooting for her whether she knew it or not. It’s so beautifully written and so specifically Scottish, with a smattering of Scots language, that it felt like home. It’s funny, and painful, and poignant and so compassionate. It might be a work of fiction but we all know Kelly. We’ve seen her, or him, sitting outside on the pavement with their paper cup, asking for nothing but 20p and possibly a sandwich. In this world, in 2022, this shouldn’t be happening but it still is - this series of nets lets people slip through. If nothing else, this book casts a light into that shadow and will hopefully encourage readers to volunteer, to add to that cup, to see that person as a person.

Recommended for anyone looking for a story about compassion, about the family you make rather than the one you’re born into. Adjacent to Shuggie Bain with a bit of Trainspotting thrown in.

Thanks to Netgalley and to Canongate books for the DRC. This is available to buy June 2nd 2022 - preorder now!

Was totally immersed into book while reading. The plot was power packed and the characters vibrant. Definately loved it.