Drama filled coming-of-age story

Jake is 13 years old and his little brother, Matthew, is nine. Life has become unbearable for the two brothers. Their mother up and left years ago and their father is a mean alcoholic who thinks nothing of beating on the boys and also verbally and emotionally abusing them.

Their plan is to save enough money and run away from home, trying to find their mother in California.

I saw this novella reviewed a few times lately and receiving high ratings. I like coming-of-age stories and thought I'd read it myself. I'm glad I did. Be warned: There are definite triggers in this story concerning different types of abuse.

I thought the story flowed well. I liked the two brothers. I highly recommend this fast-paced story.

I received this book from Silver Shamrock Publishing through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.

Quintessential coming of age story told using all the quintessential coming of age story components and doing so well and succinctly. I’ve read Newman before (pure form, no collaborations, which seem slightly weird to me, but that’s neither here nor there), so I was expecting quality and quality was there to be found. This is a tale of two young brothers desperate to get away from their abusive alcoholic father and go find their mother, who left them some years ago for sunny California. Specifically, this is a tale of when the brothers finally put a plan together and the violent tragic way it plays out. Why is it that most books featuring teenage protagonists read like a properly dumbed down YA fiction, but stories with young kids come across so potently engaging. The boys in this story are great, they carry the entire thing on their shoulders never once faltering. The book is narrated by a grown up version of one of them (as these things often are), which cuts down the suspense of the outcome somewhat, but also ups the intimacy of the narration, so…maybe that’s a wash. But their story does engage you, almost immediately, and you spent the entire book hoping things work out for them. There are even some subtle nuances in the character of the father, so that he isn’t just a prototypical small minded small town violent alcoholic, although he’s pretty close to the cliché. But essentially there’s enough here in such a slim volume to tell a good, emotionally compelling story. Kudos. It’s such a quick read (maybe 75 minutes or so) and well worth it. Very enjoyable story. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.

I really enjoyed this coming of age tale that involved two brothers and the situation that was plaguing their life. A harrowing tale with a bittersweet ending. I love stories like this because they make you feel, even though reading about abuse and neglect is hard. The authors did a great job on this one. Definitely recommend. Only issue I had was that I wished it to be longer.

If it’s one thing James Newman knows how to do, it’s write an engaging coming-of-age tale. MIDNIGHT RAIN and ODD MAN OUT are as required a readings as is BOY’S LIFE when it comes to COA. With IN THE SCRAPE, I think him and Steensland have reached new heights. IN THE SCRAPE is as raw, gritty, and disturbing as ODD MAN OUT, but also has the rollercoaster journey paved with danger and pitfalls like MIDNIGHT RAIN.

Brothers Jake and Matthew live with their abusive, alcoholic father after their mother left them when they were younger. Jake and Matthew long for the day when they can escape their everyday life of hell and reunite with their mother in California. They haven’t heard from her since she left. They have no idea where in California she lives. All they know is they can’t take the abuse anymore. They want a normal life in a loving household and to do that, they have to take care of their father before he takes care of them - PERMANENTLY.

Jake and Matthews plight is as real and raw as it gets. You feel so bad for what they have to live with that you actually start rooting for their plan to work. Newman and Steensland’s collaboration is seamless. You can’t tell where one writer ended and the other started. Like a well oiled machine, IN THE SCRAPE is a fast 100 pages. I wolfed it down in one sitting. I simply couldn’t put it down. If you’ve never read Newman or Steensland’s work, IN THE SCRAPE is a great place to start.


5 Rolls of Duct Tape out of 5

You can also follow my reviews at the following links:

https://intothemacabre.com

http://intothemacabre.booklikes.com

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5919799-ken-mckinley