Description

Book Synopsis

WATERSTONES SCOTTISH BOOK OF THE MONTH

'A truly original, brilliant novel' Daily Mail

'Very special indeed . . . your world will be a better place for reading this story' Joanna Cannon

Everyone deserves a second chance.
You just have to take the first step.

Rocked by a terrible accident, homeless Kelly needs to escape the streets of Glasgow. Maybe she doesn't believe in serendipity, but a rare moment of kindness and a lost ring conspire to call her home, returning to the small town she fled so many years ago.



Trade Review
Paper Cup is very special indeed. Not only is it exquisitely written - and I mean catch-your-breath exquisite - the story is so real and told with such grace and compassion... Trust me (trust me), your world will be a better place for reading this story -- JOANNA CANNON
A rough romance written in rich language and a truly original, brilliant novel * * Daily Mail * *
[A] poignant and harrowing read. Campbell gambles on our empathy when she shows Kelly at her worst, and she wins because she has written, without judgment or criticism, an original and memorable protagonist; one who moves through a landscape described with love and care, and whose interior voice will continue to ring in the reader's head even after the long journey's end is reached -- CLAIRE FULLER * * Guardian * *
Glowing with empathy and wry intelligent wit. Let Kelly into your life. She'll change you, and you won't forget her -- KIRSTIN INNES
[A]mbitious . . . picturesque . . . generous and often wryly comic novel: a nice variety of incident and characters, fine descriptions of street life in Glasgow and of Kelly's journey - a quest that is both physical and spiritual, offering the prospect of recovery and redemption . . . readers are surely likely to find pleasure and satisfaction in the humanity of Campbell's treatment of people who have led difficult lives -- Allan Massie * * Scotsman * *
Big-hearted and poignant, Paper Cup is a joyous read -- SARA SHERIDAN
[A]n exquisitely written and compassionate novel of addiction, shame, hope and kindness * * Essential Magazine * *
Wonderful, empathetic, timely and moving . . . With every page I shivered with love and warmth and nostalgia * * Bella Caledonia * *
Full of compassion and hope * * Dumfries & Galloway Life * *
Terrific -- Morag Kuc * * Galloway Gazette * *

Paper Cup

    Product form

    £9.49

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £9.99 – you save £0.50 (5%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Tue 9 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Karen Campbell

    1 in stock


      View other formats and editions of Paper Cup by Karen Campbell

      Publisher: Canongate Books
      Publication Date: 29/06/2023
      ISBN13: 9781838855109, 978-1838855109
      ISBN10: 1838855106

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      WATERSTONES SCOTTISH BOOK OF THE MONTH

      'A truly original, brilliant novel' Daily Mail

      'Very special indeed . . . your world will be a better place for reading this story' Joanna Cannon

      Everyone deserves a second chance.
      You just have to take the first step.

      Rocked by a terrible accident, homeless Kelly needs to escape the streets of Glasgow. Maybe she doesn't believe in serendipity, but a rare moment of kindness and a lost ring conspire to call her home, returning to the small town she fled so many years ago.



      Trade Review
      Paper Cup is very special indeed. Not only is it exquisitely written - and I mean catch-your-breath exquisite - the story is so real and told with such grace and compassion... Trust me (trust me), your world will be a better place for reading this story -- JOANNA CANNON
      A rough romance written in rich language and a truly original, brilliant novel * * Daily Mail * *
      [A] poignant and harrowing read. Campbell gambles on our empathy when she shows Kelly at her worst, and she wins because she has written, without judgment or criticism, an original and memorable protagonist; one who moves through a landscape described with love and care, and whose interior voice will continue to ring in the reader's head even after the long journey's end is reached -- CLAIRE FULLER * * Guardian * *
      Glowing with empathy and wry intelligent wit. Let Kelly into your life. She'll change you, and you won't forget her -- KIRSTIN INNES
      [A]mbitious . . . picturesque . . . generous and often wryly comic novel: a nice variety of incident and characters, fine descriptions of street life in Glasgow and of Kelly's journey - a quest that is both physical and spiritual, offering the prospect of recovery and redemption . . . readers are surely likely to find pleasure and satisfaction in the humanity of Campbell's treatment of people who have led difficult lives -- Allan Massie * * Scotsman * *
      Big-hearted and poignant, Paper Cup is a joyous read -- SARA SHERIDAN
      [A]n exquisitely written and compassionate novel of addiction, shame, hope and kindness * * Essential Magazine * *
      Wonderful, empathetic, timely and moving . . . With every page I shivered with love and warmth and nostalgia * * Bella Caledonia * *
      Full of compassion and hope * * Dumfries & Galloway Life * *
      Terrific -- Morag Kuc * * Galloway Gazette * *

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