Manager's favourite in Waterstones!
The book is a big favourite with several of Waterstone's staff members.
But we have recently spotted a particularly favourable review in Edinburgh's George St store.
The manager there rates it as the funniest book he's ever read!
More positive reviews coming in
“What can I say? Firstly, an outstanding read. For those who love the outdoors, and/or Scotland, even more so. Frighteningly, Macrae is almost (although slightly distorted) version of me. The title suggests a story as shallow as a teaspoon, and to begin with it is; wonderfully so, but it becomes more profound as the story unfolds. It has everything, boys doing and thinking what boys do, excitement, anticipation, romance, fun, outdoors, confusion, tragedy. I laughed and cried at this book, quite literally. One thing I would love to know....is it based on a true story? The dedication on the first page would suggest so. If so, all the more heart wrenching. I think in the final throes, I know the exact spot that Happer is talking about unless that is just the quality of his writing? I will think of it next time I go there. A work of genius. I am recommending it to everyone I meet! 5 stars.”
'Mabbs', Amazon
“I bought this book as it had been recommended to me by a number of friends and I wasn't disappointed. Not only is it very funny, it's also very thoughtful and poignant and described the scenery of the West Highland Way beautifully - makes me wish I'd actually got of my rear and walked it many years ago (too unfit these days!) The way it's written from the 3 characters’ points of view once got used to works really really well as they are all individual characters to say the least. Hopefully this isn't the last we here from these 3 - I look forward to the sequel. 5 stars.”
D. Sisson
“I didn't want to put this book down or want it to finish. My other half started getting annoyed at me laughing so much that he got himself a copy so he could see what all the hilarity was about. Quite ironic considering I had initially bought the book as a present for him! An alternative to the typical "blokes getting their end away holiday tale" describing our lovely country and showing what an adventure a long distance path walk can be. Makes me want to do the West Highland Way again. It really needs a sequel to let us know how the boys and Jones the cat are getting on. 5 stars.”
'Elainads', Amazon
“What started off as a coarse and crude 'blokes' book about beer and sex, turns in to a thoroughly engrossing adventure and travelogue. With some great characters, excruciatingly funny bits, some cringingly embarrassing bits and some real edge of your seat page turning stuff. And the ending - totally, totally brilliant. A tear jerker for even the hardest heart. Not what I was expecting at all. But brilliant. More please, Mr Happer.”
S.J. Davies
“Your book nearly got me arrested. I was on the first plane to Berlin, sitting at my window seat with tears of laughter running down my cheeks. As you might imagine your average German kinda struggles to see the funny side of it - thought I was some psychologically unstable nut-job... Please write more books.”
Jim Strang
“Brilliant, nearly cried with laughter at several parts and thoroughly enjoyed it. Any chance of a sequel?”
Andy Ross, mwis.org.uk
“I am a member of staff at The Clachaig Inn in Glencoe, and I've just finished reading your book. I'd just like to say it is a serious contender for the most
entertaining book I've ever had the pleasure to read, and it has been
the subject of a great deal of jokes and banter for the last week or so. A hugely enjoyable, believable and very touching read. Many thanks
from the depths of Glencoe!”
James Roddie
“Rarely has a book made me laugh so much. Honest to god this book is amazing. If you get one book this year it has to be this one, if you can get a hold of it. If you have read it I hope it made you laugh as much as it has made me. Had to stop reading it on the bus as I was laughing out loud.”
DMC, talkingfootball.co.uk
“I thoroughly recommend this book to everyone who likes Scotland – it's not only the funniest book I've read in ages, with some classic characters and lines, it's also a very thought-provoking story with real messages (in between the chasing hot European girls and causing mayhem, that is). Hopefully destined to become a tongue-in-cheek classic of mountain literature!”
Only A Hill, UKClimbing.com
***** (5 stars) Bloody lovely book.
“I agree with the other reviewer about the laugh-out-loud factor (some of the set-pieces made me weep with laughter) but the book is richer and more complex than the title might suggest. The three young men's adventure has a mythic flavour, with their different characters (savage, refined, and in-between) mirroring the conflicts between culture and nature that we all feel - should we try to get laid, or write a poem? Preferably both, the author seems to be saying. Surreal plot twists and startling action sequences serve to reinforce this sense of things happening on a higher plane - it's a journey though the mountains, but also a journey through Fitch's dark night of the soul. It's outstandingly well-written - hilarious dialogue, razor-sharp action and really quite chilling violence, and weirdly vivid descriptions of landscape (something I normally find dull, but did not here) It makes me want to go to Scotland! This is a beautiful, life-affirming read - I got through it too quickly. I look forward to Happer's next novel.”
Mr BJ Twiston-Davies, London
***** (5 stars) Unusual - genuinely laugh out loud funny, but also beautifully written.
“This book was recommended to me by an old university flat-mate who saw a whole host of similarities between our flat bretheren and the 3 in the book. I haven't read a novel in years, but decided to give it a go, as I love the hills, Scotland etc., and it sounded fun, although not the sort of "lad's read" I would normally go for.
What's it about? Three old uni mates walk the West Highland way in search of birds, booze and adventure, and try to answer a few more challenging personal questions at the same time. It's a bit "Three Men in a Boat" gone mad. To cut a long review short, this book brought back all those wonderful student memories flooding back - over-enthusiasm, rubbish ideas,bad behaviour, beer, last minute trips, romance and heartache. It was a bit like listening to one of those songs from your long distant past that stir up all your emotions and memories. There are some hysterically funny moments in it - the game of scrabble for me was a particular highlight and I liked the bad poetry, but above all, the book is very well observed and beautifuly written - particularly if you love the great outdoors.
In summary - an unusual mix of styles that produces a really satisfying read, and keeps you thinking a little afterwards too. Best of luck Mr Happer - you deserve some success with this.”
Northo, Scotland
***** (5 stars) Surprisingly good.
“How to make trudging 90 odd miles in the rain interesting? Congure up a group of Swedish girls as the Loaded readers equivalent of the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow... Not that this is a book for Loaded readers, it's racy, irreverent, and grubby at times, but has a softer, more thoughtful side too, with the unspoken closeness between Fitch and Macrae, and the rivalry between Macrae and Wentworth both well observed. Laugh out loud funny in places too. Read it - the surprise hit of the summer?”
Mrs RE Davies, Manchester
“Mine arrived at 10 this morning and I've just finished it, couldn't put it down. Really enjoyed it, cheers!”
Anna Davies
“I'll have you know your book is so good I am skiving the first lesson of my Welsh course to finish it... and now it's making me cry, you bastard!”
Michelle Davis
“OI! Mr Happer. No fair. I have just finished your book and I thought you might like to know that it made me laugh and cry in equal measure! How dare you toy with my emotions in this manner. I felt very manipulated. I REALLY, REALLY enjoyed it and I wouldn't say that if I didn't mean it, just to be nice. I'm NEVER nice just to be nice - so there. Write some more soon. I'm officially a fan.”
Sarah Robinson – ginandbitterlemon.weebly.com
“I never laugh out loud at novels – ever – and I heard myself howling three times in the first 50 pages.”
Bill Walsh
“It’s not just a novel, it’s a HOLIDAY – to a wilder side of Scotland that the tourists never see.”
Backpacking Britain
Modern Book Review
“...takes you on a trip into the randy, childish, proud, drunken, loving hearts of men and absolutely refuses to apologise for what you find there.”
Recommended Reading
“It's fantastic!! Read it in 2 sessions and couldn't put it down. Involuntary laughs throughout - cracking read. Looking forward to seeing it in glorious technicolour - it's just gagging to be made into a film...”
Jo Barnes, Hull