Review | In The Scrape by James Newman & Mark Steensland

Jake and his little brother Matthew are living with their abusive father after their mother left. They want nothing more than to follow her footsteps to California, where they envision a happier life. As they make a plan and try to scrape enough money for bus tickets, they not only have to face their father but also a local bully who does everything to make their life hell.

He feigned a hurt expression, but he knew I was only joking. Although I acted as if everything he did irked me to no end, there’s not a lot I wouldn’t have done back then to make my little brother happy.

I finished In The Scrape in one sitting, that’s how engrossing it was! This book contains scenes of child abuse so if that affects you please take note.

My heart breaks for the two brothers, Jake and Matthew, who live in fear of their drunken, abusive father. The terrible part of the abuse are not just the worst moments, like when their father whips them with a belt until their skin are full of welts. But it’s also during moments when he is nice to them, because it shows that he is capable of being a much better father. In those moments, they almost forget the monster that he can be. And then he takes a drink or sees something he doesn’t like, and it starts all over again.

I love the relationship between Jake and Matthew. Their love and care for each other shines in every page. Jake, as the older brother, tries his hardest to protect Matthew from their father and the local bully, Caleb. But odds are against them, and I found myself rooting for them to get away from their terrible situation. When their father takes them on a hunting trip and all hell breaks loose, it made for a frightful and shocking climax to the story.

I couldn’t tell that two writers had a hand in this because of the seamless and concise writing. The chapters are brief and the story takes place over one week so it moves fast. If there’s one thing I could pick on is that I wish the story doesn’t allude to the fate of the characters early on. I think it would have made for a more suspenseful read if we have no idea what happens to them until the end. I also wouldn’t have minded if there’s more to the epilogue.

In The Scrape is an outstanding coming-of-age story where the horror comes from your own family, and breaking free is the hardest thing to do.

I received a review copy from the publisher and Netgalley.

About the authors: James Newman & Mark Steensland

Photo by Juan Pablo Rodriguez