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Chucking it All - How Downshifting to a Windswept Scottish Island did Absolutely Nothing to Improve my Quality of Life
Named one of the twelve best travel books of 2009 by Worldhum, Chucking It All exposes the gritty reality behind all those twee bestsellers which extol the joys of sunny rural idylls.
With its remorseless true-life account of downshifting to a remote Scottish island, Chucking it All uncovers the frightening realities of relocating to “a magical island lost in the mists of time” as you follow the warts-and-all adventures of urban misanthrope, Max Scratchmann, as he valiantly tries to forge a new life in windswept Orkney, and grumbles his way through unending winters with eighteen-hour nights, nocturnal visits from drunken farmers and booty calls from desperate divorcees.
From struggling to fit in as a temporary postman in a wilderness where houses don’t display numbers or names, to attending drunken country ceilidhs with the island singles’ club, or finding himself up to the neck in local politics while performing in the village pantomime, Chucking It All is an urbanite’s nightmare and one of the most hilarious books that you will read this year.
Irreverent, sarcastic and bitingly caustic, Chucking It All still manages to be a grudgingly affectionate portrait of rural life through the eyes of a cynical outsider, and is one of the truest accounts of “living the dream” ever published.
“Does for downshifting what Lewinsky did for Clinton – only much funnier...”
With its remorseless true-life account of downshifting to a remote Scottish island, Chucking it All uncovers the frightening realities of relocating to “a magical island lost in the mists of time” as you follow the warts-and-all adventures of urban misanthrope, Max Scratchmann, as he valiantly tries to forge a new life in windswept Orkney, and grumbles his way through unending winters with eighteen-hour nights, nocturnal visits from drunken farmers and booty calls from desperate divorcees.
From struggling to fit in as a temporary postman in a wilderness where houses don’t display numbers or names, to attending drunken country ceilidhs with the island singles’ club, or finding himself up to the neck in local politics while performing in the village pantomime, Chucking It All is an urbanite’s nightmare and one of the most hilarious books that you will read this year.
Irreverent, sarcastic and bitingly caustic, Chucking It All still manages to be a grudgingly affectionate portrait of rural life through the eyes of a cynical outsider, and is one of the truest accounts of “living the dream” ever published.
“Does for downshifting what Lewinsky did for Clinton – only much funnier...”
245 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 16, 2009
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About the author
Max Scratchmann
35 books4 followersMax Scratchmann is an illustrator and writer of humour.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 5, 2021
I enjoyed it in a strange way whilst finding him hugely exasperating. I can't decide whether it was all true or all made up!
October 19, 2020
I feel a 3 star rating is a bit generous for this book.
The writing is basic at times and as a Scot I can confirm that no Scottish person speaks in this way. There were some funny moments within his writing however I don’t feel there is much background given to his relationship with his partner. She is often only mentioned when delivering a cutting (generally amusing) barb towards him.
Considering the hospitality shown to the couple by the locals he also comes across mean spirited and at times nasty towards the those who have tried to make them feel welcome. I think more than anything it’s the writer himself whom I didn’t like whilst reading this.
The writing is basic at times and as a Scot I can confirm that no Scottish person speaks in this way. There were some funny moments within his writing however I don’t feel there is much background given to his relationship with his partner. She is often only mentioned when delivering a cutting (generally amusing) barb towards him.
Considering the hospitality shown to the couple by the locals he also comes across mean spirited and at times nasty towards the those who have tried to make them feel welcome. I think more than anything it’s the writer himself whom I didn’t like whilst reading this.
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April 24, 2010Named one of the Best Travel Books of 2009 by Worldhum, Chucking It All uncovers the frightening realities of relocating to "a magical island lost in the mists of time" as you follow the warts-and-all adventures of urban misanthrope, Max Scratchmann, as he valiantly tries to forge a new life in the windswept Orkney islands, and grumbles his way through unending winters with eighteen-hour nights, nocturnal visits from drunken farmers and booty calls from desperate divorcees.
From struggling to fit in as a temporary postman in a wilderness where houses don't display numbers or names, to attending drunken country ceilidhs with the island singles’ club, or finding himself up to the neck in local politics while performing in the village pantomime, Chucking It All is an urbanite's nightmare and one of the most hilarious books that you will read this year.
Irreverent, sarcastic and bitingly caustic, Chucking It All still manages to be a
grudgingly affectionate portrait of rural life through the eyes of a cynical outsider, and is one of the truest accounts of "living the dream" ever published.
“Scratchmann has a strong, lolling voice and a knack for action-filled endings... (his) memory for dialogue and his position as an outsider makes for some very humorous, Bill Bryson-eque reading.”
The Scottish Review of Books
“It's about time someone told the truth about the downside to downshifting and Scratchmann achieves it effectively in this extremely funny and engaging book. Forget about Orkney and you can apply much the same scenarios to many rural regions in the UK (such as no house numbers or names!) and begin to understand why the rural dream can come as a rude awakening to those moving from the city. Chucking It All is a step up from Out of Your Townie Mind and the author, self-deprecating as he is, may make some sit up and give just a little more consideration to whether it will be the right lifestyle for them.”
The Bookseller
From struggling to fit in as a temporary postman in a wilderness where houses don't display numbers or names, to attending drunken country ceilidhs with the island singles’ club, or finding himself up to the neck in local politics while performing in the village pantomime, Chucking It All is an urbanite's nightmare and one of the most hilarious books that you will read this year.
Irreverent, sarcastic and bitingly caustic, Chucking It All still manages to be a
grudgingly affectionate portrait of rural life through the eyes of a cynical outsider, and is one of the truest accounts of "living the dream" ever published.
“Scratchmann has a strong, lolling voice and a knack for action-filled endings... (his) memory for dialogue and his position as an outsider makes for some very humorous, Bill Bryson-eque reading.”
The Scottish Review of Books
“It's about time someone told the truth about the downside to downshifting and Scratchmann achieves it effectively in this extremely funny and engaging book. Forget about Orkney and you can apply much the same scenarios to many rural regions in the UK (such as no house numbers or names!) and begin to understand why the rural dream can come as a rude awakening to those moving from the city. Chucking It All is a step up from Out of Your Townie Mind and the author, self-deprecating as he is, may make some sit up and give just a little more consideration to whether it will be the right lifestyle for them.”
The Bookseller
November 11, 2018
Spoke to the nomad in me.
I read this book simply because I was planning to visit Orkney in October and thought it would help me get the lay of the land. It exceeded my expectations and really was unputdownable. The narrator has a warmth about him, his storytelling is interesting, imaginative and draws you into his life. Having spent most of my own life searching for my perfect home I've finally found it, not on a windswept island, but in a little corner of Cumbria aptly named Eden, so I can easily identify with the quest to find the 'right place'. This book spoke to me on a personal level and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I recommend it even if you aren't a nomad.
I read this book simply because I was planning to visit Orkney in October and thought it would help me get the lay of the land. It exceeded my expectations and really was unputdownable. The narrator has a warmth about him, his storytelling is interesting, imaginative and draws you into his life. Having spent most of my own life searching for my perfect home I've finally found it, not on a windswept island, but in a little corner of Cumbria aptly named Eden, so I can easily identify with the quest to find the 'right place'. This book spoke to me on a personal level and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I recommend it even if you aren't a nomad.
November 27, 2020
Very much enjoyed this book
Being a Shetlander who has never been to Orkney, I bought this book out of curiosity. It was such a good read - Orkney in the early noughties would appear to be much the same as Shetland today! So many familiar figures and occurrences, and all described with a fantastic, wry sense of humour. And even if you've never been to either of the Northern Isles, I still think you should buy this book. Maybe it'll encourage you to visit them, and it will prove an invaluable guide if you do.
Being a Shetlander who has never been to Orkney, I bought this book out of curiosity. It was such a good read - Orkney in the early noughties would appear to be much the same as Shetland today! So many familiar figures and occurrences, and all described with a fantastic, wry sense of humour. And even if you've never been to either of the Northern Isles, I still think you should buy this book. Maybe it'll encourage you to visit them, and it will prove an invaluable guide if you do.
February 18, 2015
NON STOP
I was interested to see how someone went to live on a freezing cold island. This book definitely gives you the information and lets you know about living on the island. It is non stop, I almost couldn't catch my breathe and in the end (after several years) they went back to the mainland.
I was interested to see how someone went to live on a freezing cold island. This book definitely gives you the information and lets you know about living on the island. It is non stop, I almost couldn't catch my breathe and in the end (after several years) they went back to the mainland.
January 13, 2013
Rather cheeky book about a couple who decide to leave the rat race behind an move to the Orkney Islands (those would be north of Scotland for those of you who a keeping score). Did I mention they do not have a plan?! I read this on e-book form. I wish it came with a map. Perhaps the hardcover did.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews