I picked this up from the library on a whim, and was surprised by how invested I became in Scout's story from the opening chapter. It was really hard to put down due to enjoyable nature of the story and the well fleshed-out characters, so I knocked it out in two sittings (broken up by a thoughtful walk home from the station).

‘Her Giant Octopus Moment’ is the story of a mother and daughter on the run, practically living week to week until they are discovered again, and are forced to take flight once more.

Their secret for being constantly on the go is revealed at the start of the novel (and is mentioned in the blurb in alternate editions) is enough to make you question Joanie’s intentions and integrity. Having signed on to be the surrogate mother on behalf of Ned and Elisabetta Beecham, she changed her mind several months into the pregnancy. In order to keep “her” child, Joanie faked a miscarriage, went overseas, pretended to lose her passport, and applied for a new one as “Joanie”, previously having been just Joan. Things become harder for the pair on the run as the couple try to track her down, in order to discover what is really best for Scout.

For a full review, check it out on my blog:

http://www.wallflowerblog.com/inalibrary/2014/09/kay-langdales-her-giant-octopus... ( )

I picked this book up because I thought I'd get a nice easy read, something a bit naff, perfect for my current mood.

Instead I got a really good book with really strong characterisation and, consequently, a healthy dose of feminist rage directed at publishers' marketing departments.

That said, there was something a little bit lacking for me. It's the kind of book which leads you along with it, rather than the kind of book which makes you wonder what's going to happen. I also felt a little short-changed by the lack of legal detail - I'm left questioning whether that would be the actual procedure but as I don't know anything about it, I'm probably wrong. I am asking questions, which is a good thing.

It was good and I liked it, but I wasn't terribly compelled to read it though and some of the minor characters, while strongly written, felt a little cliched. So I'm going to give it 3.5 stars, and tell you to ignore that stupid cover. ( )

Scout Simpson is 11 years old and lives with her mother, Joanie (formerly Joan) in the house that used to be her grandmother's before she died. She loves school and order and this is the first time her and her mother have stayed in one place for any length of time. But Joanie has a secret: Scout was conceived as part of a surrogacy arrangement and she was supposed to give her up to the Beechams when she was born. Instead, Joanie faked a miscarriage and became a mother.

When somebody who worked at the surrogacy clinic spots Joanie and Scout and puts two and two together and most definitely gets four, Joanie takes Scout and goes on the run. This is where the book begins and we follow the mother and daughter as they try to stay under the radar and escape capture.

There are some wonderful characters in this book. Scout is definitely the star of the show. She's a wonderful creation, so clever and with such a good head on her shoulders, but suffering from what is described in the book as benign neglect. Joanie loves Scout but is really only capable of thinking of her own needs first. I also loved Mr Mohammed and Mr Groves, people Scout befriends when her and her mother are first on the run, and who help her with her 'own-learning'. In a way, I also couldn't help but like Joanie a bit. She's fickle, feckless and flaky, but that's just her character, and nobody could say Scout wasn't pretty well-rounded, although not leaving a life that was benefitting her.

This book was a brilliant read and I enjoyed it very much. It presents the reader with a moral dilemma, some great characterisations, excellent writing and an entertaining and fulfilling story. ( )

Oh my goodness; how this book moved me. Five stars really isn’t quite enough to sum up how much I enjoyed reading this novel even though I had an inkling all the way through (based on the title) what was going to happen. I reached the end with a tear in my eye and closed the book feeling very emotional. At the heart of the story is Scout – who isn’t named after a character in ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ but after Demi Moore and Bruce Willis’ daughter as she mentions a handful of times in the story. Even perhaps this on its own reveals where Scout’s true emotions lie, because of her love for learning and reading; showing the differences between her own nature and that of her mother’s.

Scout Simpson is eleven and when she was conceived her mother Joan (transformed into Joanie) was acting as a surrogate for Ned and Elisabette Beecham. For reasons Joanie explores in the novel, she tells the clinic that she has miscarried but eleven years later she is spotted by someone rather surprised to see Joanie with a young child. From the events that unfold after this sighting, Joanie takes Scout on the run and the rest of the story is about this part of her life. My opinions and feelings towards Joanie changed back and forth whilst reading the novel but all the way through I thought Scout was marvellous. She was such a wonderfully written character and I could genuinely visualise her whilst I was reading.

This is such a magnificent novel and I would recommend everyone to read it! Such a beautiful yet sad story. ( )