A Perfectly Good Man
A heartfelt, humane novel of Cornwall, love and forgiveness
Published on 19. April 2018
Book
Paperback/Softback
416 pages
978-1-4722-5542-6 (ISBN)
Description
From the author of A PLACE CALLED WINTER and NOTES FROM AN EXHIBITION comes a heartfelt, humane novel about what happens when 'doing good' is no longer enough...
'A convincing, moving account of man's struggle with faith, marriage and morality' Sunday Times
On a clear, crisp summer's day in Cornwall, a young man carefully prepares to take his own life, and asks family friend, Barnaby Johnson, to pray with him.
Barnaby is a priest, a husband and father, and has always tried to do good, though life hasn't always been either straightforward or rosy. Lenny's request poses problems, not just for Barnaby, but for his wife and family, and the wider community, as the secrets of the past push themselves forcefully into the present for all to see.
'Beautifully written' Times
' A writer with heart and soul' Observer
What readers love about A PERFECTLY GOOD MAN:
'A most engaging novel, keenly observed, often witty, and beautifully written' ? ? ? ? ?
'A wonderful poetic, perceptive and very realistic insight into a very varied group of characters' ? ? ? ? ?
'I loved this book - one of the best novels I have read for a long time. Brilliant characterisation, an interesting setting in a small Cornish community, and a very good plot' ? ? ? ? ?
'Patrick Gale knows, not just the accurate externals of parish life, but the inner realities of human thinking' ? ? ? ? ?
'A convincing, moving account of man's struggle with faith, marriage and morality' Sunday Times
On a clear, crisp summer's day in Cornwall, a young man carefully prepares to take his own life, and asks family friend, Barnaby Johnson, to pray with him.
Barnaby is a priest, a husband and father, and has always tried to do good, though life hasn't always been either straightforward or rosy. Lenny's request poses problems, not just for Barnaby, but for his wife and family, and the wider community, as the secrets of the past push themselves forcefully into the present for all to see.
'Beautifully written' Times
' A writer with heart and soul' Observer
What readers love about A PERFECTLY GOOD MAN:
'A most engaging novel, keenly observed, often witty, and beautifully written' ? ? ? ? ?
'A wonderful poetic, perceptive and very realistic insight into a very varied group of characters' ? ? ? ? ?
'I loved this book - one of the best novels I have read for a long time. Brilliant characterisation, an interesting setting in a small Cornish community, and a very good plot' ? ? ? ? ?
'Patrick Gale knows, not just the accurate externals of parish life, but the inner realities of human thinking' ? ? ? ? ?
Reviews / Votes
A writer with heart, soul, and a dark and naughty wit, one whose company you relish and trust * Observer * A writer with heart, soul, and a dark and naughty wit, one whose company you relish and trust * Observer * This being Gale there's a compelling tale to be told . . . a convincing, moving account of man's struggle with faith, marriage and morality * Sunday Times * This being Gale there's a compelling tale to be told . . . a convincing, moving account of man's struggle with faith, marriage and morality * Sunday Times * A thoughtful and moving novel about love, morality and faith. Marvellous * Mail on Sunday * A thoughtful and moving novel about love, morality and faith. Marvellous * Mail on Sunday * A heartfelt, cleverly constructed read * Independent on Sunday * A heartfelt, cleverly constructed read * Independent on Sunday * Beautifully written * The Times * Beautifully written * The Times *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Headline Publishing Group
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 133 mm
Thickness: 35 mm
Weight
295 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4722-5542-6 (9781472255426)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
01/2018
1st Edition
Tinder Press
€4.49
Available for download
Person
Patrick Gale was born on the Isle of Wight. He spent his infancy at Wandsworth Prison, which his father governed, then grew up in Winchester before going to Oxford University. He now lives on a farm near Land's End. One of this country's best-loved novelists, his most recent works are A Perfectly Good Man, the Richard and Judy bestseller Notes From An Exhibition, the Costa-shortlisted A Place Called Winter and Mother's Boy. His original BBC television drama, Man In An Orange Shirt, was shown to great acclaim in 2017 as part of the BBC's Queer Britannia series, leading viewers around the world to discover his novels.