Reviews

The Man I Think I Know by Mike Gayle

anneduff's review against another edition

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5.0

Beautifully written. I was drawn in from the start and had a hard time putting this book down. One of my favourites of the year.

sophiessulit's review against another edition

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5.0

Hi :)

This is my first review ever written, but I'd like to include this into my habits, so maybe you care, if not, just go ahead.

It was a real pleasure to read this book. I bought this book just out of pure curiosity. As I bought it, the only thing I knew about it was the title and the reviews it recieved in this app. I started the book, without even knowing what it was all about, and let me tell you what pleasure it was to read it.

At first, I had some trouble getting behind the story of Danny Allen and James De Witt, but as soon as I got into it, I just loved it from the beginning to the end. James and Danny meet in a care home, where James is about to spend his next two weeks, as his parents are on a vacation. James needs to be taken care of since "The Incident", since when he is suffering from an ABI (acquired brain injury). The funny thing is, James and Danny know each other, and even though Danny does not want to admit this in the beginning, he eventually confesses that he indeed knows James as well. Both remember the old times, and an in the beginning very stupid idea coming from James, will turn into one of the most beautiful friendship that ever existed for both of them.

Heartwarming, moodlifting and just beautifully written, "The Man I Think I Know" quickly turned out to be the best book to beginn my reading challenge of 2021.

sjdoveywrites's review against another edition

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4.0

Really love Mike Gayle’s writing style - it especially shows in this book with the difference between James and Danny’s chapters. Such a lovely heartwarming book.

lolisosa's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

hjcaufield's review against another edition

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funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

jamesmcevoy's review

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emotional hopeful inspiring sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

autienaut's review against another edition

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emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

Very solid read. Definitely interesting as is deals with TBIs and the effects they can have on your relationships. 🖤

amypotter's review against another edition

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challenging emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

fordec26's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Great book absolutely love it 

jmatkinson1's review against another edition

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4.0

Since leaving their exclusive boarding school the lives of Danny and James have changed. Scholarship boy Danny is a care home assistant after a battle with alcohol following his sister's death caused him to drop out of university. Privileged James was elected as an MP but then a random act of violence left him with a brain injury and having to learn to live again. Brought together by circumstance, James and Danny are helped to move forward by each other.

I have always considered Mike Gayle's books as 'chick-lit' for both sexes, lightweight and fairly pleasant but I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. The tragic circumstances that lead Danny and James back to each other are handled sensitively and the bromance is amusing and heartfelt. The only jarring note for me was the relationship between James and Vicky, it didn't really ring true and felt like a plot device. Other than that this is a heartwarming tale.