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katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Such a moving and true-feeling story of men's friendship and mutual support.
I've read several Gayle books, and have always been impressed with how men are portrayed - they aren't macho, posturing, lazy lads (unless that's the story!); Gayle creates layered, complicated humans with serious issues, deep friendships and realistic character arcs.
This may be my favourite so far, a story of two men growing in tandem, their lives entwining and each working through some rather traumatic life events.
Both attended a top boarding school as teenagers, both were academically gifted and seen as future leaders. But now one is in a care home and the other working as a temporary carer there... just what has happened to derail such promise?
We soon learn more about both men: the recovering alcoholic Danny, who has had his benefits revoked and takes a carer job to make ends meet, and James, a newly-elected MP who was assaulted and suffered brain damage before he could enter Parliament.
The pair are undeniably in pain, James living a stifled life with his parents and Danny barely holding things together to make ends meet. Their chance meeting and recognition set off a slow-burning but powerful connection that they find mutually beneficial.
I adored both men, James reminded me of Will Traynor in 'Me Before You', a man whose prime years and potential have been whipped away (though in James' case he is a much more 'black and white' moral character from the get-go). Danny is also a 'good guy', he's hurting about something we aren't allowed to learn about for most of the book, but tries to do right by an old school acquaintance and is never allowed to be acting for selfish reasons. He's not quite a Louisa Clark (not as sparky or quirky) but does come to form a caring relationship with James that is just as trusting and interdependent.
It is refreshing as a woman to read a novel about grown-up men supporting each other, a tale of friendship. Both have relationships with others through the book that also work excellently well, and Gayle doesn't ever treat his creations as stereotypes or palm off their difficult feelings - they have to be adults about their problems and work through them.
A mature work, a wonderful relationship. Women readers will love these characters, and I'm very interested to see how male reviewers take to this novel. I read this considering who might be cast in a film version of this, it would play well with audiences who enjoyed 'Me Before You' and has some wonderful roles.
Moving, heart-warming and real. Loved it.
With thanks to Lovereading.co.uk for the advance copy.
I've read several Gayle books, and have always been impressed with how men are portrayed - they aren't macho, posturing, lazy lads (unless that's the story!); Gayle creates layered, complicated humans with serious issues, deep friendships and realistic character arcs.
This may be my favourite so far, a story of two men growing in tandem, their lives entwining and each working through some rather traumatic life events.
Both attended a top boarding school as teenagers, both were academically gifted and seen as future leaders. But now one is in a care home and the other working as a temporary carer there... just what has happened to derail such promise?
We soon learn more about both men: the recovering alcoholic Danny, who has had his benefits revoked and takes a carer job to make ends meet, and James, a newly-elected MP who was assaulted and suffered brain damage before he could enter Parliament.
The pair are undeniably in pain, James living a stifled life with his parents and Danny barely holding things together to make ends meet. Their chance meeting and recognition set off a slow-burning but powerful connection that they find mutually beneficial.
I adored both men, James reminded me of Will Traynor in 'Me Before You', a man whose prime years and potential have been whipped away (though in James' case he is a much more 'black and white' moral character from the get-go). Danny is also a 'good guy', he's hurting about something we aren't allowed to learn about for most of the book, but tries to do right by an old school acquaintance and is never allowed to be acting for selfish reasons. He's not quite a Louisa Clark (not as sparky or quirky) but does come to form a caring relationship with James that is just as trusting and interdependent.
It is refreshing as a woman to read a novel about grown-up men supporting each other, a tale of friendship. Both have relationships with others through the book that also work excellently well, and Gayle doesn't ever treat his creations as stereotypes or palm off their difficult feelings - they have to be adults about their problems and work through them.
A mature work, a wonderful relationship. Women readers will love these characters, and I'm very interested to see how male reviewers take to this novel. I read this considering who might be cast in a film version of this, it would play well with audiences who enjoyed 'Me Before You' and has some wonderful roles.
Moving, heart-warming and real. Loved it.
With thanks to Lovereading.co.uk for the advance copy.
nebulous_tide's review
3.0
Good, but not great. Don’t get me wrong, I wept through parts of it, with happiness for the characters, or at poignant or lovely moments. But there were many flaws in this tale. It was all too damn perfect. None of the characters’ decisions seemed to matter because nothing bad ever happened.
Danny’s back story made no sense. James’ parents were vacuous to the point of not being believable. Vicky’s whole character changed. The Baylis thing was an anti-climax. Even Danny’s speech in the Epilogue just wouldn’t have worked in that setting.
What I really did enjoy was the friendship between James and Danny. That felt real, alive and worth reading. But even that friendship was too perfect. It’s like someone had been through the manuscript with the editor’s equivalent of a Photoshop airbrush and removed all the blemishes. Removed all the realism.
I feel the author wanted to write a different story, but kept shying away from it at the last minute. I feel like all the interesting parts of this tale happened before and after the book.
Maybe it’s just not for me.
Danny’s back story made no sense. James’ parents were vacuous to the point of not being believable. Vicky’s whole character changed. The Baylis thing was an anti-climax. Even Danny’s speech in the Epilogue just wouldn’t have worked in that setting.
What I really did enjoy was the friendship between James and Danny. That felt real, alive and worth reading. But even that friendship was too perfect. It’s like someone had been through the manuscript with the editor’s equivalent of a Photoshop airbrush and removed all the blemishes. Removed all the realism.
I feel the author wanted to write a different story, but kept shying away from it at the last minute. I feel like all the interesting parts of this tale happened before and after the book.
Maybe it’s just not for me.
angelal1988's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
ashleyreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
mick84's review against another edition
4.0
I was a bit sceptical at the start. It didn't really pull me in. It seemed strange to have alternating chapters for the two main characters. After a couple of chapters about each of them, it was clear why it was set this way and I was hooked.
I had the privilege of reading the majority of this book sat lakeside on the beautiful Lake Windermere with the sun beaming and birds singing only interupted briefly to wave the customary hello to the passengers on the Lake Cruise passing us by. I may have also had a glass of Prosecco on occasions.
However back to the book. It is a tale of two. Two different yet similar people. Two that were once closer but drifted away. Two that's thought paths wouldn't cross. Two unlikely friends.
It has moments of joy then sadness, highs then lows, new then old and keeps your emotions on tenter hooks throughout. The journey these two men take is inspiring. They take on challenges together, giving each other the strength to finally take them on solo.
Life can be difficult, but with the right person at your side, anything is possible.
I had the privilege of reading the majority of this book sat lakeside on the beautiful Lake Windermere with the sun beaming and birds singing only interupted briefly to wave the customary hello to the passengers on the Lake Cruise passing us by. I may have also had a glass of Prosecco on occasions.
However back to the book. It is a tale of two. Two different yet similar people. Two that were once closer but drifted away. Two that's thought paths wouldn't cross. Two unlikely friends.
It has moments of joy then sadness, highs then lows, new then old and keeps your emotions on tenter hooks throughout. The journey these two men take is inspiring. They take on challenges together, giving each other the strength to finally take them on solo.
Life can be difficult, but with the right person at your side, anything is possible.
philippakmoore's review against another edition
5.0
If you liked Me Before You you’ll love this! Very tender and heartwarming exploration of male friendships, and how it’s never too late for a second chance.
ro123's review against another edition
Set in a care home, very sensitive subjects and didn’t want to go there, however much I have enjoyed Mike Gayle books before. Brain injury, alcoholism - and privilege. Not a fun mix for me!
bookish_lizzie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.25
rctovillo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
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? Yes
4.5
rigarella's review
5.0
Wow! I swallowed this book in a few commutes. Beautifully written and quite close to home for me, having a friend with a similar condition. It felt like a true story with some fabulous embellishments. I laughed out loud right from the belly, and cried on occasions too. Highly recommended, deeply moving.