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A review by katykelly
The Man I Think I Know by Mike Gayle
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.