Talk to me about Patrick Gale…

Aftertheharvest · 2026-08-20T20:42:54+00:00

A new author for me and about 2/3 way through Take Nothing With You and loving it… Borrowed from the library as not sure what to expect, reminding me of Sarah Winman - are all his books this great?

Anothernameretired · 16/09/2026 15:13

Wilsonthedog · 15/09/2026 11:56

I liked him before he took a metaphorical shit on JK Rowling for her stance on women's right. A Sweet Obscurity was my favourite, I think.

This slowed me down on his books, that's for sure.
I follow him on Facebook and he posted something along the lines of "unfollow me if you like JKR". I muted him for a month but when he came back on, he wasn't talking about it any more so I stayed.
It saddened me, but I read quite a lot of authors whose views I don't share.
He seems very nice to it's an odd thing to be so vocal about (when he is only moderately successful).

CarpeVitam · 15/09/2026 21:25

I haven’t read any of his books, although do have a couple on my kindle. I know it shouldn’t but his stance & his attitude towards JKR do make them less appealing 🤷‍♀️

Wilsonthedog · 15/09/2026 20:57

@TheOnlyWayIsIlford

Afraid so. Fairly sure he also rejoiced over Baroness Nicholson being removed from the Booker Prize on the demand of Damien Barr, who had actually used a slur for trans people several times and joked about them killing themselves.

TheOnlyWayIsIlford · 15/09/2026 20:02

Wilsonthedog · 15/09/2026 11:56

I liked him before he took a metaphorical shit on JK Rowling for her stance on women's right. A Sweet Obscurity was my favourite, I think.

Oh no 😣, did he?

Do better, PG.

I bet the majority of your readership are female, and we have embraced your strong stories of gay men’s lives, with all the nuances and complexities of men in families, gay men in different eras, confusion, sensitivity, we have nodded with empathy at your character’s difficulties with forms of toxic masculinity.

But women’s sensitivities don’t deserve a similar listen?

And writers, of all people, should support free speech, difference of opinion, free expression.

Love the books, but disappointed.

Wilsonthedog · 15/09/2026 11:56

I liked him before he took a metaphorical shit on JK Rowling for her stance on women's right. A Sweet Obscurity was my favourite, I think.

Decorhate · 12/09/2026 21:38

PG did an author visit on here many years ago. He was lovely and said it was good for my children to see me so engrossed in one of his books that I read it in one day!

Autumnallaround · 12/09/2026 15:52

Boodahh · 12/09/2026 15:42

We also went to Cornwall for many years.

One time I bought The Shell Seekers to read but didn't think much of it. The holiday cottage had The Whole Day Through by Patrick Gale so I read that instead- another one that was very good and thought provoking.

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It's always a bit sad when you finish a wonderful back catalogue!

Boodahh · 12/09/2026 15:42

Autumnallaround · 10/09/2026 21:07

I love his writing. Fave is Winter which was how I discovered him. Second fave is cat sanctuary.

We spent many years in a caravan in Cornwall with the DC and I used to buy a few of his books each summer from a second hand site.

Now I pay full whack on kindle, they are all so fantastically written. I often cry too. And love lane made me gasp and cry!

We also went to Cornwall for many years.

One time I bought The Shell Seekers to read but didn't think much of it. The holiday cottage had The Whole Day Through by Patrick Gale so I read that instead- another one that was very good and thought provoking.

Autumnallaround · 10/09/2026 21:07

I love his writing. Fave is Winter which was how I discovered him. Second fave is cat sanctuary.

We spent many years in a caravan in Cornwall with the DC and I used to buy a few of his books each summer from a second hand site.

Now I pay full whack on kindle, they are all so fantastically written. I often cry too. And love lane made me gasp and cry!

TheOnlyWayIsIlford · 05/09/2026 11:38

I absolutely love PG.

Notes from an Exhibition and Rough Music I read twice.

None that I haven’t enjoyed

He is such a good writer.

PointedFirs · 05/09/2026 11:00

Anothernameretired · 05/09/2026 10:16

I thought it was ok, then re read it for a book group and loved it!
I think the chaos of Rachel's life is difficult to get on a first reading. And the order of events doesn't matter so much when you already know them. Definitely a keeper.

(as an aside, I liked how excited the characters got if they found a parking space near their house. This is touristy Cornwall and the issue rarely comes up in novels!)

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Yes, I loved the Cornwall-ishness of it and some of the others. I loved that a crucial plot point in Notes involved a terrifying Barbara Hepworth.

RaraRachael · 05/09/2026 10:53

Thanks. I think it was maybe a bit complex for me. I need something a bit more straightforward.

His books all seem to be quite different which is nice compared to some other authors who basically tell the same story but with different characters or locations.

Anothernameretired · 05/09/2026 10:16

RaraRachael · 05/09/2026 08:14

Those of you who loved Notes From An Exhibition, can I ask why?

I've just finished it and nearly gave up. I found it hard to keep up with all the jumping back and forth in time and the way it finished abruptly.

Maybe I was missing something.

I thought it was ok, then re read it for a book group and loved it!
I think the chaos of Rachel's life is difficult to get on a first reading. And the order of events doesn't matter so much when you already know them. Definitely a keeper.

(as an aside, I liked how excited the characters got if they found a parking space near their house. This is touristy Cornwall and the issue rarely comes up in novels!)

PointedFirs · 05/09/2026 08:19

RaraRachael · 05/09/2026 08:14

Those of you who loved Notes From An Exhibition, can I ask why?

I've just finished it and nearly gave up. I found it hard to keep up with all the jumping back and forth in time and the way it finished abruptly.

Maybe I was missing something.

It’s a jigsaw. We piece the truth of Rachel’s early life, her illness, her talent and her impact on everyone around her together retrospectively via everyone’s perspectives.

RaraRachael · 05/09/2026 08:14

Those of you who loved Notes From An Exhibition, can I ask why?

I've just finished it and nearly gave up. I found it hard to keep up with all the jumping back and forth in time and the way it finished abruptly.

Maybe I was missing something.

Anothernameretired · 25/08/2026 20:51

What a great author! Rough Music and A Place called winter are my faves.
I have downloaded Love Lane but not read yet. Forgot it was a sequel to A Place called winter! Might spur me on now.

Sheeppig · 25/08/2026 20:44

RaraRachael · 25/08/2026 19:18

Should any of the books be read in a particular order? I'm currently reading Love Lane but have just discovered it's a sequel.

That is the only example I can think of. As far as I know all the others are standalone books.

RaraRachael · 25/08/2026 19:18

Should any of the books be read in a particular order? I'm currently reading Love Lane but have just discovered it's a sequel.

PrincessofWills · 25/08/2026 19:18

Sheeppig · 25/08/2026 19:03

Have you read the sequel "Love Lane"? Not as good as A Place Called Winter (in my opinion), but very enjoyable nonetheless.

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Yes, but as you said not as good but enjoyable and a bit sad.

Sheeppig · 25/08/2026 19:03

PrincessofWills · 23/08/2026 00:20

A Place Called Winter is an amazingly good book, his best I think.

Have you read the sequel "Love Lane"? Not as good as A Place Called Winter (in my opinion), but very enjoyable nonetheless.

PrincessofWills · 23/08/2026 00:20

A Place Called Winter is an amazingly good book, his best I think.

Boodahh · 23/08/2026 00:15

Read most of his books. They are all good. Particularly enjoyed Rough Music, Notes from an Exhibition and A Sweet Obscurity.

RaraRachael · 22/08/2026 23:03

@Aftertheharvest Take Nothing With You is probably my favourite book ever!
I played the cello when I was young so could really relate to it.
I've just done a trawl of our local library register to see how many of his books are available.

Santasbigredbobblehat · 22/08/2026 22:18

I used I love his books. Haven’t read any for ages. Might go and look some up that I’ve missed.

PointedFirs · 22/08/2026 08:30

The Cat Sanctuary and Notes from an Exhibition are my favourites.