Join Patrick Gale to talk about our June Book of the Month, A PERFECTLY GOOD MAN, TONIGHT, Weds 27 June 9-10pm

[TillyBookClub]

Patrick Gale is fast becoming a National Treasure. Our June choice, A PERFECTLY GOOD MAN, is his seventeenth book. That alone deserves some kind of gong from the Queen. But it is also his particular style of quiet, intelligent, clear and humorous writing that makes him a very British talent. You always feel as if you know his characters, that they were in your local Post Office just this morning, and you recognize their human frailty and tangled emotions.

Barnaby Johnson, the hero of this month's book, is a priest in a small West Cornwall parish. Each chapter is a snapshot of different people in the parish, at different times of their life, all of whom are connected to Barnaby. Slowly and deliciously, the story unfolds like backwards origami, with secrets and triumphs and betrayals opening out in sequence.

A novel that makes you reflect on many issues - faith, marriage, adoption, mental illness - but most of all, shows you humanity in all its complex, crazy mixed-up wonderfulness.

The book of the month page with more detail about A PERFECTLY GOOD MAN and our giveaway of 50 free copies of Patrick's book will go live tomorrow (Thursday 31 May) at 10am. We'll close the giveaway after 24 hours and pick 50 names randomly, and we'll email you to let you know if your name was chosen within 48 hours.

And if you're not lucky enough to bag one of those, you can get your Kindle edition or your paperback here

We are delighted that Patrick will be joining us to chat about A PERFECTLY GOOD MAN, his writing life and all his previous books, on Wednesday 27 June, 9-10pm. We'll be discussing the book throughout the month so don't forget to put your thoughts and questions up here before the chat.

Hope you can join us...

[motherinferior]

No, I paid Real Money for it in a shop. Patrick, I bloody loved it. Thank you for writing it.

[Slainte]

Geraldine Not received my copy yet, really looking forward to reading it.

[gazzalw]

No nothing here yet! Think that Jubilee BH well and truly has put the post out of kilter!

[SamsGoldilocks]

not yet....

[Abcinthia]

No I haven't either.

[NoraHelmer]

Hopefully some time this week?

[GeraldineMumsnet]

OK, thanks for answering, we're chasing up the publisher now and will post when we know what's what.

[GeraldineMumsnet]

Books are being posted today, apparently. So everyone should have their copy by Thurs latest.

Please let us know if you haven't had your copy by then. Email is [email protected], or post here. We'll keep checking.

And please feel free to post your thoughts about the book, up to and including the chat with Patrick Gale.

[gazzalw]

Thanks GeraldineMumsnet!

[Hopefullyrecovering]

I don't need a copy of the book (already have it) but I just wanted to mark my place. For anyone who hasn't read it, it's a delightful read.

[GeraldineMumsnet]

Anyone got their copy yet ?

[beachhutbetty]

Didn't come in today's post.

[NoraHelmer]

Just seen the postie walk past - nothing for me either :(

[Abcinthia]

No it didn't arrive today.

[Belo]

No book for me today... Almost finished current book so hoping it will come tomorrow.

[Abcinthia]

My book just arrived.

[NoraHelmer]

My book's just arrived too. Good timing as I've almost finished my current one :)

[GeraldineMumsnet]

Hurrah. Hope you enjoy it.

Please come and post your thoughts when you've read it, and any questions you've got for Patrick (I know. I'm like a stuck record.)

[gazzalw]

were the books sent special delivery anyone? If so think the postie tried to deliver if not it's not arrived yet!

[NoraHelmer]

Yes it was special delivery (just noticed it cost £6 to post )

[OverflowingMum]

OMG I got a book today .....didn't even know I was getting one(must have missed the email) !!!
Sooo excited LOL! I never win anything !!!! Thanks MNHQ!
Only dilema now is I have to finish current book (only half way through) and then read this one before 27th......oh dear....!!
Anyone want to borrow 6DC for a week so I can get some reading done????

[Slainte]

Mine arrived today too, can't wait to start it

[Hullygully]

Mine came. I have started it. It is reminding me of Anita Shreve in tone and Jodi Picoult in here-is-a-dilemma so far.

[aristocat]

I have it too mine also came special delivery!

Literally raced through the first 100 pages and I am enjoying it very much.

[beachhutbetty]

I received one Special Delivery on Friday and then got another one delivered today by Fedex! Weird - still I shall pass it on to a friend to read.