A Perfectly Good Man: A heartfelt, humane novel of Cornwall, love and forgiveness

by Patrick Gale

From the author of A PLACE CALLED WINTER and NOTES FROM AN EXHIBITION comes a heartfelt, humane novel about what happens when 'doing good' is no longer enough...

'A convincing, moving account of man's struggle with faith, marriage and morality' Sunday Times

On a clear, crisp summer's day in Cornwall, a young man carefully prepares to take his own life, and asks family friend, Barnaby Johnson, to pray with him.

Barnaby is a priest, a husband and father, and has always tried to do good, though life hasn't always been either straightforward or rosy. Lenny's request poses problems, not just for Barnaby, but for his wife and family, and the wider community, as the secrets of the past push themselves forcefully into the present for all to see.

'Beautifully written' Times

' A writer with heart and soul' Observer

What readers love about A PERFECTLY GOOD MAN:

'A most engaging novel, keenly observed, often witty, and beautifully written' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'A wonderful poetic, perceptive and very realistic insight into a very varied group of characters' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'I loved this book - one of the best novels I have read for a long time. Brilliant characterisation, an interesting setting in a small Cornish community, and a very good plot' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'Patrick Gale knows, not just the accurate externals of parish life, but the inner realities of human thinking' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

• ISBN10: 1472255429
• ISBN13: 9781472255426
• Publish Date: 19 April 2018 (first published 1 March 2012)
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 12 December 2023
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Headline Publishing Group
• Imprint: Tinder Press
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 416
• Language: English

Reviews

[Michael @ Knowledge Lost]

I really wanted to like this book, it was an interesting concept for a novel but I never connected with any of this book or the characters. The book revolves around the community effects of Lenny’s suicide in front of a priest. This small community and the stories of past and present play out in this book. For me the people never felt real and I think that first began with Father Barnaby Thomas feeling to fake. Having grown up in a small town with a minister for a father I’ve seen how people react towards the church and the church leaders and in this book nothing felt real and everything felt a little too nice. While I’m glad many people enjoy this book, I never felt a connection and that really did stop me from enjoying the story. As for the writing and the style; both seemed good so I think many people would enjoy the book; just not me.