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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply Brilliant!,
By AllPaths (Indianola, IA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Rough Music (Hardcover)
As an avid reader of fiction, I expected very little from this casual purchase, but not since Chabon's "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay" have I been so captivated by both the story and style of a modern novel. The reviews below give you all (and unfortunately in once case, too much) of the detail of the story. But Gale dissects the British version of the 'American Beauty' family dysfunction while weaving the emotional turmoil and mystery of the best of Ian McEwan. His 'prison' metaphor is incisive without being blunt, never giving the slightest hint as to how these somewhat damages souls will resolve - or even survive. And while I'm extolling Mr. Gale's writing, you might want to check out a much earlier work of his - 'Kansas in August': a very different novel, without doubt, but one that is a true charmer - witty and fun, but still skillfully crafted with twists that delight to the final page. Do yourself a personal favor: read 'Rough Music' - you will never forget it.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
"Let the Music Play",
By
This review is from: Rough Music (Hardcover)
This is British writer Patrick Gales first novel that is gaining major attention in the States. I can see why, it certainly couldnt be a more beautifully written, compassionate, and captivating work. I got really involved with this story and all the characters Patrick has created for us. For his 40th birthday Wills sister, Poppy, gives him a two week vacation at a cottage on the seashore of Cornwall as a gift. Will is unaware that this is the same cottage that he and his parents stayed at thirty-two years ago. Will decides to take his parents on vacation with him. Will is single, uninvolved, and gay. Wills brother in-law, Sandy, decides to come along, too. This complicates things as Will is having an affair with Sandy who is Poppys husband. We are presented with the makeup and human drama surrounding this family, as the chapter settings alternate between current events, and what happened thirty-two years ago. Throughout this story there is such an aura of mystery involving all the family members and relatives that its hard to stop reading this book. I couldnt wait to see what happens next. When I first starting reading this story I had a lot of questions, and it did seem a bit confusing, but by the end of the book, I felt I had most of the questions answered. However, thinking about it again, I find I still have unanswered questions. If a book makes you think about it long after youve read it, I believe the author has achieved his goal. Patrick Gale certainly captured my attention and has made a lasting impression on me. This is a wonderful novel of family, love, sadness, regret, and even hope. I hope we hear a lot more from this wonderful British author. Recommended!
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended,
By pm444 "pm444" (Okemos, MI USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Rough Music (Hardcover)
This is the first book by Patrick Gale that I've read, but it will not be the last. The book defies easy categorization, both in terms of content and style. There's a mother with the beginnings of Alzheimer's, a father who's a retired prison warden, a gay son who's sleeping with his sister's husband.... in other words, something for everyone. The characters are so well-drawn that you feel you know them, and you willingly accept their shortcomings, just as you do with your own real-life friends and family. It's the exact opposite of a novel which lacks a character with whom you can identify; by the time I was done with this, I could identify with most of them. But it's not just a series of character sketches. Using alternating chapters to relate events separated by over 30 years, the author skillfully weaves a powerful narrative. The book leaves the reader asking just enough questions to want more. It's too bad that only one of Patrick Gale's previously published novels is currently available in the US. A wonderful book by a talented author!
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