I do like Patrick Gale's writing. He's fast becoming one of those authors I'd read anything by, even if it was just the blurb on the back of a cereal box.Essentially, this novel is about Laura and Ben, lost love and rekindling old relationships. The supporting characters however are equally as interesting (if not more so) than the main protaganists - I loved Professor Jellicoe the aging naturist and Bobby - Downs, gay and proud. Lovely, lovely, lovely book.It wasn’t perfect – nothing is in this flawed old world of ours – but it was as close to perfection as you’ll get.The main story concerns the relationship between two people which was started at University and rekindled some 25 years later.Most of the action is based on the events of one day, but time shifts provide plenty of opportunities for flashbacks.A number of universal themes are explored – and more often than not, Patrick Gale hits the nail right on the head with his observations.During the course of reading the book, I discovered that I was virtually an exact contemporary of his at University, so much of what he discusses from the early 80’s really resonates with me – I went to parties in many of those houses, I drank that same cheap wine (but thinking it was the nectar of the Gods – we didn’t have much wine in my house when I was a kid!), I had the same aspirations as many of the characters, sat in the same lecture halls as they did, and probably wrote the same notes on the same doors as they did. Maybe some of my notes were obliquely referred to in the book – maybe I even provided material for some of the background characters. Maybe this is why the book really does press all my buttons – it was my story he was telling here. But not only was it my story as a student he told – it was also my story as an adult, trying to cope with relationships – relationships within and without of my immediate family. And just reading once that somebody else has seen some of the things I’ve seen in a similar way to the way I’ve seen them makes life so much more tolerable in so many ways.I could wax lyrical for hours on this book – it works on so many levels. There are so many truisms in it. It uses metaphor excellently and above else, it’s just so very true to life, warts and all. The only really bad thing about the book was that I chose to finish reading it in the gym – suffice to say that any notions I had of putting across a hard, macho image in the gym disappeared as I read the last few pages.Yes, it was a lovely, lovely, lovely book.
What do You think about Um Dia De Verão (2011)?
I had high hopes for this book, but I don't recommend it. Plus, the ending is very ambiguous.
—rkimbrough
Patrick Gale is such a find. I love his stories, his characters, his locations.
—coveredinstarks
A good holiday read - not too taxing, but well-written.
—Hazel
