Rough Music

Many times in life we come across books and stories that resemble real life in certain ways. Often they only resemble real life in passing, but can't seem to hold a candle to the real thing. Unusually, this book can and does a comparitively good job at doing just that: holding a candle to the real. This beautiful story resemnbles life in a kind of symmetry. The author is incredibly skilled in the way he chooses words and constructs sentences, paragraphs, and pages of a glowing, real life. This book is touching, remarkable, and wholly likable. If you enjoy literature that is true to life -and the truer it has never been- then read this book. Take it slow. Savor each movement and chapter until you come to the end. When you finish, then stop. Think about it and remember it in your heart, because this is the kind of book one can be touched by intimately and come away not sad, but enriched.And may you enjoy it as much as I have.

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.

Reading this book was similar to listening to a beautiful composition by, say, Vaughn Williams. It begins and ends on the same note but the music in between makes the final note shimmer with aching poignancy. The tension builds in the plotline -- both plotlines, the Beachcomber and the Blue House -- symmetrically. There is such justice in the final fate of the characters. I don't want to give anything away, but the author does a great job of having the successive generation mirror the mistakes their parents made. What a powerful, intense, and moving work! I look forward to reading Gale's other works.

I have never read a novel that was put together like this one by Patrick Gale. At first, I was put off by the obviously British staunchness of some of the characters and the back and forth telling of two separate stories each taking turns chapter by chapter. Through this technique, Gale weaves a tremendous story that illustrates family values, dynamics unlike I've ever seen. What he does with the main character - 40 yr old Will Paget is magnificent. He receieves a vacation present from his sister for his 40th birthday and he invites his parents to accompany him. What happens from there made me turn page after page after page. I didn't want this story to end. To say anymore would give away the plot - something I do not want to do. Read this mystery novel for laughter, surprises and shock.

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!