As befits the hero of a modern fairy tale, Lawrence Frost has neither father nor siblings, and fits so awkwardly into his worldly mother's life, he might have dropped from the sky. Like many such a hero, he grows up happier with plants than people. Whilst he is straightforward, honest, and a doting dad, he can be a difficult, taciturn husband -- but he's the last person one would suspect of being a killer...* Waking one morning to find himself branded a wife-beater and under suspicion of murder, his small world falls apart as he loses wife, daughter, liberty, livelihood and, almost, his mind...* With a bold mixture of tragicomedy, harsh truth and sublime fantasy, Patrick Gale has created a vivid and compelling portrait of a man at odds with himself, and an extended family of friends and lovers trying to take its proper shape.

Reserved for a wishlist tag, but gotta read it first.

Another wonderful offering from Patrick Gale. On the surface the plot has a number of implausible elements, but underlying that is a tragicomic tale of an almost Shakespearean nature which overall offers hope and redemption. He is such an accomplished storyteller and offers us complex, believable characters of both sexes (even while they are doing the occasional unbelievable thing).

I found this to be a fascinating and very moving book, covering a number of "big" themes and written in prose that is as wise and insightful as it is beautiful. Loved it.

In the post as a wishlist tag to Edwardstreet.

Letter box surprise. Thank you.

Left on relatives bookshelf while in lockdown

not his best

Released at the Wellington Bookcrossing meeting