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  • A Perfectly Good Man

  • By: Patrick Gale
  • Narrated by: Patrick Gale
  • Length: 12 hrs and 43 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (33 ratings)

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A Perfectly Good Man

By: Patrick Gale
Narrated by: Patrick Gale
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Summary

Devastatingly moving and full of psychological insight, A PERFECTLY GOOD MAN is a warm, humane Cornish novel from the bestselling author of A PLACE CALLED WINTER

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 - priest, husband and father - has always tried to do good, though life hasn't always been 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.

©2012 Patrick Gale (P)2018 Headline Publishing Group Ltd
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Critic reviews

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

What listeners say about A Perfectly Good Man

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Thought provoking and engaging

This is my favourite of Patrick Gale's books, a tender and engaging exploration of what goodness might look like. I wish it was read by an actor though. I would welcome more variety in tone and character. Gale does not manage to differentiate well and loses accents as speeches progress. He's a fantastic writer though!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good story, bad narrator!

Patrick Gale can write a good book, the plot and topics discussed were interesting but I was totally put off by his narration. He is truly awful at accents and so wish he hadn't tried at all. It made any of the conversations in the book a bit toe-curling. Which I found annoying as I think with another narrator, I would have enjoyed the book more.

I am sad that he seems to be narrating pretty much all of the books he has written which probably means I won't buy any more of his titles, to be honest! Sorry Patrick, stick to the writing.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A good story

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. An excellent story which has major characters from an earlier book playing minor roles.
However, I felt that the final chapter was weak. A poor ending to a beautifully structured story.
There has been criticism of Patrick Gale reading his own books. I disagree with this. He has a warm and compelling voice, and after hearing him read several books, I welcome him like an old friend.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

A really good listen and a thought provoking book. Patrick Gale has an eye for details that bring his characters and stories alive.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A charmingly tangled tale...

...full of warmth for his characters and a slow but burning plot - more of a warm fireplace than a firework but well
worth the time it takes.

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