A Perfectly Good Man

' A writer with heart, soul, and a dark and naughty wit' Observer

What happens when 'doing good' is no longer enough?

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

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.

'Beautifully written' Times

What readers love about A PERFECTLY GOOD MAN:

'A most engaging novel, keenly observed, often witty, and beautifully written' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'A wonderful poetic, perceptive and very realistic insight into a very varied group of characters' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'I loved this book - one of the best novels I have read for a long time. Brilliant characterisation, an interesting setting in a small Cornish community, and a very good plot' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'Patrick Gale knows, not just the accurate externals of parish life, but the inner realities of human thinking' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐


About the Author
Patrick Gale was born on the Isle of Wight. He spent his infancy at Wandsworth Prison, which his father governed, then grew up in Winchester before going to Oxford University. He now lives on a farm near Land's End. One of this country's best-loved novelists, his most recent works are A Perfectly Good Man, the Richard and Judy bestseller Notes From An Exhibition, the Costa-shortlisted A Place Called Winter and Take Nothing With You. His original BBC television drama, Man In An Orange Shirt, was shown to great acclaim in 2017 as part of the BBC's Queer Britannia series, leading viewers around the world to discover his novels.