A Place Called Winter - Paperback

A Place Called Winter by Patrick Gale

"Patrick Gale has written a book which manages to be both tender and epic, and carries the unmistakable tang of a true story. I loved it." -- Jojo Moyes

This award-winning historical novel follows Harry Cane, a privileged elder son in turn-of-the-century Edwardian England whose conventional life is shattered by scandal. Stammering and shy, Harry has always followed society's expectations—until an illicit affair leads to discovery, threatening arrest and costing him everything he holds dear.

Forced to abandon his wife and child, Harry emigrates to the newly colonized Canadian prairies, settling on a remote homestead in a place called Winter. The harsh, unforgiving landscape stands in stark contrast to the golden suburbs of his former life. Yet in this isolated setting, under the shadow of war, madness, and a dangerously magnetic antagonist, Harry discovers an inner strength and capacity for love he never knew existed.

Based loosely on a real family mystery from Patrick Gale's own history, this novel weaves together themes of sexuality, secrets, and self-discovery. The narrative spans continents and decades, creating an intimate yet epic human drama that is both brutal and breathtaking. Through Harry's journey from repression to liberation, readers experience a powerful exploration of identity, survival, and the transformative power of love.

Published by Grand Central Publishing in paperback format, this literary fiction masterpiece has earned recognition as a Richard and Judy Bookclub selection. The novel's exploration of LGBTQ+ themes within a historical context provides a compelling window into the challenges faced by those who lived outside societal norms in early 20th-century society.