Gentleman's Relish and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more

Buy Used
Used - Very Good See details
Price: £1.97

or
 
   
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Sorry, this item is not available in
Image not available for
Colour:
Image not available

 
Start reading Gentleman's Relish on your Kindle in under a minute.

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

Gentleman's Relish [Hardcover]

Patrick Gale
4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)

Available from these sellers.


Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Kindle Edition £2.99  
Hardcover --  
Paperback £5.99  
Audio, CD, Audiobook, Unabridged £16.67  
Audio Download, Unabridged £7.49 or Free with Audible.co.uk 30-day free trial
Amazon.co.uk Trade-In Store
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Special Offer until June 30, 2013: Receive an additional £5 promotional Gift Certificate, when you trade-in at least £10 worth of books. Learn more.

Book Description

1 Oct 2009

An exhilarating new collection of stories by the author of Richard & Judy-bestseller NOTES FROM AN EXHIBITION Patrick Gale, which combines wit and poignancy to illuminate experiences both common and uncommon.

Love (& loathing) within families are dissected – a father makes an unexpected discovery about his son which is too hard for him to cope with. A son wreaks revenge through the power of cookery. Three generations of the same family gain freedom through the years in a once-despised caravan. A bored wife finds happiness when an old lag teaches her the art of angling. A dog-training lesson with a puppy who hasn't grasped the meaning of 'obedience' leads to the discovery of a murder.

Here too are music and silence – the sweetness and sadness of Festivals, of the Church, and of the control exercised by those in charge in small communities.

This tremendously enjoyable collection of stories has the same wit, tenderness and acute psychological observation as Gale's bestselling novels, including NOTES FROM AN EXHIBITION and the recent THE WHOLE DAY THROUGH. For Gale's many fans, GENTLEMAN’S RELISH will be a real treat.


Special Offers and Product Promotions



Product details

  • Hardcover: 300 pages
  • Publisher: Fourth Estate; First Published 2009 edition (1 Oct 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0007313454
  • ISBN-13: 978-0007313457
  • Product Dimensions: 20.4 x 14.2 x 3.4 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 495,058 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, and more.

Product Description

Review

'The short story form suites Gale's ability to zoom in on the smallest nuances of a relationship' TIMES

'Gale writes with such humanity and warmth in his novels that it comes as a surprise that these short stories are told in a different, darker voice' DAILY MAIL

'If Gale is arguably more at home in the more expansive form of the novel, these pieces certainly showcase his capacity for combining a light touch and a macabre sense of humour with an understated strength of human feeling…The stories confirm Gale's ability to exploit the short story genre's capacity to deliver a caffeinated hit' METRO

'Well over half the stories in GENTLEMAN’S RELISH adroitly utilise carefully observed details as the background to events that cause the reader to give a delicious shudder of horror at story's end…"Hushed Casket" could have been penned by that master of the ghost and horror story MR James, while "The Excursion" chillingly reflects the more lurid newspaper headlines. But there are also more gentle tales…GENTLEMAN’S RELISH is a hugely enjoyable collection which proves that the short story is still very much alive' DAILY EXPRESS

About the Author

Patrick Gale was born on the Isle of Wight in 1962. He spent his infancy at Wandsworth Prison, which his father governed, then grew up in Winchester. He now lives on a farm near Land's End. His sixteen novels include The Whole Day Through, the Richard & Judy bestseller Notes From an Exhibition and his most recent, A Perfectly Good Man. You can find out more on his website www.galewarning.org.


Inside This Book (Learn More)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
Search inside this book:

What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?


Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars Gentleman's Relish by Patrick Gale 25 July 2010
By Gizmo
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A well written book of short stories, each with a mild twist. The writing style is good, but the endings of each of the stories was almost a let-down. The promotional material for the book suggests various levels of dramatic twists, but they are more twee than thought provoking.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Short Stories 8 Dec 2012
By Roger
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am not a great fan of short stories and although I am a big fan of Patrick Gale (I have read most of his books) this didn't change my mind.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
12 of 15 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A superb collection of short stories 30 Oct 2009
Format:Hardcover
By Patrick's own admission short stories are not a popular medium. That surprises me although I have several friends, including my father, who are avid readers and they don't enjoy short stories. I would have expected them to work very well for today's society with short attention spans and desire for quick, instant fixes. They don't need a huge investment and can be read in short snatches of time without needing to remember what happened before - perfect if you don't have a lot of time to spend reading.

In terms of Gentlemen's Relish, Patrick's second set of short stories after Dangerous Pleasures published 10 years ago, it is a fabulous collection. The short story format gives Patrick the opportunity to explore his dark side and includes wonderful ghost stories and some unsettling tales of the macabre that are, in turns, deliciously wicked and chilling. These are accompanied by heart warming and humorous tales of people and relationships.

It's hard to pick a favourite but Freedom and Gentlemen's Relish were particularly lovely, the latter could easily have been the opening chapter to a fabulous novel but also had a completeness in its own right. Saving Space is the best of the chillers. If you don't usually go for short stories this is a great place to start, something for everyone and Patrick's fans certainly won't be disappointed.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
5 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic collection of short stories 12 Jan 2010
Format:Hardcover
I find it difficult to understand people who say they love reading but refuse to try short stories. After all, sometimes I like having a starter, main course and dessert at a restaurant but at other times a snack at home hits just the spot just as well. And so it is with this latest volume of short stories by celebrated author Patrick Gale. To his credit the sixteen stories in this volume cover a range of genres (from horror and suspense through twist in the tale stories to more contemplative character-driven stories).

Having read four of Patrick Gale's novels I was delighted to discover a darker, more sinister side to his writing in these tales. But fear not fans - in all the stories in this collection his ability to create believable characters in a short space of time is always very much in evidence.

Without giving too much away, I just wanted to highlight a couple of the stories that really stood out for me:
THE LESSON - a housewife, emotionally and physically isolated through her husband's job, strikes up a relationship with a prisoner
COOKERY - a young man's skills in the kitchen equip him with unexpected but necessary skills meaning he is never short of a culinary solution or two when life throws a spanner in the works
PETALS ON A POOL - a case of mistaken identity provides an author with the opportunity to travel to 'heaven on earth' but is this other eden all it's cracked up to be?
THE EXCURSION - a susceptible woman is convinced to leave her "softly softly" church in favour of one which is certainly not love-thy-neighbour. Dark and VERY funny!

The stories here are brilliant examples of what the short story form can offer us -a world we can dip into for a short but memorable time. So what are you waiting for?
... Read more ›
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars gale rules 11 Nov 2009
Format:Hardcover
patrick gale has an amazing knack for a tale and never disappoints. sometimes a tad too melancholy but always poignant and entertaining. his books are always hard to put down and his short stories leave you wanting more. for one who is not so inspired by short stories patrick gale has converted me.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
4 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Review of Gentleman's Relish by Patrick Gale 19 Nov 2009
Format:Hardcover
Fans of Patrick Gale will already be familiar with his ability to be funny, mischievious, poignant and thought-provoking. He never shies away from difficult issues - indeed he tackles them head on in such away as to leave the reader pondering the subject matter long after they have put the book down. This lovely collection of short stories does not disappoint - It will have you, by turns, swallowing a tear and laughing out loud ! Wonderfully entertaining !
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
3 of 5 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars Gentleman's Relish 15 Sep 2010
Format:Paperback
Patrick Gale is a superb writer and having read some of his other books and having seen him at the Buxton Literary Festival I was excited about his latest book of short stories.
My oh my was I in for a shock!
Started off gently and intriguing but then went to unbelievable depths of darkness and horror.
They were grim and not easy to read and showed a much darker side to the author.
Read at your own risk!
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Bits and Pieces 20 Mar 2012
By M. J. Saxton VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
It's like working your way through a box of chocolates: some you love and some you're not so keen on, but will have a go anyway.

There's an entertaining mix of stories here. I enjoyed The Excursion for it's sly exposing of frightening evangelicalism (a dip into the themes of "The Handmaid's Tale"); "Sleep Tight" was one of those creepy stories that would make a good short TV drama; on the theme of supernatural again, Hushed Casket really lets the cat out of the bag and everyone gets rather naughty. Most touching, for me, is the first story, The Lesson.

Gale is a very understated writer and his tales leave plenty of hints and really get the mind working. A nice work-out for the brain, this one.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?   Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Gentleman's Relish
An excellent read, perceptive writing, clever style, great descriptions. I thoroughly enjoyed it. and have recommended it to friends who have agreed it is worth reading
Published 3 months ago by Mrs. Phyllis Baird
5.0 out of 5 stars A marvellous variety
Patrick Gale is a writer with an exquisite eye for the human condition. This collection covers ground which Gale fans will recognise instantly - parents vs children and differing... Read more
Published 4 months ago by B. Adamson
4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining Short Stories
I really enjoyed this book of short stories from Patrick Gale. Better known for his novels, he has demonstrated in this book a deft hand with the shorter format.
Published 7 months ago by W. Chrispin
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect
My first read of Patrick Gale but it certainly won't be my last.

I enjoyed each story and was amazed at his wit and insight into the human condition.
Published 18 months ago by M. Conroy
4.0 out of 5 stars Great short stories
A collection of spicy short stories by Patrick Gale - some funny, some chilling, all stay with with you after you have read them, which is a mark of a good story.
Published on 8 July 2010 by Busy doctor
5.0 out of 5 stars ahhh so much better
after the very disappointing last two books of his, this is great. Usually i dont like short stories, but this is a great collection, every story is a winner and leave you with a... Read more
Published on 23 Jan 2010 by R. Storer
1.0 out of 5 stars Where's the twist?
Whilst Gentleman's Relish is beautifully written, the stories lack the twists and plots needed for a short story. Read more
Published on 12 Jan 2010 by C Hyde
5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary, Entertaining, Elegant, Eclectic
Beautifully bound and presented, Gentleman's Relish is like a luxury Harrods's hamper, stuffed with varied comestibles; a wonderful gift. Read more
Published on 12 Jan 2010 by Mrs. Katharine Kirby
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Discussion Replies Latest Post
Novels set in or about pubs? 1 4 minutes ago
Nobody reads on the loo do they ? not really - and yet so many people have books in the loo ! 12 1 hour ago
Spend an erotic night of BDSM, Domination/submission, and exhibition with Jim and Kay this weekend.. 39 2 hours ago
Self-published books: pain or gain? 6117 2 hours ago
Fed up with all the books not having an Ending? 34 4 hours ago
Ideas for gentle reads for more mature people 66 6 hours ago
Come on - why don't we write our own book right here in the fiction forum ? I'll do the first sentence, and then jump in....hold on, here we go... 7206 12 hours ago
Can anyone recommend a good book 94 13 hours ago
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   
Related forums


Listmania!


Look for similar items by category


Feedback