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The Importance of Being a Bachelor
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Review
'This is Mike Gayle at his best - funny, charming and life-affirming' (Daily Mirror )
'A refreshing man's-eye view on the world' (Candis )
Praise for THE TO-DO LIST:
'Brilliantly funny' (Daily Mail )
'Put "buy it" at the top of your to do list' (Radio 4 Loose Ends )
Praise for LIFE AND SOUL OF THE PARTY:
'Packed with drama, friendship, love and tragedy, this is a brilliant touching tale of what happens when real life catches up with us.' (Heat )
'Moving and powerful'**** (Mirror )
Praise for WISH YOU WERE HERE:
'Mike Gayle's the guy to give us a tantalising insight into the way men's minds tick . . . this romantic romp is bound to be another huge success . . . a feel-good read with lots of laughs.' (Woman )
'As you'd expect from Gayle, the laughs flow thick and fast, making this a top match for your sunny holiday spirits.' (Glamour )
'A refreshing man's-eye view on the world' (Candis )
Praise for THE TO-DO LIST:
'Brilliantly funny' (Daily Mail )
'Put "buy it" at the top of your to do list' (Radio 4 Loose Ends )
Praise for LIFE AND SOUL OF THE PARTY:
'Packed with drama, friendship, love and tragedy, this is a brilliant touching tale of what happens when real life catches up with us.' (Heat )
'Moving and powerful'**** (Mirror )
Praise for WISH YOU WERE HERE:
'Mike Gayle's the guy to give us a tantalising insight into the way men's minds tick . . . this romantic romp is bound to be another huge success . . . a feel-good read with lots of laughs.' (Woman )
'As you'd expect from Gayle, the laughs flow thick and fast, making this a top match for your sunny holiday spirits.' (Glamour )
Review
Praise for THE TO-DO LIST: 'Brilliantly funny' -- Daily Mail 'Put "buy it" at the top of your to do list' -- Radio 4 Loose Ends Praise for LIFE AND SOUL OF THE PARTY: 'Packed with drama, friendship, love and tragedy, this is a brilliant touching tale of what happens when real life catches up with us.' -- Heat 'Moving and powerful'**** -- Mirror Praise for WISH YOU WERE HERE: 'Mike Gayle's the guy to give us a tantalising insight into the way men's minds tick ... this romantic romp is bound to be another huge success ... a feel-good read with lots of laughs.' -- Woman 'As you'd expect from Gayle, the laughs flow thick and fast, making this a top match for your sunny holiday spirits.' -- Glamour Praise for BRAND NEW FRIEND: 'More insights into the male psyche ... fans will love it' -- Cosmopolitan
--This text refers to the
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Well once again mike gayle has cost me sleep, it's another classic mike gayle that you just can't put down. You really feel for the characters and are willing them on in the story. The best thing about mike gayle books is that you have either been one of the characters or you know someone like them. Now we just need mike to hurry up with the next book. If you enjoyed this or any other mike gayle books check out matt dunn also very very good.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
It is a mark of how much I adore Mike Gayle's books that I brought this novel the instant I saw it this afternoon; I put aside the latest in the Dresden series that I was reading; and I completed the book in one satisfying sitting. In fact, the only book of his that I have not appreciated to this extent is his non-fiction 'The To-Do List'!
This book sets out to explore the nature of relationships: that between a couple who have been together for forty years; that just starting up; the love between adult and child. It shows how relationships can be damaged and irretrievably broken, while it also offers a perspective on hope and forgiveness.
All those lofty ideals are couched in a novel that is easy to read, and flows tremendously smoothly. I had read the first 60 pages with no effort, and was instantly drawn into the lives of the Bachelor family. As an aside, that was the only part I found genuinely annoying - the little play on words with the surname Bachelor and the fact that these three Bachelor men were flirting with disaster and the possibility of remaining bachelors forever. It was a little too 'sly nod at the audience'.
Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this lightweight story that pokes fun at the attitudes of men towards relationships:
" 'So what do you think the problem is?'
'The same one that afflicts blokes the world over but for some reason seems to affect our family more than most,' said Adam. 'We just don't know when we're on to a good thing and even when we do know we can't stop ourselves from screwing up.' "
The men were a little bit interchangeable in terms of characteristics - only their individual circumstances allowed me to really differentiate between them. The women were well written in the main: I really liked the Bachelor boys' mum, who was warm and realistic. I really sympathised with her situation, because I could almost imagine my own mum suffering like that after years of marriage (a really painful thought!)
This book is universally warm, in fact - rather like drinking hot chocolate or wrapping myself in a cosy duvet. And this is what I love most about all of Mike Gayle's books: although they may examine issues that are pertinent and painful to our own lives, there is always a happy ending. The comfort of this allows you to read and enjoy all manner of tense moments within the novel with the knowledge that it will all come good. I know that not all readers will appreciate this part (and certainly sometimes I like to worry about the characters a little more!), but now and then it is lovely to read a novel of this nature. Recommended for those looking for a light read on a summer day.
This book sets out to explore the nature of relationships: that between a couple who have been together for forty years; that just starting up; the love between adult and child. It shows how relationships can be damaged and irretrievably broken, while it also offers a perspective on hope and forgiveness.
All those lofty ideals are couched in a novel that is easy to read, and flows tremendously smoothly. I had read the first 60 pages with no effort, and was instantly drawn into the lives of the Bachelor family. As an aside, that was the only part I found genuinely annoying - the little play on words with the surname Bachelor and the fact that these three Bachelor men were flirting with disaster and the possibility of remaining bachelors forever. It was a little too 'sly nod at the audience'.
Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this lightweight story that pokes fun at the attitudes of men towards relationships:
" 'So what do you think the problem is?'
'The same one that afflicts blokes the world over but for some reason seems to affect our family more than most,' said Adam. 'We just don't know when we're on to a good thing and even when we do know we can't stop ourselves from screwing up.' "
The men were a little bit interchangeable in terms of characteristics - only their individual circumstances allowed me to really differentiate between them. The women were well written in the main: I really liked the Bachelor boys' mum, who was warm and realistic. I really sympathised with her situation, because I could almost imagine my own mum suffering like that after years of marriage (a really painful thought!)
This book is universally warm, in fact - rather like drinking hot chocolate or wrapping myself in a cosy duvet. And this is what I love most about all of Mike Gayle's books: although they may examine issues that are pertinent and painful to our own lives, there is always a happy ending. The comfort of this allows you to read and enjoy all manner of tense moments within the novel with the knowledge that it will all come good. I know that not all readers will appreciate this part (and certainly sometimes I like to worry about the characters a little more!), but now and then it is lovely to read a novel of this nature. Recommended for those looking for a light read on a summer day.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The Importance of being a Bachelor is another classic read from Mike Gayle. I love Gayle's novels, as they make you feel so good about life. The latest novel is filled with plenty of laughter and drama. Gayle's style is so easy to follow. I was glued to the novel and finished it in two days. It is beautifully and wonderfully written. The witty dialogues can draw you to the well-developed characters featured in the novel. The family is known as the Bachelors. The family members include a retired couple with three grown up lads. Each lad has different personalities, like Adam is unlucky in love as the right girl never comes; Luke is moody and divorced father and Russell the baby of the family. The novel follows the life of the three lads. Suddenly, when it is least expected a huge scandal threatens to tears the family apart. The parent's 40th anniversary is looming and the whole family suffers as a result of this. The event will possibly change the family forever. High drama explodes, but the comedy element we all love about Gayle's novels is in high supply to keep you addicted. I love Gayle's latest novel. The novel kept me entertained during the long commuting journeys to work and bed-time intervals. He never disappoints and continues to show there is something to enjoy about in life in the face of difficult times. Gayle is simply a fantastic writer and the The Importance of being a Bachelor shows Gayle strength to charm readers. Thank you for providing another classic read.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Bachelor Boy
Reminds me of why Napier University were yet-another laughing stock with the rest of academia, when they misspelt their certificates! Read more
Published 1 month ago by Nik Watt
Loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
totally hilarious heart throbbingly painful and a banging headache for the next day because of no sleep that this book cost its like the best hangover ever and so totally worth the... Read more
Published 5 months ago by MissJStar
review
well written and funny. great connection with the characters. very easy reading, can literally read in limited time due to the writing of the book. Read more
Published 8 months ago by matt
A Good book, but albeit a bit blah!!!
I am a big fan of Mike Gayle, but it seems all his books have become a bit repetitive, maybe that just his style!!! Read more
Published 9 months ago by Toksy
Did this book receive the attention of an editor?
This is the first Mike Gayle book I have read but I can't say I'll be rushing to read any more. For a 'chick lit' book, which I presume is what it is meant to be, it's an OK quick... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Elizabeth
Important to read this!
Whereas Mike's earlier novels seemed to focus on just one man, his later books have widened the scope a little bit and they focus on multiple characters. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Leah Graham
Same old, Same old
I really wanted to like this book. I have all Mike Gayle's novels but since Dinner for Two they all just seem to be very samey. Read more
Published 13 months ago by SJB1000
excellent
what a good easy book. ive read all of mikes books to date and this one lives up to his previous works. Read more
Published 15 months ago by keith
The brilliant Mike Gayle
If you've only read one Mike Gayle book you will love this one - although I find it hard to believe someone could of only read one ! Read more
Published 16 months ago by medwaymiss
Good but maybe not his best
As male contempory fiction writers go Mike Gayle is by far the one I constantly buy and look out for his next offering .
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the book. Read more
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the book. Read more
Published 18 months ago by G.G.
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