- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Flamingo; (Reissue) edition (2 April 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0586090606
- ISBN-13: 978-0586090602
- Product Dimensions: 19.2 x 12.8 x 2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 283,767 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
‘Love, death, the decay of friendship, the triumph of love – all the big themes are here in small doses, cunningly plotted and skilfully interwoven by Patrick Gale, who writes like Iris Murdoch on pep pills. Savage, satirical, often very funny, this highly readable comedy of middle-class manners is written by a young author of boundless talent. One to watch.’ Daily Mail
‘Gale describes strong emotions with conviction. He shows the diversity of passionate behaviour, sometimes hilarious, sometimes threatening, but always skilfully contained within a comedy of contemporary manners.’ The Times
‘A richly comic novel about the equilibrium of urban lives and loves upset by an outsider. Affectionate and perceptive.’ Mail on Sunday
‘His discreet exploration of love between the generations and the sexes is by turn poignant and humourous.’ Vogue
‘Sharp insights into a thoroughly modern marriage.’ Sunday Times
‘This is a witty book with more than a touch of satire, but which deals with love, pain, death and laughter with an extraordinary depth of understanding.’ She
‘A wonderful, modern comedy of manners.’ Company
Product Description
An acutely observed story of a young man’s journey of self-discovery and how the path of life can take one on many diverse routes.
No one knew why Robin abandoned a brilliant university career to start a new life at an eccentric island monastery, but it was thought to have something to do with the surprise engagement of Candida, Robin’s childhood playmate, and Jake, their mutual friend.
Eight years later, Robin’s return to the less spiritual world of London in the late eighties has far-reaching effects. Much has changed: his father has left the City to run a progressive kindergarten in Clapham; Candida is now a household name as a presenter on breakfast television; and Jake is a successful advertising executive. When Robin falls in love at the christening of Candida’s baby, he has little idea how extraordinary the consequences will be.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Let me start by saying I'm a fan of almost all of Patrick Gale's books.
This is one of Gale's earlier books. Anyone who is a fan will recognise the tell-tale signs of a Gale book - a middle class genre, a set of usually related characters, some of whom are not sympathetic, a storyline which often has a gently cheesy feel, and an ability to be horrible to characters, regardless of whether we like them. There is not always a happy ending, or even a neat one. What characterizes all books by Patrick Gale, and this one is no exception, is that the effect lasts longer than the first read. I am always left with a feeling of warmth, and a desire to know more.
I read this one over nine years ago, and like to return from time to time. The central mystery is of what happened to clever, introverted Robin, who ran away to a monastery, but years later comes back to disturb the lives of his friends and family in Clapham. These characters are living their own, largely self satisfied (or settled) lives, each with their own secrets, private jealousies and guilt about the past. The feel of a Patrick Gale book is always light, but if you give it time, it will catch up with you. The comedy and tragedy emerges from the mystery of which one of them was responsible for whatever made Robin run away.
The thing I like about this book is the title, 'Little bits of baby', the reinterpretation of a Nina Simone record by the precocious child Iras. It reflects what happens in the book, and the sometimes callous events that Gale conjures up.
Anyone looking for a serious exploration of mental illness, mixed race relationships, disability, gayness or anything else will be missing the point. Any of these things can be central to the identity of one of Gale's characters, but in most cases they are painted into the background unless they are central to the story or help move it along.
Anyone who wants a grand introduction to Gale, please read 'The Aerodynamics of Pork', a fine fairy tale if ever there was one. Then see how Gale has matured as a writer by reading the linked book 'Rough Music'. Anyone who does not admire how the same words in the first and last chapters of 'Rough Music' are transformed totally by what happens in-between doesnt have a heart.
Read this because it is a Patrick Gale, and you have to read them all.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Having read three Patrick Gale books prior to reading this one, I was looking forward to reading Little Bits of Baby. I was, however, disappointed. I felt the book was a bit all over the place and the ending did not tie up all the loose ends. The book could have happily done with another 100 pages to explore some of the other issues merely touched on and to find out little more about the Jake character. If you are looking to read a book by this author, I would recommend two of his later ones: The Facts of Life and Rough Music instead.
Format:Paperback
I thought well of Patrick Gale and OK this is an early book, but I did not expect trashy.
Nothing to care about, dire portraits of children and babies especially ugly - a newborn baby with a 'filthy temper', a four year-old 'spoilt' - are we in 1930's? Marriages so unconvincing I had to laugh, and the central premise, that everyone male or fema;le would have liked to make love to Robin, entirely unconvincing as there was nothing remotely attractive about the character.
A silly trashy novel.
Nothing to care about, dire portraits of children and babies especially ugly - a newborn baby with a 'filthy temper', a four year-old 'spoilt' - are we in 1930's? Marriages so unconvincing I had to laugh, and the central premise, that everyone male or fema;le would have liked to make love to Robin, entirely unconvincing as there was nothing remotely attractive about the character.
A silly trashy novel.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Really quite poor
This is my second Patrick Gale book - my first was 'A Sweet Obscurity'. I began to feel quite annoyed with that one as I neared the end. Read more
Published on 24 Nov 2005 by A R Salmon
Oh yawn, not another load of dysfunctional characters
I used to enjoy Patrick Gale's books. But after reading this one, it struck me that he's in danger of becoming a one-trick pony - ever-so-cute dysfunctional characters living in an... Read more
Published on 7 Jun 2002
Touching tale
A compelling story of young Robin, who returns to London after 8 years in a monastery and changes the lives of people he left behind. Read more
Published on 4 Nov 2001
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