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Notes from an Exhibition
 
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Notes from an Exhibition (Hardcover)

by Patrick Gale (Author)
3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (97 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Fourth Estate Ltd (2 Jul 2007)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0007254652
  • ISBN-13: 978-0007254651
  • Product Dimensions: 21.8 x 14.2 x 3 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (97 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 235,125 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in this category:

    #20 in  Books > Fiction > Authors, A-Z > G > Gale, Patrick

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Product Description

Review
'I was completely enthralled by "Notes from an Exhibition." Patrick's Gale's prose grows ever more acrobatic and heartstopping, though somehow he never seems to be showing off. And few writers have grasped the twisted dynamics of family the way Gale has. There's really no one he can't inhabit, understand and forgive.' Armistead Maupin 'All the characters are dimensional and heartbreaking. It is a book saturated with love and humanity. And it has a great last line.' Barbara Gowdy 'A tender, powerful novel.' The Gloss Praise for 'Friendly Fire': 'Utterly compelling from first to last: sad and funny and written with the matchlessly fine yet modest prose that marks him out as such a superb writer.' Stephen Fry '"Friendly Fire" is another triumph for Gale. It is part of an oeuvre which looks ever more formidable, particularly for a novelist still in mid-career.' Richard Canning, Independent '"Friendly Fire" is an intense tale of love, life, intellectualism and passion. Inspirational.' Daily Express Praise for 'Rough Music': 'Like the sea he describes so well, Patrick Gale's clear, unforced prose sucks one in effortlessly!he is excellent at the telling detail and description.' Elizabeth Buchan, Daily Mail 'There are no false notes in this book.' Marie Claire '"Rough Music"!is an astute, sensitive and at times tragically uncomfortable meditation on sex, lies and family!a fabulously unnerving book!a hugely compelling writer.' Independent on Sunday

Image magazine
'This is a book full of insight, intelligence and quiet humour
familiar from his previous masterpiece, Rough Music.'

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Customer Reviews

97 Reviews
5 star:
 (43)
4 star:
 (24)
3 star:
 (13)
2 star:
 (9)
1 star:
 (8)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.9 out of 5 stars (97 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
48 of 50 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A very clever book, 13 May 2008
By J. Dean "Wandering Minstrel" (London) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Notes from an Exhibition (Paperback)
This is the first Patrick Gale novel I have read. I rather think it won't be the last. I was attracted by the subject matter. The link between creativity and mental health is fascinating and, given such a vast topic I think this book works brilliantly. It brings living with a mental health disorder into everyday terms and made it real; accessible without being patronising or facile. In terms of the writing quality, I was very impressed with the apparent ease with which Gale moves between perspectives; each character has a very distinctive voice of their own that is reflected in the narrative and adds to the absorbing quality of the book. By the end some gaps have been filled but there's no sense of every loose end being tied up - the realism doesn't let up for an instant. I feel I want more but know that "more" would be too much. The final scene, which should be harrowing, is sublimely beautiful.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars An intriguing book, beautifully written, 4 Dec 2007
By Wynne Kelly "Kellydoll" (Coventry, UK) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)      
When Rachel Kelly dies the emotions felt by her family veer from sadness to relief. A talented artist, she had always been a powerful influence on her children who grew up in awe and fear of her mood swings and erratic behavior due to her mental problems. The book moves from present day Cornwall to Toronto in the 1960s and the story of each member of the family is gradually allowed to unfold, their struggles and their successes, their longings and their fears. The chapters open with a different "note from an exhibition" - each one intriguing and fascinating in its own way.

Rachel's background is a mystery - she refuses to talk about where she comes from apart from vaguely alluding to Canada. After her death her husband Antony, encouraged by her oldest son, begins to seek out her origins.

The Quaker faith of Antony gives the book a calm still heart which contrasts well with the difficulties weathered by the family.

Above all it is an optimistic book that shows that although the family has had to endure the pain and misery of living with mental illness they can nonetheless find strength and happiness through the love and memories that they all share.

I struggled towards the end of the book between wanting to know Rachel's story but not wanting the book to end! It is the first Patrick Gale book I have read - but I've already started looking out for his other work.

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39 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Wears its maturity lightly - a great read., 9 Sep 2007
As with a number of reviewers, what really struck me about this book was its lightness of touch. It took a little while for it to sink in just how much observation and subtlety it carries. I yearn for novels to do this. His prose is clear and without fuss, the characters are observed gently and meticulously, and the plot evolves in much the stealthy and surreptitious way that happens - well, in real life. I enjoyed the first few chapters, but after about a quarter of the book I really sat up and took notice that I was reading a splendid, thoroughly mature piece of work. I would recommend this whole-heartedly to anyone who likes fiction to be about real life, rather than simply an escape from it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars Frustrating
This book surely has enough reviews, so why am I writing yet another? Because I have just finished the book and my sense of frustration and disappointment need some kind of... Read more
Published 6 days ago by absolutebookworm

5.0 out of 5 stars Disturbingly accurate portrayal of a family ruled by mania
I loved this book. It was full of believable characters, sensitively portrayed, on a life journey. The descriptions of paintings, and their creations, felt real too and added to... Read more
Published 25 days ago by Mrs. Elinor Nash

5.0 out of 5 stars Far from boring!
I can't understand why some reviewers considered this boring with unconvincing characters. I loved the way it is laid out; the picture descriptions and dates leading to what... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Penny

1.0 out of 5 stars Waste of time and money
Another book which has received good review after good review but I pick up and cannot stand. Boring from the start, unconvincing charactors and no story line. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Campbell79

5.0 out of 5 stars At last the book I knew Gale could write!
Having read several of Gales other novels I know how good this writer is, I also know that he can lose his way in a story. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Philip Thompson

5.0 out of 5 stars unputdownable
This is the first Patrick Gale book I have read, and I was so sad to finish it I have just ordered Rough Music... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Diana

3.0 out of 5 stars Well written - but ultimately disappointing
Notes from an Exhibition relates the story of a bipolar artist and the effect the illness has upon her family and work. Read more
Published 2 months ago by MrShev

5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling
A wonderful book, beautifully written and a joy to lose yourself in. Superbly crafted with rich, strong and totally believable characters. I was touched and moved and really cared.
Published 3 months ago by M. E. Martin

3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing
I bought this book with great expectations after reading the reviews from other readers. To get to the point where you find out what was so terrible about the background of... Read more
Published 3 months ago by S. H

5.0 out of 5 stars worth reading
I have never read a book like this, written with so much insight into an artist life.This book is a treasure,and a pleasure to read, if you are looking for fast moving novel this... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Dr. R. Wunna

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