Odd reason to buy it, but..

Odd reason to buy it, but I saw Patrick Gale on University Challenge and decided that he seemed interesting, so I bought this book. Am I glad that I did! It is beautifully written and I is well read. I couldn't stop listening. The changes from present to past and back again are skilfully managed, the characters are well drawn and utterly believable.

I rushed to order another Patrick Gale, bought 'A Perfectly Good Man' and was thrilled when a character from 'Notes on an Exhibition' recurred - I had been wondering what had happened to her!

Do read/listen Patrick Gale, you wont be disappointed.

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Third Reading

Where to start? Structure? Pace? Authenticity? Breadth of vision? Using the structure of a catalogue to a retrospective art exhibition the author conducts us through the life of a woman obsessed with visual images and the consequent effect on her family. The narrative is conducted at an even pace allowing each character time for reflective internal dialogue. We get to know them intimately. I find, as on previous readings, that the characters ring true. They are not invented to drive forward the narrative. This is a complex novel handled with authority and written with tenderness.

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8 people found this helpful

Stunning

A beautifully written, enthralling story perfectly performed by Steven Pacey.
One of the best audiobooks yet.

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1 person found this helpful

Artistic Licence

As someone who once experienced living with a creative person with bipolar disorder, I think Gale draws the character of the abstract artist Rachel Kelly with honesty. He captures the intensity of her artistic and turbulent life with the clever device of each chapter beginning with the dry, scholarly citation of each piece of her work as in a retrospective exhibition catalogue. Each chapter then expands into a time and an account from each of her children and assorted family members. Gale crafts the saga with a deft touch and keeps ones interest alive with the rhythm of a troubled life lived in full.

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Elegant and atsonishing

I must applaud the narrator for his apt putting on of accents.

The book is a brilliant portrait of a quite unusual family and mother. Bipolar artist Rachel Kelly marries Quaker Anthony and moves to Penzanze with him.
Chapter headings form an introduction to each chapter, each giving a descrition of an item from an exhibition about the artist. It took me a while to understand the symbolism and metaphore of an exhibition of one life - what the spectator sees and what they cannot see, what is shown, told and implied. Phases of an artists creation, the juxtapose of biological and artistic creation and much more.
A very clever and accomplished novel that deserved all the praise it got.

On a different level, though. the novel is entertaining as it provides quirky and unusual characters, situations and storylines. Much insight into well developed characters is given.
The characters all have something, I could identify with many of them and found myself involved and invested very much.
The jumps in time and perspectives occasionally bothered me as I was taken out of one life that I enjoyed listening to, and was thrown somewhere else.
But like an exhibition, all the exhibits and pieces can come together in the end and make perfect sense.

Very enjoyable and elegant. The prose is beautiful.
Highly recommended.

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Believable and captivating.

I enjoyed the way all the characters in this novel were complex in a very credible way. I think I need to listen to it again to fully make sense of the various revelations made through shifts in time throughout the book, but I liked this puzzle-like construction. This is a moving story about strong family ties, love despite all, what people do to escape their past and what they do to each other - both good and bad.

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excellent - strongly recommend

so very sad when it came to the end. Love the author's gentle touch and detailed perceptions.

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Excellent and original story

I was truly surprised by this book, excellent and original. Loved the painting theme.

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Confusing

I really wanted to enjoy and get into this book but I struggled. I found my mind wandering a lot and in the vain hope that it would eventually all come together, it just didnt and then just stopped. I didnt understand it at all and I listened over and over to see if I had missed something. I found myself looking for a missing chapter.

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3 people found this helpful

Thought provoking and relatable

Having read the book some years ago, enjoyed it just as much listening now. Gale takes you inside the heads of all the characters in an unusual yet normal family, in a very believable and engaging way.

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