Holiday Reading Part Two - Mike Gayle
A Mike Gayle novel seems almost an essential part of my holiday reading nowadays - a holiday without his latest bestseller would be like a holiday without sunshine - almost unthinkable.
In the last few years I have come to love his writing - I think I was introduced to his work by a friend who recommended "Turning Thirty". This I enjoyed because I had (in the not quite so distant past) had the experience of entering my fortieth decade and there was so much in there I could relate to, for example "turning thirty means only going to the pub when there is somewhere to sit down", or the horrified looks on your friends' faces when you suggest going clubbing on a weekday night.
Like many of my favourite authors, I think Mike Gayle's work has matured with time. Certainly I think he has tackled some of the difficult issues people face in relationships. I loved the hilarious "Mr Commitment" (probably a bit too much in there I can relate to!) and enjoyed "My Legendary Girlfriend" - although I did find the latter rather sad in places.
His last three books, however, have been his best, to my mind. On my last visit to Gouves, in late 2002, I read "Dinner for Two". This is about a couple who are trying, unsuccessfully, for a baby. At this time the male protagonist discovers he has a 13 year-old daughter from a one-night stand he had on holiday at the age of 17. Gayle tackles an extremely sensitive subject with pathos and humour, makes you feel for all of the characters involved, and I couldn't put the book down.
Last year I read "His N Hers", which is a love story told from both sides, over several years. Basically this is about a couple meeting, getting together, splitting up, meeting new partners, then regaining contact (due to the ill health of a cat) and realising they really were meant for each other all along. A great read, but hardly an original storyline I felt.
This year, however, I had no idea I was in for such a treat. "Brand New Friend" (bet he listened to Lloyd Cole when he was younger!) is, to my mind, his best novel to date. This tackles so many aspects of the male and female psyche, and is extremely amusing to boot.
Rob, the main protagonist, is reluctant to leave London to be with his girlfriend, Ashley, in Manchester, because he can't bear to leave his mates behind. Eventually he agrees to give it a go, and tries to make new friends, but with limited success. He even puts an ad in a local paper and goes out on "bloke-dates". In time, however, he does find a "brand new friend" who he feels completely comfortable with. There's just one problem - she's a girl..
So the book also tackles the age-old issue of whether men and women can just be friends without sex - or love, for that matter - getting in the way, but with a refreshing difference. Like any great writer, Gayle throws in some interesting plot twists, for example the heart-wrenching revelation: "There are things you can have and things you can't..It takes one to know one." (You'll have to read it to find out what I'm referring to).
Once again Mike Gayle has created characters to whom you can relate, who you feel for and who you root for. You really get emotionally involved with these people. I can't remember the last time I read a book written by a man where I wanted to cry when I reached the end. (Only I didn't because I was in the beach bar at the time and the sexy Greek waitress was heading my way so I had to keep my stiff upper lip).
The really great thing about Mike Gayle's writing style - and it really shows here - is his use of short, snappy chapters. I think this is a great technique. I just think because most people are so pressed for time these days, its much easier to read an extra chapter if its just a few pages long. And when you're on holiday it works too - you find yourself just turning the pages, wanting to find out what happens next.
That to me is the key to being a good writer - it doesn't matter what you write about, or how flowery your vocabulary is, or how factually accurate you are, you have to make the reader want to keep turning the page.
And you have to leave your reader waiting impatiently for your next offering. Mike Gayle certainly does that for me.
http://www.mikegayle.co.uk/
Copyright © Jonathan Weedon, November 2005
In the last few years I have come to love his writing - I think I was introduced to his work by a friend who recommended "Turning Thirty". This I enjoyed because I had (in the not quite so distant past) had the experience of entering my fortieth decade and there was so much in there I could relate to, for example "turning thirty means only going to the pub when there is somewhere to sit down", or the horrified looks on your friends' faces when you suggest going clubbing on a weekday night.
Like many of my favourite authors, I think Mike Gayle's work has matured with time. Certainly I think he has tackled some of the difficult issues people face in relationships. I loved the hilarious "Mr Commitment" (probably a bit too much in there I can relate to!) and enjoyed "My Legendary Girlfriend" - although I did find the latter rather sad in places.
His last three books, however, have been his best, to my mind. On my last visit to Gouves, in late 2002, I read "Dinner for Two". This is about a couple who are trying, unsuccessfully, for a baby. At this time the male protagonist discovers he has a 13 year-old daughter from a one-night stand he had on holiday at the age of 17. Gayle tackles an extremely sensitive subject with pathos and humour, makes you feel for all of the characters involved, and I couldn't put the book down.
Last year I read "His N Hers", which is a love story told from both sides, over several years. Basically this is about a couple meeting, getting together, splitting up, meeting new partners, then regaining contact (due to the ill health of a cat) and realising they really were meant for each other all along. A great read, but hardly an original storyline I felt.
This year, however, I had no idea I was in for such a treat. "Brand New Friend" (bet he listened to Lloyd Cole when he was younger!) is, to my mind, his best novel to date. This tackles so many aspects of the male and female psyche, and is extremely amusing to boot.
Rob, the main protagonist, is reluctant to leave London to be with his girlfriend, Ashley, in Manchester, because he can't bear to leave his mates behind. Eventually he agrees to give it a go, and tries to make new friends, but with limited success. He even puts an ad in a local paper and goes out on "bloke-dates". In time, however, he does find a "brand new friend" who he feels completely comfortable with. There's just one problem - she's a girl..
So the book also tackles the age-old issue of whether men and women can just be friends without sex - or love, for that matter - getting in the way, but with a refreshing difference. Like any great writer, Gayle throws in some interesting plot twists, for example the heart-wrenching revelation: "There are things you can have and things you can't..It takes one to know one." (You'll have to read it to find out what I'm referring to).
Once again Mike Gayle has created characters to whom you can relate, who you feel for and who you root for. You really get emotionally involved with these people. I can't remember the last time I read a book written by a man where I wanted to cry when I reached the end. (Only I didn't because I was in the beach bar at the time and the sexy Greek waitress was heading my way so I had to keep my stiff upper lip).
The really great thing about Mike Gayle's writing style - and it really shows here - is his use of short, snappy chapters. I think this is a great technique. I just think because most people are so pressed for time these days, its much easier to read an extra chapter if its just a few pages long. And when you're on holiday it works too - you find yourself just turning the pages, wanting to find out what happens next.
That to me is the key to being a good writer - it doesn't matter what you write about, or how flowery your vocabulary is, or how factually accurate you are, you have to make the reader want to keep turning the page.
And you have to leave your reader waiting impatiently for your next offering. Mike Gayle certainly does that for me.
http://www.mikegayle.co.uk/
Copyright © Jonathan Weedon, November 2005
posted by Jon | 9:00 pm
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