GROUP CONVENOR – Christine Wright
We meet on the first Wednesday of the month at 1.00 pm in the Assembly Room at St Austell Arts Centre. If you enjoy reading and discussing the book you have read, come along and join us.
Below are details of our recently read books.
May 2026 – A Perfectly Good Man – Patrick Gale
This is the story of Father Barnaby Thomas, a popular local priest, and the people who affect his life. It begins with Father Barnaby witnessing a young man’s suicide. Lenny, a talented rugby player became a paraplegic after an accident and made the conscious decision to end his own life and wanted father Barnaby to be with him at the end. This tragedy is the catalyst for a series of events where we meet the inhabitants of Pendeen and Morvah, their families and interactions, their triumphs and their tragedies. It is the tale of a man for whom empathy comes first who tries always to live according to his beliefs but does not always succeed.
Some comments from members:
“I enjoyed this poignant account of a “perfectly good man” very much. The west Cornwall setting was perfectly realised, the characters engaging and the non-linear structure, while confusing at times, ultimately insightful. As an atheist, I was surprisingly taken by the book’s exploration of faith and found the final chapter where Barnaby has his first intimation of the existence of God very moving.
I found the first chapter/story very moving I am not sure that it was added to by finding out later that Barnaby was the boy’s father. Although I enjoyed the rest of the book nothing else matched the powerful first story which was very thought provoking and beautifully written. I wondered what effect it would have on someone with a disability. I also wondered if the information on getting the ingredients needed for suicide were accurate or helpful.”
“Very intense story requiring careful reading with narrative going backward and forward. Authors honest detailed descriptions of family life primarily focused on the central character of a vicar’s family and associated neighbours and parishioners. There is a particularly well-cast adversary named “Modest” – a very nasty personality set against the admirable qualities of the perfectly good man which maybe is intended as a biblical parable of good versus evil – Jesus versus the Devil and his vile ways? For example, exacerbating a death by breaking a confidence of the paternity of the vicar’s illegitimate son. One felt engrossed in the context, especially of the Cornish rural life compared with a more recognised urban upbringing re: issues of adoption, single parenting etc., dealing with drugs….the story described how the best parental intentions can fail. In all a very sobering tale provoking lots of thought made even more accessible by the authors easy bright style of writing.”
“As the quote says from the Sunday Times, this is a convincing moving account of man’s struggle with faith, marriage, and mortality. The novel is set in a small village in Cornwall around the life of the vicar John Barnaby and his family and characters in the village. The author has a wonderful talent of bringing characters to life. The book is packed with many interesting topics – The decline of the tin mining industry in Cornwall, the Vietnamese refugee crisis, dealing with drug addiction problems, inquest procedures and many other topics. I found it interesting reading the stories within the story.
I found the format of the novel quite taxing particularly before we had been introduced to all the characters. Dashing back-and-forth in time was quite a challenge. And I was disappointed not to hear how Barnaby had found his faith in God after growing up in a non-religious family. (If we were told, I can’t remember it!)
This is a book I nearly gave up on due to its religious content but I am glad I persevered.”
“The people in this story are all quite ordinary, not especially interesting, sad and happy events. Barnaby is with Nuala, carrie with Morwenna, Phuc with fern and Modest “put in his place”. Then in the last chapter we are suddenly back at the beginning.
I think the jumping backwards and forwards in time was the author’s ploy to keep the reader interested. It was like doing a jigsaw and some things made no sense until you came back to them at a different age and sometimes a different character. I though I would have liked this book – it was set in Penzance, a place I know and in a time that I know, but I didn’t really get into it until “Carrie at 35” – 276 pages in! I had tried reading Patrick gale before but did not like it, I also saw him on television but instantly took a dislike to him.”
“I have read a couple of Gale’s books and always enjoyed them; this exceeded all the others. I particularly liked the setting of this novel set in far west of Cornwall which I know well and I could picture the events unfolding. Even at the start with poor Lenny in one of the old peoples’ flats opposite Penzance harbour, miserably about to take his own life rather than live with his paralysis.
The author skilfully weaves the cast of characters’ lives, whether old or young, Cornish or Australian, good or bad, with compelling dexterity. I found this a pleasingly dense read with so many strands eventually linking in unexpected ways. The book reveals some heartfelt observations of any human situations, expressions and outcomes.”
“I found the first chapter/story very moving I am not sure that it was added to by finding out later that Barnaby was the boy’s father. Although I enjoyed the rest of the book nothing else matched the powerful first story which was very thought provoking and beautifully written. I wondered what effect it would have on someone with a disability. I also wondered if the information on getting the ingredients needed for suicide were accurate or helpful.”
April 2026 – Fair Stood the Wind for France – H.E. Bates
It was universally agreed by all members of the group that this was an exceptional read by a very talented writer. We all loved it!! It was also agreed that one person’s particular review perfectly summed up what everyone thought so this is produced in full below – Thank you Ruth!!
Others’ comments are added at the end.
“This book was written in 1944 before the Second World War had ended. A story of hope, survival and the bravery of the French people.
Although not written in the first person, the story is told from the perspective of the pilot John Franklin. His plane has lost an engine and he is forced to bring it down in occupied France. Because he has no idea where they are, he comes down on soft ground and the plane skews and damages his arm. The other 4 men are OK and they are taken in and hidden by a French farming family and “papers” are made so they can move on. Unfortunately, Franklin’s injury is really bad and he eventually has to have his arm amputated. A local doctor comes to do this which makes the reader aware of how dangerous this is when he is later shot along with others.
It is superlative, descriptive prose. You could feel all the emotions – fear, anger, frustration, tenderness and the peace of the presence and faith of the farmer’s daughter, Francoise – “it began by being a small faith and then it got bigger with every bunch of grapes until it was really quite a big faith”. The love and caring and the howling of the dog – and the pain.
The intensity of it all I found quite overwhelming, disturbing and upsetting. I could only read it a couple of chapters at a time and may have skimmed through some bits altogether – which probably underlines what a brilliant storyteller the author is.”
Other members’ comments:
“My only familiarity with H.E. Bates was a vague recollection of The Darling Buds of May television series. I had never read Fair Stood the Wind for France but I am so glad that I now have. I found it completely absorbing, full of tension and beautifully written in an understated style.
I was interested to see that it was written before the war had ended and that H.E. Bates was employed by the RAF as a writer. Its propaganda is subtle though and the novel retains its powerful and lyrical force 80 years on.”
“I read this many years ago and it was a delight to read it again, one’s appreciation of a book re-ignited. I felt I was watching a film as I read the words – so vivid and so much detail conjured up not only the scenery, the moments, but also the mood and feelings between people. After the crash landing the description of their struggle on foot to find shelter, travelling at night, Franklin with a badly injured arm, forced to fall back on reserves of will power and their mutual regard for each other eventually finding an isolated French farm whose occupants are part of the Resistance. How many hundreds of similar situations there must have been like this – French people sacrificing their own safety to help the Allies. A poignant ending, beautifully written as Francoise and Franklin attempt to escape to Spain and O’Connor, one of the original flight crew makes the ultimate sacrifice”
“This story is an eloquent portrayal of war genre and we are reminded throughout of the importance of comradeship and trust. It was important for the airmen to bond and act as a team on their missions. It was also vital that they put their trust in the members of the family who hide them and supply them with the necessary papers and supplies. Franklin’s injury requires him to stay at the farm and have his arm amputated and, during this time, he and Francoise from a strong bond. The author describes the decay and despair in war-torn France which makes us very aware of the futility of war.”
“It was a lovely novel and extremely well-written, pure, simple and understated. Terrible things were happening around the world, including France and the author highlights the risks and sacrifices taken by French nationals to help soldiers and airmen escape capture to return home to England to fight again.
The author writes with excellent detail and emotion. I really enjoyed the book but was slightly disappointed with the ending – did Franklin and Francoise make it to England?”
“Brilliant writing, intense but easy to read, reality of war, bravery and loyalty”
“A gripping, very good read. The author H.E. Bates takes a very different approach to writing the traditional war story (ie. Focus on the hero in battle and the rights of the winning side) This is not just a war story but a comprehensive commentary on peoples’ fears, impact of physical pain, kindness, love, trust and loyalty in times of terrible stress. The novel has a fascinating insight of German occupied France and the separate Vichy fascist southern area. Quite one of the best read ever – it has inspired me to read further books by this prolific writer who was also recognised as a master of the short story. So pleased that it came up as a book club choice. I had in fact, first read it in my early twenties but 50 years on it has had far greater impact as a good story of the best of humanity”
“I enjoyed this book. The twist in the plot in the final pages took me completely by surprise. Franklin’s desire to make an honest woman of François reflected the moral standards of the time.
I thought the characters were portrayed well, highlighting the difficulties and dangers of living in war-torn France during the occupation of the Germans in the Second World War. A book the younger generation should read.”
Previous Reviews can be seen HERE
We are happy for you to come to a Coffee Morning or one main Monthly Meeting and to attend one individual group (with the exception of groups that require pre-booking and ticket purchases) before deciding whether to join St Austell u3a.
Please always contact the Group Convenor to ensure the session is going ahead.
