Book Review - All The Lonely People by Mike Gayle

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Title: All The Lonely People

Author: Mike Gayle

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Publication Date: 23rd July 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

In phone calls to his daughter in Australia, widower Hubert Bird paints a picture of the perfect retirement, packed with fun and friendship.

But Hubert Bird is lying.

Something has made him turn his back on people, and he hardly sees a soul.

So when his daughter announces she's coming to visit, Hubert faces a race against time: to make his real life resemble his fake life before he's found out.

Along the way Hubert renews a cherished friendship, is given a second chance at love and even joins an audacious community scheme. But with the secret of his earlier isolation lurking in the shadows, is he destines to always be one of the lonely people?

Beautiful and emotional.

I'm at a loss for words how to describe this wonderful book.

There were rather unexpected moments, some that will make you cry and others that will have you smiling.

And I was hooked on the past sections, learning about Hubert and Joyce's life from when he moves to the UK in the 50s from Jamaica right unto the present.

And in light of recent events after the Euros final its clear the views of some in this country haven't changed since the 1950s which is rather disturbing.

There are so many important topic covered in this story but most key and perhaps even poignant after the last 15 months or so of the pandemic is of loneliness. And raising awareness of it.

Mike Gayle has gone up yet another notch with his superb writing, in this book. I cant do it justice but its definitely worth a read. 

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.