A Patrick Gale classic - Rated 
I read Rough Magic after having read Notes from an Exhibition. This book is written in a similar style to Iris Murdoch which I absolutely loved. The emotional perspective is something Patrick Gale not only understands but relishes in his writing. His characterisations are superb. As soon as I finished the book I felt at a loss and began to re-read it, just to absorb the beautiful text and clever twists. Highly recommended.
Engrossing but morally suspect - Rated 
There isn't a lot to be said that hasn't already be said. The writing is gripping, and I found most of the characters fascinating. However,my concern, though not actually lessening my enjoyment of the novel, was the questionable attitude shown by most of the characters to what I thought was a morally reprehensible act which was central to the story.
Spoilers follow....
Maybe this is my view coming from a straight female perspective, but I was particularly repulsed by the fact that Will's sister is urged to return to her husband by her own father, and that Will blames his mother's exposure of his behaviour on her Alzheimer's. Personally I would have done the same with all my faculties intact.
Maybe this displays a fundamental difference in attitude to 'casual sex' between men and women, or maybe it's just me. (though to my mind there was nothing casual to it, unlike Will's mother's summer fling)
I suppose the fact that this has got me thinking about this so much proves how well written it was, but I couldn't help feeling there was a touch of mysogynism undercutting both the tales.
I loved this book and found it really hard to put down! - Rated
I loved this book, found it really hard to put down and have already checked out the author's other books on Amazon for future reading! It is written in an easy to read style but the characters are complex, interesting and sympathetic and left me wanting to know more about them.
It is mainly set around a holiday cottage in Cornwall over two family visits separated by 30 years, and the events of the past slowly unravel and merge with the characters' present day lives, as twists and details are revealed.
If you like strong characters and insights into human relationships this is a great book ... not a lot of action but very thoughtful and it left me with questions about things that were not quite resolved or clear.
WOW! What an amazing book! - Rated
This book was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I loved the way in which the two storylines formed together and the attention to detail was impressive. The book is not a complex read and would possibly make good holiday reading. I would recommend this book to many.
Thoroughly enjoyable - Rated
I really enjoyed this story. Maybe more so because I'd just finished a terrible Dan Brown yarn. This is a well told, interestingly structured story, with good characterisations, and a well paced plot. I am drawn to read another of Gale's novels, but a browse in the bookshop brought other books in prisons or in Cornwall or with characters with the same names. Dare I risk disappointment?
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