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A Place Called Winter

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A Place Called Winter

By: Patrick Gale
Narrated by: Patrick Gale
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** Shortlisted for the Costa Novel Award 2015 **

To find yourself, sometimes you must lose everything.

A privileged elder son, and stammeringly shy, Harry Cane has followed convention at every step. Even the beginnings of an illicit, dangerous affair do little to shake the foundations of his muted existence - until the shock of discovery and the threat of arrest cost him everything.

Forced to abandon his wife and child, Harry signs up for emigration to the newly colonised Canadian prairies. Remote and unforgiving, his allotted homestead in a place called Winter is a world away from the golden suburbs of turn-of-the-century Edwardian England. And yet it is here, isolated in a seemingly harsh landscape, under the threat of war, madness and an evil man of undeniable magnetism that the fight for survival will reveal in Harry an inner strength and capacity for love beyond anything he has ever known before.

In this exquisite journey of self-discovery, loosely based on a real life family mystery, Patrick Gale has created an epic, intimate human drama, both brutal and breathtaking. It is a novel of secrets, sexuality and, ultimately, of great love.

(P)2015 Headline Digital©2015 Patrick Gale Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Fiction Emotionally Gripping Heartfelt Inspiring Tear-jerking Thought-Provoking Scary Winter
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Love Lane By: Patrick Gale

Critic reviews

Patrick Gale has written a book which manages to be both tender and epic, and carries the unmistakeable tang of a true story. I loved it. (Jojo Moyes)
Absorbing, moving and beautifully written, with echoes of EM Forster which I found especially enjoyable. (Amanda Craig)
Beautifully structured around the warmest of warm hearts, but it's also run through with something new: a devastating chill of loss, fear and exile which keeps you shaking your head and biting your lip in concern and shame and disbelief. (Louisa Young)
Bold, moving, intensely erotic - I couldn't put down this tale of passion and endurance, told with such tenderness. (Patricia Duncker)
A tender tale of loss and love
This is an intensely personal book. Gale was inspired by a true tale from his own family history, and the depth of feeling shows. It's one gay man reaching out to another across a century of social change, and his most powerfully moving novel yet
A dramatic and affecting portrayal of dislocation, extreme environments and the traumatic effects of enforced secrecy
A master storyteller. Quite simply, you believe every word he tells you
Gale is not a sentimental writer, he's vividly aware of hardship and despair, but the overwhelming emotion in this fine book is one of tender, life-affirming joy
His best book yet
This is a convincing and fascinating portrait of daily life over a century ago in a far away place. The mixture of adventure, historical saga and romance is utterly heartwrenching
Gale is a skilful storyteller
Mr Gale often uses autobiographical detail to good effect; here, he has excelled himself with the historical detail, resulting in a beautifully written, satisfying story that deserves to be a bestseller
A mesmerising storyteller; this novel is written with intelligence and warmth
Gale employs his gift as a writer to will such pockets of tolerance retrospectively into existence - for the sake of his relative, as well, perhaps, as for all of us. Humanity does not look quite so wretched through Patrick Gale's eyes
Lightness of touch, one of Gale's characters observes, is desirable in a novelist, and it is one of Gale's virtues...Rich in atmosphere and period detail...this enjoyable tale is both witty and poignant
A gorgeously written, bittersweet story about secrets and identity
[A] fascinating novel (Helen Dunmore)
Be inspired by Patrick Gale's entrée to historical fiction... the deep undercurrents of love and desire that give the novel its pull will awaken you
An epic, intimate human drama, both brutal and breathtaking
A gripping and deeply moving book about love, fear and hope
All stars
Most relevant
This story reinforced in me a belief in the kindness of fellow humans, of sympathy, empathy and compassion in the most challenging circumstances and particularly when up against convention, judgement and socially acceptable norms.

The tale unfolded beautifully and sometimes unexpectedly. I have read Patrick Gale's Notes From An Exhibition and enjoyed that also, however I don't find his narrating skills as appealing as his writing. It didn't spoil the experience and I urge listeners not to let it put you off.

Lovely, moving story with characters that have stayed with me and are vivid in my imagination.

Thoroughly Enjoyable

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a riveting saga of lives torn by tragedy, powerful and sad beyond belief, well worth a listen

a mighty book

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An exploration of several difficult themes:- sexuality, mental illness, war and immigration wrapped up in a riveting story set in early 20th century Canadian prairie. Like all Gale’s novels the scrupulous details of everyday farming life and family relationships create a vivid imaginary world. A bitter sweet ending. My only bugbear was the portrayal of native Indians felt rather stereotypical although sympathetic. Surely they were not all mystical Shaman or illiterate...

Poignant slow burner

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Story:

I had never heard of this before it was recommended, it had passed beyond my radar, so what a joyous discovery. Historically fascinating; both socially and migratory, but also an incredibly sensitive portrayal of being different in a time which didn't allow for that type of difference. I liked very much the slow revelations through careful storytelling. I can't recommend this enough. My first full starred on all accounts.

Narration:

At first I was worried about the voice, which was a bit reedy, but this was very quickly subsumed by the quality of diction and sensitivity of his narration. Quite excellent.

Stunning and moving

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If you could sum up A Place Called Winter in three words, what would they be?

An insight into the 1800's. Beautifully written.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Harry was a complex character. I liked him and felt sorry for him.

What about Patrick Gale’s performance did you like?

Patrick Gale was brilliant at reading his own story.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Step back into the past.

Any additional comments?

A lovely, interesting story

An interesting read

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