As seen on ITV in the Zoe Ball Book Club’Beautifully written, thought-provoking and completely charming.’ Ruth Hogan‘Mike Gayle is the king of touching, human stories, and this big-hearted book is his best yet’ Heat, 5* This is the stunning new novel from bestselling author Mike Gayle, for fans of The Keeper of Lost Thingsand Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. A powerful and bittersweet story … Lost Thingsand Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. A powerful and bittersweet story of an unexpected male friendship and an unlikely love story, a thought provoking storyline told with Mike’s distinctive wit and insight, touching on issues which affect us all. This uplifting tale reminds us of the simple courage at the heart of every human being.
Ever since The Incident, James DeWitt has stayed on the safe side.
He likes to know what happens next.
Danny Allen is not on the safe side. He is more past the point of no return.
The past is about to catch up with both of them in a way that which will change their lives forever, unexpectedly.
But redemption can come in the most unlikely ways.
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Praise for The Man I Think I Know
‘Beautifully written, thought-provoking and completely charming…reminds us that the everyday things we take for granted without realising how precious they are, can be snatched away in an instant with catastrophic consequences’ Ruth Hogan
‘That rarest of things; a moving, beautifully written novel about male friendship…I absolutely loved it’ Lisa Jewell
‘Mike is always wise and wonderful, but this is a whole new departure for him – read it!’ Jenny Colgan
You’ll be both laughing and on the edge of tears with this brilliant read’ Fabulous magazine
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Readers are raving about this book!
‘This is one of those books that is tugging on your heartstrings one moment and has you laughing out loud the next – another stunning plot line and narrative from Mike Gayle.’
‘I loved the narrative and I left this novel feeling totally uplifted . . . I now feel like there is some hope in the world!’
‘This book is sad, funny, quirky, touching, heartbreaking but – and this is going to sound totally cliched and corny – life affirming.’
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i find psychic differences between a person
The Man I Think I know by Mike Gayle is the first book ever to have brought me to tears. I think because it hit too close to home with me. Early on I could see some of my lost self in Danny; then I found out how James suffered his brain damage and it hit me hard. It hit me very hard having had the same thing happen to me in 2001 but with different consequences. Everybody has told me how lucky I was but for some reason, I have never felt lucky about surviving. My mind used to tell me I wasn’t meant to survive, and on occasions it still does.
Things can happen in our lives that can change our whole being. Who we are now and who we were meant to be. For James and Danny, this was exactly the case. Two young men coming head on to help each other confront two very different tragedies. If the pair had not met by chance and a change of circumstances in their home lives they would never have met and their lives would have remained the same.
Destiny! Does it play a part in our lives? It certainly does for these two.
Two brilliantly written characters: Danny, who starts off looking like a tragic case of ‘What’s the point of it all? Why bother working when I can just sit on the sofa watching tv? There is nothing out there in the world I want or need.’ Danny though hides a past of high intellect and family tragedy.
Then there is James, who suffered a brain injury after being hit from behind while out celebrating being elected as an MP. Two men who were destined for great things derailed by the actions of others.
When I first started reading the way the Character of James was written I thought, Hmm! I don’t know if I can be dealing with what seemed like awkward writing making for awkward reading. I couldn’t have been more wrong. A new voice in my head took on the role of James in the book. I put that down to superb writing.
Mike Gayle has done an amazing job here. He shows how so many peoples lives can be affected by any single incident.
It doesn’t necessarily take a bad man to commit an action that can have serious repercussions to many: it can just take a good man making a bad decision. There are many touching and heartfelt moments in this novel. I personally loved It.
I could see parts of myself in both characters, not the clever parts but elements of their lives and minds trying to come to terms with and deal with unexpected tragic events that can occur throughout life. I loved it and could see myself taking on a role if it’s ever turned into a movie or television drama. Wink Wink! Right, where’s that number for acting lessons?
No, in all honesty, you should read The Man I Think I Know. Awesome work Mr. Gayle.