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Notes from an exhibition
Notes from an exhibition | Patrick Gale
23 posts | 15 read | 27 to read
The new novel from the bestselling Patrick Gale tells the story of artist Rachel Kelly, whose life has been a sacrifice to both her extraordinary art and her debilitating manic depression. When troubled artist Rachel Kelly dies painting obsessively in her attic studio in Penzance, her saintly husband and adult children have more than the usual mess to clear up. She leaves behind an extraordinary and acclaimed body of work - but she also leaves a legacy of secrets and emotional damage it will take months to unravel. A wondrous, monstrous creature, she exerts a power that outlives her. To her children she is both curse and blessing, though they all in one way or another reap her whirlwind, inheriting her waywardness, her power of loving - and her demons...Only their father's Quaker gifts of stillness and resilience give them any chance of withstanding her destructive influence and the suspicion that they came a poor second to the creation of her art. The reader becomes a detective, piecing together the clues of a life - as artist, lover, mother, wife and patient - which takes them from contemporary Penzance to 1960s Toronto to St Ives in the 1970s. What emerges is a story of enduring love, and of a family which weathers tragedy, mental illness and the intolerable strain of living with genius. Patrick Gale's latest novel shines with intelligence, humour and tenderness.
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review
Jas16
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Pickpick

My second book by Gale and I can tell I will need to devour his entire backlist (any recommendations?). I just loved this story about a bipolar artist and the family who tries to piece together the story of her life after she die. I both wanted to read slowly to make it last but also to devour it whole. I could have spent countless hours with these characters.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️❤️❤️ 4mo
34 likes1 comment
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CarolynM
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Pickpick

Beautifully written story of a respected artist suffering from bipolar disorder & her family. I loved the structure, each chapter headed with a curator‘s note on a piece of her art, then a vignette from the corresponding time in her life, told from the perspective of one of the family members. The Cornish setting & the musings on Quaker ideas added texture to the story. I‘ve not read Gale before, but I will be seeking out his other books soon.

Ruthiella I hear this one is particularly good 1y
LeahBergen What a lovely review! 1y
MrsMalaprop I love Patrick Gale & this is one of his best 💕 1y
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Centique I havent read Gale yet either but now i see i must get around to him! Thank you again for our lovely catch up last week. We had the wine this weekend and it was so delicious! 1y
Jeg One of my favourites. 1y
Rissreads I haven‘t read any of his books either. I must do something about that! 1y
63 likes6 comments
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Jeg
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this read. Loved the extras at the end of this edition. A Walk Around Penzance by the author. Penzance is now on my list of places to see when I travel again.

Jeg @CarolynM just thinking of you. Started reading Detransition Baby. So much in it. Interesting. 3y
CarolynM There is a lot to think about. I puzzled over some of the attitudes about what a “woman” is and the significance of being a “father” over being a parent. (edited) 3y
MrsMalaprop I visited Penzance many years ago because some of my maternal ancestors emigrated from a little place nearby called Madron. 2y
11 likes3 comments
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Freespirit
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Pickpick

I have started this year with a gorgeous book by Patrick Gale. It starts with the death of Rachel and from many perspectives we are told the story of her marriage, family life and childhood. The prose is beautiful.. it touches lightly on mental illness, living with a parent who is bipolar, a love of art and the strength and solidness of the Quaker religion. It is a warm and empathetic story❤️

JennyM I adored this one, too. Lovely review ❤️ 4y
Freespirit Thanks Jen. I will have to look for his other books @JennyM 4y
Gogobooks Yes, I read it this past year. I was impressed by his portrait of an artist in the context of her family. It rang true to me. So many novels about painters miss the mark utterly. 4y
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Cathythoughts Nice review 👍🏻❤️I really enjoyed this too 4y
Freespirit Thanks @Gogobooks it rang true to me also..often artists have difficult lives. 4y
55 likes6 comments
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KarenUK
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#3books #atthebottomofmytbr but recently moved the top due to some Litsy love..... 💕

Boooooks I got an ebook of the course of love because it was really cheap but I can‘t actually see myself picking it up over all my other books 😬 maybe I‘ll look up some reviews to hopefully get motivation to boost it up a bit higher 4y
TrishB Notes from An Exhibition is great 😁 4y
OriginalCyn620 📚👍🏻📚 4y
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JennyM Seconding @Trishb It was the first book I read this year and it was wonderful. I hope you enjoy it 🤞 4y
KarenUK I am totally trusting my Brit gals! @trishB @JennyM I think Helen @squirrelbrain liked it too 💕 (edited) 4y
KarenUK And @BarbaraBB recommended History of rain, so I know I‘ll like that one 👯‍♀️📚💕👍 4y
BarbaraBB Exciting! I hope you will indeed 🤞🏽👯‍♀️💕 4y
TrishB Oh I hope you enjoy it when you get to it ♥️ 4y
Cathythoughts I loved that Gale one ! And I loved History of the Rain too ❤️❤️ 4y
45 likes9 comments
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Freespirit
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In current times I have been conscious of limiting my exposure to others in the community as I work in a high risk area. I really miss my weekly drop in to our independent bookstore in town ( with coffee of course)😂, but Abbeys (a favourite Sydney shop) has kept me supplied. These are my latest order..and it‘s so nice to get book mail. For me they are part of my survival strategy along with food and gardening🌿🧁
Stay safe and happy friends 😘

LeeRHarry You too - Interpreter of Maladies is a good one 😊 4y
LapReader I recommend Macleans in Newcastle and if you are ever nearby please let me know xo 4y
TrishB The Chadwick and Fraser are great and Notes from an Exhibition is wonderful ❤️ the isolation sucks doesn‘t it. 4y
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catebutler What a lovely book haul! I haven‘t been to a physical bookshop since this all hit, I do miss it, especially with a latte on the side. Stay safe. xx 4y
Freespirit I have heard good things @LeeRHarry Hope you are well xxx 4y
Freespirit @LapReader Allissa when this is over...l will meet you at Macleans for coffee😂😘 4y
Freespirit @TrishB Trish it does suck..I hope you are ok..I am lucky to have work and space around me.. stay safe xxx 4y
Freespirit Thanks Cate @catebutler we shall be out there in force to our local bookshops when this is over. Xxx 4y
Velvetfur That's a great book haul, and I'm sure you'll be back to the lovely little bookshops before you know it 😁 4y
Freespirit Hi @Velvetfur I know...I count my blessings really xx 4y
TrishB You too Sally ❤️ we‘re all good physically, just feel in limbo with lots of things x 4y
Tanisha_A Awesome haul! ❤️ 4y
erzascarletbookgasm You too! And that‘s a nice haul 👍 4y
Freespirit Thanks @Tanisha_A some great reading ahead😍 4y
Freespirit Thank you @erzascarletbookgasm hope all is well with you😘 4y
45 likes15 comments
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rachaich
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Pickpick

Sigh...
O adore his writing.
This was unsettling on parts which made it even better... I neeeeeed to read all of his!😍😍😍

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rachaich
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After devouring A Place Called Winter, I've borrowed this from a friend ☺☺☺

Cathythoughts I loved this one ❤️ 5y
Cathythoughts I havnt read A Place Called Winter though , must get it 5y
rachaich @Cathythoughts it was amazing 😍😍☺☺ 5y
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JennyM
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Pickpick

Such a special book for so many reasons. I‘m glad to have started the year with it. Thanks to recommendations by @TrishB and @Cathythoughts Gale is becoming a fave author of mine.

TrishB ❤️ an amazing read. So glad you liked it. 5y
Tanisha_A 👌❤️ 5y
Rissreads I have not read anything from this author. What were the other books you loved @JennyM ? 5y
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JennyM @Rissreads the other one I‘ve read is this one , which is equally brilliant 5y
JennyM @TrishB @tanisha this one really touched me 5y
CarolynM I've had a copy of this on the shelf for years but I've never read it. Obviously I should! 5y
JennyM @CarolynM I think you would enjoy it. 5y
Cathythoughts Oh yes! I loved this one too Jenny ! I havnt read anything else by him sinse ... I‘m going to try soon 5y
JennyM @Cathythoughts there‘s something about his writing that gets me ♥️ 5y
TrishB @Cathythoughts A Place Called Winter is lovely too ♥️ 5y
Freespirit This looks great...❤️❤️ 5y
JennyM @Freespirit it‘s a beautiful and thoughtful book about mental illness and it‘s effect within a family. I do think you‘d enjoy it. How are you all? Are you ok with the fires? Xx 5y
KarenUK Ooh.... I have this on my shelf unread.... gonna have to change that 😍 5y
Freespirit Hi @JennyM it is still smokey here with flair ups still happening, but not as bad as down south. We really need some good rain. Our farm got 358mm in 2019 which is less than 1/3 our normal...😥 5y
JennyM @Freespirit so heartbreaking. Hoping you get some of the ☔️ 5y
JennyM @KarenUK I think you would very much like my lovely 😊 5y
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TrishB
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I got to 18 quite easily, then had about 5 to try and choose for 19, so decided to stick with 18. #top18in19

Centique Exciting list! What is the third one and the sixth one along the top? 5y
TrishB @Centique third is The Heavy Bear by Tim Bowling a very quirky novel that doesn‘t really have a plot but I loved. The other one is Ghost Wall which you will either love or hate! 5y
Centique @TrishB thank you! 😘 5y
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KarenUK Love A tree grows in Brooklyn! And I picked the Haruf too.... have a Ghost wall to read next year.... 5y
Cathythoughts I have Unsheltered ... I‘ll def give it a try now 👍🏻❤️ 5y
Kalalalatja Definitely some I need to pick up! Great list 🙌 5y
TrishB @KarenUK I‘ll look forward to your thoughts on Ghost Wall 👍🏻 5y
TrishB @Cathythoughts 🤞🏻 I hope you like it! 5y
BarbaraBB Sal! That‘s one I‘ve been wanting to read too. 5y
TrishB @BarbaraBB it‘s sad and funny, sort of! 5y
BarbaraBB Oh and I now notice Notes of an Exhibition! I loved that one too when I read it long ago. 5y
TrishB @BarbaraBB I only discovered Gale this year! 5y
LeahBergen I must pick up Irish Princess. 👍🏻 5y
TrishB @LeahBergen it‘s another good one 👍🏻 5y
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TrishB
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Pickpick

I can‘t believe how much I loved this book. I even read slowly and made it last two days!
Beautifully written, poignant book, basically about the MCs battle with bi-polar and the impact on family life because of this. All of the characters were wonderfully portrayed and I feel like I knew each one.
Even the authors notes afterwards were beautiful.

Freespirit Sounds great 👍🏼 5y
Cathythoughts I loved this one too 👍🏻♥️soooo good 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Sounds good ❤️ 5y
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Cinfhen 2 whole days!!!! Wow!!!! 😜😘 5y
TrishB @Freespirit it was, highly recommend. 5y
TrishB @Cathythoughts beautifully written story. Agree, sooooo good ♥️ 5y
TrishB @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks it definitely is. 5y
TrishB @Cinfhen exactly 😘 5y
JennyM I know Cathy @cathythoughts loves this one and, with Harry still in my heart, I am going to have to stack! 5y
Itchyfeetreader I had a copy of this and misplaced in a live unread - I feel like I need to restock 5y
TrishB @JennyM if you love Harry I think you‘ll love this! 5y
TrishB @Itchyfeetreader it‘s a good one 👍🏻 5y
Reggie Sounds good!! Stacked. 5y
Centique Gosh this sounds great 😃 5y
TrishB @Reggie @Centique I think you‘ll love it 👍🏻 5y
Caroline2 Sounds great, stacked! 👍🏻 5y
TrishB @Caroline2 it‘s a good read 👍🏻 5y
104 likes11 stack adds17 comments
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Lel2403
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Pickpick

It‘s a moving tale of family and their struggles with their mother, who is a successful artist, her bipolar condition and gives an insight into religion, mental illness and creativity.

I found this to be an absorbing and compelling read right from the beginning and while it has a difficult subject matter Patrick Gale has been gentle and sympathetic with it. A truly original novel and I enjoyed immensely

93 likes3 stack adds
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Lel2403
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Just started this..a bit different from my usual reading. So will see how it goes

Reviewsbylola Love your mug!! 6y
Lel2403 @Reviewsbylola thank you 6y
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Cathythoughts
Pickpick

A rich & beautifully told story ...

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Cathythoughts
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#HeatOfJuly #Despacito @Cinfhen @BarbaraBB I am slowly making my way towards the end of this one today. The story of the artist & mother , diagnosed with bipolar disorder.. Rachel & her family. Deeply moving & written with great insight & kindness. My first Patrick Gale & def not my last. This is a serious 5 Star pick from the very start ...

BarbaraBB I read this a long time ago and don‘t remember much of it. Looking forward to your review! 6y
TrishB I‘m so pleased it was good!! His books were recommended to me by s colleague in work 👍🏻 6y
DeborahSmall I love Patrick Gale! @TrishB Asylum and Spider both great. I haven‘t read anything recent but recommend his first 5/6 📚 6y
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Cathythoughts @BarbaraBB it‘s very good ! 6y
Cathythoughts @TrishB @DeborahSmall Just finished Notes From An Exhibition .... wonderful, rich story! I welcome any Patrick Gale recommendations 6y
TrishB @DeborahSmall he just seems to have passed me by! 6y
TrishB I‘ve got a list in work! Will see what else was on it! 6y
Cathythoughts @TrishB brilliant!! 6y
DeborahSmall @Cathythoughts @TrishB I was actually thinking of Patrick McGrath 🙈😂 I have only read 1 Patrick Gale!! 6y
TrishB @DeborahSmall 😂😂 I don‘t think I‘ve read McGrath either! 6y
Cathythoughts @DeborahSmall must check out McGrath now 👍🏻😉 6y
49 likes2 stack adds11 comments
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Cathythoughts
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#HeyJune #AnyTimeAtAll any time at all in this glorious heatwave is a good time for audio - gardening ! Loving this tagged book. An interesting story of a troubled artist & her family.

TrishB Definitely getting to it next month!! 7y
Cathythoughts @TrishB it‘s good !! Thankyou for the recommendation 😉 7y
Cinfhen Pretty pics💜 7y
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Cathythoughts @Cinfhen thankyou. I did put something small in the post for your birthday... it should be there by Friday ... 🤞🏻 7y
Cinfhen Awww, thanks so much @Cathythoughts 😘😘I feel so spoilt 7y
GypsyKat So pretty! 💗 6y
57 likes6 comments
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Cathythoughts
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Next Audible up for me , another Litsy recommendation @TrishB

Tanisha_A Hope you enjoy! 7y
Cathythoughts @Tanisha_A thankyou 😘 7y
TrishB I haven‘t read yet 😁 let me know! 7y
53 likes3 comments
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Cathythoughts
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I had 2 new Audible credits.. & got these 2. thanks @TrishB @Reggie ... I won‘t have my headphones till I get home. The castle here is all arted up CONCENTRIC ECCENTRIC it‘s called. What a fab place. We decided to buy 2 Books in French in the bookshop ( pic In collage ) tomo .. I think I‘ll get The Little Prince .. this should be a laugh as I have Leaving Cert French 🙄 ( high school level) hubby is a bit better . It will be fun 😉😂😮🙄Bonsoir

TrishB Enjoy 💜 sounds like holiday is going great! 7y
Libby1 Bonsoir! 😘 7y
Cathythoughts @TrishB 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 7y
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Cathythoughts @Libby1 😘😘😘 7y
CarolynM Love the art!😍 (edited) 7y
Reggie Aww, the vacation sounds great so far. Hope you have a great time and hope you like the book!!! 7y
Cathythoughts @CarolynM yes there is an exhibition on in the castle ... it‘s yellow tape , so will come down easily ... it looks amazing.. 💫 7y
Cathythoughts @Reggie thanks! Holiday is so relaxing! The mind is emptying out ... I love that feeling. I think the Dark Matter book should be good on Audible.. I‘ll wait till I get home 👍🏻👍🏻💕 (edited) 7y
45 likes8 comments
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andrew61
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#jubilantjuly #startswithMNO
Ive picked a favourite Patrick gale and two books I've recently acquired for my growing TBR

Blaire Olive kitteridge is wonderful. (edited) 7y
andrew61 @Blaire im looking forward to it as i really enjoyed Lucy Barton. 7y
Centique March is really good too 👍 7y
andrew61 @Centique oh great, I've read year of wonders which I enjoyed so will read it soon. 7y
18 likes4 comments
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summonerluna
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Epigraph on "Notes From An Exhibition." This is motherhood with depression, exactly.

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Cindiee
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Eenie meenie miney moe... Almost done with This Book Will Save your Life. Knowing which book is next is the hardest decision to make 😂😂

DeborahSmall I love Patrick Gale 📚❤️ 8y
26 likes1 comment
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KrisConstantReader
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Ebook deal today--it looks intriguing and has some stellar reviews on Goodreads.

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Mamgu-54
Pickpick

Empathetic study of bi polar disorder. Well structured, compelling narrative. Sort of book I had to pause and reflect on at intervals due to the emotional impact it had on me.