The Man I Think I Know

The Man I Think I Know by Mike Gayle
James was a successful businessman celebrating being newly elected as a Labour MP until "the incident"
changed everything
Danny was a tragic case of "What's the point of it all?" and
"Why bother working when I can sit and watch TV?" until his unemployment benefits were stopped and he had to find work.
Danny and James have something in common from their past...they come across each other and develop a friendship. Initially, it seems that Danny is supporting James, but Danny needs support too.
They have to deal with tragedies, sadness and regret in their lives to help them move onto to realise new potentials Annette - 8/10

Danny was the student most likely to do great things at school narrowly beating James. From very different background, their lives diverge, until coincidence brings them back together. Both have had tragedy in their lives and James strives against adversity to regain his independence. I did worry that the book would lapse into mawkish sentimentality because of the subject matter, but by and large that was avoided. I found the scene when James confronted the cause of his trauma realistic. I read it in two sittings and liked it better than "My legendary girlfriend" Linda - 7/10

James was a successful business man from an affluent family on the way to becoming an MP before the "incident". Danny was living from one dole check to the next and had been estranged from his family for the past 15 years. The unexpected pairing and shared past of the two men brings a kind, caring and supportive friendship. This book is beautifully written, funny, sad, and hopeful. Jo - 8.5/10