A Place Called Winter: Costa Shortlisted 2015

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 * Sunday Times *
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 * Independent *
A dramatic and affecting portrayal of dislocation, extreme environments and the traumatic effects of enforced secrecy * Observer *
A master storyteller. Quite simply, you believe every word he tells you * Independent on Sunday *
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 * Sun *
His best book yet * Country Life *
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 * Sunday Mirror *
Gale is a skilful storyteller * Metro *
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 * Country Living Magazine *
A mesmerising storyteller; this novel is written with intelligence and warmth * The Times *
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 * Spectator *
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 * Daily Mail *
A gorgeously written, bittersweet story about secrets and identity * Good Housekeeping *
[A] fascinating novel -- Helen Dunmore * Guardian *
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 * Independent magazine *
An epic, intimate human drama, both brutal and breathtaking * Hereford Times *
A gripping and deeply moving book about love, fear and hope * Irish Times *