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All The Lonely People

On sale

23rd July 2020

Price: £14.99

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Selected: Hardcover / ISBN-13: 9781473687387

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‘Hubert Bird stole my heart’ Beth O’Leary, author of The Flat-Share and The Switch

‘Lovely, emotional, uplifting’ Libby Page, author of The Lido


In phone calls to his daughter in Australia, widower Hubert Bird paints a picture of the perfect retirement, packed with fun and friendship.

But Hubert Bird is lying.

Something has made him turn his back on people, and he hardly sees a soul.

So when his daughter announces she’s coming to visit, Hubert faces a race against time: to make his real life resemble his fake life before he’s found out.

Along the way Hubert renews a cherished friendship, is given a second chance at love and even joins an audacious community scheme. But with the secret of his earlier isolation lurking in the shadows, is he destines to always be one of the lonely people?

‘It is the kind of book you will want to press into the hands of everyone you know and tell them to read immediately’ Press Association

‘Flits between the present day and Hubert’s early life as one of the Windrush generation. Heartbreaking, yet also uplifting’ i Paper

‘Tender, humorous and uplifting – reading this is the uplift we all need’ Women’s Weekly

Reviews

Beth O’Leary, author of The Flat-Share and The Split
A heartwarming story about the power of community and human connection. Hubert Bird stole my heart.
Libby Page, author of The Lido
A lovely, emotional, uplifting book about loneliness and community
Ruth Hogan, author of The Keeper of Lost Things
Mike takes ordinary people and makes them extraordinary. Hubert Bird is a gentle hero and I loved him. All The Lonely People is a book that is perfect for the times we live in, but also one to treasure for many years to come
Tracy Rees
A tremendous read, as always. A funny, warm, heartbreaking, wonderful story about family and friendship and the power of caring in an imperfect world. Hubert, Ash & the gang are unforgettable characters
Clare Mackintosh
I'm such a fan of Mike's, and think this is absolutely his best yet. The characters are so warm and so real, and the issues of loneliness and displacement are so very topical and important
Jenny Colgan
Mike Gayle is on World Beating Form with All the Lonely People. It's the right book at the right time and you're going to love it
Katie Fforde
A moving and uplifting story about unknown, possibly unsung heroes. I loved it
Prima
An uplifting read of family, love and overcoming isolation
Good Housekeeping
This author's books just get better and better - this thoughtful novel is warm, funny and gives you all the feels
Magic Radio Book Club
Mike Gayle is on a winning streak . . . a keen reminder that the smallest gestures are the most powerful. Heart-warming
Culturefly
A lovely uplifting and heartening read that feels incredibly relevant to our current times
On Magazine
Mike Gayle strikes a chord with this novel . . . it feels relevant to our times
Holly Miller, author of The Sight of You
A moving, thought-provoking story about the power of friendship and community, with characters you'll fall in love with. A timely exploration of family, loss and loneliness that's full of humour and heart
Press Association
Timely and poignant . . . Mike Gayle's writing is beautiful and engaging and All the Lonely People is both heartbreaking and uplifting, devastating and thought-provoking. It is the kind of book you will want to press into the hands of everyone you know and tell them to read immediately
Fabulous
Tender, funny and uplifting, it's the ideal isolation antidote
The i
Heartbreaking, yet also uplifting and thought-provoking
Women's Weekly
Tender, humorous and uplifting - reading this is the uplift we all need
Bella
The loveliest story - we want to be friends with Hubert!
Candis
A charming story packed with endearing characters and plenty of humour and insight
My Weekly
As always, Mike Gayle's characters wrap around you like a cosy cardigan, while threads of love, race, friendship, community and old age weave through the pages and into your heart . . . thought provoking
Daily Mirror
Outstanding... Despite heartbreak and pain, this is a heartwarming story of community and connection
Independent
Mike Gayle is on fine form in this moving novel . . . A great summer read
Woman's Way
I defy you not to cry . . . funny and sincere, sweet and emotional, this is the sort of thing to read in one sitting, and it'll make you more appreciative of the people around you
Saga
Make sure, like Hubert, you have a nice clean hanky; you'll need it
That's Life
Charming . . . it'll warm your cockles
Mirror
The author tackles racism, addiction and dementia, weaving a heart-warming, hopeful story of community and connection. Outstanding