Kansas in August: A witty, bawdy 1980s story of love and abandonment

Patrick Gale’s second novel KANSAS IN AUGUST is a witty, warm 1980s story of sexuality, musicals, bedsits and an abandoned child

‘Modern, excellent and sympathetic’ Stephen Fry

Hilary Metcalfe is obsessed with musicals, and abandoned on his birthday by his lover Rufus on his birthday, he gets drunk, discovers a baby and brings it home to his flat above a corner shop to provide comfort and company.

Rufus, meanwhile, allows himself to be seduced by a frivolous young woman, who is romancing under a pseudonym to escape the reality of her own loneliness.

In this witty, bawdy slice of sex and lies, the trio will find themselves drawn together ever more tightly by the lures of hedonism, self-delusion and the inescapable desire to be needed.

What readers admired about KANSAS IN AUGUST:

‘He has a great gift of involving his readers with his characters. You care about them’ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

‘As always with novels from Patrick Gale, this is beautifully written with characters you become involved with and care about’ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

‘I love anything by Patrick Gale. His earlier books are worth reading’ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐