Going Gently
  • Published: 2 March 2001
  • ISBN: 9780099414650
  • Imprint: Arrow
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 416
  • RRP: $34.99

Going Gently

Formats & editions
EBook
1 Jul 2010
Paperback
2 Mar 2001
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A wonderfully funny book from one of Britain's best comedy writers and most astute observers of human nature. In the immortal words of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, 'Do not go gentle into that good night.' A must-buy for fans of Nobbs' Reginald Perrin and Henry Pratt comedy series', this is a touching and funny story of a rollercoaster life, from the master of comedy books.

Kate Thomas was beautiful, intelligent, witty, passionate and sexy. Now, at the ripe old age of ninety-nine, she is trapped in a hospital ward of sad, mad and bad old women. She escapes by playing to herself the video of her life.

What a life it has been. Her six marriages have ended in suicide, a husband's adultery, another husband's deportation as a dangerous alien, a union dispute, a murder, and a natural death. But Kate's journey through the twentieth century is also a search for the truth - about life, death, and which of her three sons murdered her fifth husband.

This is a novel rich in memorable characters, from Kate's narrow but loving Welsh family to the wild members of an artists' colony in Cornwall; from Midland piston manufacturers to an investigative journalist whose own life cannot bear investigation.
  • Published: 2 March 2001
  • ISBN: 9780099414650
  • Imprint: Arrow
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 416
  • RRP: $34.99
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About the author

David Nobbs

David Nobbs was born in Kent. After university, he entered the army, then tried his hand at journalism and advertising before becoming a writer. A distinguished novelist and comedy writer best known for The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, David Nobbs was acknowledged by his peers as a comic genius. He died in August 2015.

Also by David Nobbs

The Maltby Collection: The Complete Series 1-3
Second From Last In The Sack Race
Pratt Of The Argus
The Better World Of Reginald Perrin
The Return Of Reginald Perrin
Cupid's Dart
Pratt a Manger
See all

Praise for Going Gently

A funny, touching and reflective study of life and love that not only reinforces his status as one of Britain's finest comic novelists, but also lays claim for him to be considered as one of our shrewdest and most compassionate writers ... A wonderful novel, mature in its handling of life's triumphs and tragedies, warm-hearted and witty in its insight into the nature of love

Yorkshire Post

Going Gently, like all the best comic novels, mixes sadness with laughter to great effect ... probably Nobbs's finest work

Independent

An extraordinary rich and satisfying novel ... I laughed constantly

We should be thankful for the continued brilliance of David Nobbs

Mail on Sunday

Spellbinding ... Enormously entertaining and extremely funny

Guardian
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