Mother's Boy: A beautifully crafted novel of war, Cornwall, and the relationship between a mother and son

St Just Thursday Evening Reading Group 7th March 2024.

Mother’s Boy. Patrick Gale.

The reading group was more or less divided into two in their opinions of this book.

Several readers said they really enjoyed reading it. Comments were that it worked well as a story, and the writing was good. The contrast between the violent scene at sea during World War II, and the switch to rural Devon in 1914, was a strong contrast, which prepared the reader for the journey the story was about to take. The depiction of rural life was admired, as being well-researched and convincing. The descriptions of warfare were powerful, even horrific, but were presented in a measured way, without undue luridness or sensationalism. The challenges Charles faced were well laid out. And the bits of local history were interesting (including the prejudice faced by the Black GIs).

Others in the group, however, found the book ‘dreary’. ‘Not a plot-driven page-turner’; ‘seemed to lose the plot’; and ‘went off at a tangent with very little to do with the story being told’, were some of the remarks; ‘a worthwhile read, though very in-depth and claustrophobic in its portrayal of life in a small Cornish town.’ One complaint was that though there were some very interesting characters along the way, we didn’t know which were real and which imagined. Another was that though the story was good, it lost impetus and the reader’s interest faded (someone else saw this as peaks of interest then valleys of none).

In general, readers seemed to like the sections about Laura more than the ones about Charles. Laura’s work ethic was admired, and she was seen as a loving person, taking in the refugees and the German prisoners, befriending Aggie, and finding happiness wherever she could in what was essentially a very hard life. For her the mother-son relationship was all-encompassing (more perhaps than for Charles).

We also thought that Laura was most probably aware of Charles’ sexual orientation, but given the era and her experience, possibly failed to understand it completely, and in any case it was impossible to mention and had to be covered up.

None of us present at the discussion had read any of Charles Causley’s poetry, but his poem Angel Hill, quoted at the end of the book, impressed us all and we would like to read some more.

Patrick Gale’s books are popular with many readers in this area, which is his own home too.

This is a beautifully composed and crafted gook. Sensitively written, conveying so much about Charles and indeed, his mother, Laura.
It explores their deep and devoted relationship with each other, as well as Charles’ broader relationships, both as a growing boy and young man serving in the navy during WWII, and beyond.
The reader is welcomed into, and immersed in, the book; you feel you really know the characters so well beau cause of the beautifully crafted and descriptive prose.
We are invited to glimpse details of every day life in Devon and Cornwall in the years inbetween the two world wars and become more familiar with specifically Teignmouth and Launceston, and we are reminded of the class divisions that existed at that time in history.
Mother’s Boy is a warm, engaging book. At times we are given such insight to share in Charles and Laura’s fears, frustrations, worries, their resignation to certain situations, yet at other junctures we celebrate their joys, achievements, hopes, happiness and contentments.
I didn’t know much about Charles Causley, or his poetry, prior to reading this novel, but his sensitive, artistic character is respectfully and realistically portrayed with delicate mixing of known fact and fiction. This book is a gentle walk through the lives of Charles and Laura from 1914 to 1948 and it’s a privilege to share the journey.

I found the book very absorbing and one that as I went deeper through the pages it became more enjoyable.
Covering the periods of both WW1 from 1914 to the years beyond WW2 to 1948. Relationship between the mother Laura and son Charles depicted two completely differing characters. Laura being the nice to everyone character with Charles being distant and at times unpleasant. His grappling with his own sexuality and men from differing classes gave him an air of self-importance.
It was only after some time that I realized that Charles in the book was Charles Causley the poet. His love of Cornwall and the events and scenes depicted no doubt would be used in his poetry. His difficulty in relating to all classes both civilian and military caused him to be disliked.
A most interesting book with a compelling story which I found to be engaging throughout. I would recommend reading this book and will look out for more of Patrick Gale books. In addition to this I will read some of Causley’s poetry.
Peter Kerins
Methley Book Group

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, which particularly appealed to me because its roots are in the true story of the Cornish poet, Charles Causley and his mother, Laura, interwoven with fiction, to fill in the gaps, as explained in the author's note. I am now most interested to look up Charles' poetry! For me, the most enjoyable aspect of the book was the exploration of relationships, especially those of Laura and Charlie and then Laura and Charles, but also the less central relationships... for example Laura and Aggie, Charles and Cushty. These were portrayed with great warmth and understanding which drew me to love these characters and empathise with all they were going through. I particularly loved Laura and really enjoyed travelling with her, through the years, from her youth to retirement, via the pages of this book. I loved her devotion to her family, her commitment to hard work and to the church and the ways in which she coped with Charles' absence during the Second World War, by taking in evacuees and even through her love of Wang. The sections of the book in which she did not feature - eg Charles' time in Gibraltar - I did find slightly less engaging and I was pleased when the focus switched back to include Laura. I enjoyed Charles' character all the more when she was around! The portrayal of Charles' gay relationships was well done, I thought and conveyed the difficulties associated with these 'forbidden' love affairs at that time.

I always love reading books when I know the area where the story is set and the towns and villages are familiar. So a Mother’s Boy got off to a great start in Teignmouth, Devon and moving onto Cornwall.
I found it an easy book to pick up and read with a lovely flow through the life of Charles Causley of whom I new very little. I may not have picked up such a book if it were not for the Three Horseshoes book club and free copies to review. I have since been inspired to read some of his poetry in order to understand the man more.
It must have been even more of a challenge then to find yourself a homosexual. That combined with wars, a lack of communication as we know it, and the scarring left by death and horror would defeat most but Causley found through his poetry he could express himself.
I applaud the author Patrick Gale in piecing together the life of Causley and presenting it to us in this historical novel.

This book was a real pleasure to read. Having not read any Patrick Gale books before I was delighted to have this opportunity through our book club to review an historical novel set in such a beautiful county as Cornwall, covering two world wars through the life of Laura, the mother character. There is a calm beauty in Patrick Gale’s story telling despite the fact that both Charlie the father and Charles the son experience such terrible events during the two world wars. The continuing calm presence of Laura threads us through the decades as the practicality of every day life demands are met. There is such a warmth to all of the main players in this book, humanity and compassion prevails throughout and your heart engages so completely with them. The sense of distance and difference, words unspoken, but a deeper understanding that does not require a voice, really comes across. I had never heard of the poetry of Charles Causley but feel from this book his experiences both from youth and then the war must surely have influenced his work deeply. This book is thoroughly recommended and should be read when time allows you to take a slow and contemplator pace to wallow in its beauty.

I really enjoyed this story about life in Cornwall in the early 20th century. The period detail was good. I liked the character of the mother, Laura and found her interesting. I have to say, I did not warm to Charles, who might have been clever but is too sharp and withdrawn to be attractive. The author acknowledges that he is a difficult man and still manages to draw you into his story. The forbidden gay love was handled very well, so that you are made aware of the dangers but also touched by the relationships. Well written and engaging.

Patrick Gale expertly weaves fact and fiction to create a captivating story of life and people during the first half of the 20th century. This turbulent period of British history changed the lives and aspirations of two generations; the tremors continue to reverberate through into today's society.