Cultural Dessert

'Going Gently' by David Nobbs

7 October 2021

David Nobbs is a celebrated comic writer whose many successes include the TV series ‘The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin’, ‘A Bit of a  Do’ and ‘Love on a Branch Line’. I’ve just finished reading his novel ‘Going Gently’, first published in 2000. Framing the story of someone’s life by having them reflect on their journey while lying on their deathbed is not a particularly original technique, but David Nobbs uses it to create an entertaining and poignant family saga. Kate lies paralysed in a hospital bed, approaching her 100th birthday, but although she cannot speak her mind is still alert and she spends her time reliving her long and eventful life. Her reminiscences - of her strict presbyterian upbringing in South Wales, her (many) husbands and children and her rise to celebrity status - are interspersed with the conversations happening around her bed between doctors, visitors and other patients. Kate’s life is a remarkable tale, verging on the ridiculous, but which manages to keep just on the right side of plausibility to draw the reader’s sympathy. Nobbs creates a vast cast of comic characters who we warm to despite their quirks and faults. ‘Going Gently’ is a really enjoyable read.

Labels: Books

posted by Robin Simpson @ 9:38 am