Life is waiting to happen to Hubert Bird.
But first he has to open his front door and let it in.
In weekly phone calls to his daughter in Australia, widower Hubert Bird paints a picture of the perfect retirement, packed with fun, friendship and fulfilment.
But Hubert Bird is lying.
The truth is day after day drags by without him seeing a single soul.
Until, that is, he receives some good news – good news that in one way turns out to be the worst news ever, news that will force him out again, into a world he has long since turned his back on.
Now Hubert faces a seemingly impossible task: to make his real life resemble his fake life before the truth comes out.
Along the way Hubert stumbles across a second chance at love, renews a cherished friendship and finds himself roped into an audacious community scheme that seeks to end loneliness once and for all . . .
Life is certainly beginning to happen to Hubert Bird. But with the origin of his earlier isolation always lurking in the shadows will he ever get to live the life he’s pretended to have for so long?
From bestselling author Mike Gayle, All the Lonely People is by turns a funny and moving meditation on love, race, old age and friendship that will not only charm and uplift, but also remind you of the power of ordinary people to make an extraordinary difference.
(P) 2020 Hodder & Stoughton Ltd
But first he has to open his front door and let it in.
In weekly phone calls to his daughter in Australia, widower Hubert Bird paints a picture of the perfect retirement, packed with fun, friendship and fulfilment.
But Hubert Bird is lying.
The truth is day after day drags by without him seeing a single soul.
Until, that is, he receives some good news – good news that in one way turns out to be the worst news ever, news that will force him out again, into a world he has long since turned his back on.
Now Hubert faces a seemingly impossible task: to make his real life resemble his fake life before the truth comes out.
Along the way Hubert stumbles across a second chance at love, renews a cherished friendship and finds himself roped into an audacious community scheme that seeks to end loneliness once and for all . . .
Life is certainly beginning to happen to Hubert Bird. But with the origin of his earlier isolation always lurking in the shadows will he ever get to live the life he’s pretended to have for so long?
From bestselling author Mike Gayle, All the Lonely People is by turns a funny and moving meditation on love, race, old age and friendship that will not only charm and uplift, but also remind you of the power of ordinary people to make an extraordinary difference.
(P) 2020 Hodder & Stoughton Ltd
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Reviews
A heartwarming story about the power of community and human connection. Hubert Bird stole my heart.
A lovely, emotional, uplifting book about loneliness and community
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
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
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
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
A moving and uplifting story about unknown, possibly unsung heroes. I loved it
An uplifting read of family, love and overcoming isolation
This author's books just get better and better - this thoughtful novel is warm, funny and gives you all the feels
Mike Gayle is on a winning streak . . . a keen reminder that the smallest gestures are the most powerful. Heart-warming
A lovely uplifting and heartening read that feels incredibly relevant to our current times
Mike Gayle strikes a chord with this novel . . . it feels relevant to our times
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
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
Tender, funny and uplifting, it's the ideal isolation antidote
Heartbreaking, yet also uplifting and thought-provoking
Tender, humorous and uplifting - reading this is the uplift we all need
The loveliest story - we want to be friends with Hubert!
A charming story packed with endearing characters and plenty of humour and insight
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
Outstanding... Despite heartbreak and pain, this is a heartwarming story of community and connection
Mike Gayle is on fine form in this moving novel . . . A great summer read
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
Make sure, like Hubert, you have a nice clean hanky; you'll need it
Charming . . . it'll warm your cockles
The author tackles racism, addiction and dementia, weaving a heart-warming, hopeful story of community and connection. Outstanding