The Cat Sanctuary

by Patrick Gale

A powerful and moving novel in which Patrick Gale casts a compassionate yet satirically sharp eye over the pains and abuses inflicted by families, friends and lovers.

Joanna, a Junoesque American photographer, shares a lovely, lonely retreat on Cornwall's Bodmin Moor with her novelist lover, Judith. On an assignment to an African principality, she feels compelled to meet up with Judith's estranged sister, Deborah, whose husband has just been murdered by a bomb meant for someone more important.

Impulsively, Joanna rescues Deborah from the respectable compassion of in-laws and brings her back to Cornwall to recuperate, unaware of the devils this will unleash in her womanly paradise.

As Judith struggles to unlock a new novel and Deborah struggles to keep locked-up the girlhood horrors neither of them has yet confronted, the three women are caught up in a battle that is no less bloody for being so domestic.

The Cat Sanctuary draws closely on the landscape of bleak moorland and rain-sodden valleys in which Patrick Gale was then living.

Genres: Fiction, LGBT, Unfinished, Novels, British Literature, Queer, Book Club

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Patrick was born on 31 January 1962 on the Isle of Wight, where his father was prison governor at Camp Hill, as his grandfather had been at nearby Parkhurst. He was the youngest of four; one sister, two brothers, spread over ten years. The family moved to London, where his father ran Wandsworth Prison, then to Winchester. At eight Patrick began boarding as a Winchester College Quirister at the cathedral choir school, Pilgrim's. At thirteen he went on to Winchester College. He finished his formal education with an English degree from New College, Oxford in 1983.

He has never had a grown-up job. For three years he lived at a succession of addresses, from a Notting Hill bedsit to a crumbling French chateau. While working on his first novels he eked out his slender income with odd jobs; as a typist, a singing waiter, a designer's secretary, a ghost-writer for an encyclopedia of the musical and, increasingly, as a book reviewer.

His first two novels, The Aerodynamics of Pork and Ease were published by Abacus on the same day in June 1986. The following year he moved to Camelford near the north coast of Cornwall and began a love affair with the county that has fed his work ever since.

He now lives in the far west, on a farm near Land's End with his husband, Aidan Hicks. There they raise beef cattle and grow barley. Patrick is obsessed with the garden they have created in what must be one of England's windiest sites and deeply resents the time his writing makes him spend away from working in it. As well as gardening, he plays both the modern and baroque cello. His chief extravagance in life is opera tickets.

Reviews

[Nigel]

Sadly after some 40 pages I'm abandoning this one. This author has written some of the better books I've read however this - published in 1990 - feels too dated for me. Life is too short etc

[N D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patrick Gale is one of our most prolific authors and, I have found, always delivers compelling, readable books. The Cat Sanctuary is no exception. I really enjoyed it and found myself wanting to know more about the lives of the protagonists when I had finished.
Deborah is taken into their remote Cornish home by her estranged sister Judith, a successful novelist, and her lover, Joanna when Deborah's husband is killed in a bombing at a British embassy abroad. Judith, who looks back with anger and disgust to her cruel father, is the older sister and has a very different view of the childhood she shared with Deborah. Deborah is naive in many ways and has always bowed to those in authority; her mother, father, husband and always played the 'good girl'. Joanna, an American photographer, is a free spirit.
Events conspire to bring out family secrets, hidden abuses and conflicts as Deborah, who was injured in the bomb explosion, makes her slow physical and mental recovery. Gale's characters are rounded and never less than absorbing. He manages to paint complex pictures of relationships in the easiest ways. A fulfilling read with a satisfying and believable ending.

[Liza Perrat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful read from a master storyteller. Loved it!

[Debs · Rating 3 out of 5]

As ever, a poignant look by Gale at the complications and unique intimacies that form different relationships. Astute, thought-provoking and clever; I enjoyed this exploration of familial bonds and the complexities of both intimate love and loyal friendship. So many interesting characters set against the backdrop of the breath-taking but harsh Cornish landscape; with descriptions so involved I could almost smell the earthy odours and taste the salty breeze on my tongue. I always enjoy Gale's beautiful prose and gifted way of placing you within a scene and this was no exception; but it wasn't one of his best. It brought up issues that never properly explored or resolved; it felt as though Gale had waded out of his depth somewhat and couldn't tie up so many loose ends, undulating frantically in the powerful Cornish coastal tides. This may have been deliberate - like so many of us, we boxed up our issues or run away from them altogether but for me it felt dissatisfying and incomplete. I also couldn't cope with a the ludicrous story surrounding Deborah's lover Harvey. I know it wasn't supposed to be funny; but I found it hysterical rather than shocking.

In this instance I think that beautifully woven prose and evocative descriptions cannot quite make up for a lack of depth in the actual storytelling itself.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last Patrick Gale book, sob. Hurry up and write some more, please.

Some of his earlier books I haven’t liked so much but this one I really enjoyed. Yes, it’s a bit dated and Deborah was very annoying with her dependence on men, but it was good to read a lesbian story from this author instead of the usual homosexual one.

[Juliette Lockwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I read it really quickly and did not skim as I often do. I am not quite sure what I loved so much. The main characters, sisters Deborah and Judith, American Joanna, and Julian.
I love Patrick Gales thoughtful writing in general and just found this so interesting.

[Diane Whiting · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this book based on the fact that it was written by one of my favourite authors. I loved Rough Music, A Perfectly Good Man and A Place Called Winter but I very nearly gave up with this one. Initially I just couldn't believe he had written something so awful. At first I really struggled with the horrendous characters especially the dreadful Deborah. It just didn't ring true at all, someone who wore headscarf, wellington boots and a mackintosh and spoke like Camilla Parker Bowles. I even had to check when it was written thinking it was set back in the 1950's. The other two were only a little more bearable. I thought that the only saving grace for Mr Gale was that this was written in 1990 so he definitely improved since then. Then as I persevered with the book I came more and more to realise that the awful writing and unfunny humour were, I thought, a deliberate construct and this was paralleled in the dreadful novel that Judith was trying to write. Towards the latter stages when Deborah met Harvey she became a bit more human and natural. Although were we really supposed to believe in his supposed history with his mother as a child. I don't think so, maybe this was just a metaphor. And then in the final quarter of the book my view changed. Subtly, truths about Deborah's life as a child were quietly revealed. The writing lost its stiltedness as the characters loosened up with each other. And the ending was perfect as we heard about Julian's funeral. A lesser author would have had an "and they all lived happily ever after" ending. Judith managed to bring her own writing to a better level along with this book itself. So in the end I gave it 4 stars as it was a clever book but not my favourite from this author. I was glad I continued to the end and I haven't given up on reading more of his work.

[V.T. Davy · Rating 1 out of 5]

The analogy of the injured characters of the story finding sanctuary in Cornwall began to wear a bit thin as one by one they revealed their horrific scars. Well-written, except for a few lesbian clichés, its twists were a little too out of the blue. There has to be a hint to the reader that a character has a hidden secret or some of the satisfaction goes out of the read. Also, I am not sure where this kind of book gets one. Yes, life is tough and, to a greater or lesser degree, we all carry our scars. What’s your point?

[Richard · Rating 1 out of 5]

It is inappropriate to swear on this website so I'll keep this short and sweet. I did not like this book....

[Kirsty Darbyshire · Rating 3 out of 5]

The more of Patrick Gale I read, the less engaging I find the books. I guess I've probably read all the decent ones already... but I'll probably keep going all the same.

[Jackie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not like this at all - was disappointed as I generally like his style. Found the characters obvious and annoying, and found it more like chick lit.

[Huw Rhys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Patrick Gale!

When I've read 3 or 4 novels by the same author which are all "pretty good", I start getting worried that I'm going to find a book by them that isn't. Especially when that is an earlier book. I can name too many authors where this is the case.

But not in this case!

This is one of Patrick Gale's earlier books, but it shows in every page the acute sensitivity that he has to the human condition. A woman loses a husband violently, and is transported into an alien, preternaturally benign, family environment. The situation seems so obscure - yet so obvious.

The action plays out against this background so beautifully. I won't try to say anymore. If you know Patrick Gale's books - you will know that this is a book that will reduce you to tears. If you don't know his books - then if you don't like being reduced to tears, this might be a challenge to you!

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that I read, or rather skim-read many years ago. I have it in paperback somewhere but was reminded of it and bought it again on Kindle for a trip. The setting of the book is mostly rural Cornwall, which I like very much. The setting alone sets half the atmosphere for the book, and the interactions and relationships of the characters does the rest. I feel like some people may find the book a bit tedious because of the amount of conversation in there, but I liked how even the smallest interactions were carefully described. The revelations in the book also came as a surprise to me, and were not predictable in my opinion. This book gave me food for thought and also transported me to a beautiful place. Thumbs up!

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I find a Patrick Gale I haven't read I am delighted. This was no exception except it took me a second attempt to get into it. However once in I became hooked. It had a different feel to the other novels I had previously read. Examination of the 4th page revealed it was first published in 1990 and I was reading the 2009 republication. This clarified things for me and I am assuming this must be one of his early novels.

The plot was rather blunt and reasonably predictable yet I found some real solace in the words and characters.

[Jonathan Norton · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few moments of amusement in a largely grim story about 2 sisters slowly accepting the bleak truth about the abusive childhood and monstrous parents, having buried the memories under respectability and denial. Metaphors of scarring and humans-as-animals thread through the text, although the writing dips into cliche more than a few times, and the surprise "reveal" near the end seems awkwardly inserted. Readable but bleak.

[David Gilani · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did kinda enjoy this read, but mostly because I was coming at it from an ironic point of view? The characters just aren't that realistic or believable and loads of crazy plotlines and twists keep getting thrown in their way. Apparently that's Patrick Gale's style.

I just don't think by the end of the book I really cared about any of the characters, but I was laughing at some of the bigger twists at the end, so it was enjoyable in that sense.

[Donald Busby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like Patrick Gale’s books but this is an earlier novel and not so serious or deeply embedded as his later works maybe. It’s a fun bundle of characters that gets off to a big bang and then winds into a sisters and lover relationship drama that is funny and satisfying and true. The setting in Cornwall is ideal for the small village and wild landscape to reflect the various exposures and eruptions of the characters and the ending is great. Much recommended!

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a good book for someone who wants a cute book about happy kitties. Strange mixture of English archness and the grotesque. Enjoyable but feels slightly faded, as if had been written long before 2009.

[Alaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another super book from Patrick Gale. It's about sibling relationships and a lesbuan relationship. I love Patrick Gale's books but always feel the need to talk them through with someone else to get their views on it as there us so much to digest.

[Jan Laney · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cat and sapphic sanctuary, a cross between Blott on the Landscape and The Famous Five-complete with lovers Joanna and Judith, sister Deborah, Harvey no Dick and Bunting the dog. Bizarre. A plot with as many twists and turns as a corkscrew ride.
Not one of his best.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

How lovely - it's been a while since I've read a Patrick Gale book, and he doesn't disappoint. Always strong characters, interesting storylines and subtle humour. However I did sometimes have my doubts about the believability of Deborah's character and behaviour.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cat's whiskers

Loved this story, couldn't put it down. Great descriptions of Cornish scenery and fascinating characters. Secrets revealing why relationships are so complex.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not enough cats.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had twists and turns enough that I wanted to keep reading... But it was all a bit too vacuous.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-reading one of Patrick Gale's very early novels. Full of wisdom, understanding, secrets..... a compulsive page-turner full of fascinating people and animals.

[winnie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Zero stars for this trash actually!!!

[Anne Lomas]

3.5 * enjoyed this, not in the top favourites, but still a cracking story

[Jackie Ballard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patrick Gale never disappoints, always delights.

[Marie Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than 3 but not quite a 4 star

[Vanessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF