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Dobričina
Tommy Carr je izjemno prijazen možakar, dobrega srca in ustrežljiv, obziren in redkobeseden, kajti besede so lahko nevarne – z eno besedo dobričina. Z ženo in hčerko živi umirjeno življenje v majhni hišici na podeželju, dokler se neke aprilske noči ne zgodi nepredstavljivo. Tommy in Eve živita dalje, kaj drugega jima ne preostane, toda žalost terja davek. Tommy zboli, pravzaprav bi moral umreti, a usoda mu naprti še eno nalogo.
158 pages, Hardcover
First published January 6, 2011
37 people are currently reading
402 people want to read
About the author
Susan Hill
180 books2,267 followersSusan Hill was born in Scarborough, North Yorkshire in 1942. Her hometown was later referred to in her novel A Change for the Better (1969) and some short stories especially "Cockles and Mussels".
She attended Scarborough Convent School, where she became interested in theatre and literature. Her family left Scarborough in 1958 and moved to Coventry where her father worked in car and aircraft factories. Hill states that she attended a girls’ grammar school, Barr's Hill. Her fellow pupils included Jennifer Page, the first Chief Executive of the Millennium Dome. At Barrs Hill she took A levels in English, French, History and Latin, proceeding to an English degree at King's College London. By this time she had already written her first novel, The Enclosure which was published by Hutchinson in her first year at university. The novel was criticised by The Daily Mail for its sexual content, with the suggestion that writing in this style was unsuitable for a "schoolgirl".
Her next novel Gentleman and Ladies was published in 1968. This was followed in quick succession by A Change for the Better, I'm the King of the Castle, The Albatross and other stories, Strange Meeting, The Bird of Night, A Bit of Singing and Dancing and In the Springtime of Year, all written and published between 1968 and 1974.
In 1975 she married Shakespeare scholar Stanley Wells and they moved to Stratford upon Avon. Their first daughter, Jessica, was born in 1977 and their second daughter, Clemency, was born in 1985. Hill has recently founded her own publishing company, Long Barn Books, which has published one work of fiction per year.
Librarian's Note: There is more than one author by this name.
She attended Scarborough Convent School, where she became interested in theatre and literature. Her family left Scarborough in 1958 and moved to Coventry where her father worked in car and aircraft factories. Hill states that she attended a girls’ grammar school, Barr's Hill. Her fellow pupils included Jennifer Page, the first Chief Executive of the Millennium Dome. At Barrs Hill she took A levels in English, French, History and Latin, proceeding to an English degree at King's College London. By this time she had already written her first novel, The Enclosure which was published by Hutchinson in her first year at university. The novel was criticised by The Daily Mail for its sexual content, with the suggestion that writing in this style was unsuitable for a "schoolgirl".
Her next novel Gentleman and Ladies was published in 1968. This was followed in quick succession by A Change for the Better, I'm the King of the Castle, The Albatross and other stories, Strange Meeting, The Bird of Night, A Bit of Singing and Dancing and In the Springtime of Year, all written and published between 1968 and 1974.
In 1975 she married Shakespeare scholar Stanley Wells and they moved to Stratford upon Avon. Their first daughter, Jessica, was born in 1977 and their second daughter, Clemency, was born in 1985. Hill has recently founded her own publishing company, Long Barn Books, which has published one work of fiction per year.
Librarian's Note: There is more than one author by this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
December 18, 2016
A heartbreaking yet painfully simple tale about the possibility of miracles, and the impacts of those that believe and doubt. Susan Hill is an utter master of delivering very few words that convey such a lot. Rather like 'Black Sheep' in it's bleakness, 'A Kind Man' centres around Eve and her husband Tommy, who is a kind and thoughtful man, always working and providing for Eve without a complaint, even more so after the tragic death of their little daughter. But when Tommy develops a horrific tumour that brings him close to death the doctor, Eve and the factory town is flabbergasted when something miraculous happens that changes everyone's life forever. Hauntingly beautiful, yet really quite tragic, Susan Hill has done it again.
February 21, 2011
Yes, I am most definitely a Susan Hill fan and I apologise in advance if this ends up being a gushing post verging on the let's skip beatification and just make her a saint of storytellers right here, right now. You've probably gathered by now that she's done it again - she's created a wonderful gem of a story whose simplicity belies a rainbow of human emotions and feelings.
Unlike my other encounters with Susan Hill's writing, this is not a ghost story as such although there is a definite element of something supernatural at work. Tommy Carr is the "kind man", the man who has not so much swept Eve off her feet as gently brushed her towards him...
"He had no spark. He was steady, quiet, calm, reliable, loyal, thoughtful, gentle. A kind man then. But for a long time she resisted those things in favour of something he lacked and which she felt there must surely be."
Eventually Eve realises her good fortune especially when she compares and contrasts her married life with that of her sister. However, their happiness is shortlived and tragedy strikes Eve and Tommy, leaving both of them shell shocked yet not embittered by the experience. Then, as stress and sadness take their physical toll, Tommy becomes seriously ill and you wonder how much more this family can take.
Susan Hill manages to fit so much into this novella, her economy of phrase and subtle touch immediately draw you into Eve and Tommy's world. Whilst the setting and time of the story are not evident, one would guess at somewhere industrial and bleak in the North of England, given the lack of light and generally grim ambiance, which contributes to Tommy and Eve's moving to the countryside where Eve blossoms and is finally happy. It is also pre-National Health Service as the poor depend on a philanthrophic local doctor. The prose is so simple and elegant, it really is a pleasure to read, nothing jars not even when the story becomes parable-like and mystical. One could read much into the deeper underlying meaning, the precarious balance between good and evil, kindness and cruelty and the higher power which oversees all of humanity but one thing is sure, Susan Hill's hand remains firmly at the helm, wielding the literary chisel which has created this finely honed sculpture.
If you haven't already read any of Susan Hill's novellas, I highly recommend that you do so, especially the ghostly ones, The Woman in Black, The Small Hand, The Mist in the Mirror, The Man in the Picture. As for me, I'm off to find a copy of The Beacon, another of her literary novellas which somehow escaped my radar until now!
Unlike my other encounters with Susan Hill's writing, this is not a ghost story as such although there is a definite element of something supernatural at work. Tommy Carr is the "kind man", the man who has not so much swept Eve off her feet as gently brushed her towards him...
"He had no spark. He was steady, quiet, calm, reliable, loyal, thoughtful, gentle. A kind man then. But for a long time she resisted those things in favour of something he lacked and which she felt there must surely be."
Eventually Eve realises her good fortune especially when she compares and contrasts her married life with that of her sister. However, their happiness is shortlived and tragedy strikes Eve and Tommy, leaving both of them shell shocked yet not embittered by the experience. Then, as stress and sadness take their physical toll, Tommy becomes seriously ill and you wonder how much more this family can take.
Susan Hill manages to fit so much into this novella, her economy of phrase and subtle touch immediately draw you into Eve and Tommy's world. Whilst the setting and time of the story are not evident, one would guess at somewhere industrial and bleak in the North of England, given the lack of light and generally grim ambiance, which contributes to Tommy and Eve's moving to the countryside where Eve blossoms and is finally happy. It is also pre-National Health Service as the poor depend on a philanthrophic local doctor. The prose is so simple and elegant, it really is a pleasure to read, nothing jars not even when the story becomes parable-like and mystical. One could read much into the deeper underlying meaning, the precarious balance between good and evil, kindness and cruelty and the higher power which oversees all of humanity but one thing is sure, Susan Hill's hand remains firmly at the helm, wielding the literary chisel which has created this finely honed sculpture.
If you haven't already read any of Susan Hill's novellas, I highly recommend that you do so, especially the ghostly ones, The Woman in Black, The Small Hand, The Mist in the Mirror, The Man in the Picture. As for me, I'm off to find a copy of The Beacon, another of her literary novellas which somehow escaped my radar until now!
September 3, 2014
Beautifully written.
Once I started I couldn't put it down.
A sad book full of emotions and as always with Susan Hill an excellent read!
Once I started I couldn't put it down.
A sad book full of emotions and as always with Susan Hill an excellent read!
December 9, 2019
'A Kind Man' is just another example of why I read Susan Hill. She never disappoints. She takes me along paths and byways, one sentence at the time. Each word fits perfectly in into its place in the narrative. I empathize with the characters, I am concerned about them. Many's the time I've felt a tear forming at a phrase that affects me deeply. Susan Hill, I'm impatiently awaiting 'The Benefit of Hindsight' you have coming out, hopefully in Spring 2020!!
March 6, 2014
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2016
❃❃❃❃ 4 bleak stars
Hello to my first audio book, I think they have actually won me over, what a wonderful experience.
This was a difficult one to rate as 'enjoy' isn't really the word I would use but on the other hand I wouldn't know what to replace it with.
The book is dark, bleak, sad and was actually quite painful to read at times, so much loss and heartbreak, I actually felt the sadness bleed through my headphones and THAT is why this book deserves such a high rating. It makes you feel such strong emotions which allows you to really engage with the characters.
The writing is just beautiful and the narrator does a wonderful job complimenting the words which just flowed like liquid silk; Susan Hill is a very talented writer.
I love the otherworldly direction this story takes whilst remaining sensitive towards a very difficult subject.
Hello to my first audio book, I think they have actually won me over, what a wonderful experience.
This was a difficult one to rate as 'enjoy' isn't really the word I would use but on the other hand I wouldn't know what to replace it with.
The book is dark, bleak, sad and was actually quite painful to read at times, so much loss and heartbreak, I actually felt the sadness bleed through my headphones and THAT is why this book deserves such a high rating. It makes you feel such strong emotions which allows you to really engage with the characters.
The writing is just beautiful and the narrator does a wonderful job complimenting the words which just flowed like liquid silk; Susan Hill is a very talented writer.
I love the otherworldly direction this story takes whilst remaining sensitive towards a very difficult subject.
November 24, 2014
2.5*
Difficult to rate this one - I can't say I enjoyed it as it was very bleak and sad (I seem to be going through a patch of sad books lately *sigh*) but it was a good story.
Brief synopsis - Eve and Tommy struggle through life together - she has a very demanding sister with a useless husband and loads of kids whereas Eve has one child who dies at 3 years old. Tommy falls ill and it seems she will lose him too but for a supernatural element that gives them some hope - 2.5 stars.
Difficult to rate this one - I can't say I enjoyed it as it was very bleak and sad (I seem to be going through a patch of sad books lately *sigh*) but it was a good story.
Brief synopsis - Eve and Tommy struggle through life together - she has a very demanding sister with a useless husband and loads of kids whereas Eve has one child who dies at 3 years old. Tommy falls ill and it seems she will lose him too but for a supernatural element that gives them some hope - 2.5 stars.
March 18, 2019
Sad and bleak but deeply interesting, quick read.
November 27, 2021
I preferred Black Sheep. All the dour grit of northern England without the hocus-pocus.
June 27, 2011
Susan Hill's literary novels seem to be short period pieces set in an undisclosed time in England. In this book I think we can guess that the time is the 1930s and that it takes place in an industrial town in Northern England, probably Yorkshire. She is also attracted to writing ghost stories and this novel does have a supernatural component, not connected with haunting, but something that takes place for which there is no rational explanation.
The setting is beautifully described and the reader comes to know the town and it's inhabitants well. These are people with few words, but their actions speak for them and we know how they feel. The issue that sets the characters apart is healing...and the man who has the gift of healing does not know how it works through him, only that it does. The reaction of the town's doctor is typical of the medical profession's embarrassment when confronted with spontaneous remission so that the healer becomes set apart and regarded with fear by those who cannot understand or accept what is happening to him.
A beautiful story, well told, and one which gives rise to much thought.
The setting is beautifully described and the reader comes to know the town and it's inhabitants well. These are people with few words, but their actions speak for them and we know how they feel. The issue that sets the characters apart is healing...and the man who has the gift of healing does not know how it works through him, only that it does. The reaction of the town's doctor is typical of the medical profession's embarrassment when confronted with spontaneous remission so that the healer becomes set apart and regarded with fear by those who cannot understand or accept what is happening to him.
A beautiful story, well told, and one which gives rise to much thought.
July 8, 2011
This novel is both detailed and somehow soft-focus. Like a verbal equivalent of Merchant-Ivory's visual style. It isn't clear where in England this is set, or quite when (the 30s? The 50s?). There's a lot of telling rather than showing with only certain pivotal scenes enacted before us. The narrative is an exercise in poise, engaging the reader's empathy while retaining a certain neutral objectivity. Situations rather than language elicit an emotional response, but there are stretches that feel a little bland. However, the narrative handles its turn into the unexplained with great equanimity and builds up to a satisfying, bittersweet ending.
June 12, 2014
A book of two halves. I love Susan Hill and the first half of the book was really good. She writes so beautifully about human nature and relationships and the focus on loss and grief was so moving. However, I did not enjoy the second half. I don t want to spoil it so won t say too much but I felt it really detracted from the beautiful first half and the ending was disappointing. Still a great read although frustrating that the last twenty pages are chapters of another book. Why?? It was a thin book anyway priced at £6.99 and it felt a bit cheeky to then put two chapters of another book at the end.
May 14, 2019
I really liked this book up until it got rather silly. I just wanted to stay with the view of the fields and feeding for the chickens!
If there’s a true message then it’s lost on me. Why save your gifts for free acts of kindness and let your family starve? It’s already a little uncomfortable how Miriam is left to lie in her bed, so to speak. Selfish a little aren’t they? Although I do get that everyone makes their own choices.
However I’ve long loved Hill’s writing style and way of conveying so much in so few words. It’s a beautiful book despite what I’ve said above.
12/4/18
If there’s a true message then it’s lost on me. Why save your gifts for free acts of kindness and let your family starve? It’s already a little uncomfortable how Miriam is left to lie in her bed, so to speak. Selfish a little aren’t they? Although I do get that everyone makes their own choices.
However I’ve long loved Hill’s writing style and way of conveying so much in so few words. It’s a beautiful book despite what I’ve said above.
12/4/18
March 5, 2011
This is a deceptively simple book. Beautifully written and thoughtful, it is the story of a young couple in England who find one another, marry, have a child and quiet happiness, then lose the child. There's a bit of a supernatural element. The book made me think about self, and love and place. Still wondering how the sister could have been so ungenrous and unkind.
July 19, 2022
I really like Susan Hill's writing style. Some things did confuse me and I didnt get to invested into teh characters, but the feelings around it all and the atmosphere was what kept me ready. I would recommend this to people who want something new or a new perspective on grief.
February 19, 2014
a gentle read with a very clear moral.
May 15, 2025
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for over 900 book reviews in all genres
Eve Gooch met Tommy Carr by chance at the riverside of their small factory town. When her sister Miriam moved out of the bedroom they shared, Eve stayed up into the night to help sew the wedding dress. Like many men, Miriam's husband paid little attention to the household or the continual addition of sons each year.
Her mother's concern for Eve was whether Tommy was a kind man. The rest would follow. Or it would not. Eve had been able to tell this after an hour of knowing him. Steady, calm, and quiet, it was his nature.
They wished to make a family of the two of them, in their brick row cottage across the fields from the noise of the brickworks, the printworks, and the pottery, but their daughter Jeannie passed away at three years old.
Still, they managed, until Tommy developed stomach pains and a swollen neck. The doctor could do little except manage his pain. He was at death's door, with it standing ajar. After a severe cold and a burning fever, something odd. He became healthy, to the suspicion of the town. And not only that, he discovered he had the power of healing touch. Fearful of what that was, he was reluctant to use it, but word spread of his abilities until he could no longer refuse.
Hill's writing is quiet and steady befitting her characters, a pleasure to read no matter what the subject. A dying man and a dying town, and this gift or blessing is resonant. She writes to the heart with a single sentence or paragraph, giving this story a melancholy feeling, and a plot which resolves itself naturally.
I always enjoy her writing and recommend her.
Among her novels, Susan Hill has written several chilling ghost stories, including The Woman in Black, adapted into a 2012 movie starring Daniel Radcliffe, two BBC radio plays, filmed for TV, and a London play which has been running for thirty-six years, making it the longest-running non-musical play after The Mousetrap.
for over 900 book reviews in all genres
Eve Gooch met Tommy Carr by chance at the riverside of their small factory town. When her sister Miriam moved out of the bedroom they shared, Eve stayed up into the night to help sew the wedding dress. Like many men, Miriam's husband paid little attention to the household or the continual addition of sons each year.
Her mother's concern for Eve was whether Tommy was a kind man. The rest would follow. Or it would not. Eve had been able to tell this after an hour of knowing him. Steady, calm, and quiet, it was his nature.
They wished to make a family of the two of them, in their brick row cottage across the fields from the noise of the brickworks, the printworks, and the pottery, but their daughter Jeannie passed away at three years old.
Still, they managed, until Tommy developed stomach pains and a swollen neck. The doctor could do little except manage his pain. He was at death's door, with it standing ajar. After a severe cold and a burning fever, something odd. He became healthy, to the suspicion of the town. And not only that, he discovered he had the power of healing touch. Fearful of what that was, he was reluctant to use it, but word spread of his abilities until he could no longer refuse.
Hill's writing is quiet and steady befitting her characters, a pleasure to read no matter what the subject. A dying man and a dying town, and this gift or blessing is resonant. She writes to the heart with a single sentence or paragraph, giving this story a melancholy feeling, and a plot which resolves itself naturally.
I always enjoy her writing and recommend her.
Among her novels, Susan Hill has written several chilling ghost stories, including The Woman in Black, adapted into a 2012 movie starring Daniel Radcliffe, two BBC radio plays, filmed for TV, and a London play which has been running for thirty-six years, making it the longest-running non-musical play after The Mousetrap.
December 30, 2023
Het lijden van een onbaatzuchtig mens. Of zoals Susan Hill met 'A Kind Man' (2011) een parabel schreef over goedheid in een imperfecte wereld. Hoe blijf je trouw aan je eigen morele kompas als hebzucht, egoïsme en bitterheid gerechtvaardigd voelen? Hill schetst een naamloos plattelandsdorp in een tijd niet zo ver van ons vandaan, waar de industrialisatie al op gang is gekomen maar een sterke christelijke dorpsmoraal nog levens bepaalt. Tommy en Eve Carr hebben een weinig spannend huwelijk, maar ze putten hun levensgeluk uit de kleine geluksmomentjes die de sleur doorbreken. De Carr's worden echter tweemaal getroffen door het noodlot: eerst wanneer hun oogappel Jeannie Eliza sterft en daarna wanneer Tommy's lichaam wordt verteerd door kanker. Misschien is hun oneerlijke financiële situatie nog wranger dan het ziekteproces zelf. Alles wat ze hebben opgebouwd dreigt weg te vallen door het wegvallen van de kostwinner, terwijl ze niet eens de middelen hebben om hem te helpen met palliatieve zorg.
Maar 'A Kind Man' (2011) neemt een magisch-realistische wending als Tommy's ziekte opeens verdwijnt als sneeuw voor de zon. Hij ontwaakt als een gezonde man en ontdekt zelfs dat hij een warmte uitstraalt waarmee hij andere mensen kan genezen. Zijn nieuwe situatie zou hem in potentie de rijkste man kunnen maken van het dorp. Een gave of een vervloeking? Andere dorpelingen verzamelen zich voor de deur van de Carr's in de hoop op genezing wanneer ze zelf alle hoop zijn verloren. Ook zij hebben geld noch middelen om medische zorg te krijgen. Kan Tommy een goed mens blijven als hij zijn gave inzet voor de verbetering van de gemeenschap? Of gaat er iets fundamenteel verloren als hij een financiële vergoeding terugverwacht voor zijn innerlijke goedheid? Het armoedeconflict komt in 'A Kind Man' (2011) beter uit de verf als het nog om een gitzwarte sociaal-realistische sfeerschets gaat. Met de toevoeging van een paranormale kracht raakt de korte roman wel erg geforceerd aan religieuze symboliek. Het helpt ook niet dat innerlijke conflicten - zoals geloof versus wetenschap of onbarmhartig versus zelfverrijking - enorm zwart/wit tegen elkaar worden afgezet.
Maar 'A Kind Man' (2011) neemt een magisch-realistische wending als Tommy's ziekte opeens verdwijnt als sneeuw voor de zon. Hij ontwaakt als een gezonde man en ontdekt zelfs dat hij een warmte uitstraalt waarmee hij andere mensen kan genezen. Zijn nieuwe situatie zou hem in potentie de rijkste man kunnen maken van het dorp. Een gave of een vervloeking? Andere dorpelingen verzamelen zich voor de deur van de Carr's in de hoop op genezing wanneer ze zelf alle hoop zijn verloren. Ook zij hebben geld noch middelen om medische zorg te krijgen. Kan Tommy een goed mens blijven als hij zijn gave inzet voor de verbetering van de gemeenschap? Of gaat er iets fundamenteel verloren als hij een financiële vergoeding terugverwacht voor zijn innerlijke goedheid? Het armoedeconflict komt in 'A Kind Man' (2011) beter uit de verf als het nog om een gitzwarte sociaal-realistische sfeerschets gaat. Met de toevoeging van een paranormale kracht raakt de korte roman wel erg geforceerd aan religieuze symboliek. Het helpt ook niet dat innerlijke conflicten - zoals geloof versus wetenschap of onbarmhartig versus zelfverrijking - enorm zwart/wit tegen elkaar worden afgezet.
June 25, 2019
This was a strange book--I expected spookiness, and so I was nervous for quite some time, precisely because of the ordinary, quotidian, reality that it described. What I mean is, the everyday seemed spooky, when it was totally normal, precisely because I was sure that something was lurking beneath the surface of normalcy that would soon render some sinister something.
But no, there was nothing sinister. I mean, unless you count the pettiness, selfishness, and general meanness and despicability of (nearly all) the townspeople as sinister. The townspeople are like Shirley Jackson townspeople. And they make the two main characters, who are kind, shy people, miserable and uncomfortable.
The story is a good one. Definitely. These petty people's reaction to the wonderful kindness of the kind man rang so true in so many ways! Although I think that there would have been plenty of grateful, nice individuals--Hill is too pessimistic, too negative in her view of humanity, in my book.
ANYWAY, this review does not make any sense until after you have read the book, but it is so because I think that you should approach this book with no spoilers and no expectations, kind of like I did. Although I ruined that for you by telling you not to expect spookiness--and I had that expectation, so I am clearly contradicting myself.
Susan Hill rocks. Paper. Scissors.
But no, there was nothing sinister. I mean, unless you count the pettiness, selfishness, and general meanness and despicability of (nearly all) the townspeople as sinister. The townspeople are like Shirley Jackson townspeople. And they make the two main characters, who are kind, shy people, miserable and uncomfortable.
The story is a good one. Definitely. These petty people's reaction to the wonderful kindness of the kind man rang so true in so many ways! Although I think that there would have been plenty of grateful, nice individuals--Hill is too pessimistic, too negative in her view of humanity, in my book.
ANYWAY, this review does not make any sense until after you have read the book, but it is so because I think that you should approach this book with no spoilers and no expectations, kind of like I did. Although I ruined that for you by telling you not to expect spookiness--and I had that expectation, so I am clearly contradicting myself.
Susan Hill rocks. Paper. Scissors.
July 23, 2019
Susan Hill Kind man, is definitely a go to read on a rainy afternoon, although I'm not going to speak about what the book is about, as many have already done that. This book is quite a memorable fiction which shows that we should never take anyone for granted, their genuine love will surely affect on those people who asked nothing but in good thanks,
Here in this book, I've learned quite a few, and that is
we must cherish and learn to move on with our life as we tend to keep the burden that usually weighs us down. As a high schooler, I myself believe in "don't judge a book by its cover" but lately, into my disappointing, the books I've been reading aren't as motivation , or heart felt as I would have expected, But when I came by to the library and saw Susan Hill, I was curious if it were fit to my liking because I've never read a book such as this, and into my endings with this book, for the first time in a month I've never felt the sadness that I never expected to happen,
I love almost everything about it, but the highlight for me was the ending, it's the part that you'd at least expect the most, and I'm happy for eve that she still carry the goodness in her heart
Here in this book, I've learned quite a few, and that is
we must cherish and learn to move on with our life as we tend to keep the burden that usually weighs us down. As a high schooler, I myself believe in "don't judge a book by its cover" but lately, into my disappointing, the books I've been reading aren't as motivation , or heart felt as I would have expected, But when I came by to the library and saw Susan Hill, I was curious if it were fit to my liking because I've never read a book such as this, and into my endings with this book, for the first time in a month I've never felt the sadness that I never expected to happen,
I love almost everything about it, but the highlight for me was the ending, it's the part that you'd at least expect the most, and I'm happy for eve that she still carry the goodness in her heart
March 24, 2019
I have read this book few weeks ago. I expected to be a very good book, because Susan Hill has delivered in the past great piece of work the likes of " The Women In Black" etc.... A Kind man wasn't that good I personally think, because I didn't found a lot of excitement through out the book. Space that was used in the book was great and had impact on the story. The time in the book wasn't very clear but I think it was around 1930. Tommy Carr is main character of the book. Everything about Tommy is told in the book. He is described as a kind man who loves his family more then anything in the world. It's is fantastic book to read if you are someone who likes non-fiction stories. It has great beginning and fantastic ending. I didn't expected to end this way it was total surprise to me but that what I wanted to read. You will not get board read this book it will keep you awake to read more and more. The book counts 185 pages so it's not super long story so you will be able to read in two weeks as I did. I recommend this book if you want to read a nice and simple novel and don't have time for reading 400 pages. This is a perfect novel for people who knows Susan Hill.
October 24, 2017
Wow. Read in just two sittings this beautiful story is gentle and easy to read. It's message is simple and telling. About belief and doubt. About kindness and selfishness. About how other people around us react to the kindness of others. Surprisingly, but when you think about it, not surprisingly there is anger, jealousy, fear and greed. But still the kindness continues.
Set somewhere in history, between WW1 and WW2, in times of unemployment and hardship. Eve met and married Tommy, a kind man. It's never mentioned in the story but Eve is kind as well. The first half of the story is a realistic tale of life, the second half of the story is miraculous and as the reader you need to allow yourself to believe.
Set somewhere in history, between WW1 and WW2, in times of unemployment and hardship. Eve met and married Tommy, a kind man. It's never mentioned in the story but Eve is kind as well. The first half of the story is a realistic tale of life, the second half of the story is miraculous and as the reader you need to allow yourself to believe.
May 29, 2024
Tole mi je pa res delovalo kot nekakšna novodobna pravljica za odrasle, nekako kot bi bila napisana v treh dneh. Sicer z glavo in repom, a popolnoma črno bela varianta brez vsakih variacij. Poleg tega, da je mož glavne akterke popoln, brez vsakih napak, a na eni strani knjige ima obraz pepelnato siv, nato pa ima polt zdrave barve. V celoti mi je knjiga tudi pisana v tako preprostem slogu, da k sreči, da je res kratka, saj se mi proti koncu resnično ni več dalo brati, in sem bolj listala kot ne. Prav nič tokrat ne bi zamudila, če te preprosti ne bi vzela v roke. Sicer ima Hillova vendarle nekaj privlačnih in bolj tekočih ali bolj verjetnih zgodb, tako pa je res.. zgolj pravljica.
August 20, 2025
I don't know what category to put this under. It isn't horror. It isn't really historical either, exactly.
is there a ghost? No. Not really.
Let's just call it awesome, sweet and sad both.
I loved Tommy and the whole thing with their daughter. And he left his wife, well spoiler...
So he lost...spoiler.
It was sad. But also happy.
What a wonderful her mum asked: Is he a kind man? More people should look for that in a partner, not looks, riches, anything other than KIND.
What a terrible review but really saying more would really spoil it. I urge you to read it. It's terrific and I could read more like this happily!!!
is there a ghost? No. Not really.
Let's just call it awesome, sweet and sad both.
I loved Tommy and the whole thing with their daughter. And he left his wife, well spoiler...
So he lost...spoiler.
It was sad. But also happy.
What a wonderful her mum asked: Is he a kind man? More people should look for that in a partner, not looks, riches, anything other than KIND.
What a terrible review but really saying more would really spoil it. I urge you to read it. It's terrific and I could read more like this happily!!!
March 18, 2019
It begins as a simple story about a couple who fall into each other’s lives and then love blooms, but it’s not long until their story becomes bleak and tragedy strikes. A few chapters in and I was nearing tears...and then it took an unexpected turn....
A society that is lacking, that is grey and hopeless. They can’t quite believe there is a shining light.
I was thinking about this story long after I had turned the last page, It haunted me. Susan Hill writes with joy and elegance, capturing every characters feelings and portraying them very realistically.
A society that is lacking, that is grey and hopeless. They can’t quite believe there is a shining light.
I was thinking about this story long after I had turned the last page, It haunted me. Susan Hill writes with joy and elegance, capturing every characters feelings and portraying them very realistically.
January 13, 2024
Goodness me, she really is a talent. I’m making my way through all of Hill’s works and this one was difficult/triggering in places. The death of a 3 year old and the death of a husband just touched all my anxiety points. But once again this was so beautifully written - Hill’s words really do just flow from the page and I can finish her books in just one or two sittings without any trouble. You’re thrown right in to the lead character’s world, so much so (and I know it sounds cliched) that you can almost see it, smell it and hear it. What next?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2017
My first piece of Susan's Hills fiction and it did not disappoint. I read Howard's end is on the landing several years ago but this was my first original story. Hill has a very delicate way of storytelling that just eases you along and keep turning pages. A short sad story but a very good one. I will be adding a lot more of Susan Hills books to my ever growing TBR pile.
July 27, 2017
I haven’t read Susan Hill’s books, I haven’t read anything about the author, and I can’t recall how I discovered this book. Just like the atmosphere in 'A Kind Man', everything seems hazy. But I am glad all the same. This unpopular work of Susan Hill is a gem.
More here: https://worncorners.com/2017/07/28/a-...
More here: https://worncorners.com/2017/07/28/a-...
November 18, 2018
This one is not Hill's usual ghost stories but it has a poignancy hard to ignore. It's a rather bleak novel but maybe that is why I liked it. There doesn't have to be a happy ending for a novel to be worthwhile. It is highly symbolic and has a moral that more should realize.
June 9, 2019
This short read is just wonderful. The story of ordinary family with the usual sibling irritations and attitudes to love and marriage and children. It’s charm is not in the temporary miracle or the ultimate sadness but in the lovely honesty and perfect descriptions .
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