Painter Man

by Jeff Phelps

Malcolm is the Painter Man, out of step with the art scene but determined to find his place in the landscape. He loves his family but unwittingly isolates himself from them. When his wife turns elsewhere for attention she takes their two children and leaves Malcolm, hanging by a thread, to his restless art and his demons.
Years of estrangement, then an unexpected chance of renewal. Can Malcolm's creative obsessions now strengthen those fragile links with his son and daughter?

'Ultimately, this is an uplifting story of the reconstruction of a troubled man through love, set against the bleak and sinister beauty of the Black Country. Like his protagonist, Jeff Phelps is an artist. He crafts his words with beguiling simplicity and subtle nuances to build a memorable work of art.' Clare Morrall

'A thoughtful novel' Independent on Sunday

'Astounding... [The story of an] obsessive man's attempts to capture and shape his life through art.' What's On

'The Black Country is itself as much a character as a setting. Having to develop a new identity, post heavy industry, to come to terms with ghosts from an overbearing past, its story runs parallel to that of all the main characters...' Raw Edge

305 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2005

Reviews

[Nick Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came to this book in a slightly round-about manner, having attended a book group meeting where the author Jeff Phelps had come to talk about the book - but I'd missed the previous month's meeting so hadn't read the book. Seeing the author having to defend his writing from questions by a group of middle-aged women who'd found fault in some of the characters in this debut novel, it all seemed a little unfair.

It was a couple of years later when I was bought a copy of the book, and was able to read it and make my own mind up. I liked it very much - the central character is a flawed man (I wondered how much was autobiographical) but ultimately a likeable character about whom I remained interested as he got through the trials and tribulations of his fractured family life. The (local to me) Black Country setting frequently touched me as a bonus, and the story was ultimately a pleasing and involving one.

[Debbie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was hardgoing and difficult to get through. The main reason being that Malcolm the main charactor was so hard to like and I could not symphathise with the situation he found himself in. He does little to prevent what happens to him and is a stereotypical artist determined to suffer for his art.

Malcolm produces new pieces or art/ sculture presumably as a symbol of how he is coping or not coping with life. I say his wife had a lucky escape and pity his new girlfriend.

There is a very strange London trip that seems totally at odds with the rest of the book.

I found Malcolm annoying and despite being set in the Blackcountry couldnt wait to finish it and read something more interesting.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting, well written novel. Deals with depression and there's a revelation about why..
I should say I know the author (a bit).