The Good Guy

by Susan Beale

A deeply compelling novel about womanhood and domestic life - perfect for fans of Mad Men and The Engagements .

A summer of love and deceit in 1960s New England.

Abigail has everything she's meant to a handsome, successful husband, a beautiful baby daughter, and a house in the suburbs. Inside, however, she's in awkward with her neighbors, exhausted by the demands of motherhood, a failure at domesticity.

Her husband, Ted, doesn't feel the same pressure. His professional life is on the up when a chance encounter with single-girl Penny offers a glimpse of the life he might have had, had he not blindly followed convention. Captivated, he tells a lie and then another. Lie by lie, he constructs a double life, convinced he can keep his two worlds separate, but can he?

Brilliantly observed and deeply moving, The Good Guy proves that the worst lies are the ones we tell ourselves.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Book Club

320 pages, Paperback

First published June 16, 2016

Reviews

[Cindy H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of Susan Beale's debut, The Good Guy.

Set in 1960's suburbia, where every home on the block has a small patch of green grass outside and inside is the happy homemaker preparing meatloaf for her hardworking decent husband. Except Abigail is far from happy and Ted is not so decent. Ted believes himself a good guy, who's entitled to some extra fun considering he did the right thing when he married his high school sweetheart when she found herself pregnant. So a chance encounter with sweet, single Penny leads to a complicated affair.
There isn't anything really new or fresh in these pages, but the setting is captivating and evocative of the 1960's, where man is king and women are starting to resent their place in the kingdom. I felt for Abigail, but not enough to really root for her and I was more interested in how this story would end than actually taking the journey with the characters.
An ok read and nice first effort. I will be curious to see what this author does next.

[Ellie M · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1960s New England Ted & Abigail live a seemingly perfect life. Childhood sweethearts, they are now married with a baby. Ted works as a tyre salesman and is successful whereas Abigail is home with baby, attending women's groups and feeling unfulfilled.

As part of Ted's work he's invited to attend a meal in Boston, where there are fancy restaurants and big city thrills. There he meets Penny who is quite unlike his wife with her carefree manner. Abigail (suffering most likely from PND) isn't as carefree and is more serious a character, and a lover of books who misses her education. Ted sets out to be friends with Penny but the friendship quickly blossoms. Meanwhile Ted has agreed that Abigail can return to get studies and she grows in confidence. Ted and Abigail get lost in their own worlds and Ted begins to stretch the truth with both Abigail and Penny. When Ted and Penny relationship takes a more serious turn decisions have to be taken that impact on everyone's lives.

I found this an enjoyable read, and found myself very much sympathizing with Abigail and understanding her character.

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard about The Good Guy when I read an article in a magazine about the author, I was intrigued and determined to get hold of and read her novel. I'm so very glad that I did. This really is a wonderfully written, intelligent and astute story, and was inspired by events in the author's own life.

Set in New England in the 1960s, Ted and Abigail appear to be living the 'American Dream', That so-called golden age of the USA where the younger generation were experiencing a prosperity that their parents didn't have, teetering on the verge of a sexual revolution and campaigning for civil rights for all.

Ted is doing well, he's a good salesman for Goodyear. He can afford a new house for him and his young family. He's also a dreamer, desperate for admiration and living in the shadow of his tragic brother Danny. Abigail, his wife, feels trapped. She loves Ted, he's a 'good guy', but an unplanned pregnancy put paid to her college plans. Being a wife and a mother are not enough for her and she plunges into what is clearly post-natal depression. She needs to use her mind and only her lawyer father seems to appreciate her intelligence and ability.

Penny is the third person in the marriage. Penny just wants to be loved, and that is her downfall. That, and meeting Ted. Between them, they create a fantasy world, but only Ted knows that it isn't real. He continues to create a fictional Ted, he doesn't want to hurt anyone, he tries to do what he thinks is right, but his weakness causes pain that will echo for years to come.

It is clear that Susan Beale has done some extensive research when writing this compelling and engaging story. The language, the weather, even the sporting fixtures are described so very well, with real authenticity and feeling.

Beneath the golden exterior, this story exposes the essence of suburban life in this era. Despite being the height of the so-called swinging sixties, it is clear that unmarried pregnant women were shunned, shamed and exiled. Sex education was almost non-existent, birth control was impossible to get hold of and girls who got 'caught' were either forced into a quick, shot-gun marriage or exiled to another county. It was always the woman who was shamed, the men got away with it, going on to marry and become successful, with no black mark against them.

Susan Beale is a gifted author. I enjoyed The Good Guy very much, it's perceptive and at times, harrowing with characters that are very well created.

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[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

You might think there’s nothing new to add to the suburban-angst-and-adultery storyline. What Beale does so beautifully in this accomplished debut novel is to put you right into the minds of the three main characters. The title is not entirely sarcastic – we all make our mistakes, but for the most part we’re doing our best. This is a story about the differences between what’s easy and what’s right, and the quest to make amends wherever possible. It’s also a cautionary tale: be careful what you wish for, because that boring life you were so eager to escape may just be what you wanted after all. I also love the range of settings, from the dazzling Shoppers’ World mall to a beach house on Cape Cod. This is a delicious, slightly gossipy summer read with a Mad Men feel to it. I’d especially recommend this to readers who enjoyed The Longest Night and Tigers in Red Weather.

See my full review at The Bookbag.

[Thelastwordreview · Rating 4 out of 5]

When this book arrived in early June I sat and looked at the cover for some time wondering what the premise of the story was about. The cover is just sublime. The Good Guy by Susan Beale is inspired by her own true life events after reading her adoption files and from conversations with her birth mother after they re-connected later in life.

I have to admit I fell into The Good Guy hook line and sinker, I like nothing better than a story that has is inspired by true events. The story is based in suburban New England in the 1960’s. This is a gorgeous story filled to the brim with passion with a mix of desire and deception.
Back in the 1960’s young couples seemed to do what was expected dated, courted and married young, then came the house and then the family. The idyllic lifestyle. Ted and Abigail did all these things but some men just don’t know when to say no.

Susan Beale sets the tone of the book by alternating each chapter from the female and male perspective and captures the mood of the time perfectly. It is utterly captivating like watching a box set of your favourite tv series set in this era, nothing short of absorbing.

Ted was hard working he always felt that he was doing well in his job but something was just not right and his feeling was that his wife was not giving him the support he deserved. I think you can guess what comes next? Along comes Penny a single woman she is fashionable funny and most of all attractive and she is missing something from her life, she just wants to be loved. After a brief encounter things move quickly between them and the consequences of getting involved in an affair when things go too far are both stark and real. In a time when the contraceptive pill was not wildly available the dangers for both are real. And in this case Ted faces losing everything and for Penny life changing circumstances.

For Abigail who spends her time looking after their son and cooking a pot roast she seemingly struggles to cope in a marriage that has lost its way. Does she have any idea of her husband’s infidelity? Each character is so incredibly woven into the story that you become transfixed by their own words and deeds. I guess the one thing that comes out of this story is that of human frailties. At times you felt like you were watching a car wreck about to happen with the consequences for all to see. This is real life laid bare for everyone to see. Heartache for all three.

Looking back now after I have read The Good Guy is just how different life was back in the 60’s and how people were treated. Different era different generation. This is a hugely entertaining read one that you just cannot leave alone as you just want to find out what has happened next. If you are looking for an ideal Summer holiday read. Pack this one in your hand luggage.

My thanks to Ruby Mitchell at Hodder for the review copy.

[Raquel Casas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Las mentiras se encadenan una detrás de otra, se vuelven adictivas y la facilidad con la que se despliegan es tal que reconfortan al propio mentiroso quien, lejos de ser una mala persona, es lo que llamaríamos "un buen tipo". En torno a este eje central gira la historia de este libro que toca varios temas con una prosa ágil y muy bien escrita. Ted es un vendedor de neumáticos que comienza a vivir el sueño americano. Gracias a sus ingresos despega socialmente y mantiene a su mujer Abigail y a su hija pequeña en una casita de ensueño. Son mediados de los 60 y él cumple con todo lo que se espera de un buen ciudadano medio americano. Abigail, por su parte, es una ama de casa encerrada en su rutina que aspira a algo más, a estudiar, a rellenar su agenda con actividades que vayan más allá de hacer tartas caseras y lavar pañales. Todo resulta idílico en apariencia hasta que Ted conoce a Penny, una joven soñadora que se enamora del Ted que se vislumbra en esas mentiras que él no puede dejar de contar.
Susan Beale se inspira en su propia historia como adoptada para intentar recrear por qué su propia madre la dio en adopción nada más nacer y qué circunstancias sociales pudieron llevarla a ello. Y es que, el sueño americano de los 60 escondía sin duda muchas pesadillas...

[Lara Grossi · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I read it was "perfect for fans of Mad Men" I thought I would meet a Don Draper-y kind of character and instead I feel like he was more of a Pete Campbell😂🙃
I haven't 100% enjoyed it but it was a good story! And the author did a superb job at describing and defining society at that time; it was easy to imagine every setting and piece of clothing or furniture. I think its biggest strenght is the three different povs were very well built–each character had their flaws, problems and ambitions and you could see how maybe sometimes they overlapped and affected one another.

So many times I wanted to shake Ted by his arms and scream at him 🙄
Penny's story was the most emotional one 🥺
And Abigail, you go girl! 😌

[Álvaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Que gran sorpresa ha sido este libro que compré de manera impulsiva hace poco (me gustaron portada y título, ejem) .

Es un libro que habla sobre las decisiones que tomamos en la vida, por presión laboral, por presión social , buscando el éxito,siguiendo la ambición, o el placer, e incluso de que en algunas de esas decisiones sabemos que alguien va a ganar y que alguien va a perder, pero que, valorando, son la mejor decisión posible, y de que siempre es inevitable que alguien se lleve la peor parte .

De como, en muchos casos, las cosas son como son, y las personas que te rodean, en el fondo, supervivientes de los naufragios producidos por dichas decisiones.

De la necesidad de crearse un personaje, uno que se salga en algo de lo que la sociedad y la vida han pensado para ti, y de la red de mentiras que construimos alrededor de ese personaje que, en muchas ocasiones, llevan a un gran número de renuncias y dolor.

De los personajes que creamos y a los que renunciamos, y de que muchas veces pensamos que esas cientos de vidas hipotéticas que nos construimos cada día en la cabeza serían mejores que está vida que vivimos.

Además es de esos libros que una vez leídas las últimas dos páginas te hacen volver a leer las dos primeras para conseguir enmarcar la historia completa.

[Renita D'Silva · Rating 3 out of 5]

A poignant tale

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The premise of The Good Guy is simple: in 1960s suburban New England, an affair between a married man and an unmarried woman leads to an unwanted pregnancy. It's one of the oldest stories of the twentieth century, yet Susan Beale tells it so compellingly that I couldn't put it down. One of the greatest strengths of this novel is the fact that we're let inside the thoughts and emotions of each of the three main characters, and each of them is sympathetic. Watching Ted make each mistake and tell each lie is like watching a natural disaster unfold in slow motion, and being drawn into the vortex. Yet somehow Beale keeps us from hating him for what he's done, while at the same time rooting for both his wife and his mistress, caught in a nightmare neither of them created and neither of them will be able to escape unharmed. The one quirk of this novel is the disconnect between its American setting and its British diction. Beale is an American living in England and published by a UK publisher. British spellings like "tyre" and "flavour" are oddities when juxtaposed with the Cape Cod landscape and American politics; I hope this novel does so well that it earns a new American edition. In the meantime, American readers may find these linguistic quirks endearing. Certainly The Good Guy is well worth a read, and the issues it raises about relationships, the social profile of the 1960s, and how much and how little things have changed will leave readers with much to ponder beyond the final page. I look forward to Beale's next novel!

[Julian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This first novel is a perfect example of the importance of setting and period - this story would not have happened in the same way in a different country at a different time. At the same time as being a compelling, character-driven story, it's a damning indictment of the 'morality' of the US in the early sixties, on the brink of sexual revolution but clinging determinedly to outdated social mores. Within a few years women would have access to the contraceptive pill, women's liberation would increase while the shame of illegitimacy would decrease and the adoption 'industry' would be challenged. But for Penny all this would come too late to prevent the drama that unfolds in The Good Guy. Read it to be immersed in another time and place and consider how vulnerable we all are to human frailty and the cruelty of the system. Read it to enjoy Beale's gorgeous prose. And read it to delight in the humour she finds in the trials her characters go through.

[Christian Huber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this book very much. The 60's America Suburbia Mad Men like plot really sucked me into this novel, and I was throughtly engaged by the characters. What makes it also special is that it must have been quite a personal story for the writer too. I like the title and feel it is appropriate for the novel as a whole.

[Amy Smolcic · Rating 4 out of 5]

If there’s one thing The Good Guy reaffirms, it’s that affairs are always bad news. Susan Beale’s novel shows the effects an affair has on the lives of a young couple in suburban America.

Ted is a bustling and dynamic salesman who is best described as idealistic. He craves the finer things in life and he believes that anything that shines will bring him instant happiness. Like most idealistic types, the chase for happiness will never end, and people like Ted will continue to crave more even when it’s harming the people around them. Ted engages in an affair with Penny, who is naive to the fact that he is married.

Abigail is by far one of the best elements of The Good Guy. She is beyond her time and doesn’t settle for the gender role of women during the time period. Life as a homemaker and wife doesn’t satisfy her, and she desires to pursue her education further, which baffles the women around her. Though this isn’t addressed directly, she shows signs of postnatal depression and at times feels like she is failing as a mother to her daughter Mindy. Throughout the novel, it’s hard to not feel empathy for her character. The world around her is trying to squeeze her into a gender role that is unnatural to her and she struggles with her identity and sense of belonging. It doesn’t help that whilst she’s trying her absolute best to satisfy her responsibilities as a mother, her husband is living a fantasy life with another woman.

Though it’s easy to become mad with Ted, I thought the construction of his character was enthralling. As the book progressed, I enjoyed seeing his character turn into a trainwreck. Things truly spiral out of control and it kept me wondering how he was going to come back from it. He lives in his own head and can never find a way to blame himself whenever it goes wrong. Because he never takes responsibility for his wrongdoings, he’s rarely distraught. In his head, anything is possible and he’s able to bring every fantasy he has to live. His character is also very selfish, whether it’s buying a sports car without real job security or the colour television, or refusing to gift his wife a typewriter since he thought it was an unattractive present (even if it’s what she truly wanted). Spending frivolously, eating at exotic restaurants, dancing, and having an affair with Penny provides him with the perfect opportunity live a fictitious second life.

The Good Guy is a tragic story about the dangers of idealistic pursuits within a suburban setting. Through carefully constructed characters, Susan Beale was able to show the detrimental aftermath of an affair and the harm it causes to all those involved.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two women in 1960’s Boston are sleeping with the same man. Ted is married to Abigail and thinks of himself as a good guy. They’ve just moved into a new home in the suburbs with their infant daughter. Penny lives with roommates in the city and works for an insurance company. She’s able to go on dates with Ted as he feeds his wife lies about extra training at work. While Ted has no plans to leave his wife and daughter, he gives Penny a complicated train of excuses as to what’s really going on in his life. Obviously, Ted can’t keep control of everything and the pot begins to boil over.

For fans of historical fiction looking for a quick and entertaining read, The Good Guy is a winner. Short chapters and clear writing make the book easy to pick up and put down and the straight forward story keeps the reader engaged. References to the time period are frequent enough to educate readers who are unfamiliar with the 1960’s. While none of the characters are particularly likable, Beale provides enough context for them to be emotionally understood. This book may hold particular appeal for those interested in reading about affairs or pregnancy and motherhood in the 1960’s.

I received a copy of this book as a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author/publisher for participating.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a tale of family, home and culture in 1960s suburbia and has a distinct sense of cashing in on being inspired by the success of shows like Mad Men. While it addresses some "big issues", it's a fairly lightweight read. It is (I believe) the author's first fiction, and that shows - some of the writing is clunky and the author's voice is inconsistent, swinging wildly into a different style on occasion. The characters are written with lots of detail, but not, for the most part, much depth, and none of them is especially likeable or sympathetic: Abigail is boring and quite unidimensional, Penny's naïveté is irritating and Ted is shallow, smug and self-centred. The ending is somewhat unsatisfactory: we learn very little about Penny or Abigail's lives, nothing about the children involved, and what we are told of Ted's future feels clichéd and a bit like it ran out of steam. Overall, not a bad book, but one that feels as though it could, with a bit more polish, have been so much more.

[Julie Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ted, a car-tyre salesman in 1960s suburban New England, is a dreamer who craves admiration. His wife, Abigail, longs for a life of the mind. Single-girl Penny just wants to be loved. When a chance encounter brings Ted and Penny together, he becomes enamored and begins inventing a whole new life with her at its centre. But when this fantasy collides with reality, the fallout threatens everything, and everyone, he holds dear.

The Good Guy is a deeply compelling debut about love, marriage and what happens when good intentions and self-deception are taken to extremes.

I’m angry. With Ted mainly. What an unlikable character he is. He lies, cheats and manipulates people. His wife Abigail is pretty pathetic too. The character Penny is the one I felt sorry for, but even she should have realised something was going on.

This is a well written book, but one I didn’t ultimately enjoy. 2.5*

[A Red Headed Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started of thinking that this book was written by a man trying to convince me that his affair was a right he had to do, I could not have been more wrong. Firstly to me it was the inside of a marriage, inside their minds and activities, their feelings. It showed how unloved and put down Ted was always made to feel forcing him into his affair. It showed Abigail and the pressures of being the best homemaker and mother, also putting her dreams and education to the side. All of which led to this mis-led live in which neither ever noticed what the other was up to because they were to preoccupied with their dreams or their second 'family'. I didn't like the ending I thought it was very abrupt with some loose ends, what happened to Ted? Where did he go? What happened to Abigail and Mindy? None the less a great read, different from my usual but was a breath of fresh air.

[Jay Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

It took me a while to get into but, by the second half of the book, I found myself quite invested in the story. It's a well written book but I didn't find any of the three main characters particularly likeable. I usually really struggle with books where I can't relate in any way to the characters but the little pickle that Ted got himself into held my interest. I thought the ending could have been a bit more solid as I hate being left with questions (where did Ted go?!) but an enjoyable read overall.

3 stars.

[Kerry Natt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took me a while to read this which always tells me I’m not quite invested as I should be.
However, by the end I did seem to suddenly get through it relatively quickly.
Not sure I had any real affinity to any of the characters and felt there could have just been something more about them all.
I knew what was going to happen by the end and it felt it slightly predictable - sorry just wasn’t for me.

[Aliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a marvelous surprise. It's very sympathetic to each of the three core characters, while revealing their faults at the same time. It read to me like the author's deep dive into her own origin story, a way of understanding her parents, so I was not surprised to read later, in an interview with her, that she was adopted. If you love deep dives into character, and you enjoy a mid-20th-century setting, I think you'll enjoy this book.

[Roxanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a Goodreads win review. This book takes place in the 1960's so i can relate to that era as I was growing up then. Ted is a car salesman and his wife and him are living the American dream. But he meets a lady and they have an affair and he tries to create a new life with her but his denial and fantasy does match up with the realness of life.

[Georgina Panton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn't sure to begin with but persevered as it was shortlisted for the Costa Book Award. Before I knew it, I was completely swept up in the story and desperate to know its conclusion. Susan Beale writes in a fluid, engaging way and paints her characters so beautifully that you can almost hear them breathe. A fascinating study of 1960s morality told with compassion.

[Liz Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this - although I'd dispute that the main character can be described as a good guy.
Very interesting reflection about a marriage, an affair, the demands of family life, the expectations of society about children born outside marriage and the long lasting effects of having to have a child adopted. Well written and gripping.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read with references to 1960s America and the American dream - that seems all so misguided and almost 'innocent' now. Some insights into the restricted world of women which was seemingly just beginning to open up.

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Escapism - took me away from the current issues of 2021

Lovely book that left you wanting to.know more at the end. Hoping there will be more adventures of Ted - he certainly is a character.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story - could not wait to see if there was a happy ever after

[Dan Boughen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really, really not my kind of book. the writing and atmosphere was well rounded - i just didn't get on with the story. I would definitely read another of suan beales books.

[Claire Boughen · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you enjoy the TV Show Mad Men you may enjoy this book set in suburban 1960's America. Well written and descriptive although the pllot could have maybe moved on a little more quickly

[Cath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written. Good as a first novel. Interesting premise, good guy/bad guy.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Good Guy is a bit like Don Draper if he had stayed as Dick Whitman. OK read.