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Ease: A gentle, quirky novel of 1980s London and English eccentrics
A quirky, warm novel of eccentric adventure from the bestselling author of A PLACE CALLED WINTER - 'A huge treat' Daily Mail'Patrick Gale is among the great, unsung English novelists. Think Austen, Hardy, Murdoch. Remarkable' IndependentDomina Tey is a playwright, celebrated by friends, her husband, and the public alike, yet she fears losing her vital edge. Her to leave her beautiful home in Bristol and seek adventure in a squalid West London bedsit, where she will live under an assumed name with only her typewriter for companionship. Once installed, however, she can't resist meddling in the business of others, forgetting that blurring fact with fiction can be a dangerous game.
163 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 20, 1986
34 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
About the author
Patrick Gale
43 books707 followersPatrick 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
January 8, 2026
Gale Project #1
Each year, I do a deep dive into one author and for 2026, Mr. Gale has been selected! This was his first published novel back in 1984, but actually was written after his subsequently published The Aerodynamics of Pork, which I'll be reading next.
It's a short work, almost a novella, concerning respected playwright Domina Tey, 39, who feeling stifled in a 5-year relationship and stuck in her work, takes off for a month's sojourn in a seedy boarding house in Bayswater, where she lives with an assortment of oddball characters, most prominently a boy half her age, who wants to become a monk. Her encounters and adventures, comic and tragic are rendered in Gale's precise and delightful prose, and I was enchanted by this slight, but entertaining bagatelle. A good start!
PS: Haven't a clue what the title means!
Each year, I do a deep dive into one author and for 2026, Mr. Gale has been selected! This was his first published novel back in 1984, but actually was written after his subsequently published The Aerodynamics of Pork, which I'll be reading next.
It's a short work, almost a novella, concerning respected playwright Domina Tey, 39, who feeling stifled in a 5-year relationship and stuck in her work, takes off for a month's sojourn in a seedy boarding house in Bayswater, where she lives with an assortment of oddball characters, most prominently a boy half her age, who wants to become a monk. Her encounters and adventures, comic and tragic are rendered in Gale's precise and delightful prose, and I was enchanted by this slight, but entertaining bagatelle. A good start!
PS: Haven't a clue what the title means!
January 20, 2018
This book is a bit difficult for me to review - mostly because the description left me expecting one type of book, but for me, at least, what was described was not what I got with this one. “Charming”, “sparkling”, “funny”? For me, not so much. Perhaps there were bits that were lost in translation, this is a very British book, and at times I was left trying to translate British English to American English. This may be why the early parts of the book felt a bit disjointed to me.
More importantly, although I’m not one who needs to “like” the main character in a book, I really didn’t much care for the main character, Domina, or her actions. And although in the end her little sabbatical from her life did seem to make her appreciate her real life and the people in it, at what cost? For me, at least, the tragedy she instigated pretty well negated the good she did for some of the people she came across during her little time out.
This was Patrick Gale’s second book, and perhaps that’s another reason the early bits felt disjointed to me. I’m not entirely put off reading others he’s written, but this one was a bit disappointing for me.
Copy provided by Netgalley and Open Road Integrated Media in exchange for an unbiased review.
More importantly, although I’m not one who needs to “like” the main character in a book, I really didn’t much care for the main character, Domina, or her actions. And although in the end her little sabbatical from her life did seem to make her appreciate her real life and the people in it, at what cost? For me, at least, the tragedy she instigated pretty well negated the good she did for some of the people she came across during her little time out.
This was Patrick Gale’s second book, and perhaps that’s another reason the early bits felt disjointed to me. I’m not entirely put off reading others he’s written, but this one was a bit disappointing for me.
Copy provided by Netgalley and Open Road Integrated Media in exchange for an unbiased review.
February 7, 2018
This is one of Patrick Gale's early books and is very different to his later ones. I didn't particularly like any of the characters in this one and was left wondering what the point was.
November 12, 2021
A short, quick read that puts you in the London suburbs, whether with writers and other artsy types, or with a bit more gritty crowd, and brings you laughs and tears from both groups. The protagonist becomes our dear friend by the end of the book, which is how the best stories work. I plan to search out more titles from this author, who was quite young when this was written. His pretentious habit of tossing in untranslated dialogue in French, Latin, and whatever will hopefully be dropped; I am ready to become a big fan. Give him a try.
April 17, 2019
I received a copy of EASE through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest and original review. All thoughts are my own.
And my thoughts are this... I'm confused. I read the whole thing but... I couldn't tell you why, what it was about the plot (what was the plot?) that pulled me along.
It was fine. Maybe forgettable.
And my thoughts are this... I'm confused. I read the whole thing but... I couldn't tell you why, what it was about the plot (what was the plot?) that pulled me along.
It was fine. Maybe forgettable.
July 19, 2024
A bore, certainly nowhere near as good as his later books, which I love.
June 2, 2025
So glad I came across this book at a free library nook at the Matisse Museum in Nice. So apropos. A magical little gem. A perfect blend of what feels like a round of clichés that I've never actually come across only to be surprised time and again. Creative & well written.
January 31, 2024
As a long time admirer of Mr. Gale’s fiction, I thought it would be fun to revisit one of his early novels. Mr. Gale began his career with several short-length books, longer than a novella, but not quite “grown-up” in length. These were quirky, amusing novels with interesting titles (“The aerodynamics of pork”), and a clear indication of a precocious talent.
So, I first read ‘Ease’ in 1990, and I suspect my reaction between first and second readings has somewhat changed.
Domina Tey is a successful English playwright, not yet forty. She’s in a long-term relationship with Randy, literary critic for the literati.
After a series of stage triumphs, Domina is feeling stale, and engineers a change of circumstances; she, temporarily, leaves Randy to live in an attic room in a boarding house far less salubrious than her former London address. As Domina describes it: “ It’s a houseful of faggots, morticians, tarts and Trappist monks…”.
And she is “having such fun”.
When I first read it, (as a callow youth) [sic] I didn’t realise the significance of the plot, or, what I now see as the ironic title. The ease with which one can take the life of another, on a capricious whim, and decide to remake him or her into something you desire; the arrogance, the carelessness, is not to be forgotten, no matter how Domina and cohorts continue to live their vacuous lives.
So, I first read ‘Ease’ in 1990, and I suspect my reaction between first and second readings has somewhat changed.
Domina Tey is a successful English playwright, not yet forty. She’s in a long-term relationship with Randy, literary critic for the literati.
After a series of stage triumphs, Domina is feeling stale, and engineers a change of circumstances; she, temporarily, leaves Randy to live in an attic room in a boarding house far less salubrious than her former London address. As Domina describes it: “ It’s a houseful of faggots, morticians, tarts and Trappist monks…”.
And she is “having such fun”.
When I first read it, (as a callow youth) [sic] I didn’t realise the significance of the plot, or, what I now see as the ironic title. The ease with which one can take the life of another, on a capricious whim, and decide to remake him or her into something you desire; the arrogance, the carelessness, is not to be forgotten, no matter how Domina and cohorts continue to live their vacuous lives.
July 21, 2022
The synopsis of Ease laid out the general plot which was a typical story of a successful woman rethinking of her life choices especially in relation to her partner and whether he is the one. Domina, the protagonist, appears fearless and as such spontaneously decides to embark on a journey of “ self discovery” within the the city of London. The “Ease” of this plot was not translated well as the novel is read. Although it was a short read, the story went through many trajectories that failed to connect the dots or enhance the reading experience with character development. Also, coincidences drove the story along which I think is a flaw. Domina had the ultimate kick in the world to rent a room with the most dysfunctional group of struggling actors l/waiters/ newly graduates. All of these supporting characters were props for Domina’s social experiment. Unsurprisingly, Domina’s was not a likable character as she was manipulative and prying on her neighbors.
Expectedly, Domina succeeded in her mission, utilizing the supporting characters in the boarding house for her winning play, which is no different than high ranking individuals in society who can get what they seek with no ounce of guilt.
Expectedly, Domina succeeded in her mission, utilizing the supporting characters in the boarding house for her winning play, which is no different than high ranking individuals in society who can get what they seek with no ounce of guilt.
December 30, 2020
I read the Kindle edition of this Patrick Gale novel, not realising that it was originally published in 1986. I was disappointed, as I compared it to his more recent work and it felt lacking. Now I should judge it more fairly as a competent early work. It certainly isn't up to his best, notably Notes from an Exhibition and A Place Called Winter.
The gist of the story is that Domina Tey (a 40 year old playwright) decides to leave her life of ease and 'slum it' in a boarding house in London. She is restless, feeling the biological clock ticking but unsure of her commitment to her long term partner, Randy. She wants to write about the seedier side of life. In this new life she meets an interesting array of people, not least the ascetic Quin, who fascinates her. When she sets out to challenge his ideals in more ways than one there are unexpected consequences.
I wasn't quite sure who Gale's intended audience was in this novel. The discontented middle class? The literati? I found it hard to engage with what I found to be Domina's indulgent approach to life. However, the dramatic ending lifted the book out of the ordinary, so three stars (just).
The gist of the story is that Domina Tey (a 40 year old playwright) decides to leave her life of ease and 'slum it' in a boarding house in London. She is restless, feeling the biological clock ticking but unsure of her commitment to her long term partner, Randy. She wants to write about the seedier side of life. In this new life she meets an interesting array of people, not least the ascetic Quin, who fascinates her. When she sets out to challenge his ideals in more ways than one there are unexpected consequences.
I wasn't quite sure who Gale's intended audience was in this novel. The discontented middle class? The literati? I found it hard to engage with what I found to be Domina's indulgent approach to life. However, the dramatic ending lifted the book out of the ordinary, so three stars (just).
November 10, 2022
A 2 star “meh” for me. I felt I was slogging through it but even when I slowed down to get meaning I wasn’t impressed. Like it was trying to be witty and clever but there was too much work for too little reward.
Sample: “That leaves just the effortless final statement in which my poised prose structures will raise passing herms to the twentieth century (which as we both know is negligible when it comes to literally madness, hallucinogens being such a lousy cheat). Sorry. That was a regular breakfast sentence. I left it in the middle for coffee.”
The only reason I even finished the book in the first place was because it was only 150 pages.
Sample: “That leaves just the effortless final statement in which my poised prose structures will raise passing herms to the twentieth century (which as we both know is negligible when it comes to literally madness, hallucinogens being such a lousy cheat). Sorry. That was a regular breakfast sentence. I left it in the middle for coffee.”
The only reason I even finished the book in the first place was because it was only 150 pages.
October 24, 2017
I have read and loved a few more recent novels by Patrick Gale. This is one of his early ones, possibly his first. Unfortunately it shows. Domina moves out of her comfortable, middle class life, where she moves in theatrical circles, to stay in a large house converted into bedsits. But, unfortunately it just becomes a bit jumbled from then on. Lots of long, pretentious sentences, meandering time sequences and various encounters left me not entirely sure who was who. Some glimpses of the wonderful writer he was to become though.
December 16, 2023
Another slender and entirely forgotten book found as I empty bookshelves prior to redecorating. A light and entertaining tale of folk I've nothing in common with, well-characterised and somewhat bittersweet.
August 25, 2017
3.5
Quick read and interesting but uneven and confusing. A good first novel? Great premise. Too tangled? Does anyone write a play that fast?
Quick read and interesting but uneven and confusing. A good first novel? Great premise. Too tangled? Does anyone write a play that fast?
September 23, 2017
The characters were shallow and the plot unconvincing. It was drawn rapidly to a close as if the writer had had enough of it all himself. Patrick Gale can do so much better.
October 3, 2018
Middle class
I am not sure if this book is tongue in cheek. If it is well done. " I hate the middle classes "
I am not sure if this book is tongue in cheek. If it is well done. " I hate the middle classes "
March 17, 2020
Definitely not his best work. Quite jargonistic, but the plot was good
July 26, 2020
A rich take on life. A novel. Not a book where characters are to be liked or judged for their actions, but to come away with some thought or insight into the richness of humanity.
January 8, 2021
Disappointing, all the things I enjoy about Patrick Gale were missing. Characters who I didn't like and a story line that was dull.
May 2, 2021
Entertaining, and shows promise for Patrick's later books.
September 29, 2022
Wanted to sample early Gale. More disjointed than later prose but an interesting plot
February 24, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed the quirky characters and very much like Patrick Gale's writing style.
January 7, 2017
"Ease" by Patrick Gale, is a very thoughtful and emotionally involved novel. Whilst one would not ordinarily expect a novel of this sort to have a quick pace, I found that once I settled into this book, the lives and events of the characters kept me going until the end with few breaks in between.
The style of writing used in this book allows you to get very close to the main character and their internal thoughts. That made it easy for me to feel like I was reading about someone I knew, drawing me closer to the over all story. I love books where you fee a strong connection to one or more of the characters and I had that here.
This was a pleasant way to spend an afternoon and I would recommend this book to others who like books that allow you to ponder what becomes of the characters after the book has finished. A wonderful read.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher, provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
The style of writing used in this book allows you to get very close to the main character and their internal thoughts. That made it easy for me to feel like I was reading about someone I knew, drawing me closer to the over all story. I love books where you fee a strong connection to one or more of the characters and I had that here.
This was a pleasant way to spend an afternoon and I would recommend this book to others who like books that allow you to ponder what becomes of the characters after the book has finished. A wonderful read.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher, provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
August 29, 2012
Ease is the story of Domina, a successful playwright who needs inspiration for her next writing. She moves to London to escape her bitchy friend and long term partner, looking for ideas and adventure. She moves into a bed sit and the story is the tale of what and who she finds there.
Gale's characterisations are witty and dynamic as usual and there are smacks of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City. I was also reminded of John Irving's Prayer For Owen Meany due to the twist at the end (which I won't reveal) and how this links back to something we already know about the characters. I really didn't see it coming!
A thoroughly enjoyable read from early Gale and, although not like his more recent offerings, every bit as good.
Gale's characterisations are witty and dynamic as usual and there are smacks of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City. I was also reminded of John Irving's Prayer For Owen Meany due to the twist at the end (which I won't reveal) and how this links back to something we already know about the characters. I really didn't see it coming!
A thoroughly enjoyable read from early Gale and, although not like his more recent offerings, every bit as good.
January 8, 2011
Patrick Gale novels are never dull and this one is no exception. I loved Gale's evocation of Domina's safe but unchallenging world and her decision to slum it for a while to shake up her marriage and her imagination. I really enjoyed the interplay between characters and the deft way Gale handles sex, just got a little confused by the ending.
I will be releasing this at the January meeting. I hope someone will read it and contact me about the ambiguity of a decision Domina does/doesn't make.
I will be releasing this at the January meeting. I hope someone will read it and contact me about the ambiguity of a decision Domina does/doesn't make.
January 5, 2013
I've not read anything by this chap before, but know he is thought highly of. I was therefore somewhat disappointed in this book: it wasn't bad, but I didn't think it was brilliant either. The characters were somewhat predictable and stereotyped to my mind, and Domina herself wasn't very sympathetic - not for the reasons suggested by the synopsis, but because she never really glowed or came off the page, even at the end when things were resolved.
February 1, 2016
A short, enjoyable novel with dynamic and witty characterisation. Gale captures the tone and vocabulary of Domina's "set" beautifully. Well observed with a sharp sting in the tail. Domina herself wasn't terribly likeable, but she was believable and lifelike; that said I do wish she'd learned a bit by the end and gone back into her life with some new insights instead of fleeing back to it like a baby looking for its mother. All said though, well worth a read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2016
I really had to force myself to stay interested in this book. It just wasn't for me. It was about a woman who was living with a man and she decided to move out to go " find herself". The book had plenty of opportunities to dig itself out of the doldrums but, for me, it just didn't happen. It did get a little better about 2/3 through the book but by then it was almost a whole other story. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read an advance copy for my honest review.
December 17, 2016
A short, enjoyable novel with dynamic and witty characterisation. Gale captures the tone and vocabulary of Domina's "set" beautifully. Well observed with a sharp sting in the tail. Domina herself wasn't terribly likeable, but she was believable and lifelike; that said I do wish she'd learned a bit by the end and gone back into her life with some new insights instead of fleeing back to it like a baby looking for its mother. All said though, well worth a read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2016
Domina Tey is a writer who needs inspiration. She moves to a small London bed sitter and observes her fellow boarders. She gets occasional visits from her long time lover as she soon starts to feel the creative juices stirring. Relatively short, this story has great characters and an interesting plot.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews