The Man I Think I Know: A feel-good, uplifting story of the most unlikely friendship

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Two brilliantly written characters: Danny, who starts off looking like a tragic case of 'What's the point of it all? Why bother working when I can just sit on the sofa watching tv? There is nothing out there in the world I want or need.' Danny though hides a past of high intellect and family tragedy. I was also born in Birmingham — in my humble opinion the greatest city in the world with the nicest people too. The things the characters are forced to deal with, those many things in their lives are true to life, and the way they're dealt with is realistic, relatable and believable. The author offers also a very deep and detailed insight into a life with ABI - acquired brain injury and I loved the way it was dealt with, with tons of understanding and subtlety but without pitying. With his words, he touches upon the right heart - strings.

The main reason this book did not resonate with me was that I felt like there was very poor character development. With a book on such a sensitive topic, speaking about brain injury, alcoholism and depression, I would expect to have some emotional attachment to the situations at hand, but I found myself completely detached. Although the perspective was switching between the two main characters, I often lost myself on who was speaking because there were no differentiating characteristics. It was like they just moulded into the same person, with the only difference being one calling the other "mate". The thing that really stood out for me, though, was that James fought for what HE wanted for HIS life, and was not dictated to by his parents. It was an accident that changed James's life and now he is looked after affectionately by his parents. But his sister Martha believes that the role of full-time carers is destroying their lives - and infantilising her brother. I could see parts of myself in both characters, not the clever parts but elements of their lives and minds trying to come to terms with and deal with unexpected tragic events that can occur throughout life. I loved it and could see myself taking on a role if it's ever turned into a movie or television drama. Wink Wink! Right, where's that number for acting lessons?

It doesn't necessarily take a bad man to commit an action that can have serious repercussions to many: it can just take a good man making a bad decision. There are many touching and heartfelt moments in this novel. I personally loved It. Jalan ceritanya agak mudah. Tidaklah begitu sukar untuk difahami. Kisah persahabatan yang terjalin antara dua manusia, James dan Danny, yang asalnya pernah satu sekolah tapi tak pernah bersahabat. This appeared to be a gentle story about male friendship which is rarely the main topic of novels so I started it positively. I loved the characters of James and Danny, their stories are compelling right from the first chapter and you just want the best for both of them and this is what makes this story so compelling.

Before I went to university I wanted to be a social worker — I have no idea why. It didn’t last long. A tale of redemption which falls far short of being maudlin and sentimental because of the author’s way with words and how he lets each protagonist tell his own story in thoughts and feelings, along with their very human ups and downs. Each character so very different and yet they have more in common than makes any real sense at first. Both very likable men in their own ways. Selepas buat pemeriksaan doktor, saya tak dibenarkan membuat aktiviti lasak lagi. Harus berpada-pada. Boleh lagi bersukan, tapi tak boleh keterlaluan.I loved the narrative and I left this novel feeling totally uplifted . . . I now feel like there is some hope in the world!' I also used to live in Manchester — another great city (although technically I lived in Salford which is next door but that’s sort of splitting hairs). Bob Mortimer wins 2023 Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for Comic Fiction with The Satsuma Complex

That rarest of things; a moving, beautifully written novel about male friendship . . . I absolutely loved it' Lisa Jewell

LoveReading Says

James was living a privileged life as an MP and property developer. He had it all. This is, until "the Incident" that left him with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). His world from then on is reduced to his overprotective parents and sister. A very special book. A moving, thought-provoking storyline told with humour and insight. I loved the distinctive voices of James and Danny and really missed them when I finished it! (Tracy Rees)