The Facts Of Life

A Tender Exploration of Family, Identity, and the Ties That Bind

The Facts of Life by Patrick Gale is a moving and insightful novel that delves into the complexities of love, belonging, and personal discovery. First published by Harper in 1996, this emotionally rich story unfolds across generations, weaving together moments of quiet revelation and deep emotional resonance.

One Family, Many Secrets

Edward Pepper, a gentle and reclusive man, lives a quiet life as a music teacher, raising his adopted son with quiet devotion. But when his past resurfaces—full of painful memories, romantic awakenings, and fractured family ties—Edward must confront the truths he’s long kept hidden. Through a series of beautifully drawn flashbacks, the novel explores how lives are shaped by choices, both made and unmade, and how the past continues to echo into the present.

Poignant, Thoughtful, and Elegantly Written

The Facts of Life is classic Patrick Gale—literary, compassionate, and full of emotional insight. With lyrical prose and sharply observed characters, Gale examines what it means to be a parent, a child, a lover, and a survivor. This is a novel for readers who appreciate quiet but powerful storytelling that lingers long after the final page—a celebration of love in all its complicated, beautiful forms.