Brian & Gordon: Living in threes 3. Parborough Chronicles

When reading a superlative tale from the Hugillverse, I am often reminded of Kate Bush, the exceedingly gifted singer/songwriter/musician, who like @Robert Hugill is English, and similarly possesses an extraordinary artistic talent. When reading this latest tale featuring the lives of Brian, his husband Gordon, his son Toby, and the friendship that each has, albeit in different ways, with the delightful "Mr Russ", I often heard the lyric from Kate's wonderful song, Moments Of Pleasure. 

"And I can hear my mother saying
"Every old sock meets an old shoe"
Ain't that a great saying?"

This tale was a welcome return from these delightful characters, characters who are familiar and  comforting because of this familiarity, like a favourite old sock or old shoe, characters who continue to charm, delight and at times surprise.

My fellow Hugillite (Robert Hugill fan), @drsawzall, has referred to Robert as the master of the Midlands. Even if this description is not geographically correct (although I am sure the good doctor will have researched this meticulously so it likely is), the sentiment is one with which I wholeheartedly agree. The only disappointment when reading any tale set in the Hugillverse is that they come to an end, although this story is part of the Parborough Chronicles, therefore the characters will feature in other stories.

I have loved all your works Robert, but I think this one has been my favourite to date, comforting and familiar like and old sock or an old shoe. It has been a joy to read from start to finish.

From what we call lovingly the "Hugillverse" comes a tale of building a chosen family that might seem unconventional to traditionalists, but is one full of love and respect.  Great writing, witty sayings, and fascinating characters.

What a marvelous tale from one of the best authors this site has to offer, and that is truly saying something.  

The title is cany as it came me one of two different groupings of three, and I admit I did not fully think about that until about midway through this latest installment.

As always, the writing and character interplay and development are first rate.

The story is a delight, but might be a bit hard to follow if you haven't read the previous stories in this saga; that said, who isn't reading this?

A lovely cup of tea and your best English pudding, and away we go...

Just an enthralling tale from the mind of the master of the Midlands!!!

Another solid installment of the interconnecting lives of heroes from one of the first of the series. 
it is beautifully written with strong characterisations of even the minor players. A very enjoyable read.