The Gift

by Alan Titchmarsh

***More information coming soon***

In the meantime, there's an Alan Titchmarsh novel for every mood!

If you're looking for . . .
An enthralling wartime mystery, head over to THE SCARLET NIGHTINGALE
'A perfect love story' (Katie Fforde), search for THE HAUNTING
An uplifting, enchanting novel about second chances, dive into MR GANDY'S GRAND TOUR
An absorbing family saga, head over to the page for FOLLY
An escapist family mystery, read BRING ME HOME

Praise for Alan Titchmarsh:

'The story brims with intrigue' - Daily Express on THE HAUNTING

'A pleasurable read which fans will lap up' - Daily Mail on MR GANDY'S GRAND TOUR

'It's just brilliant - full of poetry' - Jilly Cooper

Genres: Fiction, Drama, Contemporary

368 pages, Paperback

First published March 3, 2022

Reviews

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one. A bit different from his others but, very well written. Set in Yorkshire on a farm it follows one family’s life and work on the farm. Not too much detail on farming methods which is great as it can get a little boring after awhile. Recommend this one.

[Judith Letley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tale full of twists and turns about country family.

[Heather Copping · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adam is the only son of Bethany and Luke Gabriel, they all live in a farmhouse deep in the Yorkshire Dales, in the North of England, along with their flock of sheep and sheepdog Finn. When only a young lad, Adam was very helpful around the farm and had a good relationship with Finn. At five years old it was now time for him to attend the local primary school in Kettlewell, a half hour drive from the farm. He settled in well at the school, especially enjoying the "Forest School sessions" where the children are taught about nature. Bethany worries about Adam being an only child and blames herself, as she was told to not have any more children by her doctor. But Adam seems happy enough and loves being on the farm and during a very snowy Christmas he shows just how mature he is for his age, when he helps his parents in the snowdrifts looking for stray sheep. When he locates one buried deep beside a stone wall, his parents declare it a miracle, but Adam declares it magic.
As Adam enters his teenage years, he still has a great love of the countryside and the wildlife, he also has another sheep dog Nip, who is as devoted to Adam as the elderly Finn. But now there is another interest in Adams life, Isla, sister of Noah, their yearly shearer from New Zealand. Adam leads a very isolated life and friendships are hard to make when you live where they do, but when the family suffer a massive tragedy, suddenly he realises that he needs his friends, making Adam reassess his priorities in life. Still there are people who are sure that Adam has the great gift of healing, but he doesn't know what to do with his life. Some are in awe of him and his miracle cures, others mock and ridicule him, but Adam knows what he wants from life, he just needs the right people to live it with him. His miracle cures mystify him as much as anybody else, but he doesn't want to be known as some kind of freak. But do they work or is it all in the minds of those who want to believe ? Soon he strikes up a lovely friendship with Jess, a local girl who works for them as a shepherdess, very soon friendship turns to romance and everyone realises what it is that is important to them all and when Brother Wilfred turns up on his yearly pilgrimage visits to the farmstead, Adam gets the answers he had been looking for.

I do like the little descriptions and quotations that head-up each chapter, it gives you a chance to have an insight into what is coming in the next few pages.
Set in the glorious Yorkshire countryside, which I absolutely love, I have spent many holidays in the moors and dales. Reading this is just like being there, with the descriptions of the area, it's a really enjoyable and entertaining read, a hug in a book, and would make an excellent Sunday night feelgood TV drama.
A five star read from me.

[Linda Amos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adam Gabriel is an unusual child.  He seems to have an ability to heal animals and people, and find animals lost in the deep snow of the Yorkshire Dales.  His school days are not happy as his fellow pupils don't understand his gift, but they do appreciate it when he takes away their physical pain.  A few months after leaving to work on his family sheep farm, he sees the school bully being attacked in the street.  His actions lead to unwelcome publicity, and an interview with the local doctor's panel.  
The school play is told with great fun and what many parents have witnessed.  I also loved the description of the changing of seasons: leaves rattling like paper bags, the river irritated and grumbling.  It deals with a subject that we don't understand how it works but it does for some, why some people have it and how we treat them.  It is by turns funny and sad; portrays the hard reality on the sheep farm and the extremes of weather; the beauty of the area on our doorstep.
Thank you to Bookends for a free copy in exchange for a review.

[Lynne - The Book Squirrel · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good to read a book in a day. Not done it in ages! Loved this.

[Annie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Picked it up in the supermarket….. nice if you like sheep/ are interested in hill farming I suppose but found it rather dull tbh.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Alan Titchmarsh's last novel and this is just as good, if not better, although very different.
The setting in the glorious Yorkshire Dales is brilliantly described and the characters are engaging. The story flows so well and Alan's use of words and language is a joy. Five stars not nearly enough.

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this on a sunny afternoon. Set near where I live, Skipton was mentioned a lot and I could hear the Yorkshire Shepherdess voice as descriptions of looking after sheep on the fells was mentioned. Adam a young lad with a gift to heal, it’s a story of him and his family and the love of his life. Beautifully written, thanks Alan.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I enjoyed Gandy's Tour by the author, thought I'd give this a try. Were I more familiar with the Yorkshire Dales, it might have made a difference. While the Tour provided great armchair travel, the reason I liked it, this was totally different, staying in one place, a remote part of the UK. Simplistic writing, a bit boring, but a sweet story. Just not my cup of tea...trite but true. Sorry~

[Kendra Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Grand Yorkshire Tale

What a lovely story in a beautiful setting. As always with an Alan Titchmarsh novel the descriptions are just delightful, I love his use of language. This is the story of a shepherd and his family, the comings and goings on their farm and the blossoming of young love. Highly recommended

[R. Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish the star rating went higher than five, because this is a ten. All the Alan Titchmarsh’s Novels have wonderful characters. And I’ve had the pleasure of reading all of Alan Titchmarsh’s Novels, but this is his best!

[Lyn]

I liked the idea of this story but the main character Adam seemed a little too perfect for credibility. Also the medical details given were far too scanty - ‘a lump in her tummy?’ ‘Doctors can do no more?’ No mention of chemo or radiotherapy, or even such investigations as scans or MRI.

[Michele Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first Alan Titchmarsh book and what a pleasant surprise! Not sure what I expected but I thoroughly enjoyed this! Beautifully written and had me hooked from the start! Up to date with the doctors opinions of Adams gift and so sad too. People should be more open minded and accept that some things are unexplainable. A lovely feel good read and I shall be reading more by this author in the future.

[Mandy Marr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read, light and easy

[Gaye Teather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely gentle story with a little 'magic'. Very enjoyable.

[Lesley Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good for thought

Loved this book and the underlying message it brings to us. The way that anyone who is 'different' can be intimidated and shunned by some members of society.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed it It’s a feel good book

[Melissa Ayriss · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read once I was into the book. This isn’t something I generally read. But overall a good book.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

always good

Yet another masterpiece by Alan keeps you reading from page one to page end . Had me sad in some places and laughing in others

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good holiday read.

[Sally Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Being from Yorkshire myself I like the fact that he put in some Yorkshire dialect. The story was very good.

[Juliet · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the best book. But did read till the end

[jean sargent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book I lovely easy read all about a family in the Yorkshire Dales rearing sheep and the ups and downs of having a gift

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very pleasant, gentle story of a young man with a special gift.

[Vanessa Rooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read enjoyable

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and well written. The characters, some of whom you'd love to meet, others you are glad are fictitious, give the story its richness.

[Julie Pimlott-Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story set in Yorkshire.

[Sally Daffarn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite a bit of esoteric mixed in

[Michael Romeo Talks Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

See my review on YouTube at Michael Romeo Talks Books. https://youtu.be/hjBjY05W5m0