‘Tin Man’ by Sarah Winman

I try hard to be liked, I always have. I try hard to lessen people’s pain. I try hard because I can’t face my own.

‘Tin Man’ by Sarah Winman is set mostly in Oxford, mostly in the 1990s, as well as in London and France. At the heart of this story of friendship, love, and grief are Ellis, Michael, and Annie.

The first half of the book is told from Ellis’s point of view. Ellis is 45 years old, works at a car plant paint shop, and is lonely. Through flashbacks, he reminisces about his childhood, youth, and early adulthood with Michael, his life with his wife Annie, and their time together.

In the second half of the book, the readers read a journal written by Michael, Ellis’s best friend since childhood. Like Ellis, Michael reminisces about their time together—before and with Annie.

The three of them share a special and very close bond. But unfortunately, their bond is not forever.

CW: grief, abuse, terminal illness, homophobia, mental health struggles