How to Be Good

Katie Carr, a London GP, believes herself to be a good person, despite her husband David earning a living as 'The Angriest Man in Holloway.' Their strained marriage reaches a breaking point, with Katie contemplating divorce in a Leeds car park. However, David undergoes a radical transformation after encountering a spiritual healer named DJ Goodnews, suddenly becoming an aggressively good person. His newfound benevolence manifests in 'crimes of charity' – housing the homeless, giving away their children's possessions – pushing Katie to the edge. Confronted by David's extreme philanthropy, Katie is forced to re-evaluate her own definition of 'goodness' and whether she can live with a man who has become almost pathologically virtuous. Hornby masterfully blends his signature wit with profound moral questioning, exploring the complexities of contemporary relationships and the often-uncomfortable pursuit of ethical living, leaving readers both entertained and provoked.