Chapter 5

You can read Chapter 6 of “A Good Man” https://storiesonline.net/s/69435/a-good-man-tutelam-venit-book-one/7

AUTHOR COMMENTARY

This chapter might seem like a simple ‘double date’ narrative, but a lot is going on just beneath the surface, and crucially, it contains one of the most important revelations about Paul so far.

Firstly, a key function of this chapter is to establish the Lauren/Kevin dynamic, which gains significance over the following chapters before fading into the background. This is, though, less important than what the chapter tells us about Paul and, to a lesser extent, Lisa.

Right from Chapter 1, he’s told us he’s ‘nothing special’ and not top of the class. Here, through Lisa’s eyes, we learn that’s not just humility—it’s a deliberate act. He’s so smart that he intentionally holds back to avoid the social consequences. This is the moment we, the reader, learn that Paul is not always a reliable narrator, at least when it comes to his own abilities or his self-image. I’m sure Paul believes he’s ‘nothing special.’ It’s just that he’s wrong.

The other hugely important aspect of this chapter is the introduction of Lisa, who goes on to become a vital supporting character later in the series.

Lisa is the perfect character to act as a mirror, showing us the Paul he won’t show us himself. She’s perceptive, intelligent, and, like Paul, she has ambitions beyond Micester. This chapter marks the beginning of a brief romance between them, but her role as an external pair of eyes through which the reader can view Paul is what makes her so important.

This is also a good moment to offer some behind-the-scenes perspective: if I were writing this book today, in 2025, rather than back in 2011, I would have spent considerably more time developing Lisa’s character in these early stages of the series. One key difference between this first book and the later ones in the series is that the chapters become significantly longer, increasing from an average of 2,000 words to almost 5,000 words. This allows the supporting cast more space to breathe and develop.

Ultimately, this new insight into Paul, seen through Lisa’s eyes, deepens the ‘Good Man’ theme. People in the story trust Paul not just because of his heroic actions (such as at the wedding), but also because of his perceived humility. He doesn’t act like he’s better than anyone, even though, academically at least, everyone knows that he is. This quiet confidence, this lack of an ego, makes him seem safe, approachable, and trustworthy, which is why all these complex situations—with Clarissa, Kelly, and now Lisa—keep landing at his feet.