(Book) Dad - William Wharton

[yoshi]

Summary:
The story of a man and his father, and also the same man and his son. Through the boy Billy we learn of Jack the father. Through Jack we learn of his own unforgettable Dad, who long ago handed over the running of his life to his domineering wife but recovers his old self when she is hospitalised. A very warm story about love, family and commitment.

Review:
When I first saw the book on the shelf, I thought it's probably some boring crap. Now when I think about it, I feel stupid for that one thought. I really was wrong because it turned out to be a great novel about Jack, his son John and grandson - Billy, but also, in the background about Jack's wife, who's been kind of strangling him for all the years of their marriage.
Wharton basically described the life of an average American family, living in Los Angeles at that time, mixing drama with humor, but also - in the end - death.
I liked how Jack was taking care of his Dad when his condition got really bad, how he wasn't afraid to stay with him at home and take care of him after he'd decided that the nursing home was not a place for him, it reminded me of my own dad, so maybe that's one of the reasons I enjoyed that book so much.

[Slimm]

I never really read books in modern day time with anyday problems, maybe i should give it a chance but im more into historic stuff. Nice review, but it wont get me as far to try it!

[yoshi]

Depends on the taste, right? I liked it but I don't expect people to read everything I say is good or worth checking out And after that I also read 'Birdy' by Wharton, was great. Reading about schizophrenic freaks > being schizophrenic freak rofl

[mcZu]

Good review, just curious about the way the book is written. The kind of perspective and the way of describing certain scenes and such. I'm always in for a clever written novel.

[yoshi]

^ There are 3 guys: Dad, John (son) and Billy (grandson) and 3 narrators:

- John tells us the story from his perspective. He describes how he took care of Dad when Mum was hospitalised, how Dad got sick and also his relations with his own son, Billy.

- Billy also speaks from his point of view, about his dad (John) and grandpa (Dad). He also talks alot about his own life, university and future plans.

- Dad - I won't tell you, because I don't want to spoil the book for you But there's also a place for his story.

The cool thing is that you don't get them confused, even though the chapters are mixed (like 3 chapters from John, then one from Billy, then again John etc) - they complete each other just perfectly.