Touching, funny and well written ( )

Could not quite like it. Something missing. ( )

Synopsis: Worried about the lack of success in his life, Harry Silver throws away all he didn't realise he had on the eve of his 30th birthday. Through his mistake, he learns that he did have a lot as it all disappears, and he begins to appreciate life through different eyes.
My Opinion: At first I thought this book was an autobiography, as all the characters are vivid and memories are vividly described. I am glad to have been on Harry Silver's journey with him as he learned how to live on past his mistake and learn important life lessons. ( )

I thought this was pretty terrible until I read the sequel. That was way worse.

Light, fun read. Great beach book. Predicable, but aren't these books always? It was nice to read a chick lit book, written by a man for once :) ( )

I guess I had too high expectations before I started reading, seeing it had been proudly labelled the "British book of the year", not to mention the words "I cried five times and laughed out loud four" printed smack in the middle of the cover. But the Brit lit I looked forward to turned out sounding more American than I expected save for a few "bollocks!" sprinkled around the novel.

It's about a man who threw a whole wonderful life away - beautiful wife, wonderful kid, great career - after a foolish one night stand with a fellow colleague who later withered away in the course of the story. What I didn't get was how awfully disappointing the ending would be - no resilience, no determination on the husband's part to salvage the marriage, no endurance to stay faithful to the wife even if for a brief separation of four months, which the author made it sound as if a decade had flew by. Falling so easily to temptation, first to an attractive doctor, then to a pretty waitress, sleeping with one of them, and eventually becoming attached to her... whatever happened to the beautiful wife who gave him the perfect gift - their son - both of whom he so easily let go, simply after his own mother's supposedly wise saying, "Love means knowing when to let go".

The author is very much on the side of the guy, I guess, from the way he writes about him and the lousy way he patched up the ending for the wife, I mean, sure the guy's made a few mistakes here and there but hey, people learn from it and grow as a process, don't they? But hey, you know, some mistakes are too costly to make, and even though there's always a chance of reparation, not showing enough commitment isn't the way to go.

All I can say it, if I ever get a husband like this, I'd be really disappointed. ( )

Interessante entrosamento de um pai separado com seu filho pequeno, descobrindo como cuidar de um filho sozinho e cuja mãe está morando em outro país ( )

En mycket bra bok. Både varm, hjärtlig och lite sorgsen, men helt underbar ( )

I picked up this book because of its cover, which caught my eyes, while I was browsing at Borders on a lonely Saturday afternoon. To my delight, the book did not disappoint me at all. Despite the fact that the story line is predictable, I found myself glued to it until the last page.

Man and Boy is a story of Harry Silver, his separation from his wife and his struggle as a single parent to raise his son.

The author, 52-year old Tony Parsons, a columnist with Daily Mirror, has written three novels before coming up with his international bestseller.

The book is set in London in the late 90s. Thirty-year-old Harry is completely devoid of emotion and practical sense and thinks that the world is his oyster. He seems to have it all - a successful career as TV producer, a beautiful wife, Gina, and an adorable four-year-old son, Pat. And to top it all, he drives around town in a sporty red MGF - a car which most men dream of owning. (I am digressing a little here to know - why do men need fancy cars to boost their image…err ego?)

However, Harry screwed things up when he had a one-night stand with a colleague. His wife walks out on him, leaving Harry to look after their young son after she discovered his little rendezvous. Gina, who has a penchant for everything Japanese, then heads for the land of the rising sun to pursue an unfulfilled dream of becoming a foreign correspondent.

Suddenly, Harry’s world begins to crumble. He finds himself an unemployed single father and in a financial mess with the prospect of a divorce looming before him. He failed to win Gina back despite apologising to her. On the other hand, his parents could not understand why he and Gina decide to go their separate ways. After all, didn’t they - the devoted parents - raise him in a stable environment?

Harry begins to pick up the pieces from his failed marriage once he stops wallowing in self-pity; most importantly, to be a good parent to his son. He strives to provide a decent living environment for Pat in his bid to fight for permenant custody of him. He takes up a job that gives him flexibility in order not to compromise his son’s interest. He does everything a mother is supposed to do for her child - from cooking for his son to giving him a bath. Pat initially resists him and throws tantrums because he misses him mother very much. In short, Harry realises that raising a child is a daunting task.

When Gina returns from Japan with a new man in tow, Harry threatens to fight for sole custody of Pat. However, he soon realises that loving someone is about setting her free. Loving someone is about letting go. He eventually agrees to a shared custody of their son.

The subplot of this novel comes in a form of Cyd, a divorcee. This American single mother eventually finds her way to Harry’s broken heart. The book offers its suspense elements when Pat is involved in an unfortunate accident at the park. The way the author describes Harry’s anxiety and his state of mind then will move you to tears. Well, I cried when I read this particular scene.

In my opinion, Man & Boy is a predictable story - a story which most of us probably have heard or read. In fact, the story reminds me of ‘Kramer versus Kramer’. However, Parsons retains his originality with his wit and his writing heartfelt in its simplicity. Parsons takes his readers on an emotional roller coaster ride from the first page right until the last. He skillfully narrates the trials and tribulations of a single father in a demanding modern world.

Apart from the coincidence of Pat and Peggy (Cyd’s daughter) attending the same school, which seems a bit far-fetched to me, the storyline is carefully developed to retain the reader’s interest throughout the book. Overall, it is very well written, funny, and heart-breakingly moving.

This is a must-read to those who are suffering from premature mid-life crisis. It’s good for women too because the book guides you right to a man’s heart. Parsons gives you a reality jolt and a subtle reminder not to take anything for granted. Highly recommended. ( )

Lighthearted comedy ( )

This book had me crying on a train! Touches a beautiful emotional chord. ( )

Harry Silver has it all: a beautiful wife, a wonderful son, a great job in the media - but in one night he throws it all away. Then Harry must start to learn what life and love are really all about. ( )

Single father can read it...
it's quite similar to 'The Pursuit of Happyness' (played by Will Smith and Jaden Smith), about the story of a single father who has to take care of his son and just fired by his boss.
Easy to read and suitable for those who don't want to use too much brain energy but still want to read a good story! ( )

This book examines just about every possible combination of relationship possible in the early years of the 21st century. It explores why people marry and what can lead to those marriages failing. It follows the development of its lead character from someone who, although adult, is still a boy, into a man. The writing of the love of this man for his young son resonated strongly with me. The least realistic aspect for me was the description of the antipathy towards the dad at the school gate from the mums. Really worth reading, language is pretty explicit. ( )

A work of fiction mysteriously based on the authors own divorce, about a man who ends up holding the baby after his wife leaves. A good read that will keep you amused for a few hours without stretching too many neurones ( )

i borrowed this book from brittany when i visted her in london last spring break (yes, it took me a year to get around to reading it....). i wasn't sure about it, but once i got into i really enjoyed it. i loved the relationship between harry and his son and harry and his father. i also find it interesting that it this book would have been completely different (and probably not even published) had it been the other way around: a mother is left with her children after her husband leaves. i think one of the reasons i really liked the book is because it takes place in england and reminded me of my visit. it was a good, fun book. i'm glad i read it. ( )