Customer Reviews

Man And Boy: A Novel

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(34)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

Tony Parsons' Man and Boy is one of the most moving, captivating, thought-provoking, and funny books I've ever read. I am an editor and have worked on well over 100 books, and this is the kind of book I would have loved to be a part of. Parsons characters come alive, and I can see myself, for better or worse, in Harry Silver. I have a son about Pat's age, and I could easily see myself in Harry's position--caring for a little boy he's totally in love with and facing the prospect of losing him. Throughout my read, I kept thinking, "There but for the grace of God go I."

The relationship between Harry and his son, Pat, is splendid and believable. I empathized totally with Harry as he learned to be a father to his son, and I laughed and cried as events in their lives together unfolded. Harry's relationship with his father, a WWII vet who reminds Harry of his own weaknesses, is perhaps even more stirring. Parsons explores the joys of parenting and family life and contrasts them with the notions of romance and the heady and carefree days of dating and early marriage. Parsons also hits the nail on the head concerning divorce and what it does to children. The resolution of the custody fight had me both cheering and feeling a sense of loss.

I suggest this book for any man who has a child, who has been married for a while, or who feels he's getting old and wants to "spice up" his life again. Parsons will help you rekindle love for your life and family. You won't take a minute of family life for granted after reading this incredible book.

This book, while often predictable and formulaic, is also sweet, funny, insightful and wise. It tells the story of a young man becoming an actual man. In the beginning, Harry is a nice guy, but bored and feeling entitled and dissatisfied. While he has a beautiful wife, adored son and good job, he somehow doesn't think that is enough on the eve of his 30th birthday. When he loses just about everything, he begins to see that life isn't about what you have, but instead about what you value and how to protect it, even when you don't feel like it, and he begins to grow into a true man. I loved the characters of Harry and his father, but the women characters were often poorly drawn. However, this is the story of Harry's awakening, and his lack of insight into the women in his life is not surprising. This book will make you laugh and cry. It is a first novel, and I look foreward to Mr. Parson's future efforts.

I picked this up while I was on vacation overseas, and absolutely loved it. I'm thrilled it's finally made its way over here. It's funny, touching, honest, and totally, totally enjoyable. This simple of a story of a man, his separation, and his struggle to raise his son and find himself was both humorous and moving, yet all without being too corny. If I had to make one complaint it would be that the book becomes too much like a screenplay, but that didn't stop me from fully enjoying it. It's almost like a more grown up HIGH FIDELITY or BRIDGET JONES. I passed it onto several friends and we all felt the same. Definitely one of my all time favorites.

It is funny because I have bought this book exactly in the same situation as one of the reviewers here: I was waiting for a flight at Heathrow airport and had also never heard of Tony Parsons before. I have just read the book and found it amazingly touching, full of wisdom and zest for life. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me think...

Gorgeous.

Rummaging for a bargain in the new year sales I picked up this book, with the simple, non-pretentious yet curious cover, read the first page, and fell in love.

It is the story of Harry Silver and his developing relationship with his adoring four year old son. It is the story of growing up, of being young, of growing old, of dying, of starting over. It is a story which teaches us how beautiful and precious and yet ruthlessly frail life can be. Ultimately, it is a story about love, and what this really means when it is lived out in the real world, with real people who are flawed.

Parsons does not write with an all ominiscient hand. His central character Harry is far from perfect. He lacks insight into his wife and because of this, even after his marriage and his whole life as he knows it falls crashing to the ground, he is still unable to grasp why his fatal act was so necessarily fatal. Truly heartbroken over his loss, he never manages to acknowledge fully his own part in bringing about this loss, and yet his act nearing the end, although unable to restore that which was irredeemably broken, does bring about some sense of absolution and hope for the future.

Its one failing, the plot, moves unnecessarily fast. It all takes place in the space of 6 months and so events which are all too common and perhaps even inevitable and predictable (healing, falling in love again, etc.,) come across as somewhat contrived and forced.

Nonetheless, neglecting the pace of events, the characters in this novel are depicted superbly and resoundingly true to life, and as the poignant story unfolds, developed with impressive skill and compassion. We are angry with Harry for having thrown away his perfect life, and yet we grow to love and admire him for how he then goes on to take responsibility for his son Pat, becoming a real father for him despite the sacrifices that this entails.

I emerged from the book having felt like I had truly lived through all the events of the book (namely, I felt like I had just been run over by a fourty ton truck and had somehow emerged miraculously alive) more vulnerable and frail than I have remembered feeling before, yet grateful for being enriched by its humanity and revived with a new deeper appreciation for life and love. I would recommend this book to anyone.

From the moment I opened the first page to the description of turning 30, I could not put the thing down! Not only does this story touch every person's heart (from young adults to aging grandparents), it draws on feelings that we've all experienced in our lives. The novel is funny, depressing and true to life unlike any I've ever read. With that many feelings going on in a book, you truly cannot say that about many books. A perfect read, a wonderful writer, a tear jerking experience.

Parsons' book was far more emotional than I expected, far more complex, too. Dealing with marriage, fatherhood, life and death, it runs the gamut of emotions. There are some funny moments, but it is not quite the same hip glibness you'll find in Nick Hornby's "About a Boy."

Really a very touching story of one man's coming to terms with encroaching middle age, single parenthood, and the concept of lasting love. I found Harry's reflections about his relationship with his dad especially poignant. A nice all-around read, very thoughtfully and realistically rendered.

I read a review of this book that said "I sobbed shamelessly through this book" and I knew that, jaded as I am, I would not. And I didn't - but my eyes filled up twice, and I did laugh out loud a number of times. Every single character in the book is lovable, and the issues it deals with (marriage, divorce, children and parents) are familiar to just about everybody. It's a must-read for a number of different reasons. I found a couple of small flaws, like it dragged a little bit at one point, and it got a little schmaltzy at another, but it is one of those books that I was sorry to see end. Oh, and one more thing! It is written by a Brit, takes place in England, and for once, a British author did not portray Americans as loud, stupid, tasteless jerks! Very refreshing!

Certain book resonate stronger with you depending on where you are in your life. "Man and Boy" was one of those for me. A bestseller in England, and vaguely reminiscent in tone of Nick Hornby, Parsons book is both very funny and deeply moving at the same time. Thirty year old Harry Silver has a great job, a beautiful wife, and a perfect son. But after a one night stand with a co-worker, he suddenly finds himself navigating the waters of single parent life.It's weird to describe a book as feeling like a movie waiting to happen,but this does. It was funny, hopeful,moving,and romantic the way "Four Weddings and a Funeral", and "Notting Hill" were. If you're a fan of those movies or Nick Hornby's books, you'd probably like this.

A man has everything in life he might wish for: an excellent job, a beautiful wife, and a nice boy. So it seems, until an act of infidelity brings his world into crumbles. Unemployed, left alone with his four-year boy, this man has to face a new reality and new responsibilities. Greatly a reflection of his life experience, Tony Parsons deals with a a very simple issue many contemporary couples have to face. Many people take for granted what love and parenthood is all about, the joys are evident and easily savored, but most often the inherent hardships and sacrificies are ignored. When confronted with the real facts, the main character (Harry Silver) has to reshape not only his daily routine but his family values and life perspectives as well. This confrontation will eventually strenghten his self-respect, character, and family relationships. An easy narrative, with sentimental touches, and a fine reading to relax.