Man and Boy

by Tony Parsons

Book Overview

"Hilarious and tear-jerking in turns."- Express "A touching novel! Full of tenderness and written from the heart."- Independent "A sharp, witty, and wise book."- Daily Mail Some situations to avoid... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0006512135
• ISBN13: 9780006512134
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Length: 343 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.1" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

A must-read for every father of a young boy

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.

A Great Book for Fathers

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.

A very real and touching story

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.

About the adventure of becoming yourself...

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.

Great, great read

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.