Second Best

by David Cook

Book Overview

Graham Holt is 37 and an unmarried, sub-postmaster. For many years he has stood behind a reinforced screen selling stamps to the locals. But what he really wants is to adopt a son. Graham needs a son... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0571164846
• ISBN13: 9780571164844
• Release Date: January 1993
• Publisher: Faber & Faber
• Length: 218 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.6" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

Good but heartbreaking

David Cook's "Second Best" pulls no punches in its description of a boy, Jamie, who's simply the victim of "choosing" bad parents. His mom slashes her wrists in front of her 3-year-old son. A few years later, his dad gives the boy a superb crash course in survival -- before going off to prison and leaving the youngster to the tender mercies of the English orphan services. Enters now the other major character in the drama: Graham, an unmarried man of 43 who decides to try to adopt a boy. Naturally, Jamie, now 10 and branded with the "disturbed" label, is the lad in question. Graham, himself the victim of an unhappy childhood, undergoes training. Then the two meet. All is far from smooth between them and the thorn among the roses is Jamie's dad. Papa may be in prison but before going, he managed to inspire a great love in his son. "Always, Jimmy. Promise. Always," the father said. And Jamie did promise. Now, years later, Jamie tells Graham that nobody could ever take his dad's place. In fact, before considering adoption, the boy has to be promised a chance to visit his dad. Graham and Jamie go through both good and bad times before the semi-surprising ending. The book rings painfully true to life. If it's to be faulted, it would be that some comic relief was needed. Otherwise, I'd recommend it strongly. A cautionary note: A boy may be a key character but this probably is a poor choice for preteens