What Will Survive

by Mark Gartside

The one thing he never expected to be was a single dad . . .
Graham Melton was a normal fifteen-year-old until he met Charlotte Marshall over a can of warm lager at his best-friend’s party in 1985. It was love at first sight, and teenage life was never going to be the same again.

Two decades later, Graham is a single father trying to protect his son from the rigours of the modern world. Everything has changed, and the innocence has long gone.

What happened in those years inbetween? How did something so perfect go so tragically wrong?

In a heart-warming and humorous tale of love, laughter and tears, Mark Gartside weaves a poignant story of one’s man struggle to bring up his son whilst learning to love and smile all over again.

Genres: Contemporary, Fiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published May 10, 2012

About the author

Mark Gartside was born in Warrington in the 1970s. He currently lives in Maine, USA, with his wife and two sons.

Reviews

[Nancy Freund · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVED it! Graham Melton is a fantastic character -- both as a teenage boy chasing the girl of his dreams and as a single dad, who we follow in alternating chapters. The links between past and present are beautifully handled -- incentive to read on is delivered in every chapter, invisibly and compellingly. A real talent for any author, and truly impressive in a debut. There are true laugh-out-loud moments and enough "philosophical truth" to make me want to reread just for those sentences that made me look at the world in a little different light. Again, impressive!
The publisher's blurb compares Mark Gartside to Nick Hornby, and I whole-heartedly agree. They also compare him to David Nicholls. Here, I disagree. ONE DAY was an interesting story arc and an excellent fly-on-the-London-wall experience for the reader, but Gartside's WHAT WILL SURVIVE out-delivered Nicholls' latest by miles.
If you're after a resonant father-son novel with some good old fashioned Labour versus Tory conversations over a pint, and if you're strong enough to handle some genuine tear-jerking scenes, this one pays dividends.

[Tea Leaves and Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost akin to Johnathon Troppers - How to Talk to a Widower - this books is quite fantastic. It's always refreshing to read an English set book written by a man - they're quite rare!

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm. I disagree with the repeated comparisons to 'One Day', which shone with genuinely engaging characters. Sure, storywise there are parallels, and this makes an easy - and even sometimes fairly moving - read, but I found myself underwhelmed by the very bland characters and dialogue.

[Karen Lindsay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bought this because it was compared to One Day. Saying something is as good as something else doesn't make it true. Characters lacked the depth of those in One Day I just didn't believe in their story.

[Te Huinga Tahi Southland Campus Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, a really quick read. A bit cheesy in places but I could soooo relate to his relationship with his teenage son.

[Trena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a heart warming journey.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Would definitely read any future books by this author. :)

[Squid McFinnigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. I was torn between giving it a three or a four. The reason I went for the four was because I grew up in the same era and related a lot to some of the earlier parts of the book. Unlike some other reviewers I did like the characters, particularly the son. I thought the goofy friend was a little too goofy to be real.

I guess where it lost points for me was the fact the story was fairly well laid out from the start. Charlotte's death did not sting as much as it should because from day one we knew the the main character was a lone parent. I felt a lot for the man after that and his spiral into destruction felt very real.

All books have good and bad points, what are good to one are bad to another. The upshot of my experience with Mr Gartside's work is this, it was easy reading and a very enjoyable book. I may not remember it in twenty years time but for the moment it provided a very enjoyable experience. Thank you sir.

[Andrew Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliantly written novel by Mark Gartside! What will survive follows the story of Graham Melton, through both his teenage years meeting his love Charlotte, through to his adult life as a single farther raising his and Charlottes child, Michael!

But what happened to make him a single parent? What could have possible gone wrong in between? Mark tells the story of Graham, Michael, Graham’s hilarious friend tommy, and many more highly loveable characters easy to relate to, in a brilliant story that will have you laughing, feeling sorry for graham and others, and honestly wanting to be part of the fantastic storyline and wanting to find out more.

A very difficult book to put down and one I highly recommend, especially to fans of Nicholas sparks, or nick Hornby!!

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful written book sensitive and harsh in places. A story of life growing up and falling in love at as a young teenager. The pits and falls and getting adults to realise this is real and an enduring lasting relationship. This was a personal journey for me as if written by my sister. Events are so true to life and it will have you on the edge of your seat and sighing at the end.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

A captivating book. I enjoyed the split between then and now. I feel it drew me in as I wondered how the main characters had reached the point of present time. I also liked the inclusion of British politics. This wasn't a.major theme but had enough in it to offer an interesting insight.

Easy reading, interested characters, strong storyline. Thoroughly enjoyed.

[Karen Osment · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant book that felt like a real life account of someone's life. I completely guessed how it would end but that wasn't the point. It was about one man's very emotional journey between decades. Really well written ❤

[Pat Osment · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book,so well written,emotional at times but not over the top..and with plenty of humorous bits to offset the sadness.

[Elena Fairbairn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Sandy Stiff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable easy read

[Rachel Brightey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know what to expect from this as its not my usual kind of read, but I got dragged into the story of Graham and Charlotte and subsequently Michael.
Very real and very touching, must read!

[Jeanette · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story i found was ok. I could even relate to some of it, my dad had dementia as does the main characters mother. I have a 14 yr old son who insists on slamming car doors and hates tidying up. Parts of it made me laugh. What i didn't like was the constant references to socialism and the labour party. I know his dad was a socialist and thats fine, it helped to build that character. But there were passages spouting about thatcherism, and how wonderful the labour party was. For me it added nothing to the story, and I felt these were the opinions of the author, not the character. As for the main character, I didn't like him at all. He bumbled through life with everything turning out fine in the end. Yes his wife died, and he wallowed in self pity, turning to drink. I' m sure this has happened in real life but he didn't explore his way out of it enough. I got a slight insight into the life of an alcoholic, but when he finally went for help he went to bed, got up the next day and decided he would stop drinking. I felt he didn't give as much time to his struggle in not drinking as he did to when he was drinking. Another pet hate of mine is if you're going to include real places then get your facts right. Graham states at one point he has to go to Bootle, the "toughest place in liverpool". This was in 1999. I'm sorry, I grew up in liverpool and bootle was never seen as a tough place. Maybe before the war when the docks were thriving, but definately not in 1999. Overall, it was an ok read. If he had stuck to the story, left some of the politics out and got his facts right i might have enjoyed it more. I dont think i will read it again, and may read another book by this author if its chosen by my reading club, otherwise i cant see myself choosing him off the shelf. (Added 18th oct - i met the author tonight at our book club and he was a really nice man. We had a very interesting Q & A session and i have to say the perception you get of the author from the book they have written certainly isn't true. I will probably give his next book a read, now i know how he creates his characters etc. the old adage is true and you certainly shouldn't judge a book by its cover!)

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

What can I say about this novel? It was allright. It was a nice and easy read. Which is strange, because the plot was not all that interesting - to me. Graham and Charlotte are childhood sweethearts, they break up once, then they're happy together until Charlotte dies unexpectantly and leaves Graham alone with their son. In many ways, and I hate to say it, this was quite boring. I would have loved to see more interaction between Graham and Micheal. Not when he was that 15-year old, but when he was still a kid. You know, the struggle of a single parent and all that. What I liked about his novel however is that Graham did not simply get rid of his alcoholism easily. It was - and would continue to be - a struggle. Made that aspect realistic. I thought it was clever to not have Charlotte die in some kind of car accident (as it usually seems to happen). Then again I would have foud it more believable had she not died and simply left the family. There are plenty of stories around, I feel, that deal with a dead parent. All in all, a nice read, but not much more.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased this book months ago and its so far from what I would normally read I left it on my kindle tbr shelf until I thought I fancied a change.

Im glad I did get around to reading it. It was an emotional heart felt account and so different to have a mans presepctive on life and love.

Graham was such a straight forward character yet he was actually very preceptive and deep and made me see things through a mans eyes I wouldnt normally think about as a women. It was painful to see in some places and I cant think how many times my heart broke reading his dark moments.

Michael was totally loveable and even though we see his stroppy teenager side on a regular basis you can always tell he loves his dad and is just trying to find his place in the world.

My only negative was some bits were very drawn out and I do feel it could have been shorter but this is one book I would recommend and a fabulous break from the norm.

[Miss · Rating 4 out of 5]

The books started off with year 2005, Graham Melton's son, Michael Melton is a growing up teenager who throw a home party when his dad is working away. It goes parallel with year 1985 when Graham met the girl of his life, Charlotte Marshall and pledge their love during their growing up years.

The story unfold as Grahem and Charlotte growth and develop until they went apart. Despite of the difficult moment and what will survive for Grahem to put himself together and built a life for him and Micheal. But his love for Charlotte remain true and unwavering, which is a sweet spot called love.

[Siti Khadijah Mn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled upon this book on our mini library back in my parent's house. I have no idea that I really enjoyed this book so much. It's been a while since the last time I was in-depth reading.

I read it word by word, line by line. It was beautifully written and crafted. Every character in this book was made so alive that I couldn't resist turning the pages over and over.

Thank you for the beautiful book, although I find that a bit disturbing with the F words uttered so casually throughout the story. Anyway it's a great piece.

[Mjl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This rating may be skewed .... I was fondly led down the memory lane of my own youth, in conjunction with the principal protagonist, and was surprisingly nostalgic about it. Made up of alternating chapters from the 80s and present day, it highlights the differences, and similarities, of negotiating family and romantic relationships during adolescence 30 years apart. Also a sad but ultimately heart-warming story of one man's struggle to recover from tragic circumstances.

[Susanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great surprise! Anyone who enjoyed "One Day" by David Nicholls is likely to enjoy this one also. I loved the characters - extremely believable. I loved the references to Northern-England and how the dialogues are written as people speak - English is my 2nd language and I love England's different accents. I also enjoyed the references to the 80's, social class and politics.

[William · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible. Cliche.

If you read books on creative writing, they will tell you that you shouldn't tell the reader, you should show the reader. That way, the reader feels a link to the characters as if they are in their shoes. This books tells. That's it. That's the single and worst flaw a book like this can have.

[Julie Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book as the main character graham was the same age as me and I liked the chapters regarding his past. I thought the politics in the book well thought out and remembered the times well. my disappointment lay in what felt like a hurried ending. it felt unsatisfactory and rushed. on the whole a good read

[Lynn Latham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book, poignant,made me laugh out loud and cry. Graham is such a likeable character and you just want things to go right for him. The book looks at so many issues, parenthood, love, laughter, relationships, despair, families and so much more. Can't wait for his second book!

[Alhanouf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book in a hurry while I was at the airport. I had no expectations. Gladly, I was surprised. I liked the story , it made me cry and laugh. I liked that the chapters alters between the present and the past.

[Sallie janes · Rating 5 out of 5]

heart felt book of how a young couple fall I love against the odds,then for tragic illness to hit them when they are a family,and how a father copes from losing his sweetheart to being a single parent coping with everything throw at him and believing in himself to fall in love again x

[Jane Pettifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not the type of book I normally read but came highly recommended. So glad I bought it. A wonderful read, couldn't put it down. So honest, realistic, wonderful characters and real insight. Made me laugh, cry, smile, think. Don't hesitate to read it.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this. Main character similar age to me so I readily identified with his teenage years. Very good story. Made me cry and laugh