How to Get a Life

by Julietta Henderson

When reality comes calling, do you face it . . . or keep running? Danny is the definition of a man who 'could do better'. He drinks more than he should, lives in his best friend's garden shed - and he hasn't spoken to his sister in 16 years. But when Danny is the subject of a misleading newspaper article, claiming his lifestyle might actually be quite enlightened, he suddenly finds himself in the limelight. Letters begin to flood in from strangers seeking his guidance. Wolfie is the daughter of Danny's estranged sister. She's never met her uncle, but her mother is struggling and Wolfie needs him. So when she sees Danny's picture in the paper, she sets out to find him. Within a week, Danny goes from being responsibility-free to a big brother, an uncle and an unwitting existential 'guru' to some very lost souls. Can he become the man they all need him to be? And can he sort his own life out in the process?

Genres: Book Club

363 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 4, 2024

About the author

Julietta Henderson grew up in the rainforests of North Queensland, and developed her passion for the written word producing 'magazines' for school friends and neighbours with her sister. She has worked her way through jobs as diverse as bicycle tour guide in Tuscany, nanny in the Italian Alps and breakfast waitress in the wilds of Scotland. Like many Australians, her love affair with Europe began when she came to London and stayed for more than a decade.

Now a full-time writer, Julietta divides her life between Melbourne, the UK and wherever else she can find winter.

Reviews

[Jack Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really charming a touching story about family, the one you're born into and the ones you make and how even really big mistakes might be worth the effort it takes to fix them.

Danny drinks too much and he lives in his best friend's shed. He's a likeable idiot who has been letting himself and everyone else down for years. He's estranged from his sister and doesn't even know he has a niece. He is well intentioned but directionless and what are the chances that any of this will change? Wolfie's discovery of the uncle she barely knew existed changes not just her life, but his as well. Some great characters, nicely written humour, and devastating truths come together to make something very readable.

[Valerie Brown · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
The first 10% of this book was devoted to introducing a bunch of characters who were completely lacking in credibility without a single smile from me. A drunken waste of space - goodness knows why his friend would want him anywhere near his young son - and a young girl who is rude and very odd. Nothing endeared me to this book, it was so uninteresting I stopped reading at that point only to discover that it had been retitled very quickly after it's launch - whatever the reason that didn't work.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found Danny annoying and feckless. Luckily, as the story progresses and he cuts down his drinking, a nicer, more thoughtful character emerges. I felt sorŕy for Lou and Wolfie, but the main voice in this story is Danny's. There are lots of little gems of wisdom scattered throughout, and isn't it amazing that siblings can have such vastly different recollections of their childhood. It makes you think. How unbelieveably lucky they all were with Dom helping them all out.

[Jill Lamond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable feel good stuff! This is a tale of family life that falls apart and is knitted together again. I liked the fact that it didnt have any romance in it. I did think the character of Dom was a bit two dimensional and saint-like. I certainly couldn't have put up with Danny Mulberry living in my shed for a year!

[Lounge505 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really wanted to love this book but/c I adored Norman! But this story is just to pretentious for my liking, the characters are trying to hard to be funny and insightful, and the jokes are to intentionally to be funny for me I’m afraid, and neither of the protagonists are likeable for me sorry for not liking it 🥹

[Andy Bird · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good. I like this, it is a fun story. Although the lead character is a bit hard to like, he does get more likeable as the story progresses. I would recommend it.

[Beth Costello · Rating 4 out of 5]

4* might be a bit high but this was good! Plot good, writing good, page turning..

[Brenda]

DNF at 10%. Not what I was expecting and just a lot of words and not an actual story.

[Anima Rai · Rating 3 out of 5]

what was the point of wolfie in this story; the story exists perfectly happy without her.

also what the fuck does cat sees the king mean and why did it make danny so high and mighty