Mother's Boy

by Stanley Middleton

John Riley is in his early-thirties and has been separated from his wife, Helen, for two years. Deeply involved with his work as an accountant, he has given little thought to saving his marriage until his mother announces that Helen wishes to see him. John's mother and father are also separated - his father has been confined to a nursing home due to the onset of Alzheimers - and as John and Helen work out their past differences his parents' relationship deteriorates. Stanley Middleton brilliantly explores the complexities of marriage and family relationships across the generations.

Genres: Fiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published August 3, 2006

About the author

Stanley Middleton wrote 45 novels, including 1974's Booker Prize-winner Holiday. A Cautious Approach was his last novel.

Reviews

[maggie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting subject but the last third contained far too much art history dialogue and random encounters which I failed to connect with the storyline. Huge culling of words might have made this a more meaningful tale.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quntessential Middleton.