A Family Man

by Amanda Brookfield

‘The novel walks a line between comedy and wrenching sadness. It is fluently written and its depiction of domestic chaos … is all too recognisable’ SUNDAY TIMES

A FAMILY MAN tells the story of thirty one year old Matt Webster, who arrives home from work one day to find that his wife, Kath, has walked out, leaving him to care for their four year old son. Shock and hurt are compounded by the challenge of suddenly having to juggle work with being a single parent. While the needs of his confused, unhappy little son come first, Matt embarks on the difficult quest to find out what could have driven his wife to abandon their child. It is only as the truth emerges that he learns the full heartbreak and joy of unconditional love.

Praise for Amanda Brookfield’s novels:

‘There should have been a trumpet fanfare when this book was launched, for Amanda Brookfield is, surely, the queen of the relationship novel. I have read (and enjoyed) all her previous books but this one is - in my opinion - the best. It is the story of how apparently even secure relationships can fall apart. Is there a happy ending? I'm not going to spoil your enjoyment by saying another thing. Just buy and read and enjoy this splendid book.’
Queen of Relationship Novel, Mrs. M. G. Powling, Amazon reviewer, 5.0 out of 5 for BEFORE I KNEW YOU.

‘I savoured every second of this deeply satisfying book. Amanda Brookfield goes from strength to strength’ PATRICIA SCANLAN

‘Few contemporary British novelists writing today explore the messy tangles of close human relationships with quite such warm perceptiveness as Brookfield’ DAILY MIRROR

‘What is refreshing here is the author’s conspicuous sanity and her sharp line in defence of reason… It could be sentimental, but it isn’t.’ GUARDIAN

‘Penetrating insights into the ordinary female condition’ WOMAN’S OWN

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Romance, Family

316 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

I have two elder sisters and a twin brother who is much quieter than me and with much longer legs. Our Dad was in the Foreign Office so we spent our childhood living in far-flung places like Shanghai and Stockholm. In fact, until the age of 32 I had never spent more than 3 years under the same roof...it's left me with the opposite of 'itchy feet'.
I fell in love with writing aged 11 when my class was asked to write a ghost story - that thrill of being able to make it all up! Studying English at Oxford was a dream come true, but then real life got in the way and I started a career in advertising, climbing the greasy pole for four years, helping sell washing powder and cold remedies.
Aged 25, I got the chance to go and live in Argentina. I left advertising, set myself up as a freelance journalist and wrote my first novel,'Alice Alone' which was published (to critical acclaim!) in 1989. I haven't stopped,or looked back, since.
I am now published by Penguin. At the last count I had produced fifteen novels and two sons. There will be no more offspring, but lots of books I hope.

Reviews

[Jan Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matt Webster’s life is changed forever when he returns home from work to discover his wife has not only walked out on their marriage but has also abandoned their four-year-old son. Thrown in at the deep-end trying to juggle a demanding career in media with child-care, proves to be a massive learning curve for Matt but ultimately, a situation which brings rich rewards and Josh soon becomes the centre of his life.

I really enjoyed this; it’s always refreshing to read relationship-focused novels dealing with marriage and children from the male point of view, and I especially liked the blend of domestic tragedy with non-patronising, observational humour. The secondary characters are equally fleshed-out and add realistic colour such as Matt’s elderly father, and the absconded wife’s predatory best friend.

[Josefina Díaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me gusta mucho el estilo de esta autora, siento que la descripción de los personajes y de las situaciones se hace de forma muy rica y natural.
Hay un buen desarrollo del protagonista a medida que avanza la historia, que no deja de ser realista. Los personajes secundarios son introducidos en su justa medida, contando detalles para dar un buen panorama pero sin abrumar al lector y sin llegar a ser innecesarios.
Sin dudas una lectura recomendada.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Realistic look at single Fatherhood when the wife walks away from the family. A couple of twists that made this book quite good. Characters were very believable. All and all, a good read.

[Jane Gregg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Satisfactory

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Matt Webster finds his world shattered when his wife walks out, leaving him with their four-year-old son. Grief and shock are compounded by the challenge of having to cope as a working single parent, juggling childcare and the considerable demands of his job. Having been something of a hands-off parent prior to his wife's departure, he is thrown in at the deep end. And, forced to cope as a single father, Matt learns for the first time the true heartbreak and joy of unconditional love.

[Charlie Trafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so different from 'Relative Love' and yet it was almost the same, both dealt with the challenging trials of family life, but from a different aspect. This is no ordinary family saga, it gets to the core of a man struggling with a demanding career and the determination to care for his child at all costs, excellent book and one which I could not put down, bring on the next Amanda Brookfield...

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

a rare occurrence when a book needs commenting on by me! Just the right combination of story line and personal circumstances that served to bring together a great match. This results in ' i cant put it down' reading. This is a book where, for me, the story lives on beyond the last pages and I would love to see the following chapters.

[Elaine and Tess the Springer. I won’t be on GR for a bit. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent read from Amanda Brookfield. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Its a really simple but different story with a single Dad who has been left holding his son and he has no idea what to do. It’s a mixture of emotions good and bad laughter and tears. It’s a compelling read.

[Debbie · Rating 1 out of 5]

The perspective of a single Dad raising his son - interesting twist, predictable outcome.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chic lit with a difference

[Patt Alfonso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unexpected twists really! I never knew I'd enjoy reading such type of book. Worth every minute. :-)

[Harry Tomos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, loved the way he s vulnerable and the attention, and the one he wants...