Lessons for a Sunday Father

by Claire Calman

This is the story of Scott, who finds his belongings outside in a bin bag one day and realises he may have made a Big Mistake; Gail, who wishes her husband were under guarantee so she could send him back and get a refund; Nat, who discovers that growing up isn't all it's cracked up to be; and Rose, who just wants her Dad back - or if not, then at least some new glitter nail polish.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Relationships

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 2001

About the author

Claire Calman was born 1969, the daughter of Pat McNeill, a magazine designer, and Mel Calman, a cartoonist. Before writing fiction, Claire spent several years working in women's magazines, then in book publishing, editing gardening books. She is also a poet and broadcaster and has performed her pithy verse at live readings and on radio many times, including for BBC Radio Four's Woman's Hour, Loose Ends, the comedy series Five Squeezy Pieces and for LBC. Her short stories have appeared in numerous magazines as well as in various anthologies, including Cheatin' Heart, the best-selling Girls' Night In, Summer Magic and A Day in the Life.

Claire lives in London with her husband, baby son, and an unbelievable amount of unfiled paperwork.

Reviews

[Lu Bielefeld · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 ⭐⭐ - Meh!
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♥♥♥♥Rereading in 2023♥♥♥♥♥
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boring...

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2013

Não gostei do herói desde o início do livro, ele é imaturo e egoísta, não aceitando responsabilidade pelos seus atos.
Mas a leitura prende a atenção e eu queria saber o final da história.

[Tmstprc]

I didn’t mean to star this... DNF @ 40%. I think it was a me thing.

[Cindy]

Oh come on! The cheater is the one that ends up with the new love?
I was bored much of the time,did not appreciate the inner monologue of the H meant to be cheeky,but really just...wasn't.Neither partner was particularly endearing .Nor was much forethought given to how their abrupt split would complicate the lives ,perceptions and emotions of the children. As.for their decade and a half relationship that had been slowly yet nearly imperceptibly dying? Not worth the slightest effort,apparently.
Not a fan!
Fyi,did some skimming due to disinterest, so will not rate.

[Camille · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is not a romance. It is funny, told through 4 POVs, although the MC, and the main voice, is the husband. He gets caught having stepped out and begrudgingly confesses, although he doesn't really see what is so bad about having had sex with someone who is not his wife. That abhorrent stance doesn't really change over the course of the book. It was just once (although it was really twice, and the second time was quite intentional...just not admitted to), after all. His actions get him kicked out of the home he shares with his wife and two children. For much of the book, he believes his transgressions will be forgiven, he will be reinstalled in his family home, and normalcy will be restored. That does not happen.

Because the MC is a relatively immature male, I did not feel particularly connected to him or his perspective. But I did enjoy the book. As an American reader, this book was a challenge for me with its British regional vernacular, but I LOVED IT!! I imagine folks from other countries who read American stories written (and/or narrated) by folks with strong Southern or Northeastern accents for example have similar struggles to perceive some of the meaning. I hope I have the opportunity to listen to more stories like this. It takes a lot of my attention, and that's exactly what I need from the books I read right now!

[Fiona Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

This is the third Claire Calman book I’ve read, and I’ve loved every one of them. I am fed up of choosing a book and finding it full of angst and soul-destroying disasters.
These books are a refreshing change. They are a good read full of plausible people who do face possible calamities but, like real life, find a way of coping. Maybe not a happy ever after, driving into the sunset but more reality - getting up in the morning and facing the day.

[Rosemary Flower · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good title for a book club, for teens and, yes, for Sunday Fathers too. I enjoy the author's style and feel that there's a lot more depth to this "disfunctional" (are they really?) family plot than some reviewers give her credit for.

[Me · Rating 1 out of 5]

I could not get through the first chapter. I'm not a fan of the writing. DNF

***********I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest opinion.********************

[Ann anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review

A brilliant funny and hear warming story,enjoyed it from start to finish,,brilliantly written,loved the way each chapter told each family members thoughts,

[Mrs Nicole M Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read

Thought provoking book. Brilliantly written, told from all sides of a family. Makes sense of difficult situations that occur through life.

[Janet Marcourt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written, easy to imagine the characters. I liked the style used,everyone got their say. Could have done with a bit more oommfff!

[Rachel Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. When I read the blurb I thought it was going to be written between 4 different families so I was pleased to find out all four characters were the same family.
The only character I didn't really take to until right at the very end was Nat, I found him to be very arrogant and unlikable

[Danielle Riddel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but I liked Love is a Four Later Word much better- that one's one of my absolute favorites. I would give 3.5 stars if I could.