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Babalarin Kitabi
Paperback. 15,00 / 23,00 cm. In Turkish. 248 p. 20 makalelik bir derleme, hiçbir erkegin tam anlamda hazir olamayacagi bir Babalik "Endisenin, sirttaki yüklerin, bez degistirmelerin, veli toplantilarinin, okul ücretlerinin ve olayin tüm beklenmedik yogunlugunun ötesinde, sevgiden olusan bambaska bir dünya kesfeden, bir jenerasyon dolusu baba... Buradaki makaleler, insanlik ve bilgelik dolu içerigiyle biz ebeveyn ve çocuklara hitap ediyor." -Ken Kalfus, Ulusal Kitap Ödülü Finalisti, A Disorder to the Country adli kitabin yazari "Annelige ait örnekler saglam zemin üzerinde olsa da, babaligin bazen essiz örnekler sergiledigi söylenebilir. Bu kitapta yer alan makaleler, yeni ve eski babalarin çocuk büyütmenin tuhaf ve harika dünyasinda tek baslarina olduklari yanilsamasini ortadan kaldiriyor. Kitap ayni zamanda anneler, ogullar ve kizlar için de bir o kadar faydali olacaktir." -Jay McInerney, Çok satanlar arasinda yer alan bir romanci ve Bright Lights, Big City kitabinin yazari "Bir grup zeki ve düsüncelerini açikça ifade edebilen adamla karsilikli oturmak, onlarin dudaklarini uçuklatan, kalplerini kiran ve varoluslarini anlamli kilan seyleri ögrenmek ister miydiniz? Öyleyse, bu kitabi okuyunuz." -Kelly Corrigan, New York Times'ta The Middle Place'in çok satanlar arasinda yer alan yazari "Bazen eglendirici, bazense iç burkan bu harika makaleler koleksiyonunu, tüm baba ve baba olmak isteyenlerin okumasi gerekiyor. Her makale bir ödül sahibi ve Ben George'un girizgâhi kendi basina bile okumaya deger." -Ron Rash, New York Times'ta Serena'nin çok satanlar arasinda yer alan yazari
248 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 21, 2009
I have a 3-month-old girl (my first), so I’ve been reading a lot of books on fatherhood lately. On the one hand I have learned a lot from them and I’ve never gotten so many approving looks from women on the subway, but on the other, they’re mostly pretty badly written. Actually, maybe “badly” is the wrong word – they’re just not written with entertaining me in mind. I have to say, I generally look forward to reading my baby’s books to her more.
Enter The Book of Dads. Over this summer I’ve used this book as my break between chapters of books like The Happiest Baby on the Block and The New Father: A Dad’s Guide to the First Year, and it’s been a welcome breather. With a couple of minor exceptions there’s nothing overtly instructional, just a bunch of literate (and literary) dads writing about being dads. Some of my personal favorites:
• Nick Flynn’s “Here Comes the Sun” and David Gessner’s “A Tale of Two Fathers” (the latter of which is the only graphic essay in the book) – Both of these recount the authors coming to grips with their own relationships to their fathers while forming much different relationships with their daughters, both told with humor, a little formal experimentation, and more than a little pathos. I’m especially empathetic to this relationship dynamic right now.
• Rick Bragg’s “Candy Man” and Davy Rothbart’s “Zeke” – What I think I liked about these was that both related experiences of not-really-fathers; Bragggives a fairly unsentimental and honest account of his experience as a stepfather, and Rothbart writes about his short-lived attempt domesticating his single-mom friend and her son.
But there really are so many high points to this collection, and so few clunkers, that I’ll just leave it at saying, every fathers who reads, writes, and/or thinks philosophically about his position in the world should bookend his more utilitarian parent lit with this collection – it makes the rest go down a lot smoother.
Enter The Book of Dads. Over this summer I’ve used this book as my break between chapters of books like The Happiest Baby on the Block and The New Father: A Dad’s Guide to the First Year, and it’s been a welcome breather. With a couple of minor exceptions there’s nothing overtly instructional, just a bunch of literate (and literary) dads writing about being dads. Some of my personal favorites:
• Nick Flynn’s “Here Comes the Sun” and David Gessner’s “A Tale of Two Fathers” (the latter of which is the only graphic essay in the book) – Both of these recount the authors coming to grips with their own relationships to their fathers while forming much different relationships with their daughters, both told with humor, a little formal experimentation, and more than a little pathos. I’m especially empathetic to this relationship dynamic right now.
• Rick Bragg’s “Candy Man” and Davy Rothbart’s “Zeke” – What I think I liked about these was that both related experiences of not-really-fathers; Bragggives a fairly unsentimental and honest account of his experience as a stepfather, and Rothbart writes about his short-lived attempt domesticating his single-mom friend and her son.
But there really are so many high points to this collection, and so few clunkers, that I’ll just leave it at saying, every fathers who reads, writes, and/or thinks philosophically about his position in the world should bookend his more utilitarian parent lit with this collection – it makes the rest go down a lot smoother.
March 23, 2022
A pretty entertaining collection of stories and anecdotes.
Most of the stories center on the question of how to be a father when... [insert defining characteristic here.] When a trans woman. When an angry black man. When you didn't have a dad.
There’s a lot of stories of people coping with and trying to move past alcoholic, emotionally-distant or absent fathers to redefine what the role means.
There's also WAY too many stories that, while ostensibly about fatherhood, are actually about being a writer. I suppose it's unavoidable when you ask writers to get autobiographical. Some, like Anthony Doerr's do manage to be somewhat elevated.
Anyway, it was a pretty good read.
Most of the stories center on the question of how to be a father when... [insert defining characteristic here.] When a trans woman. When an angry black man. When you didn't have a dad.
There’s a lot of stories of people coping with and trying to move past alcoholic, emotionally-distant or absent fathers to redefine what the role means.
There's also WAY too many stories that, while ostensibly about fatherhood, are actually about being a writer. I suppose it's unavoidable when you ask writers to get autobiographical. Some, like Anthony Doerr's do manage to be somewhat elevated.
Anyway, it was a pretty good read.
April 23, 2023
Took me ages… was given to me by one of my best mates when my first sons was born…. Took me until that boy was almost 13 to finish.
Lots of simple, funny and true stories….. that let us all know we make mistakes!
Lots of simple, funny and true stories….. that let us all know we make mistakes!
December 4, 2018
Fun collection of essays from real fathers.
October 21, 2019
This is a pleasant change from most books aimed at fathers. I was lucky to stumble across a copy, and enjoyed almost all the essays thoroughly.
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June 16, 2023BT 2023 The best books on fatherhood
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/life...
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/life...
July 20, 2014
This was a mixed bag. A couple of the pieces were great, a couple were terrible, and most had nice sentiment but not greatly compelling or relatable.
I think my biggest disconnect with this collection was the homogenous group of writers and stories. This isn't so much a collection of essays from dads as it is a collection of essays from writers who are dads…I guess that's the trick…writers write, but, I'd love some stories I could more closely relate to - stories from men with full time jobs, men from the middle and working class. Most of these writers seem affluent, privileged, and from the east coast…none of those things describe my life.
I love the aim of this collection I just wish it had more variety and that I could relate to the dads writing the essays. As a dad expecting his second kid very soon it was nice to dwell on fatherhood a bit as I read this - and it was a very thoughtful Father's Day gift from my wife.
I think my biggest disconnect with this collection was the homogenous group of writers and stories. This isn't so much a collection of essays from dads as it is a collection of essays from writers who are dads…I guess that's the trick…writers write, but, I'd love some stories I could more closely relate to - stories from men with full time jobs, men from the middle and working class. Most of these writers seem affluent, privileged, and from the east coast…none of those things describe my life.
I love the aim of this collection I just wish it had more variety and that I could relate to the dads writing the essays. As a dad expecting his second kid very soon it was nice to dwell on fatherhood a bit as I read this - and it was a very thoughtful Father's Day gift from my wife.
May 20, 2009
Don't take it from me, take it from these writers. A great Father's Day gift under $20.
“Want to sit around with some really sharp, articulate men and find out what scares the hell out of them and breaks their hearts and makes their existence worthwhile? Read this book.”
— Kelly Corrigan, New York Times bestselling author of The Middle Place
“Finally a book for us. Being a father is harrowing, life affirming, traumatic, astonishing, and hysterically funny—the totality of which is captured in the irresistible The Book of Dads. Herein is collection of essays that are inspiring, enlightening, and very funny. Every dad will relate. ”
— David Sheff, bestselling author of BEAUTIFUL BOY
“Want to sit around with some really sharp, articulate men and find out what scares the hell out of them and breaks their hearts and makes their existence worthwhile? Read this book.”
— Kelly Corrigan, New York Times bestselling author of The Middle Place
“Finally a book for us. Being a father is harrowing, life affirming, traumatic, astonishing, and hysterically funny—the totality of which is captured in the irresistible The Book of Dads. Herein is collection of essays that are inspiring, enlightening, and very funny. Every dad will relate. ”
— David Sheff, bestselling author of BEAUTIFUL BOY
August 2, 2009
This was a fantastic anthology. Steve read it to me, and the stories really spoke to him. I checked it out of the library for him for Father's Day. The dads in there were very accessible and down to earth. Some dads were sentimental, some clearly immature, and at least half of the stories were down right funny, but the stories were warm and honest. Only a few were extra sad. I think we both felt better for having read these stories. I liked too that this anthology touched on all sorts of parenting, from adoption to step fathers to transgendered parenting. I think there is something for everyone in here.
October 14, 2009
I'm not sure if I should rate books that I didn't finish reading...but that said, I only sort of liked some of the essays in this book. When it was due back to the library I didn't like it well enough to finish reading it and accumulate the fines. (Unlike the $12.00 fine I have on "Fast Food Nation" because I couldn't bring myself to return it until I'd finished it! It might be cheaper to buy it at this point.) Maybe there would have been some essays towards the end of the book that I'd have liked better, but I never got there, and not very many of the ones I did read made me laugh, which is why I thought this book would be good.
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June 12, 2009A strange but entertaining event.
Ben George was more awkward that I would have expected from a man who had to work with all these authors and organize a whole book. Steve Almond was as sarcastic and slightly inappropriate as ever. And Jenny Boylan was delightful onstage (though a bit shifty one-on-one). Props to George for including her on a book of Dads.f
Favorite quote: "I'm a big fan of thumbs. I can't get enough thumbs" Ben George's flirty pilot brother.
Favorite visual: watching short, balding, white-bearded Richard Russo walk out with tall, blonde Jenny Boylan.
Ben George was more awkward that I would have expected from a man who had to work with all these authors and organize a whole book. Steve Almond was as sarcastic and slightly inappropriate as ever. And Jenny Boylan was delightful onstage (though a bit shifty one-on-one). Props to George for including her on a book of Dads.f
Favorite quote: "I'm a big fan of thumbs. I can't get enough thumbs" Ben George's flirty pilot brother.
Favorite visual: watching short, balding, white-bearded Richard Russo walk out with tall, blonde Jenny Boylan.
March 7, 2017
Like most essay collections, this one is kind of uneven. There are some great reads (especially the funny ones) and some duds (especially the heavy-handed ones) and the writers tend to lean towards the liberal side of the scale (I do too, but was this collection really the venue to voice your political views?). But I'm about to be a first-time dad, and reading this was time well spent. It helped me gather my thoughts and mull over what type of dad I hope to be.
August 1, 2014
Some I felt close to my heart as if it was about my father and me. They were genuine and honest.
Many of the stories sounded too sentimental or a little over the top or trying to be funny - didn't work for me. It was better than I expected even after reading other reviews. Now I have definitely a softer spot for my father after knowing all these clumsy fathers' affection toward their kids.
Many of the stories sounded too sentimental or a little over the top or trying to be funny - didn't work for me. It was better than I expected even after reading other reviews. Now I have definitely a softer spot for my father after knowing all these clumsy fathers' affection toward their kids.
July 28, 2009
Really enjoyed this collection, though I have to admit to liking some of the essays way more than others. Probably should be required reading for all new fathers to help them get through the tough times as well as cherish the good times more.
November 6, 2009
This one was hit or miss, some of the essays were really good, and others were very cliche. But overall pretty solid. The book covers fatherhood from a variety of ages, so it's one I might return to in a few years to review the essays about older kids.
August 30, 2010
The author complied this book as a response to his wife reading "Operating Instructions" by Annie Lamott. Some of the essays are great, others only so-so. A nice try, but not quite up to the level I think he was trying to get to.
Currently reading
September 16, 2009Some great, hilarious essays. Short stories are always a good format for those who have a short attention span, especially those of us who are fathers.
January 26, 2010
I've read a ton of books about mothering, but never a book from a father's perspective. I enjoyed this book of essays about fatherhood and felt I could connect to most of the authors.
July 14, 2010
Really sweet and insightful (as I'm not ever going to be a dad or anything). Made me call my dad.
October 1, 2013
Some really wonderful essays on what it means to be a Dad--or a son. Moving between heartwarming, poignant or just outright hilarious. Great stuff.
March 3, 2013
Some of these essays were terrific.
November 10, 2019
Babaların ağzından evlatlarını dinlemek, onların ahları keşkeleri ve sevinçleri. Çok güzel bir kitap.
July 26, 2009
Every dad's dive into fatherhood is unique. Some are uniquer than others.
March 28, 2017
Read this in preparation for my creative thesis. The best thing to come from reading this collection was my discovery Anthony Doerr.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews