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Harry Silver #2
Man and Wife
Harry Silver is ready to try again at living "happily ever after." It won't be easy: not when he has to juggle his wife, his ex-wife, his son, his stepdaughter, his work, and his new wife's fast-growing career. Did Harry commit to marriage to Cyd too soon after his split with Gina? Can you love - really love - a child who is not your own? Can you be a good father to a child you only see on the weekends? When Harry meets a woman who makes him question all these things and more, his tangled web becomes even more knotty.
340 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
69 people are currently reading
1162 people want to read
About the author
Tony Parsons
66 books893 followersThere is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Tony Parsons (born 6 November 1953) is a British journalist broadcaster and author. He began his career as a music journalist on the NME, writing about punk music. Later, he wrote for The Daily Telegraph, before going on to write his current column for the Daily Mirror. Parsons was for a time a regular guest on the BBC Two arts review programme The Late Show, and still appears infrequently on the successor Newsnight Review; he also briefly hosted a series on Channel 4 called Big Mouth.
He is the author of the multi-million selling novel, Man and Boy (1999). Parsons had written a number of novels including The Kids (1976), Platinum Logic (1981) and Limelight Blues (1983), before he found mainstream success by focussing on the tribulations of thirty-something men. Parsons has since published a series of best-selling novels – One For My Baby (2001), Man and Wife (2003), The Family Way (2004), Stories We Could Tell (2006), My Favourite Wife (2007), Starting Over (2009) and Men From the Boys (2010). His novels typically deal with relationship problems, emotional dramas and the traumas of men and women in our time. He describes his writing as 'Men Lit', as opposed to the rising popularity of 'Chick Lit'.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Par...
Tony Parsons (born 6 November 1953) is a British journalist broadcaster and author. He began his career as a music journalist on the NME, writing about punk music. Later, he wrote for The Daily Telegraph, before going on to write his current column for the Daily Mirror. Parsons was for a time a regular guest on the BBC Two arts review programme The Late Show, and still appears infrequently on the successor Newsnight Review; he also briefly hosted a series on Channel 4 called Big Mouth.
He is the author of the multi-million selling novel, Man and Boy (1999). Parsons had written a number of novels including The Kids (1976), Platinum Logic (1981) and Limelight Blues (1983), before he found mainstream success by focussing on the tribulations of thirty-something men. Parsons has since published a series of best-selling novels – One For My Baby (2001), Man and Wife (2003), The Family Way (2004), Stories We Could Tell (2006), My Favourite Wife (2007), Starting Over (2009) and Men From the Boys (2010). His novels typically deal with relationship problems, emotional dramas and the traumas of men and women in our time. He describes his writing as 'Men Lit', as opposed to the rising popularity of 'Chick Lit'.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Par...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 220 reviews
September 5, 2017
For the most part pedestrian, relying on stereotypical characters and clichéd narrative – Tony Parson’s mildly diverting novels certainly served a purpose in the late 1990’s / early 2000’s when they first starting coming out – giving permission and opening the door the perhaps previously non-book reading 30/40-something lads/men to read about and indulge in stories of other men and the various life dilemmas faced by the pre-millennial male in modern society, providing characters they could identify with and life choices they could relate to.
Ultimately though, these novels are uninspiring, verging on the lazy. After the success of ‘Man & Boy’ the following novels from Parsons essentially followed and relied on the same narrative template.
Whatever happened to the former ‘enfants terrible’ of the UK music press, who along with Julie Burchill terrorised the staid, conservative and self-indulgent writings of their elder music journalist peers? Well I guess they grew up, like we all do – but maybe along the way some of that fire has certainly been lost, that attention grabbing and exciting music journalism became by comparison, utterly mundane in these generic ‘modern/contemporary’ novels. These novels by Tony Parsons, whilst largely proficient, lack excitement and inspiration – ultimately betraying all that early promise. Unless of course all that ‘kicking against the establishment’ was merely a pose, a pretension symptomatic of the time and perhaps rooted in an underlying and cynical careerist agenda all along – who knows?
Whilst Parson was initially kicking against the establishment back in the late 1970’s, he then quite decidedly became the establishment – an inevitable transition perhaps, but such a ‘revolt into style’ doesn’t necessarily have to equate to such a literary decline. Where Parsons once had so much to say, there now seems so little to be told. Parsons is now reportedly a staunch supporter of the UK Conservative Party and now apparently rails against people having tattoos…need I say more?
There is in the end, nothing particularly bad about these novels – they are proficient and mildly diverting, but they do lack any real excitement, seem bereft of inspiration and are – ultimately disposable.
Ultimately though, these novels are uninspiring, verging on the lazy. After the success of ‘Man & Boy’ the following novels from Parsons essentially followed and relied on the same narrative template.
Whatever happened to the former ‘enfants terrible’ of the UK music press, who along with Julie Burchill terrorised the staid, conservative and self-indulgent writings of their elder music journalist peers? Well I guess they grew up, like we all do – but maybe along the way some of that fire has certainly been lost, that attention grabbing and exciting music journalism became by comparison, utterly mundane in these generic ‘modern/contemporary’ novels. These novels by Tony Parsons, whilst largely proficient, lack excitement and inspiration – ultimately betraying all that early promise. Unless of course all that ‘kicking against the establishment’ was merely a pose, a pretension symptomatic of the time and perhaps rooted in an underlying and cynical careerist agenda all along – who knows?
Whilst Parson was initially kicking against the establishment back in the late 1970’s, he then quite decidedly became the establishment – an inevitable transition perhaps, but such a ‘revolt into style’ doesn’t necessarily have to equate to such a literary decline. Where Parsons once had so much to say, there now seems so little to be told. Parsons is now reportedly a staunch supporter of the UK Conservative Party and now apparently rails against people having tattoos…need I say more?
There is in the end, nothing particularly bad about these novels – they are proficient and mildly diverting, but they do lack any real excitement, seem bereft of inspiration and are – ultimately disposable.
December 31, 2018
2.5 chauvinistic stars, rounded up because I’m feeling generous. It took me just over a year to read this book. After loving Harry #1, I found that he got whinier and more dislikable as the chapters dragged on. His ‘the grass is always greener’ attitude towards the women in his life, especially in the last few chapters put me off completely, and I won’t be reading #3. The only reason I pushed through and finished this book was to ensure it didn’t follow me into the new year! Cheers to my 40th (and last) book for 2018.
May 25, 2018
It is a truth, universally acknowledged, that the world is going to Hell in a handcart (or perhaps Shite on a Segway...?) and all people everywhere (apart from children and old ladies) are complete c**ts. Therefore, I didn't need this half-baked hotchpotch of cliched set pieces ("You're not my dad!" supermarket tantrums, anyone...?) and banal truisms (cancer is baaaad and, like, so unfair...) to confirm this for me. This is not a good book.
August 19, 2021
Tęsinys knygos "Vyras ir vaikas“ patiko nemažiau nei pirmoji knyga. Gyvenimas čia virė kaip priklausant. Ir verkti norėjosi, ir juoktis.. Toks šiuolaikiškas romanas apie gyvenimą, šeimos gyvenimą. Apie mišrios šeimos sunkumus ir džiaugsmus. Patėvis, pamotė, tėtis, mama, vaikai. Apie nuklydimus ir atradimus. Su intrigomis, bet visgi viskas susiklosto taip, kaip turi būti. Nes jei nori amžinai mylėti vieną žmogų, turi vis iš naujo jį pamilti. Labai patiko! Pradžiugino pabaiga ir aplamai puikiai rašytojas rašo, kas neskaitė, kviečiu paskaityti!
"Vyras ir žmona” – puikus romanas apie šeimą šiuolaikiniame pasaulyje. Humoras, nuoširdumas ir įtaigus pasakojimas – dėl šių savybių Tonį Parsoną skaitytojai pamėgo daugiau kaip trisdešimtyje šalių.
"Žvaigždės - kaip nuotraukos. Gali jose matyti tai, ko trokšti. Gali manyti, kod jos seikėja tavo praradimus, gali tikėti, kad jose gyva visa, ką mylėjai ir tebemyli".
"Vyras ir žmona” – puikus romanas apie šeimą šiuolaikiniame pasaulyje. Humoras, nuoširdumas ir įtaigus pasakojimas – dėl šių savybių Tonį Parsoną skaitytojai pamėgo daugiau kaip trisdešimtyje šalių.
"Žvaigždės - kaip nuotraukos. Gali jose matyti tai, ko trokšti. Gali manyti, kod jos seikėja tavo praradimus, gali tikėti, kad jose gyva visa, ką mylėjai ir tebemyli".
October 10, 2019
I liked the first book and wanted to like this too but I’ve had it up to here with Harry and his divorce and his bitter ex-wife and his ridiculous custody battle. But most of all I’ve had enough of his endless musings on why his generation can’t manage marriage and parenting as well as his parents. Speak for yourself Harry.
March 30, 2009
buku ini sequel dari man and boy. di buku pertama, dikisahkan bahwa perkawinan tokoh utama, harry silver, hancur karena affair yang hanya terjadi satu kali. perjuangan menjadi orangtua tunggal, kemudian menata hidup kembali dengan 'cinta' yang lain. dan buku sequel ini mengisahkan kelanjutannya. menjalani kehidupan sebagai keluarga terpadu, saat pasangan ini harus berhadapan juga dengan anak 'bawaan' masing-masing, anak kandung sendiri hasil dari perkawinan sebelumnya, juga dengan para mantan suami/istri mereka -- dengan 'sejarah' yang dibawa oleh tiap pihak. ditambah percikan masalah sedikit di sana-sini dalam pekerjaan, hubungan dengan pasangan, hubungan dengan anak tiri, hingga ke sosok-sosok baru yang seolah menjanjikan kesempatan atau peluang untuk memulai lagi dari awal. godaan untuk mengakhiri kerumitan yang ada, merindukan hal-hal mudah, serba tak rumit, dan beberapa hal lain yang diharapkan namun tak selalu didapatkan. tema yang disajikan memang umum, tapi 'pergumulan' dan perjalanan yang harus dilalui si tokoh utama, menarik untuk saya ikuti sampai habis. manusiawi. tidak terkesan jadi 'pahlawan'.
shit happens. saya rasa kalimat itu cukup dapat mewakili gambaran hidup yang wajar dialami. kadang kita tidak selalu dapat melihat jelas alasan dibalik tiap keputusan yang kita ambil. seperti suatu dering kecil yang mungkin suaranya terlindas oleh suara dan kebisingan lain di sekitar kita-- yang kerap muncul dengan volume lebih keras dan terkesan lebih menuntut perhatian kita. begitu juga dalam pernikahan. juga hidup. sering ada ekspektasi yang tak terungkap dan baru diketahui di kemudian hari. atau bergumul dengan pengandaian-pengandaian ini dan itu, kemungkinan-kemungkinan baru, pencarian yang seperti tak ada ujung. padahal tidak ada jaminan apa kemungkinan baru itu akan menghasilkan sesuatu yang juga benar-benar baru, atau berakhir dengan pola senada. saat resiko tak lagi jadi kendala, ada baiknya untuk memikirkan ulang antara yang kita sukai dan yang kita butuhkan.
"kadang-kadang kita harus menjaga jarak dengan apa-apa yang kita sukai. dan belajar menghargai apa yang kita butuhkan."
3.5 bintang.
shit happens. saya rasa kalimat itu cukup dapat mewakili gambaran hidup yang wajar dialami. kadang kita tidak selalu dapat melihat jelas alasan dibalik tiap keputusan yang kita ambil. seperti suatu dering kecil yang mungkin suaranya terlindas oleh suara dan kebisingan lain di sekitar kita-- yang kerap muncul dengan volume lebih keras dan terkesan lebih menuntut perhatian kita. begitu juga dalam pernikahan. juga hidup. sering ada ekspektasi yang tak terungkap dan baru diketahui di kemudian hari. atau bergumul dengan pengandaian-pengandaian ini dan itu, kemungkinan-kemungkinan baru, pencarian yang seperti tak ada ujung. padahal tidak ada jaminan apa kemungkinan baru itu akan menghasilkan sesuatu yang juga benar-benar baru, atau berakhir dengan pola senada. saat resiko tak lagi jadi kendala, ada baiknya untuk memikirkan ulang antara yang kita sukai dan yang kita butuhkan.
"kadang-kadang kita harus menjaga jarak dengan apa-apa yang kita sukai. dan belajar menghargai apa yang kita butuhkan."
3.5 bintang.
July 11, 2023
I don’t normally write reviews but I have to say that this is one of the worst books I have ever read.
Harry Silver. There is absolutely nothing to like about this selfish, self-centred, unlovable main character. I read this book in the hope that he would redeem himself from the first book. He didn’t.
Harry Silver. There is absolutely nothing to like about this selfish, self-centred, unlovable main character. I read this book in the hope that he would redeem himself from the first book. He didn’t.
January 7, 2013
I loved hearing a man's views on marriage, divorce, child rearing, illness and love.
May 24, 2009
Though he is supposedly an "internationally best-selling author," I had never heard of Tony Parsons until Kelly loaned me this book. He is compared to both Nick Hornby and Helen Fielding on the inside cover, but I'd say there's a bit more of the Hornby "peek into the male psyche" vibe going on in this novel than any tinge of Bridget Jones.
Harry Silver, the hero (or anti-hero) of the story, is struggling to deal with the complexity of relationships in the modern age. He is a successful television producer but he is on his second wife, Cyd, and trying to be a father to both his son, Pat, and his stepdaugher, Peggy. The scenarios he finds himself in are often painfully, awkwardly real as is Harry's addiction to the beginnings of romantic relationships. Said addiction leads Harry to make some choices that only complicate his life further.
I never had "my cry button" pushed (as the People magagine blurb on the cover warned me I might) but I found this novel a quick and engaging read. Though at times I really wanted to slap Harry on the nose with a rolled up newspaper, I think that was what Parsons was going for. This novel is a sequel to Man and Boy and though I don't think you have to read that book first (because I didn't), it might add depth to all the characters involved.
Harry Silver, the hero (or anti-hero) of the story, is struggling to deal with the complexity of relationships in the modern age. He is a successful television producer but he is on his second wife, Cyd, and trying to be a father to both his son, Pat, and his stepdaugher, Peggy. The scenarios he finds himself in are often painfully, awkwardly real as is Harry's addiction to the beginnings of romantic relationships. Said addiction leads Harry to make some choices that only complicate his life further.
I never had "my cry button" pushed (as the People magagine blurb on the cover warned me I might) but I found this novel a quick and engaging read. Though at times I really wanted to slap Harry on the nose with a rolled up newspaper, I think that was what Parsons was going for. This novel is a sequel to Man and Boy and though I don't think you have to read that book first (because I didn't), it might add depth to all the characters involved.
January 6, 2011
Never heard of Parsons before or the prequel & the blurb on back didn't really inspire me either but i had some time to kill at the guest-house I found it at and was pleasantly surprised for the most part. Agree with some reviews that it was overly sentimental at times (not that his feelings were.... just the repetition of the feelings) and the main character an imbecile on occasions but I liked his honesty and humour. Thought he was a very capable writer regarding the complexities of relationships. Not the kind of book I would normally read but will probably read man & boy at some stage now :)
January 30, 2016
The thing that attracted me most to this book was the way Harry talked about his son ..
it hurted me as much as it did for him and I felt sorry for all those sunday dads .
This book made me want to read all of Tony's novels , unfortunatly I couldn't find any in tunisia exept this one ..
it hurted me as much as it did for him and I felt sorry for all those sunday dads .
This book made me want to read all of Tony's novels , unfortunatly I couldn't find any in tunisia exept this one ..
Read
August 28, 2009An interesting look into the man's perspective of marriage, divorce, blended families and the eternal search of how love can hold a marriage together.
January 22, 2020
A nice, warm read about a loving father and son.
April 14, 2021
Nếu phần 1 chúng ta có định nghĩa "gia đình hạt nhân" thì phần 2 có khái niệm gia đình "rổ rá cạp lại". Đó là 2 cá thể đã ly hôn có con riêng và cáp lại với nhau.
Đọc hết cuốn phần 2 này thì mình thực sự tin là Tony Parsons xứng đáng là tác giả được yêu thích ở hơn ba mươi quốc gia. Bằng ngòi bút sắc sảo, hóm hỉnh ông đã vẽ nên một câu chuyện sâu sắc và chân thật về một gia đình kiểu mới trong thế kỷ 21. Câu chuyện kiểu này có khắp nơi trên các phương tiện truyền thông. Thế nhưng ở Tony Parsons nó không hề nhàm chán, ngược lại nó khiến mình bị cuốn hút vô cùng, phải đọc đến trang cuối cùng để xem cái gã Harry ngu ngốc đến mức nào. Không biết đến khi nào gã mới thực sự trưởng thành với cuộc sống hôn nhân? Ở trang bìa giới thiệu của nhà xuất bản có ghi là phần 3 mang tên Khi người đàn ông trưởng thành - sắp ra mắt 2021. Bác Tony Parsons biết cách kiếm tiền ghê. Mà ghê gì thì ghê chứ mình vẫn sẽ tiếp tục mua 🙂
Câu chuyện của Harry và gia đình anh, gia đình của những người xung quanh anh chưa biết sẽ như thế nào khi phần tiếp theo chưa được xuất bản. Nhưng mình thực sự không có niềm tin vào cái gã này.
Không ai tắm hai lần trên một dòng sông, ấy vậy mà gã lại suýt chút nữa (nếu như nói theo góc nhìn tích cực) hay dưới góc nhìn tiêu cực là gã lại đạp phải vũng sh!t cũ của mình khi một lần nữa có tư tưởng và suy nghĩ không thủy chung.
Điểm cộng của cuốn tập 2 này là bản dịch thú vị hơn tập 1, câu chữ mang tính thời đại hơn - cụ thể là có chửi tục, nói bậy, nói láy,... điều mà bản dịch Cha và con không có. Khá khen cho dịch giả đã rất táo bạo khi dùng những từ ngữ như vầy đồng thời biết tiết chế không quá lạm dụng khiến cho nó không bị phản cảm. Điều thú vị này nếu là mình trước đây sẽ lắc đầu ngao ngán, nhưng không hiểu sao sau khi đọc Vẫy vùng giữa vũng lầy của dịch giả Bình Bồng Bột, mình lại thấy nó thú vị đến như vậy. Ai rồi cũng lớn mà, phải không 🙂
Nếu ai đã đọc Cha và con rồi và chưa hài lòng với kết thúc thì có thể đọc Vợ và chồng. Còn ai chưa đọc Cha và con thì cũng vẫn có thể đọc Vợ và chồng với một tư thế ít dò xét hơn bởi những cảm xúc yêu, ghét các nhân vật ở phần 1. Đây là một cuốn tiểu thuyết hiện đại, rất hợp thời cho bất cứ ai đã, đang và sắp bước vào cuộc sống hôn nhân. Đọc để thấy cuộc sống ở Mĩ nó tự do, phóng khoáng nhìn có vẻ ham nhưng thực ra là cả một đống bùi nhùi mà người trong cuộc không tài nào thoát ra được...
Bài review chi tiết của mình: ntquangg.wordpress.com/2021/04/13/khe...
Đọc hết cuốn phần 2 này thì mình thực sự tin là Tony Parsons xứng đáng là tác giả được yêu thích ở hơn ba mươi quốc gia. Bằng ngòi bút sắc sảo, hóm hỉnh ông đã vẽ nên một câu chuyện sâu sắc và chân thật về một gia đình kiểu mới trong thế kỷ 21. Câu chuyện kiểu này có khắp nơi trên các phương tiện truyền thông. Thế nhưng ở Tony Parsons nó không hề nhàm chán, ngược lại nó khiến mình bị cuốn hút vô cùng, phải đọc đến trang cuối cùng để xem cái gã Harry ngu ngốc đến mức nào. Không biết đến khi nào gã mới thực sự trưởng thành với cuộc sống hôn nhân? Ở trang bìa giới thiệu của nhà xuất bản có ghi là phần 3 mang tên Khi người đàn ông trưởng thành - sắp ra mắt 2021. Bác Tony Parsons biết cách kiếm tiền ghê. Mà ghê gì thì ghê chứ mình vẫn sẽ tiếp tục mua 🙂
Câu chuyện của Harry và gia đình anh, gia đình của những người xung quanh anh chưa biết sẽ như thế nào khi phần tiếp theo chưa được xuất bản. Nhưng mình thực sự không có niềm tin vào cái gã này.
Không ai tắm hai lần trên một dòng sông, ấy vậy mà gã lại suýt chút nữa (nếu như nói theo góc nhìn tích cực) hay dưới góc nhìn tiêu cực là gã lại đạp phải vũng sh!t cũ của mình khi một lần nữa có tư tưởng và suy nghĩ không thủy chung.
Điểm cộng của cuốn tập 2 này là bản dịch thú vị hơn tập 1, câu chữ mang tính thời đại hơn - cụ thể là có chửi tục, nói bậy, nói láy,... điều mà bản dịch Cha và con không có. Khá khen cho dịch giả đã rất táo bạo khi dùng những từ ngữ như vầy đồng thời biết tiết chế không quá lạm dụng khiến cho nó không bị phản cảm. Điều thú vị này nếu là mình trước đây sẽ lắc đầu ngao ngán, nhưng không hiểu sao sau khi đọc Vẫy vùng giữa vũng lầy của dịch giả Bình Bồng Bột, mình lại thấy nó thú vị đến như vậy. Ai rồi cũng lớn mà, phải không 🙂
Nếu ai đã đọc Cha và con rồi và chưa hài lòng với kết thúc thì có thể đọc Vợ và chồng. Còn ai chưa đọc Cha và con thì cũng vẫn có thể đọc Vợ và chồng với một tư thế ít dò xét hơn bởi những cảm xúc yêu, ghét các nhân vật ở phần 1. Đây là một cuốn tiểu thuyết hiện đại, rất hợp thời cho bất cứ ai đã, đang và sắp bước vào cuộc sống hôn nhân. Đọc để thấy cuộc sống ở Mĩ nó tự do, phóng khoáng nhìn có vẻ ham nhưng thực ra là cả một đống bùi nhùi mà người trong cuộc không tài nào thoát ra được...
Bài review chi tiết của mình: ntquangg.wordpress.com/2021/04/13/khe...
November 3, 2009
Buku ini merupakan sekuel dari buku 'Man and Boy'. Tokoh utamanya adalah Harry. Seorang suami dari wanita bernama Gina dan seorang ayah dari anak laki2 bernama Pat. Harry berselingkuh dengan rekan kerjanya, rumah tangganya pun berantakan. Gina pergi ke Jepang, meninggalkan Harry dan Pat. Di akhir cerita 'Man and Boy', Harry yang telah bercerai dengan Gina bertemu dengan Cyd, seorang wanita Amerika dengan satu anak perempuan, Peggy.
Pada 'Man and Wife' diceritakan Harry menikah dengan Cyd, sementara Gina menikah dengan Richard. Pat ikut dengan Gina. Harry menjadi 'ayah hari minggu' bagi Pat dan ayah tiri bagi Peggy. Awalnya semua baik2 saja. Selanjutnya, tidak seindah yang dibayangkan. Masalah demi masalah datang (salah satunya adalah Gina pindah ke Amerika, membawa Pat). Keadaan makin memburuk ketika bisnis katering Cyd makin maju. Harry merasa tersisih dan cemburu (pada laki2 bernama Luke). Dia mulai memikirkan hal2 buruk tentang istrinya. Lalu Harry bertemu Kazumi. Harry merasa jatuh cinta pada Kazumi, merasa bhw dengan Kazumi segalanya akan baik2 aja, bahkan Harry mulai berpikir utk meninggalkan Cyd demi Kazumi. Bagaimana akhir ceritanya? Tidak sulit ditebak sebenarnya, karena Tony Parson selalu mengakhirinya dengan kebahagiaan.
Seperti juga buku sebelumnya, buku ini diselingi dengan humor2 ringan. Salah satunya ketika Harry dan Cyd mulai pisah ranjang.
"Buat orang tuaku, tidak ada sex sebelum menikah. Buatku, tidak ada sex setelah menikah" :D
Harry selalu menginginkan rumah tangganya seperti kedua orang tuanya. Bersama sampai tua. Hanya dipisahkan oleh kematian (pada buku pertama ayah Harry meninggal). Tapi ternyata tidak mudah.
Saya kutipkan jawaban ibu Harry ketika Harry bertanya bagaimana caranya mereka bisa bertahan dalam perkawinan.
"Kau hanya perlu terus jatuh cinta. Pada orang yang sama."
Pada 'Man and Wife' diceritakan Harry menikah dengan Cyd, sementara Gina menikah dengan Richard. Pat ikut dengan Gina. Harry menjadi 'ayah hari minggu' bagi Pat dan ayah tiri bagi Peggy. Awalnya semua baik2 saja. Selanjutnya, tidak seindah yang dibayangkan. Masalah demi masalah datang (salah satunya adalah Gina pindah ke Amerika, membawa Pat). Keadaan makin memburuk ketika bisnis katering Cyd makin maju. Harry merasa tersisih dan cemburu (pada laki2 bernama Luke). Dia mulai memikirkan hal2 buruk tentang istrinya. Lalu Harry bertemu Kazumi. Harry merasa jatuh cinta pada Kazumi, merasa bhw dengan Kazumi segalanya akan baik2 aja, bahkan Harry mulai berpikir utk meninggalkan Cyd demi Kazumi. Bagaimana akhir ceritanya? Tidak sulit ditebak sebenarnya, karena Tony Parson selalu mengakhirinya dengan kebahagiaan.
Seperti juga buku sebelumnya, buku ini diselingi dengan humor2 ringan. Salah satunya ketika Harry dan Cyd mulai pisah ranjang.
"Buat orang tuaku, tidak ada sex sebelum menikah. Buatku, tidak ada sex setelah menikah" :D
Harry selalu menginginkan rumah tangganya seperti kedua orang tuanya. Bersama sampai tua. Hanya dipisahkan oleh kematian (pada buku pertama ayah Harry meninggal). Tapi ternyata tidak mudah.
Saya kutipkan jawaban ibu Harry ketika Harry bertanya bagaimana caranya mereka bisa bertahan dalam perkawinan.
"Kau hanya perlu terus jatuh cinta. Pada orang yang sama."
October 17, 2016
A very enjoyable read. I felt drawn to Harry Silver, the hero, with his complicated love life, ex wife, current wife, son and step daughter. Its not hard to see why his marriage failed, he has an eye for the girls and can't resist temptation. However, his heart is in the right place, he is a decent sort of bloke and is easy to like as a character.
This novel follows Harry through his many adventures and misadventures, there are some comic moments, emotional highs and lows and some sadness. He has a good relationship with his wife and with his mother, as well as being a good parent to his son and step daughter.
Things do start to go wrong with his marriage, predictably, given his character, and there is no way of knowing how it will all end. An interesting look at relationships, first and second marriages and how the children fit in with all of this.
An engrossing and engaging read, a page turner from start to end. I loved this book and can recommend it to anyone who enjoys a love story from the male perspective and exploring the father/son bond.
This novel follows Harry through his many adventures and misadventures, there are some comic moments, emotional highs and lows and some sadness. He has a good relationship with his wife and with his mother, as well as being a good parent to his son and step daughter.
Things do start to go wrong with his marriage, predictably, given his character, and there is no way of knowing how it will all end. An interesting look at relationships, first and second marriages and how the children fit in with all of this.
An engrossing and engaging read, a page turner from start to end. I loved this book and can recommend it to anyone who enjoys a love story from the male perspective and exploring the father/son bond.
September 10, 2014
„- Sunt doar două ocazii în viață când ești declarat ceva, zise Eamon. Prima, când te declară soț. Iar a doua, când te declară mort.”
„- Se pare că oamenii de știință au descoperit un aliment care reduce libidoul femeii cu nouăzeci și nouă la sută, povestea el. Se numește tortul miresei.”
„- Păi, de la treisprezece la optsprezece ani, femeia e ca Africa - teritorii virgine. De la optsprezece la treizeci, e ca Asia - fierbinte și exotică. De la treizeci la patruzeci și cinci, e ca America - complet explorată, însă generoasă cu resursele ei. Iar de la cincizeci și cinci de ani încolo, e ca Australia - toată lumea știe că e acolo jos undeva, dar puțini mai fac efortul să o găsească.”
„- După ce un taur s-a împerecheat cu o vacă, nu mai e interesat de ea. Nu contează cât de drăguță e vaca. Taurului nici că-i pasă. Se numește sindromul vacii vechi.”
„- Se pare că oamenii de știință au descoperit un aliment care reduce libidoul femeii cu nouăzeci și nouă la sută, povestea el. Se numește tortul miresei.”
„- Păi, de la treisprezece la optsprezece ani, femeia e ca Africa - teritorii virgine. De la optsprezece la treizeci, e ca Asia - fierbinte și exotică. De la treizeci la patruzeci și cinci, e ca America - complet explorată, însă generoasă cu resursele ei. Iar de la cincizeci și cinci de ani încolo, e ca Australia - toată lumea știe că e acolo jos undeva, dar puțini mai fac efortul să o găsească.”
„- După ce un taur s-a împerecheat cu o vacă, nu mai e interesat de ea. Nu contează cât de drăguță e vaca. Taurului nici că-i pasă. Se numește sindromul vacii vechi.”
February 15, 2024
there’s passages that are great, mainly surrounding harry’s relationship with his son (especially the sunday dad whole thing that was interesting and at the part of the book where i hadn’t quite bored of harry’s whining yet) but overall it’s repetitive, monotonous musings of harry’s obsession with his parents perfect marriage and ‘real’ love being sooo impossible in the ‘modern world’ of blended families as he’s so focused on repeating (🙄) feels like a money grab after the first one, which was great ! not sure how you were supposed to feel at the end but i certainly didn’t feel inspired with hope and admiration for the beauty of human life - staying with someone basically because you cba, you may as well because you spent all that time cheating on your ex-wife with them and oh now you have a bit of flesh and blood coming to focus on instead of them seems absolutely miserable to me
June 12, 2018
I wanted to like this book. My ex-boss is good pals with Tony Parsons, and I've always heard so much about him - but this book was just... blah. I did not read the first book in the series, and only started with this one after picking it up at a hostel somewhere in Borneo.
For starters, I HATED the main character. He was such an unsympathetic man-child, who just doesn't know what he wants, and completely idolizes his son (who will likely also end up being a blithering man-child). Perhaps that's useful because it's realistic.
Second, the whole story was just cliched and didn't offer much, where there was more opportunity to do so. You don't end up liking anyone, and you just feel sorry for the whole lot. The end.
For starters, I HATED the main character. He was such an unsympathetic man-child, who just doesn't know what he wants, and completely idolizes his son (who will likely also end up being a blithering man-child). Perhaps that's useful because it's realistic.
Second, the whole story was just cliched and didn't offer much, where there was more opportunity to do so. You don't end up liking anyone, and you just feel sorry for the whole lot. The end.
July 28, 2010
I enjoyed Man and Boy, and this follows on from it really well.
It's an exploration of the modern family and place marriage has today.
Perhpas I'm plunging rapidly towards middle age, but I found it all very revelant, if not directly to my life (I'm not divorced), then to my friends' lives.
Tony Parsons manages to capture the male psyche quite well, along with all the worries, concerns and foibles that feel ever present.
There are subtle pressures (well I feel them anyway) from all sides about what is the right thing to do, and the book captures the dilemmas and problems pretty well.
It's an exploration of the modern family and place marriage has today.
Perhpas I'm plunging rapidly towards middle age, but I found it all very revelant, if not directly to my life (I'm not divorced), then to my friends' lives.
Tony Parsons manages to capture the male psyche quite well, along with all the worries, concerns and foibles that feel ever present.
There are subtle pressures (well I feel them anyway) from all sides about what is the right thing to do, and the book captures the dilemmas and problems pretty well.
March 20, 2018
Similar to the previous novel by Tony Parsons. It's difficult to read without feeling that he moans a lot about the fabulous life he enjoys and seeing how he is about to mess it up again by having yet another affair. Tony doesn't seem to be able to appreciate what he's got and what dedication you have to put into a marriage/relationship - until near the end when he seems to realise that he's in danger of repeating the experience of his first marriage. Maybe it's good to read to see how we are all infallible or maybe it's good to get a better understanding of how people view being unfaithful?
December 8, 2013
An easy and enjoyable read, Man and Wife tells the story of Harry and his attitude towards marriage and fatherhood. Harry's not a terribly likeable character, being prone to infidelity and a naïve attitude towards relationships, but he's redeemed by the strong love he has for his son. Man and Wife doesn't exact too much from the reader in terms of brain power, but it's well written and engaging. Best for a quick filler read in between more exacting books.
June 8, 2008
Yes, Parsons does takes "as his specialist subject contemporary emotional issues which almost every other male writer has ignored" but does he have to be so fucking sentimental about it? Thank goodness for the character of Eamon Fish, comedian and philosopher to slice apart main man Harry Silver's repetitive mental brooding.
Read something else.
Read something else.
March 1, 2011
Too many clichés for my taste. Commitment-phobia is over-used these days. As is the man-boy type, the man who never grows up, but not in the cutesy way of holding on to the imagination and creativity of childhood, in the 'do things without thinking about consequences at all' way.
And not that well written after all.
And not that well written after all.
August 14, 2017
Harry is way too immature to have a wife, let alone a child. When he says, "What kind of man would say a thing like that?" after he had said pretty much the same thing to his wife? Didn't like any of the characters. I never saw any connection between Cyd and her daughter, or Gina and Pat, except from Harry's point of view. Nobody seemed to like anyone.
May 25, 2020
2.5 stars. I was disappointed as I really liked the first book 'man and boy' but the sequel just seemed to be the main character complaining about all the women in his life and jumping between them trying to decide who to love. I'm glad that he ended up with who he did in the end, but apart from that it wasn't great to read.
December 5, 2010
It is a good read, a nice book, full of love. tells us about how we fall in love, why we stay, how to have a happy marriage that lasts forever and how to be happy in blended family. it wasn't as good as the first book which is Man and Boy. But like I said, it is a very light book to be enjoyed. :D
March 27, 2011
A very true account of the marriages of today. Men and women who did not know what they want or are unable to work around the difficulties and challenges of maintaining, if not improving, a marriage gave up and seek solace elsewhere, only to come back to the same pattern of living.
January 24, 2018
After adoring the first book, I couldn't wait to read this. I was so disappointed, the character doesn't appear to have learned any lessons and makes all the same mistakes again.
All the relatability from the first book was destroyed, and I ended up disliking the character.
All the relatability from the first book was destroyed, and I ended up disliking the character.
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