Don't Put Yourself on Toast

by Freddy Taylor

A bittersweet coming-of-age memoir from a debut author about losing a parent and the power of laughter to hold a family together

When Freddy was 21 years old, his dad, a larger-than-life, successful TV producer, was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a particularly aggressive type of brain cancer.
 
Collected and expanded from Freddy’s journal at the time and interspersed with entries from his stepmother’s medical notes, Don’t Put Yourself on Toast is a record of his father’s struggle for life and Freddy’s attempt to hold his family together using all the fun he can muster.
 
In startlingly vivid snapshots Freddy takes us from the entertaining antics of ‘the most inappropriate wine gum toss competition ever attempted in a hospital ward’; to the comic-tragic deciphering of his father’s muddled riddles as his speech disintegrates; to painful moments of regret and self-loathing, as he squanders precious time.
 
This heartrending portrayal of a world turned upside down offers a reminder of the power of humour and laughter to provide, even in our darkest moments, sustenance, comfort and hope.
 

Genres: Nonfiction, Book Club, Memoir

190 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2022

Reviews

[Mia Wolf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is it evil to give someone’s memoirs about their dad dying 3 stars

[Lissie Moots · Rating 5 out of 5]

Felt lots of feels with this book.

[Ellie Hummerston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book about love and loss

[Nell Davies-Small · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why did I do this to myself !!!!!!! Xxxx

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely beautiful book. There’s so much love and humour throughout its pages. You can tell the author has an artist’s eye by the details and imagery he’s able to conjure for the reader. Not the kind of book I would typically read but I’m so glad I did.

[Meghali Mazumdar · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I would like to donate my head when I die. But I won’t do it if you don’t want me to.” I’be never heard a more brutal sentence. To be fair he was close. He confused “head” with “brain”, but the image of my headless father in a casket remains.

What a moving tribute to a dying father. This book narrates a 21 year old’s struggle with seeing his father diagnosed with brain cancer but in a way that a 21 year olds brain would process it. That gives it authenticity.

The humor element is what makes it work for me. The conversations with people, doctors, friends, family, the phone calls toward the end when his dad is not able to comprehend the caller, the hair cuts. It’s all so real, sad and funny as well. I guess one needs to understand that life moves on and it is only a matter of perspective.

I would highly recommend this book. It’s written in short chapters, simple language and under 200 pages.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the publisher messaged me about this book they told me that it contained themes of loss and grief. I am passing that message on…This book is not going to appeal to everyone but for some of you this will be perfect. I read this book in a day and I laughed and I cried…

In the last week of my Mum’s life my sister and I left the hospice to visit the supermarket to buy eye liner pencils…We had both forgotten to bring them with us when we rushed down to be with my Mum. Those eye liner pencils were our fragile foothold on the mountain as we struggled to cope with what was happening. And I watched people filling their baskets, and chatting and wondered how could it all carry on and who could possibly understand what we were going through..and this book has come and warmed my heart with its understanding..with the blessing of shared experiences. There is so much comfort in that.

This is the most beautiful love song from a son to his Dad. Freddy’s Father was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a particularly aggressive type of brain cancer. Freddy was only 21, preparing for a wonderful summer holiday and suddenly he was plunged into a world of treatments and consultants and staging. This book is undeniably about loss and grief but it is also about love, about living through and finding joy and humour in tough times. The book is filled with the personality of Freddy’s Father - ‘the only dad to kiss his teenage son goodbye at the (school) gates’. When Freddy’s Dad rings after his first surgery I felt my heart overwhelmed with relief - I could almost hear that fragile voice, loaded with emotion. This book is filled with the members of his family - his amazing Step Mother caring and supporting tirelessly - it is her notebook records that help inform the detail of the account. And his younger sister to whom Freddy’s Dad sings ‘Sunshine’ … The family knit themselves closely together in a blanket of support. This is a book full of love and the most wonderful tribute to a Father and it feels a privilege to read it.
With many thanks to the publisher for my copy of this special book

[Simon Howard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short account, mostly extracted from Freddy’s journal, of his experience as the 21-year-old son of a man diagnosed with, and ultimately dying from, glioblastoma.

While Freddy’s experience is singular and recounted with both wit and tenderness, I found that it didn’t really resonate with me.

More at: https://sjhoward.co.uk/ive-been-readi...

[FH Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book - a declaration of love to the author’s father. It made me laugh and cry, sometimes both on the same page. It is funny and sad, heartbreaking and uplifting. Thank you Freddy for sharing your story.

[Julia Zotto · Rating 3 out of 5]

kinda took me a weirdly long time to finish for a small book. Good book and good concept but there was definitely something about the way it was written that lacked a flow for me, causing me to pick it up and put it down a bunch

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heartbreaking. Hilarious. Heart-rendering. Heartwarming.

[Eddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it in one sitting. One of the best i've read for ages.

[Steve Horn · Rating 5 out of 5]

love, loss, and other topics to put beautiful words to









4.5

[Suzanne Block · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most impactful books I've ever read. Especially if you've lost a parent. I'll re-read this regularly forever. 💖

[Gina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maudlin and trite.

[Anusha · Rating 4 out of 5]

:’( my heart hurts

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you wanted to better understand brain cancer and impact on those around them, this memoir is a good read. Not morkish, some humour and insights to human relationships.