André LR’s Reviews > John of John > Status Update

A home full of judgement and violence finally cracks open, and Cal stands in the wreckage realising he cannot save anyone but himself.

The chapter shows how an churches can reach into the private lives of boys and men, stunting them, warping their sense of self, and making normal growth I.e. sexual, emotional, personal , feel like sin. 😢

A quiet visit between old friends exposes the depth of a bond that has shaped the men far more than their families ever realised.

Ok. This is going faster than expected.

He paused on the top landing and tore the parcel open… and out fell the knitted cocksock.”

Chapter 8 shows a young man stitching himself back together while his father clings to a faith that only knows how to break him.

“He could bear the embarrassment if he did not look at his father. His shame was like a stain on the front of his shirt, he could forget about it until he found his father staring at him.”

“As she held it to the light, she could see the sky through it and the sky was prettier for it.”

Ella’s wonder reveals how much beauty Cal is capable of…and how little he believes he’s worth.

“Sammy was the opposite of his father in all things, and the moment he realised this was the moment he realised he could never love him.”

“There was the Kevin Keegan years. A mullet and a perm.”
‘I never permed it. I was blessed with natural curls.’

Stuart is so sly here — mocking masculine self-deception.


“I could do without becoming known as the man who has a hugger for a son.”

This line is doing more than it seems. It’s discomfort, masculinity, shame, humour

He took Innes’s hand in his, and he stroked the back of it with the side of his thumb.