Lessons for a Sunday Father

Claire Calman

This ingeniously constructed novel tells the story of the break-up of an ordinary family from the point of view of each its members. The narrator changes with each chapter, so the action is seen from a variety of different angles. For instance the wife describes her discovery of her husband’s adultery, the husband recounts his dilemma at being found out, after which the adolescent son and the young daughter give their reactions.

This technique could have been used to underline the agony for every one in a family after a breakup. And there are some heart-stopping moments, for example, when Scott’s adultery has been discovered and he reflects, ‘I’d been married to Gail fifteen years. It took just half an hour to wipe out fifteen years of marriage. Half an hour. Jeez.’ And as Claire Calman takes us through all the chaos which then transpires, it is impossible not to feel sorry for this Sunday father, whose words will sadly ring a familiar note for many dads, and some mothers too: ‘What the hell do people do with their children all day? The dads, I mean. Is there some secret place they all hang out that I haven’t been let in on yet?’

But on the whole I was disappointed by this novel. Perhaps, because I found it impossible to appreciate a lighthearted approach to any part of this grievous situation. I think the author would have been wiser to describe a family breakup as it is generally experienced: painful for all the family, every step of the way.

I was left puzzled by the dedication in the book, ‘For my parents - who separated for the sake of the children.’ The kids in this novel don’t seem to see it that way.

© Jill Curtis 2002

Black Swan  £5.99   ISBN 0 552 99854 0

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