Product Description

First published in 1993, Blake Morrison's "And When Did You Last See Your Father?" is an extraordinary portrait of family life, father-son relationships and bereavement. It became a bestseller, and inspired a whole genre of confessional memoirs. This new edition includes a new afterword by the author.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #52155 in Books
• Published on: 2006-10-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Review

• With a new afterword by the author
• 'A painful, funny, frightening, moving, marvellous book... everybody should read it' Nick Hornby
• 'Tender, honest, angry, loyal, this extraordinary book balances the life, illness and death of a forceful father with the feelings of his independent son' The Times
• 'This luminous tribute to a beloved dad made me laugh until I cried and cry till my nostrils were raw. A masterpiece - one of those books that you treasure forever' Val Hennessy
• 'A marvellous piece of family literature. He says much about death and dying and more about life and living. Sometimes harrowing, sometimes funny, above all, unforgettably humane' Sydney Morning Herald
• 'A splendid book...it leaps with life' Irish Times

Sunday Times (Nick Hornby)
"A painful, funny, frightening, moving, marvellous
book...everybody should read it"

The Times
"Tender, honest, angry, loyal...(an) extraordinary book"

Customer Reviews

The life and death of an ordinary man
Arthur Morrison was not a famous man, except perhaps in the small Lancashire village of Earby where he had a doctors practice for many years. This excellent book reminds us that you don't have to be famous or to have performed any extra-ordinary feats to have a story that is worth telling.
The book, written by his son, tells of how Dr Morrisons life slowly slips away during the last few weeks of his life. Interspersed with this are the authors recollections of his father, who whilst being a difficult man at times, always remained a loving husband and father. The author is at all times open and honest - sometimes brutally so - and lays open his feelings for all to share.
One of the strengths of the book is that whilst it is about the death of a loved one it never gets too mawkish or sentimental and remains at all times a good read.
After finishing the book I found from the internet that a film of the book is currently in production. I look forward to seeing what sort of treatment it receives on the silver screen.

A moving testimony
Morrison offers a clear and intimate insight into his feelings over the life and death of his father. The very ordinariness and anonymity of his father makes the story ideal to overlay your own father-son relationship or, as in my case, gain an insight into what you might be missing.

It is a very thoughtful book, a fine testament to his father, but also - possibly - an inspiration to other sons and fathers to recognise and enjoy what they have before it is too late.

Hope the film does this book justice
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found it by chance and as personal circumstances unfolded I discovered its straightforward unsentimental honest style powerful and supportive.
Consequently the book has been read and reread by all members of my family affected by the death and darkness of cancer.
It was a book to read and ponder especially and I mean this, if one needs
understanding and solace in similar circumstances