Fathers by Sam Miller
In early 2014, after many years living abroad, Sam Miller returned to his childhood home in London. His father was dying. When the editor, writer, critic and academic Karl Miller died later that year, the obituaries spoke of his brilliance and influence, of how he founded the London Review of Books, and how he had shaped the careers of some of the finest writers and poets of the second half of the twentieth century. But they gave little sense of Karl Miller beyond the world of work: the warm, funny, football-loving family man so adored by his children and grandchildren. In the months after his death, Sam began to write about his father. He had been told, long ago, a family secret involving his parents and a close friend. Now, by reading his father’s papers and with the help of his mother, he was able to piece together a remarkable story. Fathers is the result: a tender, thoughtful exploration of childhood and parenthood, of friendship, love and loyalty.
A quiet and deeply affecting meditation on friendship and family secrets, Fathers glitters with love and uncertaintyMiller writes beautifully about mystery, memory, and how we choose our paths through life, how we decide who we are. -- Helen Macdonald
I can’t remember when I have more enjoyed a memoir, in the reading and in the conversations in my head afterwards with its author. Fathers is a profoundly rich and rewarding experience and will be gobbled up by readers and writers. -- Cathy Rentzenbrink * The Times *
This book began as an extension of the speech Sam made at his father’s funeral – and as a way to cope with his grief. It has become something else in the process: an exploration of love, sex, genetic disposition and what makes us who we are… There has been some remarkable dad lit over the last year… and Sam Miller’s is a fascinating addition to the genre… There may be some who would have preferred the story to stay in-house. And as Sam is quick to acknowledge, others would tell it differently. But his, the son’s version, is sunny: generous in spirit, exculpatory in tone, grateful rather than self-pitying. -- Blake Morrison * Guardian *
This engaging book is not only a valuable portrait of the intensely private Karl Miller, but also a poignant account of the life of his beloved friend. -- William Palmer * Literary Review *
A very moving portrait of a startlingly charismatic figure. -- Gaby Wood * Daily Telegraph *
I can’t remember when I have more enjoyed a memoir, in the reading and in the conversations in my head afterwards with its author. Fathers is a profoundly rich and rewarding experience and will be gobbled up by readers and writers. -- Cathy Rentzenbrink * The Times *
This book began as an extension of the speech Sam made at his father’s funeral – and as a way to cope with his grief. It has become something else in the process: an exploration of love, sex, genetic disposition and what makes us who we are… There has been some remarkable dad lit over the last year… and Sam Miller’s is a fascinating addition to the genre… There may be some who would have preferred the story to stay in-house. And as Sam is quick to acknowledge, others would tell it differently. But his, the son’s version, is sunny: generous in spirit, exculpatory in tone, grateful rather than self-pitying. -- Blake Morrison * Guardian *
This engaging book is not only a valuable portrait of the intensely private Karl Miller, but also a poignant account of the life of his beloved friend. -- William Palmer * Literary Review *
A very moving portrait of a startlingly charismatic figure. -- Gaby Wood * Daily Telegraph *
Sam Miller was born and brought up in London, but has spent much of his adult life in India. He is a former BBC journalist and is the author of Delhi: Adventures in a Megacity (2009), Blue Guide: India (2012) and A Strange Kind of Paradise: India Through Foreign Eyes (2014). He is also the translator of The Marvellous (But Authentic) Adventures of Captain Corcoran (2016) by Alfred Assollant.
SKU | Unavailable |
ISBN 13 | 9781911214328 |
ISBN 10 | 1911214322 |
Title | Fathers |
Author | Sam Miller |
Condition | Unavailable |
Binding type | Hardback |
Publisher | Vintage Publishing |
Year published | 2017-03-09 |
Number of pages | 256 |
Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
Note | Unavailable |