Man and Boy

I finally finished reading the book "Man and Boy' by Tony Parsons. It was a nice read, one of those books where I don't really have to think much. The ending was sweet, as expected; well, sweet in a bitter sweet kinda way.

If I had my way, I would probably write it a differently. For instance, I wouldn't name the kid in the book 'Pat'. Pat some how, to me anyway, comes across as being a tad feminine. And if I were in Gina's shoes (Gina was the narrator's wife), I would have forgiven her husband for his one time indiscretion ending in an ONS. But then again, there wouldn't be a story then, would there?

And finally, if I were in Harry Silver's shoes.... (he is the narrator; in summary, he had a happy marriage, had a sort of premature midlife crisis, ended up humping his assistance, regreted it like crazy, not forgiven by wife who found out, wife flew the coup and started to get back her own life, poor Harry left with Pat the 4 year old boy, and Harry copes as a single father, Harry meets Cyd (a bar waitress) who has Peggy (her daughter from Jimmy who dumped Cyd for an asian lap dancer), Harry falls in love with her (and she with him), more drama and more drama, and so on....

Like I said, if I were in Harry's shoes, I don't think I would have coped taking care of my kids on my own. I would have gone insane. But then again, Harry felt the same, initially anyway. I guess, sometimes, when the human spirit is pushed to the limit, what seems impossible initally may after all turn out to be possible.

I hope I didn't give away the plot too much. Well,I didn't spill the beans on the ending and some very minor details.

Frankly, I feel that Harry's wife, Gina, was just waiting for the opportunity to fly the coup. She was longing for the high profile life she left behind and was sick of playing (desperate) house wife. What better excuse than her husband's infidelity to get out? But that's just my opinion.

I don't feel good. I've been through a lot the last few days. Sorry for being cynical...