What do you think?
Rate this book
Reservoir Dad
‘If David Sedaris had got married and had kids, he would have been Reservoir Dad. Fall-on-the-floor funny, sharp, witty and just a little bit sexy ...'
Best Australian Blog 2013 judge Kerry Sackville echoed the feelings of the many fans of award-winning blogger Reservoir Dad aka Clint Greagen, a stay-at-home dad who tells it like it is and makes us laugh out loud – and sometimes cry, but in a good way.
A sharply funny, fresh and irreverent chronicler of real life in today's parenting trenches, whether he's making us choke with laughter, ‘scrisper' (a scream, tempered by a whisper, vital to surviving being in charge of four little boys on a plane, train, automobile or supermarket) or cringe with horror or snicker in recognition, you can see why his star is rising.
Women love him, and men, fellow stay-at-home dads and otherwise, admire him for keeping it real and doing his best to man up, even (and perhaps especially) when he fails, spectacularly. He is not only funny and wise but out and proud about loving his kids and wife – his relationship with the ever-patient Reservoir Mum.
In Reservoir Dad, he finally shares the whole enchilada. The result is a laugh out loud and often heartbreakingly moving modern day love story that reminds us of what really matters amongst all the chaos and craziness …
Best Australian Blog 2013 judge Kerry Sackville echoed the feelings of the many fans of award-winning blogger Reservoir Dad aka Clint Greagen, a stay-at-home dad who tells it like it is and makes us laugh out loud – and sometimes cry, but in a good way.
A sharply funny, fresh and irreverent chronicler of real life in today's parenting trenches, whether he's making us choke with laughter, ‘scrisper' (a scream, tempered by a whisper, vital to surviving being in charge of four little boys on a plane, train, automobile or supermarket) or cringe with horror or snicker in recognition, you can see why his star is rising.
Women love him, and men, fellow stay-at-home dads and otherwise, admire him for keeping it real and doing his best to man up, even (and perhaps especially) when he fails, spectacularly. He is not only funny and wise but out and proud about loving his kids and wife – his relationship with the ever-patient Reservoir Mum.
In Reservoir Dad, he finally shares the whole enchilada. The result is a laugh out loud and often heartbreakingly moving modern day love story that reminds us of what really matters amongst all the chaos and craziness …
- GenresNonfiction
320 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2014
1 person is currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
C.A. Greagen
6 books23 followersC. A. Greagen is the author of the popular blog Reservoir Dad, which won the personal and parenting category at the 2013 Australian Writers’ Centre blog competition. His funny and moving memoir, also titled Reservoir Dad, was published in 2014 by Random House. In 2015 Truce Films optioned the Reservoir Dad book and is in the process of adapting it to a feature length film. His new fictional series of books titled ‘Some Kind of Superstar’ available for purchase.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 10, 2014
In 2008, Clint Greagen resigned from his job as a youth worker to care for his first born child. Nine years later Clint is a stay at home dad of four young boys, Archie, Lewis, Tyson and Maki, and the author of Reservoir Dad, about his adventures in full-time parenting, first chronicled on his popular blog of the same name.
Written with humour, honesty and love, Reservoir Dad shares the exhausting challenges and unadulterated joys of raising four sons, from the seemingly endless sleepless nights, and a bathroom floor covered in wee, to the smell of a newborn head and wrestling matches in the lounge room. What I admire most is Greagen's obvious dedication to his sons, and his relationship with his wife, the ever-patient Reservoir Mum (aka Tania), with whom he still shares a weekly date night, on a mattress in front of the TV.
As a stay at home mother, also to four children (three of whom were born in three years), I could certainly relate to Greagen's experiences of parenting. I found myself giggling in recognition of the moments of crazy and wincing in well remembered sympathy at toddler tantrums and the lego induced injuries, which happens less often now that my youngest son is 8.
Divided into six parts with short chapters variously named with titles like 'Hang Like A Man'; 'Syncing Hormonally'; 'The Grand Old Duke of...Puke?' and 'A Jim Carrey-Inspired Sex Education' Reservoir Dad is a quick, easy read.
Funny, moving and insightful, Reservoir Dad would be the perfect gift for new parents, both as a warning of what is to come, and an assurance they are not alone.
March 12, 2015
I started reading this while sitting in the window at my boyfriend's cafe. It was 6.30am and he was flat chat with all the gym-goers and tradies. The first few times I burst out laughing he looked over at me and smiled the love of a man enjoying has partner's happiness. But after churning out however many dozens of coffees and me leaning over yelling extracts from the book, or just looking up and laughing like a lunatic, he started giving me smaller smiles, and then he was ignoring me altogether.
I went home after two long blacks and a couple of days later I've finished and really enjoyed Reservoir Dad.
This book is the result of a hugely popular blog, and it's no surprise that the sections, each stand-alone anecdotes, do not always segue nicely…after all, it is real life. While the level the book hits at the start is hard to maintain, and structurally there were a couple of times I found the narrative a bit awkward, I really looked forward to hopping in between the covers of some humour, honesty and unashamed parental love.
I saw Clint Greagen at Melbourne Writers Festival last year, and though he didn't throw any shapes to 80s tunes on stage, in person he was as open and natural as he is in print (or online), and you can only feel thrilled for his success.
Now my boyfriend wants to read it and I'm probably going to detract from the experience for him. Not deliberately of course, but every time he laughs I'll be asking what bit he's at, what just happened?
Perhaps it's a book to dedicate a day to, one that you can put aside with a comfortable chair, some snacks and an early afternoon beer, and go cover to cover. It's certainly the upcoming birthday present for my sister-in-law, mother of 4 children aged 7 - 13, and probably plenty of friends' birthdays in the year ahead.
I went home after two long blacks and a couple of days later I've finished and really enjoyed Reservoir Dad.
This book is the result of a hugely popular blog, and it's no surprise that the sections, each stand-alone anecdotes, do not always segue nicely…after all, it is real life. While the level the book hits at the start is hard to maintain, and structurally there were a couple of times I found the narrative a bit awkward, I really looked forward to hopping in between the covers of some humour, honesty and unashamed parental love.
I saw Clint Greagen at Melbourne Writers Festival last year, and though he didn't throw any shapes to 80s tunes on stage, in person he was as open and natural as he is in print (or online), and you can only feel thrilled for his success.
Now my boyfriend wants to read it and I'm probably going to detract from the experience for him. Not deliberately of course, but every time he laughs I'll be asking what bit he's at, what just happened?
Perhaps it's a book to dedicate a day to, one that you can put aside with a comfortable chair, some snacks and an early afternoon beer, and go cover to cover. It's certainly the upcoming birthday present for my sister-in-law, mother of 4 children aged 7 - 13, and probably plenty of friends' birthdays in the year ahead.
April 5, 2018
This was an enjoyable, easy and light read, but very clearly collections from a blog. I suspect I would have liked it much more as a blog; in novel form it lacked narrative arc. Each chapter (ish) followed the same arc, which works in a blog post. I did have reservations about how when men do the labour that women do, they get applauded for it and taken seriously, although this is not precisely a criticism of the book. Nevertheless, a worthwhile reading. I would just recommend it but with reservations!
July 31, 2014
When youth worker Clint and his wife decided to have children, it made more sense for Clint to resign from his job and take on the primary caring role. This was nine years ago and now Clint is the stay at home dad to four boys living in Reservoir in Melbourne’s north. He wrangles breakfasts, the kinder and school drop off, hangs the washing and tidies the house. All the while his wife balances life between her academic commitments and her private practice.
In this memoir, Clint tackles the stigma of being a stay at home father and deals with such issues as the mad rush to get out the door on time each morning, living with his in-laws, negotiating a dad’s playgroup and how to keep the romance alive with his wife Tania through four kids. I’m mostly the stay at home parent in our house although my husband’s irregular working hours actually mean that he’s around until at least lunchtime almost every day. He deals with the breakfast shift and the school drop offs and occasionally pick ups as well if he’s still at home. He also cooks and would no doubt handle being a full time stay at home dad with ease, should that opportunity ever arise. It’s not something you encounter very often though and I think my favourite experience in reading this book was how much Greagan’s love for his children shine through on every page. Four children in about seven or eight years is a huge commitment and Greagan cycles through sleepless nights and early morning wake-ups in a fog of exhaustion but manages to maintain his sense of humour.
I have to admit I got a little clucky reading this book every time Clint and Tania welcomed a new baby boy and – the smell of a newborn should be bottled and even reading about it had me thinking about how nice it’d be to have another baby! My husband and I have two boys who are almost-6 and almost-3 and I always wanted 3 year age gaps for my kids and I always wanted 3-4 kids. But life gets in the way and kids in theory are a lot easier than in practice!
I did really enjoy reading about parenting from a father’s perspective and he’s quite brutally honest that he’s not the best housekeeper (neither am I) nor are his methods always the established norm but he’s an extremely dedicated father and husband and that’s always a joy to read about. I think I would’ve liked a little more of his wife’s thoughts on what it was like going back to work after each baby, just to get a more fleshed out picture of their family dynamic.
All in all, quite an enjoyable read and something that I think most parents would really relate to, be they a stay at home parent, a working parent or a combination of both.
In this memoir, Clint tackles the stigma of being a stay at home father and deals with such issues as the mad rush to get out the door on time each morning, living with his in-laws, negotiating a dad’s playgroup and how to keep the romance alive with his wife Tania through four kids. I’m mostly the stay at home parent in our house although my husband’s irregular working hours actually mean that he’s around until at least lunchtime almost every day. He deals with the breakfast shift and the school drop offs and occasionally pick ups as well if he’s still at home. He also cooks and would no doubt handle being a full time stay at home dad with ease, should that opportunity ever arise. It’s not something you encounter very often though and I think my favourite experience in reading this book was how much Greagan’s love for his children shine through on every page. Four children in about seven or eight years is a huge commitment and Greagan cycles through sleepless nights and early morning wake-ups in a fog of exhaustion but manages to maintain his sense of humour.
I have to admit I got a little clucky reading this book every time Clint and Tania welcomed a new baby boy and – the smell of a newborn should be bottled and even reading about it had me thinking about how nice it’d be to have another baby! My husband and I have two boys who are almost-6 and almost-3 and I always wanted 3 year age gaps for my kids and I always wanted 3-4 kids. But life gets in the way and kids in theory are a lot easier than in practice!
I did really enjoy reading about parenting from a father’s perspective and he’s quite brutally honest that he’s not the best housekeeper (neither am I) nor are his methods always the established norm but he’s an extremely dedicated father and husband and that’s always a joy to read about. I think I would’ve liked a little more of his wife’s thoughts on what it was like going back to work after each baby, just to get a more fleshed out picture of their family dynamic.
All in all, quite an enjoyable read and something that I think most parents would really relate to, be they a stay at home parent, a working parent or a combination of both.
September 3, 2014
When Clint and wife Tania made the decision to let Daddy handle the home front while Mummy brought in the bacon, they were sharing life with just one tiny bundle of joy. Fast forward a few years and there are 4 cheeky chaps keeping this busy household alive with blog fodder. Clint keeps it real (and keeps his sanity) like many other bloggers by sharing his family stories with a fast growing readership. His sharp writing and moving observations won him a Best Australian Blog Award last year and it’s easy to see why. There are many, many bloggers telling many, many parenting anecdotes out there but when you find one that genuinely makes you laugh, cry and everything in between, you keep going back for more.
Reservoir Dad – The Book weaves the insightful anecdotes into a chronology of this family’s evolution from funky-young-urban-professional-couple to full throttle life in the parenting trenches. It’s a story lots of us can relate to and it’s packed with the moments of family life we’ve probably all experienced, and read about, before: first days with a newborn, how to have a successful date night, kids say the darndest things and so on. The twist here, though, is in the no holds barred male perspective. Greagen’s storytelling also stands out from the crowd for its ability to swing between bawdy humour and insightful zingers that hit you like an arrow through the heart.
The book opens up a great conversation about how a Dad can maintain his blokiness whilst doing all the things traditionally viewed as women’s roles – from the sharing of chores to the sharing of group small talk. There’s no question that Dads are equally capable of nurturing children, but socially we are still geared towards professional paid work as a marker of identity…’So, what do you do?’. Clint also embodies the educated and aware ‘new man’ whose baser urges (like ogling revealing billboards) are pitted against his genuine respect for women and belief in equality. It’s a tricky time to know how to ‘get it right’ as a man, let alone as a Dad.
A full review of this book can be found at http://thischarmingmum.com
Reservoir Dad – The Book weaves the insightful anecdotes into a chronology of this family’s evolution from funky-young-urban-professional-couple to full throttle life in the parenting trenches. It’s a story lots of us can relate to and it’s packed with the moments of family life we’ve probably all experienced, and read about, before: first days with a newborn, how to have a successful date night, kids say the darndest things and so on. The twist here, though, is in the no holds barred male perspective. Greagen’s storytelling also stands out from the crowd for its ability to swing between bawdy humour and insightful zingers that hit you like an arrow through the heart.
The book opens up a great conversation about how a Dad can maintain his blokiness whilst doing all the things traditionally viewed as women’s roles – from the sharing of chores to the sharing of group small talk. There’s no question that Dads are equally capable of nurturing children, but socially we are still geared towards professional paid work as a marker of identity…’So, what do you do?’. Clint also embodies the educated and aware ‘new man’ whose baser urges (like ogling revealing billboards) are pitted against his genuine respect for women and belief in equality. It’s a tricky time to know how to ‘get it right’ as a man, let alone as a Dad.
A full review of this book can be found at http://thischarmingmum.com
July 15, 2014
Reservoir Dad is one hilarious story with a heart. I admit that I am one of those individuals who have some doubts about stay at home dads but after reading this I realized that there is more to it than judging a man who decides to let his wife reach for her dreams and stay at home with the kids.
So many parts are really funny and one of them is how Clint hates how people find shapes in the clouds and he himself discovers it no matter how much he tried to deny it. Another funny part of it is his encounters with his in laws and the way he talks about them.
I admire the moral lessons of the story like how could a guy be this sensitive to things like growing old and one day not being able to wrestle with his kids anymore because they'll be all grown up. Simple things that may be meaningless to others but are so true of people who love deeply.I can hardly believe what these kids are up to.
Not having the chance to have a kid yet, I wonder if they will also be as rowdy as this bunch. Tania and his relationship is also one to get inspiration from because after years of being together, they seem to be still in love with each other and always find ways of keeping the spark alive.
I thorouhly enjoyed this book even if it is not the genre I mostly read because of it's witty lines and remarkable characters. It also has a great flow of events and sychronization. So you not only forget your worries and laugh a LOT from this book but you also learn from it that parenting is "professional" work and most if not all times emotional investment is required.
So many parts are really funny and one of them is how Clint hates how people find shapes in the clouds and he himself discovers it no matter how much he tried to deny it. Another funny part of it is his encounters with his in laws and the way he talks about them.
I admire the moral lessons of the story like how could a guy be this sensitive to things like growing old and one day not being able to wrestle with his kids anymore because they'll be all grown up. Simple things that may be meaningless to others but are so true of people who love deeply.I can hardly believe what these kids are up to.
Not having the chance to have a kid yet, I wonder if they will also be as rowdy as this bunch. Tania and his relationship is also one to get inspiration from because after years of being together, they seem to be still in love with each other and always find ways of keeping the spark alive.
I thorouhly enjoyed this book even if it is not the genre I mostly read because of it's witty lines and remarkable characters. It also has a great flow of events and sychronization. So you not only forget your worries and laugh a LOT from this book but you also learn from it that parenting is "professional" work and most if not all times emotional investment is required.
June 27, 2014
In his autobiography, Clint tells his story from when his first child is born through until his fourth child is a toddler, with his boys now aged 9, 7, 4 and 2. Each chapter is short and humorous, with daily life happenings, the antics of kids, how to keep the passion alive between husband and wife, there's no holding back it's all there warts and all for our reading pleasure!
Clint really has a way with words which makes it easy to get inside his head and see life from his perspective, it's full of humour, he is one funny guy and I found it a down to earth and honest read.
I don't have kids but I still found this book engaging and interesting and while some parts may have actually put me off having kids(!) on the other hand I couldn't help but feel the love coming out of the words when writing about his family and felt all warm and fuzzy sharing in his happy moments.
I recommend this book to stay at home Mums and Dads and anyone who needs a laugh and insight into a typical young Australian family.
July 30, 2014
I've been following Clint's Reservoir Dad blog for the last few years because its different and never fails to make me laugh!
The book was a in depth look at Clint's journey as a Stay At Home Dad. It's hilarious, thought provoking and sometimes sad. It's as honest as a memoir gets and huge props for Clint for really sharing all the ins and outs (pun intended) about his family life. What made it a five star read for me (the metaphors are worth five stars - God they were funny) but seriously I loved the full disclosure on his parenting. Sometimes it's freaking hard being a parent, the tantrums, the child who won't be placated, the shopping excursions that go horribly wrong - it was so refreshing for him to admit that sometimes you just want to put yourself in time out and sleep! It made me feel so normal! I've been there! I don't think there's anyone quite like Clint who'd share their story in such an open fashion. Without spoiling anything I particularly liked the letters he wrote. Well worth a read.
The book was a in depth look at Clint's journey as a Stay At Home Dad. It's hilarious, thought provoking and sometimes sad. It's as honest as a memoir gets and huge props for Clint for really sharing all the ins and outs (pun intended) about his family life. What made it a five star read for me (the metaphors are worth five stars - God they were funny) but seriously I loved the full disclosure on his parenting. Sometimes it's freaking hard being a parent, the tantrums, the child who won't be placated, the shopping excursions that go horribly wrong - it was so refreshing for him to admit that sometimes you just want to put yourself in time out and sleep! It made me feel so normal! I've been there! I don't think there's anyone quite like Clint who'd share their story in such an open fashion. Without spoiling anything I particularly liked the letters he wrote. Well worth a read.
January 4, 2015
Some books you can't put down; and some you want to take your time with because you don't want them to end. Reservoir Dad is one of those books.
Reservoir Dad's Clint tells the story of his family - he, his wife Tania, and sons Archie, Lewis, Tyson and Maki. Greagen makes the day-to-day minutiae and the life-changing events funny and engaging,even the hard, embarrassing, heart-wrenching, and tough stuff that most of us experience at some point.
Greagen draws us into his life, makes us laugh at himself - and ourselves in the process. As a parent, it's great to know that you're not the only one whose kid has had a meltdown in public; and it's handled with humour, warmth, wit, silliness, and an emotional depth that is often lacking, especially in non-fiction.
This is a cracking read - as is the blog the book is based on: http://www.reservoirdad.com/
Reservoir Dad's Clint tells the story of his family - he, his wife Tania, and sons Archie, Lewis, Tyson and Maki. Greagen makes the day-to-day minutiae and the life-changing events funny and engaging,even the hard, embarrassing, heart-wrenching, and tough stuff that most of us experience at some point.
Greagen draws us into his life, makes us laugh at himself - and ourselves in the process. As a parent, it's great to know that you're not the only one whose kid has had a meltdown in public; and it's handled with humour, warmth, wit, silliness, and an emotional depth that is often lacking, especially in non-fiction.
This is a cracking read - as is the blog the book is based on: http://www.reservoirdad.com/
July 31, 2014
I just loved this book! Clint Greagen is funny, smart and obviously a fantastic Dad. It is so easy to relate to what Clint has been through as a parent and you find yourself reading this book and constantly saying ' Oh l have been there '. This book reminded me to not take things so seriously and to see the funny side of a situation as often as l can. Raising children is a tough job....but also the most rewarding. I recommend this book not just to stay at home parents but to all parents! Look forward to seeing what he writes next!
October 5, 2014
I've followed Clint Greagen's blog since its inception and enjoyed its trademark mix of silliness, warmth, '80s cheese dance hits and bodily fluids. His book "Reservoir Dad" captures the forthright and anarchic spirit of the blog while providing plenty of new material.
"Reservoir Dad" is a memoir of new fatherhood, leavened with humor and insight. It hits its straps where it approaches domestic farce; where things come unhinged with four young sons, and Clint's internal dialogue spins in weirder and weirder orbits. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments here.
"Reservoir Dad" is a memoir of new fatherhood, leavened with humor and insight. It hits its straps where it approaches domestic farce; where things come unhinged with four young sons, and Clint's internal dialogue spins in weirder and weirder orbits. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments here.
September 22, 2014
A hilariously entertaining educational book. Clint is the Justin Timberlake's of dads, he brings the sexy back. Clint's writing style is very easy to relate to and his book is not just for dads, but a great insight for mothers and the entire male population on how us complicated beasts operate and think. I'm wondering if the TV networks get a hold of this and turn it into something bigger....its genius. Can't wait to see what Clint gets up to next.
September 22, 2014
Loved this! Made me laugh and cry in equal measure and I quite often found he was describing my day. Dads and Mums will both relate to this
October 2, 2014
Hilarious read which kept me enthralled throughout the book. I really enjoyed the anecdotes from his life and family.
February 5, 2015
'Fall on the floor funy'. I don't think so. There were some enjoyable, reflective passages, but for the most part I found the book juvenile and...mawkish
September 28, 2015
An interesting insight into the life of a stay at home dad. Funny, sad this memoir takes you into the life of a father of four boys as he deals with the everyday like life of raising a family.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews