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The Father-Daughter Club
David and Elizabeth Fredericks are spending a month away from their home in Eastern Scotland. Traveling through Greece and Italy, they plan to indulge David’s love of classical architecture, celebrate his retirement, and heal the wounds his recent affair caused to their marriage.
When their daughter Kate, an engineering professor and the apple of David’s eye, turns up in Athens unannounced to tell them that she is in love with Charlotte Macfie, a talented patisserie chef, things quickly go awry. Unable to cope with Kate’s revelation, David withdraws, and Elizabeth is forced to take on the uncharted role of mediator, between the formerly inseparable father and daughter.
When tragedy strikes, the Fredericks' must find a way to put their differences aside and build a newly structured family.
When their daughter Kate, an engineering professor and the apple of David’s eye, turns up in Athens unannounced to tell them that she is in love with Charlotte Macfie, a talented patisserie chef, things quickly go awry. Unable to cope with Kate’s revelation, David withdraws, and Elizabeth is forced to take on the uncharted role of mediator, between the formerly inseparable father and daughter.
When tragedy strikes, the Fredericks' must find a way to put their differences aside and build a newly structured family.
334 pages, Paperback
First published December 15, 2014
82 people are currently reading
825 people want to read
About the author
Alison Ragsdale
16 books452 followersAlison's Amazon best sellers include: TUESDAY'S SOCKS, THE FATHER-DAUGHTER CLUB, FINDING HEATHER, A LIFE UNEXPECTED, THE ART OF REMEMBERING, DIGNITY AND GRACE, HER LAST CHANCE, SOMEONE ELSE'S CHILD, THE CHILD BETWEEN US, AN IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE, and MY HUSBAND'S CHILD.
Originally from Edinburgh, Alison now lives in the US with her husband and dogs. Educated in England, she holds an MBA from Leicester University.
For more information: www.alisonragsdale.com.
Originally from Edinburgh, Alison now lives in the US with her husband and dogs. Educated in England, she holds an MBA from Leicester University.
For more information: www.alisonragsdale.com.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 28, 2017
The Father-Daughter Club from Alison Ragsdale looks at family dynamics through multiple lenses. The story, by necessity, starts at a moderate pace as we learn about the characters and prepare for what is to come.
What struck me about the insights into the characters was the complete humanity given to each. Our humanity includes blemishes and each character has a fair share. What some might call pondering I call the normal second-guessing of life's decisions. Perhaps some people truly go through life without "pondering" what they are going to do or what they have done. This seems to be a shallow way to live life and these characters are anything but shallow.
What I was initially uncomfortable with in the moments when the characters were reflective were what might be seen as making excuses for either another person's behavior or their own. Such thoughts can easily lead to blaming or placing undue responsibility on the person who was 'wronged.' These concerns of mine were put aside when I came to realize these thoughts are indeed what we all do and these characters, in doing so, did not seem to shoulder any more, or any less, responsibility than would seem normal for an emotionally healthy person. In other words, there is nothing wrong with wondering what one did that contributed to another person doing 'wrong' as long as that person is not absolved of the wrongdoing.
I found the story compelling and the various reactions well within believable territory. I liked each character even when I was furious with them for what they might be thinking or doing at a given moment or in response to a given situation.
I would recommend this to any reader who enjoys reflective fiction that sheds light on the many nuances of our decision-making, both good and bad. The characters are well-rounded and the reader will be able to relate to much of the internal conflict each experiences, unless of course the reader by nature does not reflect on their life, in which case it may appear to simply be pondering, but that is a much stronger statement about that type of person than it is about this novel.
Reviewed from a copy made available through Goodreads' First Reads.
What struck me about the insights into the characters was the complete humanity given to each. Our humanity includes blemishes and each character has a fair share. What some might call pondering I call the normal second-guessing of life's decisions. Perhaps some people truly go through life without "pondering" what they are going to do or what they have done. This seems to be a shallow way to live life and these characters are anything but shallow.
What I was initially uncomfortable with in the moments when the characters were reflective were what might be seen as making excuses for either another person's behavior or their own. Such thoughts can easily lead to blaming or placing undue responsibility on the person who was 'wronged.' These concerns of mine were put aside when I came to realize these thoughts are indeed what we all do and these characters, in doing so, did not seem to shoulder any more, or any less, responsibility than would seem normal for an emotionally healthy person. In other words, there is nothing wrong with wondering what one did that contributed to another person doing 'wrong' as long as that person is not absolved of the wrongdoing.
I found the story compelling and the various reactions well within believable territory. I liked each character even when I was furious with them for what they might be thinking or doing at a given moment or in response to a given situation.
I would recommend this to any reader who enjoys reflective fiction that sheds light on the many nuances of our decision-making, both good and bad. The characters are well-rounded and the reader will be able to relate to much of the internal conflict each experiences, unless of course the reader by nature does not reflect on their life, in which case it may appear to simply be pondering, but that is a much stronger statement about that type of person than it is about this novel.
Reviewed from a copy made available through Goodreads' First Reads.
December 22, 2015
I thought this was very well-done. When a daughter who has been distant from her mother, and more focused on her father (who adores her, also), reveals that the love of her life is another woman - everything changes. Neither parent responds in the way that the young woman expected - relationships alter. The characters were very well-developed and very believable. The situation did not turn into soap opera - the presentation was an honest attempt to explore the conflicts, disappointments, and struggles that ensue. Then the reader is hit with an extremely unfortunate occurrence that yet again alters perspectives and behaviors. Kudos to the author for her ability to pull you into the narrative and struggle along with the characters in an attempt to achieve a satisfactory resolution.
April 14, 2020
Thank you, Allison Ragsdale, for your story of support, inclusion, and validation of love. Love is love is love is love is love...YAY, Love Won!
December 27, 2019
The moral of the story was simple - to be accepting of people inspite of their personal preferences. But the writing was amateur. I couldn't relate the title of the book to the story in it. Altough there were many instances that I could relate to like the change in the child's dynamic from one parent to the other or how a child discovers new or unexpected traits in their parents that they thought they never had/could have, irrespective of those traits being good or bad. Few chapters in the beginning did feel like advertisements for Greek tourism. It is an average, quick, time-pass read.
November 6, 2021
I enjoyed this book which takes a really good look at the gamut of emotions that parents might experience when faced with a child who "comes out".
I took a star off because some of the detail seemed like filler rather than an integral part of the story line.
I would recommend the book.
I took a star off because some of the detail seemed like filler rather than an integral part of the story line.
I would recommend the book.
October 8, 2017
Interesting, though premise a little difficult to believe.
May 14, 2022
Great
A very good book! There are twists and turns in the book. You don't want to put it down! Enjoy!
A very good book! There are twists and turns in the book. You don't want to put it down! Enjoy!
November 15, 2015
I absolutely loved this book about a young woman who realizes she is gay and the struggles within her family after she breaks the news. I did take issue with WHEN she did it because I wouldn't have appreciated the timing if I were her mother or father, but do understand that it took her a while to work up her nerve and the feeling she had of needing to do it right then.
Her partner seemed so wonderful, kind, caring and very understanding. I wanted to go visit her bakery and talk to her. This is pretty much how I felt about all the characters although I felt so badly for her mother because of the way she was made to feel like the 3rd wheel most of the time.
Very good book about an issue that many families find themselves dealing with. Very good read, highly recommended.
Her partner seemed so wonderful, kind, caring and very understanding. I wanted to go visit her bakery and talk to her. This is pretty much how I felt about all the characters although I felt so badly for her mother because of the way she was made to feel like the 3rd wheel most of the time.
Very good book about an issue that many families find themselves dealing with. Very good read, highly recommended.
February 23, 2016
Set primarily in Scotland, it begins with a couple´s post-retirement trip to Greece and Italy, which is interrupted by a quick visit from their daughter who has come to tell them she is in love with another woman. Although normally the daughter´s relationship is better with her father, in this case her mother is much more accepting. Upon their return to Scotland at the end of their trip, the mother begins to get to know her daughter´s lover, but the father continues to resist. Sadly a tragedy affects the eventual outcome of the situation. The story certainly kept my interest, but I did feel a bit emotionally manipulated by the way the story developed.
June 15, 2015
It's a good read! This book looks at the strong relationship between father & daughter, which gets shaken when the daughter tells her parents that she's a lesbian. The father has difficulty with accepting his daughter's sexual orientation. A fatal accident which led to the daughter being in a coma for a week, & the death of her mother, leads the father to slowly accept the reality of his daughter having a female lover.
February 11, 2015
It's not often that a book gets me all choked up and shall I say...tearful. It was so easy to get fully immersed in Kate's journey and to feel both the joy and pain of her relationship with her parents. Literary Fiction isn't normally my go-to genre but based on the Father Daughter Club, it may soon be.
March 24, 2015
I couldn't put this book down- seriously. It "took" me to Greece and Scotland and eloquently addressed a controversial and important topic. I fell in love will all of the characters, especially Lottie. Alison has such a way with words- you can tell each one is chosen so carefully and intentionally, yet her writing is so flowing and reads with such ease.
April 7, 2016
A delightful book
I find this author delightful. She manages to address difficult topics in a very real way. I understod both Elzabeth's and David's perspectives. Also, Elizabeth's relationsip with Kate would resonate with any woman with a daughter to some degree, even though details might be different. Can't wait to move on to her but novel
I find this author delightful. She manages to address difficult topics in a very real way. I understod both Elzabeth's and David's perspectives. Also, Elizabeth's relationsip with Kate would resonate with any woman with a daughter to some degree, even though details might be different. Can't wait to move on to her but novel
January 15, 2017
This book presented a story that you couldn't help but to relate to. Relationships are tested, and families are divided. Ragsdale took you through a course of many ups and downs. The ending was very touching.
June 28, 2015
Flat...2 dimensional...could have been so much better.
September 15, 2015
Nice book .. Maybe
March 27, 2016
I enjoyed the book .
April 11, 2017
Very nice story.
This was a nice story to read. The topic was complicated, but the story moved through its stages, building up anticipation of what would be coming next. Nice to see a novel that includes bad behavior. Sometimes, books like these only reflect perfect behavior by all the characters.
This was a nice story to read. The topic was complicated, but the story moved through its stages, building up anticipation of what would be coming next. Nice to see a novel that includes bad behavior. Sometimes, books like these only reflect perfect behavior by all the characters.
April 29, 2017
Let me be honest here; I skimmed this... a lot. The first 200 pages could have been condensed into 35-50 and been a far better read for it, whilst the other hundred odd were somewhat more interesting but still only about 50 pages worth of content way too bulked out.
The plot isn't really a plot. Everything is blown way out of proportion and the characters are just annoying. The real plot begins 200 pages in with the mothers death... nothing interesting at all happens before that. It's all maudlin self indulgence from virtually every character with no end in sight. Unfortunately though even the last hundred odd pages couldn't be said to be truly gripping.
On top of this, the writing is bland and really didn't draw me in. The amount of time I found myself rolling my eyes and skipping two paragraphs before rejoining the boredom fest says enough really...
All in all, a pointless book that needs a plot and a bloody good editor. As a novella this might just about of worked. As a novel it's fairly awful.
The plot isn't really a plot. Everything is blown way out of proportion and the characters are just annoying. The real plot begins 200 pages in with the mothers death... nothing interesting at all happens before that. It's all maudlin self indulgence from virtually every character with no end in sight. Unfortunately though even the last hundred odd pages couldn't be said to be truly gripping.
On top of this, the writing is bland and really didn't draw me in. The amount of time I found myself rolling my eyes and skipping two paragraphs before rejoining the boredom fest says enough really...
All in all, a pointless book that needs a plot and a bloody good editor. As a novella this might just about of worked. As a novel it's fairly awful.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews