Shadows of Fathers

by Simon Culleton

When Richard realizes his German wife is not returning to England with their children, the subsequent journey he must take encompasses new geographical and emotional realms. With the help of comic but effective German lawyer Otto Lehmann, Richards fight for his family is both heart wrenching and humorous, in a story that crosses countries and cultures. Shadows of Fathers offers an alternative view of separation: a dedicated father fighting for the right to parent in a new and relevant take on contemporary fatherhood: not only in the mid-1990s setting, but also in today's society.

228 pages, Paperback

Published October 30, 2021

Reviews

[Theodora]

The writing style is good.
As for the content, I personally didn’t have the empathy i was hoping I would have. I have seen documentaries about this topic before and felt sad for those fathers. The system isn’t always fair and I wish it was better.
It’s entirely my opinion but before being a father, you are a husband and I couldn’t justify how he acted. Being married with someone coming from a different country and yet not having a single interest in your wife’s culture and not learn a single word? That isn’t right with me. On top of that having a family when you don’t have any money? Who are you doing children for? The envy to be a father is understandable but in this case I found it selfish. He drinks a lot, doesn’t really take a step back or reflect on anything and for me, that didn’t feel right.

[LesleyjR]

A really good and beautifully written story about a father’s fight for his children after his wife leaves him and takes the children back to her homeland. It highlights the sad reality and sometimes injustice that fathers face when a marriage with children breaks down. This book is a mix of emotions, despair and hope, broken up with wonderful splashes of humour.

[Jacky]

A delightfully written story of a father’s fight to parent his children. This poignant and thought-provoking novel is conveyed with courage, compassion and humour. An enjoyable read and excellent book club choice to encourage lively discussion on fatherhood.

[Lois Rimmer]

This is a feel-good book about the love a father has for his children and the lengths he will go to. It flows beautifully with just the right amount of humour. The detail is amazing as the author has a way of describing everything so cleverly. What a fabulous read.

[Helen]

Really well written.