The Father I Had

by Martin Townsend

A son's funny, sad and tender memoir of a childhood touched by madness

Genres: Nonfiction

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Martin Townsend is an editor of the Sunday Express.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of those books I'd had on my list to read for so long I can't remember where I heard about it - perhaps on the radio. Martin Townsend is not on my radar for his journalism (I have since heard about him being involved in the whole Anthea Turner sponsored by chocolate bar wedding thing... eeeew) His account of growing up with a father with manic depression as it was then known is a good read. He's compassionate to everyone and his writing is atmospheric and all encompassing... the impression of body odour is disconcerting.

He's especially good on the small signs... the way their hearts all sink when his father wears Green Flash footwear... and the various ways in which 'mania' can present itself. For a book about 'bipolar' he offers us a vision of a family getting on with life rather than focussed solely on the extremes.

There were a couple of remarkable elements to the book... firstly the way in which the community accepted Ron and his illness at that time, and secondly the open declarations of love and affection between Martin and his father which seem to have done such a lot to shore up relationships against the more challenging times (and in the more challenging times too)

I wonder if the same lives now would be more difficult... would his father have been permanently out of work for example?

[Alison Draper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

I found this book absolutely absorbing. I had read some reports on manic depression but didn't realise the impact it has not only on the sufferer but the family as a whole. However, the book is touching and life affirming because what comes through is the love the family had for each other.

[Carlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Though the entire family went through such difficult times with the father’s mental issues and all it’s ups and downs, it is such a warm and loving portrait of a family. Told with many humorous stories of his dad ,the community and the times, it lightens a sad story. Though today there is more public attention to mental health issues, I wonder if neighbors and employers would have been as accepting and understanding as those here.