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A review by cheryl1213
Father's Day by Simon Van Booy
2.0
Aside from a few "flashback"-like moments, this book is generally told in two parts that are interspersed throughout the novel. The earlier time period involves the aftermath of Harvey's parents dying. A social worker decides to seek out the young girl's estranged uncle, a man with a history of violence and alcohol abuse who has been living a very solitary existence. We watch the two learn to be family and we also see them many years later when Harvey is living in Paris. This second time period involves Harvey anticipating her uncle's (whom she now calls her father) arrival and his visit. The pair have come to love each other deeply and the visit includes several meaningful Father's Day gifts but Harvey is also a bit nervous because she intends to discuss a secret she's learned about their past.
This novel (received free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review) fell a bit flat for me. I like the idea behind it, but I never really felt compelled to dive into the story. The characters had their faults (well, at least the uncle did), but it still didn't feel like a fully rounded story and I never really believed in either protagonist. I felt like I was supposed to feel a whole lot more than I actually did. I don't mean to say it was a bad book, more kinda "meh."
That all said, it was an easy read of the sort that might fit a commuter looking for a simple book to pass the time. Two (labeled "it was ok" on at least one review site) to two-and-a-half stars.
This novel (received free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review) fell a bit flat for me. I like the idea behind it, but I never really felt compelled to dive into the story. The characters had their faults (well, at least the uncle did), but it still didn't feel like a fully rounded story and I never really believed in either protagonist. I felt like I was supposed to feel a whole lot more than I actually did. I don't mean to say it was a bad book, more kinda "meh."
That all said, it was an easy read of the sort that might fit a commuter looking for a simple book to pass the time. Two (labeled "it was ok" on at least one review site) to two-and-a-half stars.