“Sometimes I think my papa is an accordion. When he looks at me and smiles and breathes, I hear the notes.”- The Book Thief, Markus Zusak
Do you not think at times, that fatherhood is often neglected as compared to motherhood? The presence of a father in a child’s life is seen as a figure who leads the household, although this notion is gradually changing. His absence from the daily life of a child often brings in a distance between him and the child. But, the little values, discussions, debates, morals- consciously or unconsciously -instilled into the child by him, remains forever. This is beautifully reflected through literature which has seen some amazing father figures- whether it be the idealist from To Kill a Mocking Bird to the classic relation in The Book Thief or just memories of a father in the Harry Potter Series, one gets to see the different shades of fathers through literature. Ahead of Father’s Day, I type-down some of my all-time favorites which you might want to add to your TBR lists.
Finding Chika by Mitch Albom: A heart-touching memoir of Albom’s adopted daughter Chika. Albom pens down his journey as a father and how his daughter completes the vacuum in his family. He writes about how the presence of Chika changes him and gives birth to the father in him who is able to accept the new responsibilities which develop while embracing fatherhood. Their journey over the days and the lessons learned from each other makes it worth a Father’s Day Read!
Read the full review here
Publisher: Sphere, Hachette
The Man with Many Hats by Jael Silliman: Every individual has shades to his/ her personality and so does Morris. He is exuberant, illustrious, and tempestuous in nature. The Man with Many Hats marks the debut of Jael Silliman who beautifully explores the father-daughter relationship within the constraints of the disappearing Jewish community from the Kolkata society.
Purchase: Amazon
Tape by Steven Camden: Tapes are extinct! Isn’t that what comes to your mind when you hear about Tapes? But what happens when voices, especially of those no longer around, speak to you from Tapes. A story of love and loss, surpassing the time vortex, engage the readers in this novel by Camden. The narration fluctuates between the present and the past and instills knowledge and morals of the past to the present linking it through a Tape.
Read the full review here
Publisher: Harper Collins
Letters from a Father to his Daughter by Jawaharlal Nehru: For once, alienate politics from the life of the Nehrus and look at them as a father and a daughter. A series of letters written to Indira by her father took the form of an illustrated book years later- a book, which most children love to read. Nehru had always been compassionate towards children and thus, his writings are simple yet knowledgeable for every child and not only for his daughter alone. He traces the history, geography, coming of Neanderthals, race, and language, and more through his letters.
Publisher: Puffin, Penguin Random House
How to Stop Time by Matt Haig: An unthinkable story of a man who lives on for centuries in search of his only child, who is genetically similar to him. His search takes him to the streets of Elizabethan England, to the Jazz –age Paris, from New York to Australia- he sees it all. Does he ever find his child? Is it worth living with the burden of centuries? How does it feel to change identities and lose dear ones every few years – only so that you can survive the world? This book answers it all!
Publisher: Canon Gate, Penguin Random House
Hotel Vendome by Danielle Steel: I had picked up Hotel Vendome years ago after I had freshly recovered from the emotional jolt (in a good way) Sankar’s Chowringhee had left in me. Steel’s novel is so much similar to the latter’s novel. Growing up in a hotel, understanding its nuances, seeing the myriad hues of guests seeking accommodation, is a world on its own. It is interesting to see how Steel marks the development of a family inspired by and within the four walls of Hotel Vendome, their permanent home.
Publisher: Corgi, Penguin Random House
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl: This list is incomplete without a special mention of Otto Frank, the only survivor of the holocaust from the Frank family. His championing for the publishing of Anne’s Diary introduced her to the world. Her life, emotions, and information as a prisoner of the holocaust would not have come out, but for Frank’s hard work.
Publisher: Bantam Books, Penguin Random House
These are some of my Father’s Day picks. The list is not exhaustive because no list can be. Please feel free to add in more and also suggest your favorite books that I can read if I have not read them already.
by Subhadrika Sen 