A Man's Life

Sometimes in life, things happen for a reason. Little things. Tiny things that appear incidental at the time but go on to have life changing consequences. Sometimes good and sometimes bad. A Man's Life is a heart rending and beautiful novel that draws on this theme. Break-time at St. Edmunds School in 1970 and Tom Harper is a twelve year kid being picked on by a bully. An everyday scenario played out thousands of times all over the world. But then, in steps Paddy Porter, an older boy who puts a stop to the dispute. He doesn't know why. Normally, Paddy would avoid any confrontation but on this occasion, the moment takes him and he rescues the smaller boy. And in doing so, unbeknownst to either of them, he changes both of their lives. At the time, they connect only with a glance. Tom is embarrassed and only shrugs his thanks before they part. No words between them and yet from this moment, they are irrevocably linked. A fleeting moment with life changing consequences.
In 2013, Tom is a broken man. A bereavement renders his wealth and success utterly meaningless and he cannot cope. Prostrate with grief and in hospital, Tom's manic mind unearths the incident in the playground and his encounter with Paddy Porter. Such a vivid memory now, he feels compelled to revisit the Birmingham suburb where he grew up and see what ever became of the big boy who had rescued him. And so an unlikely friendship ensues and a beautiful and romantic synergy develops. Paddy too is a man in great need and unable to solve his crisis alone. But fate is at hand. That day in playground reunites these boys in adulthood and what is revealed is that they each of them has what the other man needs.

A Man's Life is a novel that is utterly life affirming. Readers are unanimous in their praise, agreeing that they cried with sadness and happiness throughout this beautiful story. A romantic and heart rending love story. A book that celebrates the human spirit and values love and kinship above all else. Dominic Holland has made his living by observing human nature. A professional comedian, he makes people laugh by reflecting our lives in his own. This is his first novel in ten years but this story and its gestation has occupied much of this decade. A Man's Life is a book that coud not be written quickly. Based on a series of real events in the author's life and elsewhere, A Man's Life is a far stronger novel for being allowed to evolve. A Man's Life has been well worth the wait. A beautiful story of love and loss, Holland shines a brilliant light on human nature. Our vulnerability and our impotence and our need for other people and each other's love to complete us as human beings.