Jamie Adams – The Fathers, The Sons And The Anxious Ghost

‘The Fathers, The Sons And The Anxious Ghost’ by Jamie Adams is a short story about three men as they attempt to find their way through the rocky road of parenthood after a tragic event. This is an event that causes all the men’s lives to cross over as well as their sons that all go to the same school.

I got to know these men pretty well due to the story being told in alternating chapters and with each chapter being about a different character. It is also split into three sections. The first section being narrated by each of the fathers. I thought this a cleverly woven tale and enjoyed the uniqueness of each fathers voice. This part of the book built the characters and made them believable, each with their own set of issues and problems as they go through the story. I even found some of them funny at times myself.
The second part of the book is taken on by the sons ten years later. We see how their relationships have grown and how close they have become over time. The changes of a generation are dealt with too, as we see the difference in how each generation deals with problems. I found it interesting to compare the two. We also see the only girl in this story make it her aim to discover what drove her mother to do what she did, after she receives a box from her mother on her 16th birthday.

The final section of the book is written from the anxious ghost and I think this part just nicely finished the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it held my interest all the way through. The way the author has dealt with the tragedy and shows us that friendship and parenthood can be such a positive thing for so many people, especially after a tragedy. I could have read a full-length book of this, I am certain that certain elements had the potential to be expanded on. Saying that I enjoyed this short story that I read in one sitting.

Thanks to Random Things Tours and Jamie Adams for the book so I could give you my thoughts today.