Father and Son
A memoir about family, the past and mortality
(Author) Jonathan Raban'A beautiful, compelling memoir . . . Father and Son is an exquisite, sometimes lunatic tension between powerful emotions and carnage on one side, and on the other, the conventional codes of what must remain unsaid. This, Raban's final work, is a gorgeous achievement" - Ian McEwanOn 11 June 2011, three days short of his sixty-ninth birthday, Jonathan Raban suffered a stroke which left him unable to use the right side of his body. Learning to use a wheelchair in a rehab facility outside Seattle and resisting the ministrations of the nurses overseeing his recovery, Raban began to reflect upon the measure of his own life in the face of his own mortality. Together with the chronicle of his recovery is the extraordinary story of his parents' marriage, the early years of which were conducted by letter while his father fought in the Second World War.Jonathan Raban engages profoundly and candidly with some of the biggest questions at the heart of what it means to be alive, laying bare the human capacity to withstand trauma, as well as the warmth, strength, and humour that persist despite it. Father and Son, the final work from the peerless man of letters, is a tremendous, continent-sweeping story of love and resilience in the face of immense loss.
Jonathan Raban
Jonathan Raban is a British author known for his works of non-fiction and fiction that explore themes of place, identity, and society. His most notable works include "Bad Land: An American Romance" and "Passage to Juneau: A Sea and Its Meanings."
Raban's writing style is characterized by its lyrical prose, keen observations, and deep insights into the human condition. He often blends personal narrative with historical and cultural analysis to create compelling and thought-provoking narratives.
Raban's contributions to literature include his unique perspective on the American landscape and his ability to capture the essence of a place through vivid descriptions and nuanced characterizations. His work has had a significant impact on the genre of travel writing and has been praised for its intelligence, wit, and emotional depth.
One of Raban's most famous works is "Bad Land: An American Romance," in which he explores the history and mythology of the American West through the story of a failed homesteading community in Montana. The book is considered a modern classic of travel literature and has garnered critical acclaim for its insightful portrayal of the complexities of the American landscape and its people.
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Father and Son
A memoir about family, the past and mortality
Father and Son
A memoir about family, the past and mortality
