Only Dad

Rating:
Summary: Hope Blossoms in the Garden of Despair
Review: I bought this book because the author is so engaging on the television and his comments are often close to poetry. I did not expect to have the story sneak up on me so that when the crisis came, I burst into tears and had to put the book down for a while. More importantly, as Tom Drummond and his daughter, Tally, work through their grief and rebuild their lives, I was lifted out of my surrogate grief and could really enjoy how their lives became rebuilt. If you like ordinary people conquering extraordinary challenges by means of ordinary steadfastness and decency, you will enjoy Only Dad. It is enjoyable to be surprised with literary power from a book you only expected to provide a pleasant diversion. Some may think this book lacks drama and action, but the drama of the heart and the actions of love drive this masterful character study.

Rating:
Summary: Dealing With Loss
Review: This is a delightful story about a father and daughter attempting to overcome their grief after the loss of a loved one. Tom Drummond and his daughter, Tally, seemed to have it all until their family holiday in Tuscany when they were touched by tragedy. From the heights of joy and contentment they were plunged, disbelieving into a world of shock and deep depression. They then have to help each other pull themselves out again and get their lives back to normal somehow.

Alan Titchmarsh presents a wonderful story that can almost be termed a fairy tale. It provides the reader an opportunity to almost completely escape into his world as the story unfolds around you. As you would expect from the presenter of Gardener's World and Ground Force, he adds a smattering of gardening references extolling the virtues of enjoying a nice garden. The main character, Tom, even erects a garden shed, a la Ground Force (although it takes him 3 days and not the requisite 2).

For pure entertainment and escapism value, this is a nice story that gives the reader a feeling of contentment upon finishing.