A great book with the right dose of realism (Daddy - Danielle Steel)

Member Name: diamond_sparkles

Product:	Daddy - Danielle Steel
Date:	16/07/09 (36 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great characters wtih depth of personalities

Disadvantages: Might be considered sexist by some

Contains spoilers

This novel differs from other Danielle Steel novels mainly because of the fact that it is one of the rare novels which centers about the life and relationship of male protagonists instead of female ones. Literary critics, however, have had a hard time in digesting the whole concept of the novel, Daddy- some even going to the extent of calling it a "sexist" novel. The plot centers around the lives of three men- The father being the main character, his son and own father as the secondary characters. The novel shows how each man copes with the loss of their first love. Oliver, the main protagonist, is devastated when his wife announces that she will leave him and the whole family to go away to college. After years of having a wife and nice, normal family, Oliver suddenly finds himself thrust into playing the role of both mother and father.

While I would not go to the extent of calling this novel a sexist one, I must admit that I was a little baffled by the way that roles were set out for women and men. Oliver seemed to believe that the place of a woman had to be exclusively at home- even if I also have a hard time digesting the fact that the wife is ready to throw everything away, including her children, in order to earn a college degree to make herself feel worthy of doing something else apart from driving carpools and taking care of Oliver and the children. While this is the part which has been at the centre of numerous feminist and sexist controversies, I must admit that I admire Danielle Steel's skill of painting both sides of the story. Somehow you understand Oliver's loss and grief, as well as Sarah's feelings. Like I previously mentioned in one of my reviews, I also look for the way any novel or movie is the way that the writer/director handle realism. In this case, I must express my great admiration for the delicate manner in which the author depicted a real world, with real feelings at the centre of the novel. Quite a difference from other romantic, everything is perfect, Mills and Boons novels!

The plot flows well, with occasional break-through the tensions in the form of the troubles with the son and the grandfather. In addition, the realism of the plot is furthermore echoed by some great dialogue. Lots of life lessons to be learned from this novel too!

Overall, I would say that this 386 pages book is worth the read.

Summary: Oliver Watson is devastated when his wife decides to go to college, leaving the whole family behind