Win the girl, lose the girl, sleep with the girls.. (One For My Baby - Tony Parsons)

Member Name: Matthew31

Product:	One For My Baby - Tony Parsons
Date:	19/08/01 (312 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Page turner

Disadvantages: Shouldn't you be working?

I bought Tony Parson's last book "Man and Boy" just on a hunch because I liked the look of the cover. A sign that I enjoyed the book was that I finished it within a few days. As a result I was eagerly waiting Parson's new novel and in a move which is rare for me I bought the hardback and didn't wait for the paperback to be released. I wasn't disappointed at all and can say it was well worth the extra money. If you have read and enjoyed "Man and Boy" you will also love his latest look at the life of a thirtysomething man.

Let's be honest, the book is not a literary classic. However Tony Parson's main strength is that he is able to recognise and describe what goes on emotionally in a man who has passed is youth but yet to reach middle age. I was able to empathise some of the main character's (Alfie Budd) feelings, emotions and thought processes as I am a man his his thirties. However I think you will still be able to relate and understand the main character whatever your age or gender. If I could describe what is going on in my head to my wife as well as Parson's describes the life of Alfie Budd my wife would be eternally grateful...alas I can't and that is why he is a writer and I'm not.

The book takes you through a brief period of Alfie Budd's life describing how he won the girl, lost the girl, slept with lots of girls and well....I won't spoil the ending. While he tries to understand his own love life he also has to contend with other problems...his relationship with his parents who are undergoing a break up in their marriage and the declining health of his grandmother. Along the way he is helped by a Chinese couple - the Changs who teach him about family, Tai Chi and impart a little wisdom.

Sometimes you'll feel like giving him a bit of advice, infact screaming at him..."on no don't do it Alfie" but we've all made similar mistakes. I know it's
a cliche but the book will make you chuckle at times, make you cry a little maybe, but most of all it helps you to think about your life, what is good in it, what is bad and what there is to be grateful for...it wil give you a sense of hope for the future that lays ahead.

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