Review of My Name is Dad

[Bertha Jackson]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "My Name is Dad" by James Frank.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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What would you do if you walked into your garage and found your child hanging from the rafters? My Name is Dad by James Frank is Mr. Frank’s story after finding his 21-year-old son, Egor, dead from suicide on January 23, 2017. The family took vacations together four times a year, and they were very close. When Frank’s son turned 18 years old, he no longer wanted to go, and that was considered normal for a teenager seeking freedom from their parents. The family was still close, and they talked to each other all the time. Egor was religious and aspired to go to Africa to help those less fortunate. He wanted to become a preacher and told them, “Suicide is forbidden. Taking one’s own life leads them to hell.” So, why did he commit suicide? Were there signs that his parents, sister, and friends did not see? Or was he a selfish, self-centered young man? Before trying to answer any of these questions, read this short 56-page book.

There are too many positive aspects to this book to name them all. Therefore, I am only going to discuss a couple of the ones that impacted me the most. James Frank holds nothing back in this book. He explains the impact the suicide had on him, his ten-year-old daughter, his wife, and their marriage. He acknowledges that although his pain was profound, his wife’s pain was probably much worse because she had carried Egor in her womb and given birth to him. All of my life, I have heard that doves, butterflies, and robins are signs of departed loved ones. No one has explained this concept better than James Frank in this quote “In truth, one of the most well-known robin symbolic meanings is its connection to death and the afterlife. In general, birds have an ambiguous symbolic significance across cultures and are often thought to bear the spirits of our deceased loved ones. In particular, many red robin superstitions and personal testimonies suggest that robins appear when loved ones are near.” (Source: Gravestones)

The only negative aspect of this book is the topic of suicide. James Frank warns that the book will be hard to read for some readers. This warning is very accurate as he goes into great detail in describing the format of the suicide and how the body looked. Although it was hard to read about it, this information put into perspective the seriousness of suicide and its impact on those left behind.

I was disappointed to discover that a professional editor has not edited this book. I found over ten errors in the book; many of these were inconsistencies in the writing of numerals. Some of the numbers under ten were written out correctly, and others were not. I could not overlook them as being stylistic since they were inconsistent. For this reason, I am forced to give this book 3 out of 4 stars.

I recommend this book to anyone who has thought about suicide and survivors of someone who has committed suicide. If you want to help with suicide awareness, read this book to learn some of the signs and how simple actions may prevent someone from committing suicide. A smile at a total stranger may make all the difference.

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My Name is Dad
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[Adego 002]

At first, I was confused about whether this was fiction or a true-life story. I think this book is a must-read for lovers of both genres. I still do not understand how the topic of suicide becomes a negative aspect if the author gave an accurate warning about this. Thank you for such a detailed review.

[markodim721]

I think it is good to talk about all the ills of modern society, including suicide, because it is a path to understanding and prevention.

[Kira Bonita Reece]

Wow. This book is an eye opener. Many times love ones around us are suffering in silence and we miss all the sides. I'm thankful that the author could share his grief in a way that can help others.

[onyii_review]

Wow. Sounds like a sad book one could learn from. Thanks for the review.

[Pandora10]

Thank you for the excellent review on this heart-wrenching, yet thought-provoking book. It took courage to write it, and will probably take courage for many to read it, but it will be worth it if it leads to a better understanding and empathy for those who are, or may be, suffering emotionally.

[MsH2k]

A smile at a total stranger may make all the difference.

I don’t know if the circumstances in this story would have been different if this had happened, but your statement above is true. I think we underestimate the power of a genuine smile or kind word.

Thank you for an excellent review.

[Aisha Yakub]

I'm curious: why would Egor want to kill himself? Why would he carry out the very actions he preached against? Something must have haunted him. Poor Frank. Can't be easy for a father who learns of his son's suicide. Thanks for the review

[Beauty Kalu22]

Thank you for a well detailed and honest review. I've always loved non fiction books and this sounds like one I'll definitely love to have for myself.

[Stevenmusk]

It's really hard to identify people who are depressed and suicidal as if Is becoming easy to hide one's feelings from the world. I guess reading the book will reveal Egor's reasons and problems. Thank you for the lovely review.

[Sumto Nii]

We need to pay attention to the mental health of people around us. Some people don't have that mental sagacity to over come a difficult situation and for them, suicide is always an easier option. I pity the author for his loss

[Joshua Sawders]

Based on the review, "My Name is Dad" by James Frank seems to be a compelling and impactful book. The author's honesty and openness about the impact of suicide on his family is commendable. The discussion of signs and the seriousness of suicide provides valuable insight. However, it is mentioned that the book has some editing errors, which could be improved. Overall, it appears to be a worthwhile read for anyone interested in understanding suicide or supporting survivors. Richly detailed world-building, felt immersive.