Review of As Fathers Go

[Mayang Bature]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "As Fathers Go" by Anandavalli Nair.]

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3 out of 5 stars

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"As Fathers Go" is a memoir written by Anandavalli Nair about her childhood in the Indian city of Thalassery. Her mother died soon after she was born, and her father immediately became a single parent. They lived in a large family with mostly female relatives, which made up for the lack of a mother figure. She and her father shared many interests, including reading and an intense passion for education. Making friends, surviving the war, and lots of childhood mischief were all part of the author's experiences in this book.

Because this was a memoir, it needed to have that level of descriptive detail that would enhance understanding, and this book accomplished that perfectly. The story was described in great detail, and the expression was spot on. This level of extensive verbiage was probably just a result of all the books this author read over the years manifesting itself. It allowed the story to detail how her father loved and protected her, sometimes going against the norms of their society in order for her to do what she thought was best. Her loving father's influence was responsible for her obtaining a college education, developing a love for various types of music, marrying when she was much older, and developing an interest in political thought and history.

The Nair caste's way of life and how the author and her family lived in their household were also thoroughly described. Her childhood mischief with cousin Manu made me amazed at how she could remember such details with accuracy after so many years. This precise detailing throughout the book contributed to its immersiveness, making this book extremely enjoyable.

One thing I did not like about this book was the number of editing errors I discovered. I noticed inconsistent line spacing and sentences that were cut off halfway through. This significantly detracted from my reading. The book's structure was also a little difficult to follow. Some things were not described all at once. For example, in Chapter 12, I got a detailed description of the author's childhood home; prior to this, I had to rely on my imagination. Most of the time, small stories derail the narrative, giving it a disjointed feel. Because of these issues, I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars. People who enjoy memoirs would enjoy this story if these drawbacks could be overlooked.

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As Fathers Go
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[Samuel Falle]

This review appreciated the book and applauded the author for doing a great job in creating it. Based on the pleasant impression the author's writing created, the reviewer also did well in making me want to include the book on my bookshelf.

[Samuel Falle]

This review appreciated the book and applauded the author for doing a great job in creating it. Based on the pleasant impression the author's writing created, the reviewer also did well in making me want to include the book on my bookshelf.

[Aaron Joseph Maupin]

This review provides a helpful and detailed account of the memoir "As Fathers Go" by Anandavalli Nair. It highlights the author's childhood experiences, her father's significant role, and the vibrant description that enhances understanding. However, it highlights editing errors, a slightly difficult structure, and occasional derailment of the narrative. Despite these drawbacks, the review suggests that memoir enthusiasts would find value in the book. Overall, it appears to be a decent addition to anyone's library, provided the mentioned issues can be overlooked.

[Donaking]

Based on the review, "As Fathers Go" appears to be an interesting memoir, offering a detailed and immersive account of the author's childhood in Thalassery. The strong bond between the author and her father, and their shared love for education, is highlighted throughout the story. However, the presence of editing errors and a somewhat disjointed narrative structure detracted from the overall reading experience. Despite these drawbacks, the book may still appeal to memoir enthusiasts.