Fathers and Sons: An Anthology

By Laton McCartney, David Seybold, William Kittredge, et al.

Book Overview

David Seybold, editor of the anthologies Seasons of the Angler and Boats, once again brings together some of the best writers of our time in this collection of essays, poems, and stories that examine the mysterious yet eternal relationship between father and son. At turns nostalgic, cathartic, revealing, and wryly humorous, these pieces-coming from vastly different voices-become a poignant and deeply honest tribute to men in all their mortality, both as father and child.

Geologist and author Rick Bass writes about the habits of the Basses, men who live by the simple yet noble assertion "We were raised outdoors, and it's been a blessing of our life." Bass shows how his patriarchy has passed on the legacy of love of land, pride in honor, vision that's broad and generous. In "Why I'm Not a Banker," Robert F. Jones recalls that summer when he shed his adolescent belief that his father was perfect and godlike; watching him serve as a yes-man to his amoral banking boss, young Jones tastes the first bitter flavor of adulthood. And William Hjortsberg, in "Last Rites," manages to express a sense of loss, absurdity, and hilarious incomprehension in his eleven-year-old hero, who must come to terms with the cremated remains of his father. Add to these the voices of twenty other talents, including Donald Hall, Joseph McElroy, and Charles Gaines, and Fathers and Sons becomes a collection that transcends categorization, as do all ties between fathers and sons.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0871136023
• ISBN13: 9780871136022
• Release Date: April 1995
• Publisher: Atlantic Monthly Press
• Length: 200 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Maybe not typical, but still full of emotion

I purchased this book looking for other perspectives on the relationships with fathers as well as sons. Many of the stories shared in this book did not closely match my experiences growing up, or those experienced by my children -- at least not in their depiction of activities. What often did connect with me was the emotional journey of the son trying to understand both their father and themselves. There was a lot of feeling in these stories, very often sadness and loss. By reading these tales I was able to experience some of these emotions while gaining appreciation for my own history. I would recommend this book to any man.

A deeply moving anthology. Appropriate gift for Fathers Day

This book has several excellent and moving stories about the relationships we have with our fathers and with our sons. It has perhaps too many stories focused on hunting and fishing, which were not part of my relationship with my father. Overall, though, it served as an emotional touchstone for thinking through some of the facets of my relationship with my father, and anticipating my evolving role as a father myself. My wife gave me this book for Father's Day, and it was an excellent choice