Life with Father

By Clarence Day Jr.

Book Overview

A red-haired patriarch with a booming voice storms through the parlours of Gilded Age New York, determined to bend the world-and his family-to his will. Yet beneath the bluster and comic tyranny lies a household brimming with warmth, wit, and the enduring chaos of everyday life. This humorous family memoir, now restored for today's and future generations, offers a rare glimpse into the Victorian era family, where the rituals of domestic life unfold with both hilarity and heart. Set against the bustling backdrop of nineteenth century America, the narrative captures the eccentricities of father-son relationships and the subtle negotiations of marriage and motherhood, all rendered with a sharp eye for detail and a tender appreciation for the absurdities of home. Long out of print and now republished by Alpha Editions, this edition is not just a reprint - it's a collector's item and a cultural treasure. Readers are transported to the drawing rooms and cobbled streets of classic American literature, where the peculiarities of one family become a lens for understanding an entire era. The storytelling pulses with the kind of domestic humour book lovers cherish, reminiscent of James Thurber stories and the candid family confessions found in Chelsea Handler books, yet wholly unique in its period charm. Woven through the laughter is a subtle portrait of New York City history, capturing the city's transformation and the shifting tides of social expectation. For those who delight in literature for nostalgia, this restored work stands as a testament to the resilience and quirks of family life. Whether enjoyed as a family reading book or added to a classic-collection shelf, it offers both entertainment and a window into the fabric of Gilded Age New York. Alpha Editions presents this lovingly restored volume as both a joy to read and a piece of cultural heritage to be treasured for generations to come.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 9374599937
• ISBN13: 9789374599938
• Release Date: April 2026
• Publisher: Alpha Edition
• Length: 134 Pages
• Weight: 0.42 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

LIFE WITH FATHER by Clarence Day

Life with Father is a collection of anecdotes by Clarence Day, Jr., mostly having to do with his childhood and primarily involving his father. The primary reason Life with Father is so fascinating is because Clarence Day, Sr. is larger than life. The man is domineering, meticulous, and tyrannical, yet is also, in his own way, loving and good natured. His interactions with his wife are particularly entertaining. Many incidents reported here occur in the 1880s and 1890s, and this book provides great insights into nineteenth-century American life. The chapter on how the family first came to own a telephone particularly shows how very far America has come. Day's writing style is typically matter-of-fact, excepting a few occasions, particularly when he writes about himself. This style serves to highlight his family's absurdities, which is where much of the humor comes from. Worth mentioning here is the marvelous 1947 film starring William Powell, which is based on the play, which is in turn based on Life with Father and several other of Day's books. Neither the book nor the movie draw a large audience in the twenty-first century, but a number of people do come to the book after seeing the film, and filtering the book through the lens of the movie's cast does help accentuate its humor. Life with Father is an excellent and humorous book, perhaps best read in small doses so as not to dilute the effect. It is also a very interesting window into nineteenth century America. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

A classic and entertaining reminiscence

I loved reading this book growing up, and I still reread it about every five years. Some reviewers have complained about the father's behavior, and certainly in 2004 no husband/father could behave as he did. However, for the period in which the story takes place (the 1870s/80s), the father is pretty typical and clearly loved his family a lot. The chapters about the author having violin lessons and sharing mail with his father are particularly good. For people who understand that customs and society itself were different in earlier times, this book will be a delight.

A splendid memoir!

"Life With Father" by Clarence Day is such a charming memoir! I fell in love with this book and I liked how it was set up. The chapters marked different events that stood out in Day's mind. I like that over just a plain memoir, going through life in chronological order. I liked the witty humor, and Father seemed very humorous. This is just a great book to sit back and read the day away with! I recommend.

Entertaining look at life in New York City in the early 1900

Humorous look at life in the Day household. The author paints a vivid picture of life with his parents: a very proper, no nonsense father and his slighly fey mother. Basis for the movie "Life Wtih Father". A nice quick read with plenty of humor