“Our Daddy, Their Father” is the story of the family dynamics of a man who had two families: One with his wife and two children; the other with his mistress, “Mamma,” and their four children.
The story is told from the point of view of the daughter, Janice. The two families eventually meet over the deathbed of the father on Christmas Day. The novel takes us on a journey of emotions and discovery when these two families confront this situation.
The author, Bonita Young handles the subject matter in a very raw, touching and realistic fashion. The characters are exceptionally well developed. The reader will visualize and feel as if they know each member.
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In the beginning of the story, Young shows us that Janice and her brothers did not know their father well. This is pointedly demonstrated at the bedside of their dead father. Before the other family comes into the room, the children, now grown, curiously stare and examine him. They even uncover and look at his feet.
It is the first time that Janice realizes that she and her father share this part of their anatomy. It is a very short encounter, yet through its poignancy, sets the tone for the entire story.
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Janice, is the youngest sibling and knows the least about their father. His death opens dialogue with the mother and brothers as they share feelings, and memories. Each child has coped with his or her absentee father in his or her own way.
The oldest son, Vincent reads the obituaries from the age of 10 to see if his father re-appears. Because he is the oldest, he was also the most aware of the relationship between his parents. He becomes the father figure to his younger siblings.
Corbin, who has AIDS, grows up knowing he is gay. His pain revolves around a father that did not come around very often, but when he did, chose to ignore his son and not acknowledge his son’s homosexuality. Corbin is very resentful.
Janice, contrarily, romanticizes her father and doesn’t realize all of the “adult” aspects of her parents’ relationship.
Young accounts each child’s emotions in a very honest manner that takes the reader inside the heart of each character. She also reveals to the reader (and to Janice) how and why the mother allowed this 14 year relationship to occur. While the reader may not agree with the mother’s decisions, by the end of the novel, there is a surprising and profound understanding.
I highly recommend this novel for a thoroughly enjoyable read. While the storyline may be unique to some, I believe every reader will connect with the characters’ struggles, their realizations and discovery. The story is not only entertaining but thought-provoking, as well. It is a story that will remind us that although the circumstances revealed between these families may be foreign to some, often forgiveness is the universal glue that binds us.
It is a story of new beginnings at the end of shattered lives and how tragedy can ultimately be the catalyst of family members emerging from the darkness into new light.
I give “Our Daddy, Their Father” an A-.
Carla Stern-Mannings is a Cascade Heights native who currently lives in South Fulton. Author Bonita Young is a former Cascade area resident and a South Fulton book club member.
Our Daddy, Their Father is available on Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/Daddy-Their-Father-Bonita-Young