- Paperback: 256 pages
- Publisher: Ebury Press (6 Mar 2008)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0091924529
- ISBN-13: 978-0091924522
- Product Dimensions: 13.6 x 2 x 21.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
134,570 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #69 in Books > Health, Family & Lifestyle > Families & Parents > Raising Children > Teenagers
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More About the Author
Product Description
Book Description
The touching, true story of what happens when a father tries to educate his chaotic teenage son through film
About the Author
David Gilmour is an award-winning and highly respected film critic - both in print and on television - and the author of six bestselling novels. This is his first literary memoir. He lives in Toronto, Canada.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I'm astounded at the one star review above. Maybe by someone that wishes they'd written the book? To suggest that anyone that takes a boy out of the school system is ridiculously liberal or that any young man who has been turned off our education system is 'air-headed' shows, I would suggest, a lack of understanding of the problems endemic in our education system.
This is a wonderful book - not least because of the ASTOUNDING emotional literacy of the writer. It has done brilliantly in 3 or 4 European countries - but not so well - so far - in the UK. I find this interesting when many men are actively seeking ways that they can have better relationships with their sons and want to move beyond the 'going to the football' method of finding connection. Film is an obvious answer and this book shows how it can be done.
It's an easy and enjoyable read (I read the book in a day) and contains a list of films at the back of the book. I will be recommending it to all the dads that I know. And all the mothers too.
This is a wonderful book - not least because of the ASTOUNDING emotional literacy of the writer. It has done brilliantly in 3 or 4 European countries - but not so well - so far - in the UK. I find this interesting when many men are actively seeking ways that they can have better relationships with their sons and want to move beyond the 'going to the football' method of finding connection. Film is an obvious answer and this book shows how it can be done.
It's an easy and enjoyable read (I read the book in a day) and contains a list of films at the back of the book. I will be recommending it to all the dads that I know. And all the mothers too.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
David Gilmour takes control of his adolescent son's life by taking him out of school and providing him with the education of watching three movies of his fathers choosing and then discussing them after words. David manages to find several films to help his son through the difficult chapters in his life; constant relationship troubles and unexpected drug abuse. Through the steady course of movies and life lessons, the strong bonding relationship between the father and son are put in a spin Jesse decides to make leading decision in his life.
Format:Paperback
The basic plot is of a teenager (Jesse) who really struggles with the formality of school. Eventually his father sees that he is wasting time attending and gives him the option of "dropping out" - but on condition that they watch 3 films a week together.
Jesse can not believe his luck - and this shows his genuine despair at the formal education with which he has been force fed.
The story then continues with a catalogue of films - most of which I had not seen or heard of. And this is my one criticism of the book - much of the intimate dialogue is around particular scenes in particular films. If you do not know the film or scene it is a struggle to remain engaged with the story
But what is absolutely brilliant is the way that the films act as a bridge between the generations - that having seen a classic film together they have a shared deep experience and the relevant issues and questions just rise automatically to the surface to be discussed and chewed over. And sometimes it works perfectly - but sometimes not (young Jesse just could not see what was special about the Beatles).
There were some parts of the book where I had to suspend my disbelief that this was a true story; I frankly do not know how much poetic license is used.
So what did I gain from reading this book? Certainly not any inspiration to watch any particular films (the descriptions were too brief for that). What I did gain was the reminder that the younger generation are more than happy to relate to those of us of more mature years - but that it is up to us to think creatively to find the settings in which those relationships can flourish.
Jesse can not believe his luck - and this shows his genuine despair at the formal education with which he has been force fed.
The story then continues with a catalogue of films - most of which I had not seen or heard of. And this is my one criticism of the book - much of the intimate dialogue is around particular scenes in particular films. If you do not know the film or scene it is a struggle to remain engaged with the story
But what is absolutely brilliant is the way that the films act as a bridge between the generations - that having seen a classic film together they have a shared deep experience and the relevant issues and questions just rise automatically to the surface to be discussed and chewed over. And sometimes it works perfectly - but sometimes not (young Jesse just could not see what was special about the Beatles).
There were some parts of the book where I had to suspend my disbelief that this was a true story; I frankly do not know how much poetic license is used.
So what did I gain from reading this book? Certainly not any inspiration to watch any particular films (the descriptions were too brief for that). What I did gain was the reminder that the younger generation are more than happy to relate to those of us of more mature years - but that it is up to us to think creatively to find the settings in which those relationships can flourish.
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