Last year, I reviewed Andrea N. Richesin's anthology of writings on mother- and daughterhood, Because I Love Her. Now Richesin is back with a strong collection of essays from fathers, which her publisher sent me for review. The new book is What I Would Tell Her: 28 Devoted Dads on Bringing Up, Holding On To and Letting Go of Their Daughters.
As with any anthology, there are some standout pieces here and some that fade from the memory almost as soon as the page is turned. Frankly, I'm just not that interested in how much daddies love their little girls and how hard it is to let them go. That's not news.
But much of the writing here goes soaring far beyond the cliches. I was spellbound by James Griffioen's account of attending a "purity ball," and his thoughtful views on teaching his daughter (and son) about love and sex. (You may know Griffioen as half of the husband-and-wife blogging team writing at Sweet Juniper.) I admired Michael Kearns' moving, but saccharine-free account of the family he, an HIV-positive, white, gay man, created with his adopted, African-American daughter. I felt the frustration of Swan Anderson and Brendan Halpin, stepfathers reaching out to stepdaughters in very different ways and circumstances.
Richesin has gathered an impressive array of writers here, putting together a collection of original works (only two have been previously published) that portray the richness of the father-daughter relationship. Share it with your children's dad or your own.
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Giveaway Title: DADS
Prize: one copy of What I Would Tell Her, edited by Andrea N. Rchesin
Number of Winners: one
Entry Question: How many dad writers contributed to this anthology?
Enter By: 11:59 p.m., Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Entry Form: Click here
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Mayberry Mom lives with Mayberry Dad and their two kids in, you guessed it, a small town reminiscent of Mayberry.
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