By: Natasha Archary
British author, Andrew Herold released The Christmas Father just in time for the holidays. It’s a quick read and one can get through the e-book at rapid ease. Judging from the title, it’s easy to assume the fable is about a fat old man in a red suit but you cannot be more wrong.
The story, about a young single mom who does everything imaginable to shield and raise her young daughter is relatable.
Thuli, a young working single mother lives with her mother Kabelo and 6-year-old daughter Lesedi. Thuli has worked hard to provide for her daughter’s education and upbringing and as with any mom, does not look at it as a sacrifice made. But sacrifice she does. Lesedi being at an influential age, starts questioning her mother about the identity of her father. For years Thuli has been dreading the day and the answers she had been rehearsing in her head would not suffice.
“Mama…where is my daddy?”
Where would she start? How does she begin to answer the question that she has been running from since Lesedi’s birth? The heavy weight of the story will captivate you until the book is complete. Drawn in by likeable characters and the grim tale that binds them all together.
The inspiration behind Andrew’s latest work is personally admirable. He writes Thuli as a strong and complex woman who is afraid of being hurt again but not much else. It is a beautiful message to all mothers who put their children first everyday and never expect anything in return.
If you would like to get a copy of The Christmas Father, it can be found at Bridge Books in Maboneng Precinct. If however, you have difficulty in obtaining a copy, you may order directly with the author here: [email protected]
