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The authors of 'Four Fathers'

Review: Four Fathers

Four Fathers is a collection of short stories by Yorkshire based writers Ray French, James Nash, Tom Palmer and John Siddique. The stories convey a multitude of experiences of fatherhood.

All of the stories convey warmth and affection without giving too many personal details away. The result is that the reader gains an insight into the relationships between fathers and sons, men as father figures and the experience of fatherhood.

As a female reader this provides an interesting perspective of four men writing about deeply personal experiences.

After reading the collection, I couldn't help thinking about my own father including my relationship with him and his relationship with his father.

Tom Palmer's piece about IVF treatment was handled sensitively.

Many of the stories lingered long after I first read them, provoking questions about the families depicted, which is a tribute to the engaging style of the pieces.

Creative Writing Workshop for Dads and Sons

As part of the Four Fathers reading tour on Saturday 22nd July, York Library is offering a writing workshop for men with author Ray French. The workshop will focus on writing about fathers and sons.

Participants will be encouraged to draw upon their memories to develop their creative writing. The only equipment required is a pen, paper and family photograph to serve as a prompt for your own inspiration.

The workshop will run between 4 pm and 5:30pm - just prior to the Four Fathers reading at 6:30pm.

Those booking for the reading tour also receive a copy of 'Four Fathers'.

To book for the writing workshop contact: Anne Mortimer on 554316 / 07785314474 or email: read.write@york.gov.uk.

To book for the reading call into York Library helpdesk.