As its title would suggest, Cramer's fourth novel is lighter and less gritty than its critically acclaimed predecessors (Levi's Will; Bad Ground), but it is a thoughtful and engaging read. When ironworker Mick Brannigan loses his construction job, he becomes a stay-at-home dad to his three children. Especially troublesome is four-year-old Dylan, who may have sensory integration dysfunction (and is in trouble for such things as licking the day-care teacher's ankle because he likes the texture of pantyhose on his tongue). The Brannigans' Georgia neighbors include a snobbish, wealthy couple and the contrasting Hap Harrelson, a grizzled fix-it man in unbuttoned overalls who is accompanied by a pack of beagles. A handless, homeless man (who faintly echoes a messianic character in Cramer's debut novel, Sutter's Cross) serves as sort of a supernatural figure. Layne Brannigan, a paralegal, is a strong woman figure for faith fiction, both nurturing of her family and talented in her profession. Cramer allows Mick to be reasonably competent but thoroughly male in his parenting style, and Mick's discovery of his creative talent for photography is an uplifting addition. Although the plot feels pieced together and Cramer occasionally narrates instead of letting the story unfold, the enjoyable cast of characters will keep the reader interested. (Feb.)
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*Starred Review* Mick Brannigan is a working-class stiff, but he has always been a good family man. Then he loses his job, while simultaneously his wife's long-postponed career takes off, and his small son, Dylan, exhibits developmental problems. Dylan needs the close supervision of a stay-at-home parent. Mick resists at first, then submits to his wife's logic and finds a new side of himself--if not through housework, then through guiding his children in ways their mother would never have thought of. This is a surprising turn from the author of the brilliant, rather somber Levi's Will (2005), but it's warm, believable, and often--particularly in scenes set at Disney World--hilarious. John Mort
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5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!, Feb 27 2008

By	Kind of Kanada "Blessed5x" (Canada) - See all my reviews

I totally enjoyed this book, and lent it to others, and they did as well..Quite a funny book.... Dad doing the "Mom" thing... very comical. Well written and very easy to read...
Worth the time for sure!

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