Fatherhood

Fathers’ role in upholding the social order and their struggles with unruly sons are probed in this winsome and erudite study of patriarchy . . . Sedgwick teases out the contradictions between patriarchy as a doctrine of benevolent control and its reality as a form of constraint and domination that often breeds resistance. He plays on these ironies in elegant, evocative prose. It’s a fresh and insightful meditation on the paternal dilemma.Publishers Weekly

Intelligent . . . The author is an undeniably talented prose stylist with estimable dot-connecting abilities.Kirkus

A richly absorbing piece of history embedded in a wealth of wonderful storytelling. A pleasure to readVivian Gornick, author of Fierce Attachments and The Odd Woman and the City

An invigorating, impressively researched and honest read. Anyone doing the work of dismantling and reframing the heavy role of the father will find something hereRaymond Antrobus, author of Signs, Music