Dear Michael, Love Dad

A moving read - honest, funny and sad Woman and Home

wonderful, moving, humorous ... extremely poignantCharlie Mortimer, Dear Lupin

Iains love for his son shines through every sentence of this affecting account, as does his guilt. He blames himself for being unable to demonstrate or verbalise his affection ... This is a wonderfully entertaining and moving book, with lessons for every parent.Daily Mail

Raising the issue of mens mental health is important ... loving and well meant mix of letters and commentary. Express

Dear Michael, Moving your whatnots et al into the flat has put paid to any improvements in my back. Still, at least its done now. Your mother is already worrying how youll cope and is at work on reams of notes on all sorts of matters from how to tel if meat has gone off to washing whites. Smell it and wear black is my advice.

When Iain Maitlands eldest son left home for university he wrote regularly to him: funny, curmudgeonly letters chronicling their family life and giving Michael unsolicited advice on everything from car maintenance to women. He never expected a reply.

What Iain didnt realise was that away from home his beloved boy was suffering from depression and anorexia. Only much later did it become apparent to Iain and his wife just how oblivious they had been, and for how long.

Told through Iains letters and the unfolding truth of Michaels situation, Dear Michael, Love Dad is a frank and moving account of how we may unwittingly fail our loved ones, despite our best intentions. Above all it offers the hope of reparation and expresses the unbreakable bond between a father and son.