A book about a family rebuilding their ideas and assumptions about life when 15-year-old Miriam collapses and stops breathing.

This was really enjoyable and I loved how the story built up the picture of a pretty ordinary British family that had a bad thing happen and now have to figure out how to move on and continue living, despite having a bad cloud above them reminding them of life’s fragility. I really enjoyed Adam’s narration and some of the things he brought into the life about some of the difficulties he faced about being a stay-at-home dad. We learn about sexism in the workplace all the time but I definitely think there were times Adam experienced the same thing being a house husband, which is still quite rare even in today’s society - such as when he was accused of being a pervert because he was waiting for his daughter at the swimming pool. Some of Adam’s observations about his role, his wife’s role as breadwinner and just how he adjusted to Miriam’s sitaution really got me thinking.

I went back and forth between liking and disliking Miriam. At times she was a bit up herself but her precociousness was also a little bit admirable at times. I don’t think I had such strong beliefs when I was 15. Rose was a very believable eight-year-old from her usual childish antics to the way she reacted to Miriam being allowed to stay in bed all day and ‘watch TV’ while she still had to go to school. The family as a whole was pretty great and for the most part I really enjoyed how they communicated with each other and how Adam and Emma spoke about things in a mature and truthful way to Miriam and Rose.

The little story about Adam’s dad and his eventual journey to England was enjoyable though my attention did waver a bit when Adam went on about Coventry Cathedral.

Overall, an enjoyable story, great and engaging writing style and I’m glad I picked it up!