The Man Who Loved Children
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| Author | Christina Stead |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Novel |
| Publisher | |
| Released | 1940 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| ISBN | NA |
The Man Who Loved Children is a 1940 novel by Australian writer Christina Stead. Although the novel was published much earlier, it wasn't until it was reissued in 1965 that the book found widespread critical acclaim and popularity.
[edit] Plot introduction
The novel tells the story of a highly dysfunctional family, the Pollits. The father, Sam, calls himself "Sam the Bold," but is in reality meek, sly and self-serving. While barely on speaking terms with his wife, Henny, he nevertheless enjoys the kind of fantasy life that in novels of a later day would be called narcissistic. The story centers on the family's impoverishment, Sam's failure to provide for them, the parents' battles, and the account of the children's affections and alliances. Unsparing and penetrating, Steadman reveals, among other things, the danger of unchecked sentimentality in relationships and in political thought.
