Category: Life

A Book Review

I first stumbled across the writing of Andrew B. Knott on Medium. His witty gift of gab and literal humor were luring effects. He had a gift of drawing you in slowly, building up the comedic punchline with a slow burn to a lasting fire. I appreciated the way he looped words that sounded like they belonged together in sentences. It was as if he were a word connoisseur, sharing his tastes with us, but in a way that Medium needed at that time.

I became even more enamored by his work when I began editing his submissions in P. S. I Love You, a defunct Medium publication that specialized in publishing work on relationships, love, and all things life & connection. Andrew stood out, and he still does.

Below is the review of Fatherhood: Dispatches from the Early Years, shared on Amazon and Goodreads:

I’m Not a Parent, But I’ve Seen Parents in Action

And this book is crafty in the way the events are presented in the author’s life. Every story, essay, and vignette has something to offer the parents of this world, especially new/newer/younger ones.

Even though I have not birthed any of my own children, I am significantly older than all my siblings, so most of the scenarios mentioned, I’ve experienced in some way with the little ones (now much older ones) in my life. I also have significantly younger cousins and nieces and nephews.

What I like most about Andrew’s approach to parenting (as it is humorously detailed throughout the book) is his nonchalant, “let it be” attitude with his children.

Naturally, some things will call for discipline, but most things do not… So why waste time and energy when children will more than likely not change their minds or agree with a parent’s choice in the very intense moments of a tantrum?

The author’s humor is one that builds up. There is a slow burn to it before the lasting fire. It’s witty and catches you off guard. It actually reminds me a lot of Steven Wright’s approach to comedy. Either you get it or you don’t, and I definitely get it.

There were a few stories that droned on or took a while to get to a plot twist or heightened point of comedic satisfaction, but those are few and far between.

Overall, I’m glad I took the time to read parenting from a person’s perspective who took “learning as you go” to a whole other level.

It’s a great read!

I shared this review with Andrew by way of communicating with him on Substack. I have another book of his on my shelf, waiting for its turn, and I am truly looking forward to it as well.

If you’re looking for a good laugh about parenting and the many obstacles you have to endure to feel like you’re at least a C+ parent, I recommend Fatherhood: Dispatches from the Early Years.

Scattered Words: Hardcover $26.00 USD|Scattered Words: eBook $11.00 USD|Scattered Words: Amazon