A best book of the year for the Guardian, Economist and Daily Express An Observer debut of the year 'Exceptionally touching . . . A terrific reminder that what binds us to our loved ones isn't blood but the care we take to keep them close, and our ability to show up for them when we screw it up on the first go-round' NEW YORK TIMES 'Gently comic, bittersweet' GUARDIAN, Books of the year 'A poignant and generous story' TESSA HADLEY, DAILY EXPRESS Books of the Year 'In an unsentimental evocation of fatherhood and male friendship, this novel explores the glory and sacrifice involved in learning to love' ECONOMIST, Books of the year 'Pepped up and gorgeous, just bristling with life' OLIVIA LAING, GUARDIAN 'Brilliantly observed' NEW YORKER 'A beautiful, funny tale of lives new and old' SUNDAY TIMES 'I loved it . . . word-perfect' INDIA KNIGHT 'A spirit-lifting debut' DAVID MITCHELL 'I adored every moment. The characters have stayed with me ever since' BELLA MACKIE To Erskine might