David Algar, author of Man Trouble, shines a very particular light on some of the major adjustments required of men as they move from their glory days to their golden years. What happens to identity with the loss of the camaraderie and prestige of the workplace? In an age of bewildering technology and social media, how do men connect with their sense of purpose and each other?
Written with his characteristically affectionate sense of humour, this is a celebration of a life still very much in the making – full of spirit and resilience. Algar highlights the gentle satisfaction of doing things not perfectly, but personally. There are plans, half-plans, and happily abandoned plans; there are arduous adventures that take in the length of Britain alongside ill-fated journeys to the chemist; there are meditations on the minutiae of life as well as some of the more serious issues that threaten to undermine men’s well-being. The mix is a kind of lucky dip: sincere man-talk for the man on the street, which opens up a space for vulnerability, alongside hilarious accounts of small mishaps that turn into great stories.
Full of warmth, wit and a good dose of British charm, this is a great accompaniment for any journey – where every essay prompts a new insight or resolution… or at least justifies a well-earned pint with your mates.