cover image The Fourth Demand: The Story of a Father and Son Journey

The Fourth Demand: The Story of a Father and Son Journey

Andy Solomon. BookBaby, $8.99 e-book (368p) ISBN 978-1-4835-0285-4

Seven years after biker and English professor Solomon (Partners) became a divorced single parent, he took his young son, Marty, for one of their customary motorcycle rides%E2%80%94but this time, the ride ended in a near-fatal accident. After the crash, Solomon vowed not to ride with Marty again until he graduated from college, when they would take a cross-country trip together. Upon Marty's graduation, that is exactly what they did. Here, Solomon reflects on parenthood, the kind of man his son has become, the kind of man he thought he would become, and the process of letting go of one's children. Solomon weaves his reflections into tales of the road and thoughts on literature. He's an excellent writer%E2%80%94his command of language and his familiarity with the classics is evident on every page. Solomon has a thoughtful, deliberate style, and readers who love language will find his writing resonant. He ably evokes the countryside and skillfully renders the highs and lows of parenting. By the book's end, readers will find themselves holding their family close and planning a trip across the country.