They say it takes a village to raise a child, unfortunately Thomas Walling has the whole village in his head!
They say it takes a village to raise a child, unfortunately Thomas Walling has the whole village in his head!
Thomas Walling, a man with Multiple Personality Disorder, learns to balance his mental illness and unconditional love after one of his other personalities fathers a child and he is forced to raise her.
They say it takes a village to raise a child, unfortunately Thomas Walling has the whole village in his head and they all want to lend a hand!
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"When I read this book I couldn't put it down. I was transported into a life that one could truly imagine being real. I was immediately part of the story, no observing here. The Author creates a world that touches you on so many levels; mentally, emotionally and even physically. At times you find your self laughing out-loud, while at other times the lump in your throat is to big to swallow. If I could give this book a TEN I would. Unique, creative,moving, and well paced. Buckle up and enjoy the ride..." ~ Patricia Vandenburg, Beta Read
Thomas Emerson Walling is an excellent engineer and upstanding citizen, a loving father and compassionate friend--at least most of the time. There are days (or nights), however, when his everyday life is taken over by one of three men (mentally challenged, obsessive, compulsive Henry, aggressive Chuck, lewd and fashion-conscious Louis) or by Eleanor, a raunchy southern belle, and these four "alters" play havoc with his mind. Thomas has a mental disease, called Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), more commonly known as Multiple Personality Disorder. During one of his escapades into the head of Chuck something happens that would both complicate his life and save him from total isolation and heartbreak: he becomes a father. Told mostly in retrospect through the eyes of his daughter, Sara, we get a picture of a loving but troubled man, who wants nothing more than leading a normal life without being hounded by the crazy "friends" in his head. It is above all the compassion and care of his sister, Corinne, and her family, his friends and psychiatrists, and above all, the deep love of Sara, which allow him to live, if not a completely normal life, then at least a life filled with people who care for him. To say that MY FOUR FATHERS & ELEANOR is a deeply touching story is an understatement. The story is full of heart-wrenching and at the same time hilariously funny moments. The four alternate personalities, particularly the raunchy and outspoken Eleanor, provide an array of entertaining moments. This is a beautifully written tale which tugs at your heartstrings and makes you cry and laugh at the same time. Highly recommended, one of the best novels I have read this year. I look forward to many more of Autumn Rosen's books. ~ Christa Polkinhorn, Beta Read
A Bold Undertaking A bold undertaking, My Four Fathers & Eleanor addresses the uniqueness of a family’s life centered around Multiple Personality Disorder or Dissociative Identity Disorder as it is now called. Thomas Walling has three male personalities—Chuck, Louis, and Henry—and one female personality—Eleanor. After years of being treated by Dr. Pope who managed to keep these multiple personalities at bay so that Thomas could lead a more normal life, Thomas is thrown into a new world when Dr. Pope dies and Dr. Elliot Scott takes over his treatment. His new medications have a side effect the opposite of Dr. Pope’s: his libido is kicked into high gear. Enter Sara Elizabeth Walling, whose birth takes Thomas and the friends in his head down a path filled with new challenges and rewards he never imagined. Being told from the viewpoint of Thomas Walling’s daughter, Sara, is a reasonable choice by Autumn Rosen, the writer. Unfortunately, the story initially slips into a recounting of events rather than drawing the reader into the story to experience it first-hand until you are much further into the story. I applaud the concept for her story, and I believe that substantive editing would bring this book to the level her story demands and to the level which it has the potential to reach. Despite the issues I just mentioned, the story Rosen seeks to share is heartwarming. The characters in Thomas’ head are funny, endearing, and sometimes scary. The story of Thomas’ life and those he loves will bring tears to your eyes. If Rosen is willing to invest the time and energy to polish this diamond in the rough, My Four Fathers & Eleanor could easily become a bestseller. Reviewed digital version for SPA Reviews ~ Dannye Williamsen, Beta Read
