Father Figure is an enthralling, thought-provoking novel of modern fatherhood told at a rattling good pace with credible and sympathetic characters. A novel from a politician is often one to be missed but this one is well worth the read. This title is also available as an Audiobook in CD format.
Jason Kirk is a thirty-two year old teacher who believes he is happily married until he returns home one day to find that his wife has left him, taking their two young children with her. Suddenly Jason finds the role of father denied to him as he is separated from his children and reduced to the role of visitor.
The law is weighted against him and his wife produces a series of excuses to withhold contact with Jake, eight and Leah, three. Jason, who had wanted to bring his children up to maturity on a daily basis, not only has to face the pain of this loss but endures the misery of persecution by the Child Support Agency. He discovers he is not alone, that among friends and colleagues are others enduring the same situation.
Ann Widdecombe is the MP for Maidstone. In John Major's Government she was Home Office Minister under Michael Howard and was the Shadow Home Secretary 1997-2001. Ann has been writing since she was at school where she won essay prizes.
