Book info

• Title Calling Major Tom
• Author David M Barnett
• Year 2017
• Genres Contemporary, Science Fiction, Humour

Forty-something Thomas is very happy to be on his own, far away from other people and their problems. But beneath his grumpy exterior lies a story and a sadness that is familiar to us all. And he's about to encounter a family who will change his view of the world... for good.

Thoughts

Despite the title of this book, I hadn’t realised it was partly set in space. It’s not really a science fiction story though, despite the man being on a potentially one-way trip to Mars. Instead, it’s a story about humanity, about connection, about redemption and more than anything, it’s about listening, understanding, helping and just plain being kind.

There’s humour littered throughout the book but I mostly got an overwhelming sense of melancholy from start until potentially just before the end. What I enjoyed, though, was that it was entirely unpredictable. I had no idea what was going to happen, there were no cliches (and when there was the hint of one, it was entirely called out), and it was just brilliant.

I really recommend this as the feel-good read it is promoted as, and for many other reasons besides!

Rating: 5 / 5