The Portrait

Description

Unlike a biography, The Portrait has no clear chronology but consists of  memories of the author’s father that prompt reflection and commentary on his father as role-model, as a man to whom the author still owes an immeasurable debt. Memories are catalysts for philosophical reflection on certain aspects of the human condition, on war, reading, critical thinking, beauty, spiritual uncertainty, hope and the power of personality. The book may be described as a case study illustrating the sustained power of parental role-modelling and the grief consequent upon the loss of a cherished role-model. Inevitably, the book is as much about the author and his mindset as it is about his father.