Has there ever been another humorous take on fatherhood, that acknowledged the stress involved because the father is doing his job? If there is, I’m sure there aren’t many. Starting with the news of the arrival of their second child, Zoe,Christian Piatt walks the reader through the experience, one trimester at a time, and shows that while no parent is perfect, also is not parent truly alone in their experience. Every chapter begins with a quote from his son Mattias, as unpredictable and chaotic as parenthood itself.

The author’s blunt course language and gloriously disgusting stories lend an honest atmosphere. There are “love you”s and hugs, but thanks to the brutal honesty preceding them, they are not schmaltzy but earned. And in case you were worried, there’s puke. Lots of puke. This is not an advice book, but a collection of laugh-and-wince-worthy stories surrounding a, if not the, life-changing event.

The frequent references to death in places almost straddle the line with forcing poignancy, but the author’s sense of realism added to the gut-buster of a final chapter ground it well thematically and balance it out. I’m not currently a father, but I can relate to a lot of the reluctance involved in parenthood. When the time comes, I’m definitely going to re-read this, laugh, cringe, and remember that I’ll never be the best dad ever, but I’ll love and be loved and that’s okay.

That said, I’m buying some new shirts now, just in case.