If Drowned: a story of lovers, mothers, gods & monsters

An entertaining, challenging, superbly written account of love, loss and discovery. This is Philip Harland’s sixth book and his first novel, a fictional memoir in the form of a letter of explanation and apology from a father to his son. As a pyschotherapist the author was moved by the journeys his clients undertook in their desire to know themselves and find redemption and release. This story of lovers, mothers, gods and monsters is inspired by their accounts and his own in an entertaining mix of fantasy, truth and myth. Comments from readers: Funny, sad dark and poignant all at the same time.
The author has a talent for writing entertainingly about sexual encounters without actually describing any sexual acts.
The excitement and anticipation never flag, There are moments of unbearable sadness in this story and there is also a delightful humour that never seems forced, even in the midst of near-drownings, family break-ups, attempted suicide and sexual addiction.
The author’s insights into his protagonist’s failings and the failings of others, and their ability to recover and persevere, make for a moving, amusing, extraordinary story. IF DROWNED is about one man’s struggle to know himself, an entertaining, challenging, superbly written account of love, loss and discovery.