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Going Home
Boy-made-good Téo Erskine is back in the north London suburb of his youth, visiting his father - stubborn, selfish, complicated Vic. Things have changed for Téo: he's got a steady job, a brand-new car and a London flat all concrete and glass, with a sliver of a river view.
Except, underneath the surface, not much has changed at all. He's still the boy seeking his father's approval; the young man playing late-night poker with his best friend, unreliable, infuriating Ben Mossam; the one still desperately in love with the enigmatic Lia.
Lia's life, on the other hand, has been transformed: now a single mum to two-year-old Joel, she doesn't have time for anyone - not even herself.
When the unthinkable happens, Joel finds himself at the centre of a strange constellation of men - Téo, Vic, Ben - none of whom is fully equipped to look after him, but whose strange, tentative attempts at love might just be enough to offer him a new place to call home.
Except, underneath the surface, not much has changed at all. He's still the boy seeking his father's approval; the young man playing late-night poker with his best friend, unreliable, infuriating Ben Mossam; the one still desperately in love with the enigmatic Lia.
Lia's life, on the other hand, has been transformed: now a single mum to two-year-old Joel, she doesn't have time for anyone - not even herself.
When the unthinkable happens, Joel finds himself at the centre of a strange constellation of men - Téo, Vic, Ben - none of whom is fully equipped to look after him, but whose strange, tentative attempts at love might just be enough to offer him a new place to call home.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published June 6, 2024
228 people are currently reading
8,254 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews
December 13, 2024
"Going Home" was a revelation for me: a debut novel that is funny, smart, poignant, and tender -- without EVER becoming mawkish or sentimental. A London mom in her early thirties kills herself, leaving behind a 2 and 1/2 year old boy and NO clue who the father is. Can two of her male friends, one of the mate's elderly father, and a female rabbi care for the boy until social services can find the biologic father or (at least) a foster home? This novel is reminiscent of the wit and irony that marks the best of Nick Hornby, the insight into "youngish" adults of Sally Rooney, and the melancholy of Claire Keegan. Mark your calendars: this gem arrives in January 2025.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2025
I could not wait to read this book. Somewhere I learned that the main character, Teo’s, father had Parkinson’s Disease, like my dad, and I knew I had to read it. It ended up being such a refreshing and unexpected story.
Teo is in his thirties, living in London, pining after a woman, Lia, who has a young son. Things just aren’t quite right for Teo. He wants more. A tragedy happens, and suddenly Teo is now responsible for Joel, Lia’s son. Along with his dad and some of his friends, he cares for Joel.
I can’t believe this was a debut. It’s so full of heart and wholly original. It’s a story of growing up- at any age, at any time in life. It’s also about retaining that child-like sense of wonder. I really enjoyed it!
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: and instagram:
Teo is in his thirties, living in London, pining after a woman, Lia, who has a young son. Things just aren’t quite right for Teo. He wants more. A tragedy happens, and suddenly Teo is now responsible for Joel, Lia’s son. Along with his dad and some of his friends, he cares for Joel.
I can’t believe this was a debut. It’s so full of heart and wholly original. It’s a story of growing up- at any age, at any time in life. It’s also about retaining that child-like sense of wonder. I really enjoyed it!
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: and instagram:
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February 6, 2024On one of his regular weekend visits to his elderly father, Vic in Enfield, Téo suddenly finds himself swept into a different and unexpected family dynamic. Told in four voices: Téo, best friend Ben, Vic, and the new local Rabbi, Sybil, this debut is bittersweet and moving. Joel, the four-year-old we hear from briefly at the very beginning, jumps off the page, and is funny and charming, and I just want to hug him. Wonderful! It's hard to review this without giving too much away but I highly recommend it as a story about male friendship and what it means to be a father.
February 6, 2025
This one takes your heart apart and gently begins to tether it together again, as four folks each find their hearts given over to a toddler, Joel, who upturns their lives and binds them together for better and worse.
Teo and Ben were school chums with Lia, Joel’s mom, in the London suburb of Enfield. They grew apart, as schoolmates do. Teo, the steady, reliable, rule-follower moved off to the city, returning only once a month to visit his widowed & ailing dad Vic and catch a weekend poker game with his old friends. Lia, the only girl in their crew, still fiery & clever but alone in her lifelong struggles with depression and now as a single parent. Ben, the party boy athlete with no need to work, living in the suburban mansion vacated by his parents years ago while they travel the world. Joel needs them all, plus the new rabbi Sybil.
The characters in this story are all imperfect people, expertly & deeply rendered. They fail themselves and each other at least as often as they come through. This debut novel is beautifully written and captures (with nary a cloying moment) the awfulness & awesomeness of how a little boy needing you will rock your world.
I received my copy of this book through a GoodReads giveaway, and that did not the least bit influence this review.
Teo and Ben were school chums with Lia, Joel’s mom, in the London suburb of Enfield. They grew apart, as schoolmates do. Teo, the steady, reliable, rule-follower moved off to the city, returning only once a month to visit his widowed & ailing dad Vic and catch a weekend poker game with his old friends. Lia, the only girl in their crew, still fiery & clever but alone in her lifelong struggles with depression and now as a single parent. Ben, the party boy athlete with no need to work, living in the suburban mansion vacated by his parents years ago while they travel the world. Joel needs them all, plus the new rabbi Sybil.
The characters in this story are all imperfect people, expertly & deeply rendered. They fail themselves and each other at least as often as they come through. This debut novel is beautifully written and captures (with nary a cloying moment) the awfulness & awesomeness of how a little boy needing you will rock your world.
I received my copy of this book through a GoodReads giveaway, and that did not the least bit influence this review.
January 15, 2025
Going Home is the debut novel by Guardian journalist and writer Tom Lamont, and it’s a charming, bittersweet tale set in a jewish community in Enfield, North London about fatherhood, friendship, faith and grief. (The book uses the lower case for jew and jewish throughout hence me using it here).
Thematically it reminded me of About a Boy by Nick Hornby, albeit without the music (it’s completely absent of music actually, riffing on this very fact during one scene) but it has the same London vibe and gentle wit. Scene-stealing Joel, the child at the centre of the novel is impossibly cute and lovable.
Téo lives a self-contained life in central London, away from his ailing father Vic and his friends who still live in his home suburb of Enfield. He’s on a visit home one weekend when something happens that results in him having to stay and take care of 2 year old Joel, the son of his friend Lia.
Completely unprepared for caring full-time for a toddler, Téo muddles through with the support of his well-intentioned, fumbling father and local new rabbi Sybil, and despite the chaotic influence of his oldest friend Ben who goes on his own journey in the book.
A gorgeous story about just doing the right thing, and finding a way to help others do the right thing, Going Home feels real and true in a way that many books don’t.
Going Home was a Guardian and Economist book of the year, and an Observer debut novel of the year for 2024. It was published last summer in the UK but it’s out in the US this week (January 2025). 4/5 ⭐️
*Many thanks to Sceptre Books/Hodder Books for the arc via @netgalley. As always, this is an honest review.
Thematically it reminded me of About a Boy by Nick Hornby, albeit without the music (it’s completely absent of music actually, riffing on this very fact during one scene) but it has the same London vibe and gentle wit. Scene-stealing Joel, the child at the centre of the novel is impossibly cute and lovable.
Téo lives a self-contained life in central London, away from his ailing father Vic and his friends who still live in his home suburb of Enfield. He’s on a visit home one weekend when something happens that results in him having to stay and take care of 2 year old Joel, the son of his friend Lia.
Completely unprepared for caring full-time for a toddler, Téo muddles through with the support of his well-intentioned, fumbling father and local new rabbi Sybil, and despite the chaotic influence of his oldest friend Ben who goes on his own journey in the book.
A gorgeous story about just doing the right thing, and finding a way to help others do the right thing, Going Home feels real and true in a way that many books don’t.
Going Home was a Guardian and Economist book of the year, and an Observer debut novel of the year for 2024. It was published last summer in the UK but it’s out in the US this week (January 2025). 4/5 ⭐️
*Many thanks to Sceptre Books/Hodder Books for the arc via @netgalley. As always, this is an honest review.
June 30, 2024
It was a slow book definitely not a page turner. But a beautiful story with real, complex characters. It wasn’t syrupy at any point. The perspective change was done brilliantly and always at the right time. All the characters grew and changed as the story went on. Beautiful book.
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February 14, 2025This book grew on me even though it suffers from manic pixie dead girl trope and the one living female character is 1. Hot but she isn’t aware of it and 2. Finds herself inexplicably attracted to the playboy character (oh NO who could’ve possibly seen this one coming?)
February 4, 2025
3 1/2 stars. I did not love this as much as I expected to. There is some lovely writing, beautiful observations about children and caring for children. However I found Joel’s way of speaking to be odd and not very believable. I knew we’d come to a reasonably happy ending, but I found it less than satisfying
February 8, 2025
picked this book exclusively because of polar bear on cover. did not disappoint but could have been more directly polar bear related? idk
March 11, 2025
A heart-wrenching, but ultimately uplifting, portrait of 4 people in a year of transformation. After a tragedy, a community develops to care for 2-year-old Joel. With highly nuanced characters, we watch the growth that blossoms from disaster.
January 28, 2025
- teo returns to his hometown for a weekend visit, where he offers to babysit his childhood friend's son, joel. but then his childhood friend kills herself, and teo, his friend, ben, his father, vic, and their rabbi, sybil, become involved in joel's life, serving as his guardians
- um idk. my overall impression of this is that i was just terribly, terribly bored for the middle 50-60%
- really not much was happening. i could not tell you what happened at all.
- i did like the beginning tho and the end made me cry. great ending.
- but the middle!!! a slog.
- i also kind of had a hard time connecting to the characters and thought 4 perspectives over 290 pages was just too many for the length
- idk maybe i'm just not at the right stage of life for this book to be as moving as it seems to be for a lot of other reviewers.
**thank you to goodreads and the publisher for the arc!**
- um idk. my overall impression of this is that i was just terribly, terribly bored for the middle 50-60%
- really not much was happening. i could not tell you what happened at all.
- i did like the beginning tho and the end made me cry. great ending.
- but the middle!!! a slog.
- i also kind of had a hard time connecting to the characters and thought 4 perspectives over 290 pages was just too many for the length
- idk maybe i'm just not at the right stage of life for this book to be as moving as it seems to be for a lot of other reviewers.
**thank you to goodreads and the publisher for the arc!**
March 8, 2025
Going Home is a rare novel about modern fatherhood: the ways that it profoundly changes every relationship in a parent’s life and the ways of adapting to a child and the world. It’s also a tragic story about the difficulty of being a guardian and the ways people respond to grief and responsibility. The story follows childhood friends, Teo and Ben, who must react to suddenly becoming a father (in different ways) and confront what this means for their self-image and lifestyle. Teo in particular is well drawn, and, perhaps most surprisingly Joel, a 2-3 year old child, is a fully developed character. There is also Vic, Teo’s frail father who adds layers to the story about fatherhood and its shape and dependency in old age.
Lamont does an excellent job exploring common male methods for guarding against sentimentality and anxiety. His work is one of the best jobs of any contemporary writer deconstructing the ways men relate to friends, children, romantic interests, their own fathers, and themselves—in particular his use of subtext in the novels dialogue is subtle but extremely effective.
This is an excellent novel. It is also the only novel by a male author I’ve read recently that intelligently explores relatable problems and relationships without resorting to caricature or apocalyptic prose.
Lamont does an excellent job exploring common male methods for guarding against sentimentality and anxiety. His work is one of the best jobs of any contemporary writer deconstructing the ways men relate to friends, children, romantic interests, their own fathers, and themselves—in particular his use of subtext in the novels dialogue is subtle but extremely effective.
This is an excellent novel. It is also the only novel by a male author I’ve read recently that intelligently explores relatable problems and relationships without resorting to caricature or apocalyptic prose.
April 11, 2025
OH MY GOODNESS, what a rather short, but powerfully insightful book about life, love, parenting, childhood, friendship, faith, and death. A lot, a lot, a lot covered in less than 300 pages. Tom Lamont has written just a heart-wrenching, beautiful book. His characters are multi-dimensional, broken, and just simply lovely to follow through the span of a year and its seasons, literal and figurative. The aspect of proxy parenting in the book and who with which the final responsibility will fall is intriguing, because as a parent of four grown children, I have come to realize that ALL different types of people should all play a part in raising a child including as many generations of family as are available and in whatever capacity they can contribute, neighbors, friends of parents, and any other mentors from a faith and/or educational background. This novel is so, so good and perfect in its telling of human imperfection and its impact on our relationships and the next generation of likewise imperfect humans!
April 9, 2025
Meh. Another book (at least in part) about male friendship that left me thinking, with friends like these, who needs enemies? And why is it always that the good guys finish last? For a book that is advertised as uplifting and heartwarming, it left me with a decidedly sour taste in my mouth.
April 9, 2025
4.5 stars
August 23, 2024
Téo has returned home from London to see his sick father and friends from school but everything changes very quickly and suddenly there’s a two year old boy who needs looking after. A novel about fathers who are trying to do their best, even when they are completely out of their depth; and a novel about sons who have to learn to see their fathers as flawed men who need both kindness and support in their efforts. The novel shows the impact a small child can have on someone’s life, forcing them to grow up and opening their hearts to love. At times ‘Going Home� is sad, others it’s funny while all along it is a debut novel filled with heart.
January 31, 2025
I wanted to like this so bad because the premise sounded great, but it was boring and painfully dull.
I was rooting for Téo but the author, like everyone else in this book, is just obsessed with Ben. I understood that Ben had to grow up but the way they went about it, I didn’t care for. I feel for the relationship between Téo and Vic. It’s sad but incredibly realistic. Just like before Joel came into the picture, Téo is always second best to Ben.
This would’ve done better if it was an A24 film rather than a book.
I was rooting for Téo but the author, like everyone else in this book, is just obsessed with Ben. I understood that Ben had to grow up but the way they went about it, I didn’t care for. I feel for the relationship between Téo and Vic. It’s sad but incredibly realistic. Just like before Joel came into the picture, Téo is always second best to Ben.
This would’ve done better if it was an A24 film rather than a book.
August 4, 2024
Gave up on this when I realised I was only half way through and had been struggling to keep going back to it. The story and characters had promise and it felt like it should have been good, but it was so boring and slow in style I didn't care about anyone and lost the will to live.
February 2, 2025
Thank you to Knopf for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Teo has moved out and mostly left behind both his father and his friends. He's the only one that has left and he likes it that way. On one of his infrequent visits back home, he connects with friends and a childhood crush. When a tragedy occurs, Teo is surprisingly nominated to temporarily care for a young toddler. At home with his ailing father and resenting the intrusion on his life, Teo makes the best of it while confirming repeatedly he doesn't want this to be permanent.
Then there is Ben the permanent man-child and best friend of Teo, along with Vic, Teo's father, and Sybil the local Rabbi who all step in with hesitation to help. No one wants to be a permanent caretaker for Joel, except for Vic. There is some humor in all the selfish moves of Ben while the sniping of Vic and Teo is spot-on in father/son dynamics.
It is soon obvious there won't be a neat and tidy ending to this story and there are some real heartbreaking moments. Tough topics are explored but wisely no pat answers magically appear. Family dynamics are messy and returning to one's childhood home and memories is never easy. Going Home is an honest look at how we choose to remember our youth and what we owe our parents and ourselves and others.
Teo has moved out and mostly left behind both his father and his friends. He's the only one that has left and he likes it that way. On one of his infrequent visits back home, he connects with friends and a childhood crush. When a tragedy occurs, Teo is surprisingly nominated to temporarily care for a young toddler. At home with his ailing father and resenting the intrusion on his life, Teo makes the best of it while confirming repeatedly he doesn't want this to be permanent.
Then there is Ben the permanent man-child and best friend of Teo, along with Vic, Teo's father, and Sybil the local Rabbi who all step in with hesitation to help. No one wants to be a permanent caretaker for Joel, except for Vic. There is some humor in all the selfish moves of Ben while the sniping of Vic and Teo is spot-on in father/son dynamics.
It is soon obvious there won't be a neat and tidy ending to this story and there are some real heartbreaking moments. Tough topics are explored but wisely no pat answers magically appear. Family dynamics are messy and returning to one's childhood home and memories is never easy. Going Home is an honest look at how we choose to remember our youth and what we owe our parents and ourselves and others.
February 10, 2025
The narrative of Tom Lamont's Going Home mostly follows a group of men thrown into disarray by tragedy. In the wake of , the men find their lives and their perceptions of themselves simultaneously torn apart and bound together by their mutual care for a child.
Lamont is careful and nuanced in his treatment of both the trauma and the sense of purpose that waxes and wanes over the course of the novel. Adding to the narrative the story of a misfit Rabbi trying to change her calcified congregation for the better, and the story of her own feelings of guilt and doubt, directs our attention to the ways in which our self-perceptions can be overturned by the consequences--real or imagined, intentional or unintentional--of our actions.
It took me a bit to get into this, but once I did, I enjoyed it immensely.
Lamont is careful and nuanced in his treatment of both the trauma and the sense of purpose that waxes and wanes over the course of the novel. Adding to the narrative the story of a misfit Rabbi trying to change her calcified congregation for the better, and the story of her own feelings of guilt and doubt, directs our attention to the ways in which our self-perceptions can be overturned by the consequences--real or imagined, intentional or unintentional--of our actions.
It took me a bit to get into this, but once I did, I enjoyed it immensely.
February 1, 2025
THANK YOU A.A. KNOPF FOR GIFTING ME THIS BOOK!
Though a male dominant novel with some machismo theme, “Going Home� is still enjoyable and is the physical embodiment of a lukewarm, fuzzy, cuddle-next-to- the -fire- place type of feel. Set in England, each chapter focuses on one of the 5 main characters.
The book begins with Lia, who leaves her son Joel, with her long-time childhood friend Teo when he comes back to town. Suddenly, tragedy strikes and Teo is grappled with possibly raising Joel on his own, surrendering Joel to foster care, or searching for Joel’s biological dad. Ben, Lia’s and Teo’s friend, and Vic, Teo’s father, get caught tangled in this difficult web. Additionally, the new young rabbi, Sybll gets involved in various ways. The different characters come together to care for Joel and grow in their own ways throughout the story.
Themes such as fatherhood, friendship, and death are explored. Male Love is also explored in different forms: 1) Father (Vic) with son (Teo), 2) Surrogate Father (Neo) to adopted son (Joel), 3) friendship (Ben and Teo).
Though the book was a bit slow to pick up, the author truly milked the nuances and thought processes that men might emotionally grapple with when faced with such a dire scenario. I appreciated the emotional complexities embedded in the realism as well as the colorful interactions between the distinct characters.
Though a male dominant novel with some machismo theme, “Going Home� is still enjoyable and is the physical embodiment of a lukewarm, fuzzy, cuddle-next-to- the -fire- place type of feel. Set in England, each chapter focuses on one of the 5 main characters.
The book begins with Lia, who leaves her son Joel, with her long-time childhood friend Teo when he comes back to town. Suddenly, tragedy strikes and Teo is grappled with possibly raising Joel on his own, surrendering Joel to foster care, or searching for Joel’s biological dad. Ben, Lia’s and Teo’s friend, and Vic, Teo’s father, get caught tangled in this difficult web. Additionally, the new young rabbi, Sybll gets involved in various ways. The different characters come together to care for Joel and grow in their own ways throughout the story.
Themes such as fatherhood, friendship, and death are explored. Male Love is also explored in different forms: 1) Father (Vic) with son (Teo), 2) Surrogate Father (Neo) to adopted son (Joel), 3) friendship (Ben and Teo).
Though the book was a bit slow to pick up, the author truly milked the nuances and thought processes that men might emotionally grapple with when faced with such a dire scenario. I appreciated the emotional complexities embedded in the realism as well as the colorful interactions between the distinct characters.
March 4, 2025
This is a very contained story ... both in scope and the time period it covers. The story's nucleus is a little kid and the story is about the group of adults who encircle his life trying to come to terms with the responsibiity, the trials, errors ... the guilt, the joy that come with caring for a child unexpectedly dropped into their lives. Over the course of about a year the kid grows and changes a lot but so do each of the adults. The situation which has been forced on them inspires each to grow and adapt and accept some truths they would rather ignore if that were an option.
It's probably safe to say not a lot happens -actionwise- and the beats the story does take are kind of predictable. This is a contained story ..... not wild or elaborate .... it's all very recognizable. It's ordinary life. But Lamont's writing is pretty good and he manages to make ordinary life feel precious.
It's probably safe to say not a lot happens -actionwise- and the beats the story does take are kind of predictable. This is a contained story ..... not wild or elaborate .... it's all very recognizable. It's ordinary life. But Lamont's writing is pretty good and he manages to make ordinary life feel precious.
April 9, 2025
I just didn’t care for this book. As an observational commentary on fatherhood, it seemed bland and disjointed. The characters were well drawn but not particularly interesting or appealing. Toddler Joel’s speech patterns seemed especially unrealistic. Can’t recommend it (although I like the cover, which doesn’t seem to have anything to do with the story).
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April 1, 2025I really enjoyed this book and the writing style. A mix of characters, and a slow but interesting plot around caregiving, family and friendship.
“This account was so full of anticipated needs, habits and treats, it occurred to Ben that Joel’s average day involved about as many crammed-in distractions and luxuries as his own.�
“This account was so full of anticipated needs, habits and treats, it occurred to Ben that Joel’s average day involved about as many crammed-in distractions and luxuries as his own.�
April 4, 2025
Probably the best book I’ve read that has a child at the center. You’ll ache with the sadness of it, but appreciate the ways the author spared you. The characters are expertly drawn and so human in their imperfections.
March 8, 2025
Entranced from the get-go, the novel enchanted and engrossed me. It is the best book I have read in ages. Tom Lamont’s descriptions often took my breath away. The child, well, the child is simply marvellous, utterly huggable. The cast of characters engaged me in a way I don’t recall for a long time � they will stay with me and I so want to know what else happens in this child’s life.
Just read it!
Pub: 13th March, 2025
Just read it!
Pub: 13th March, 2025
April 3, 2025
4.5 stars.
January 23, 2025
Bittersweet, humorous, and tender, Lamont’s novel explores the male relationships within a group of close friends who are confronted with the death of an old school friend, the romantic interest of one of them. They become involved in the possibility of caring for Lia’s toddler, Joel, when none of them have the immediate willingness to assume that responsibility. Lamont portrays the struggles that follow their strained friendships as first, Teo, then Ben, consider their roles as perspective “father� to Joel, a beautifully drawn little boy who tests their patience and capacity to love.
The characterisations of Teo and Ben, as well as of Teo’s elderly father, Victor, are masterful, the reader learning about their roles as sons as they create new relationships with young Joel. Where the author seems to enjoy his writing the most is with his portrait of the toddler, especially of his quirks and language development. The scenes with Joel bring the most smiles to the reader, who enjoys his games, his insights, and his capacity to love.
The characterisations of Teo and Ben, as well as of Teo’s elderly father, Victor, are masterful, the reader learning about their roles as sons as they create new relationships with young Joel. Where the author seems to enjoy his writing the most is with his portrait of the toddler, especially of his quirks and language development. The scenes with Joel bring the most smiles to the reader, who enjoys his games, his insights, and his capacity to love.
March 11, 2025
I’m not sure exactly why, but this audiobook hit me in just the right spot.
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