This was an adorable read. Expect the first 35% of the book to be a little boring, but keep going, because all the groundwork Barnett lays is crucial to the rest of the story line. I love the way he develops the characters, and though I guessed the ending, it was still highly enjoyable watching it play out.

While I seem to remember a bit of cussing in it, that's only to be expected for a UK book. Teenage boys and girls will enjoy it, and it appeals to the teenager in all of us. One other thing that US readers might not get is all the references to what happened in the UK in other decades: songs, news, TV shows, radio shows. This happens when the granny with dementia in the story keeps thinking back in time.

Loved it. Stayed up to finish it. Pretty sure you'll love it too , especially if you enjoy UK writing and culture.

It took me a while to get into this, but once I did, I was totally hooked. The first few chapters were a bit odd and the style took some adjusting to, but then the stories of these characters became so captivating and entertaining. This book was so character driven, and these characters were amazing. I would totally recommend it to anyone wanting a story about chance meetings and heart-warming character growth amidst urgent circumstances, with a hefty amount of humor and relatable problems.

Thomas, Gladys, Ellie, and James were a great group of main characters whose lives overlapped by mere circumstance, and there was no going back after that. The fact that Thomas was separated from the Ormerods by literal space was of no consequence - their connection defied this fact and it led to Thomas realizing a great deal. His backstory was revealed in pieces throughout the book, accounting for his personality and choices. His attitudes toward the world quickly changed thanks to the family he chose to interact with and help through their problems as much as he could.

There were many side characters throughout the book that added importance and development to the story of these four main characters. The plot moved along nicely, especially in the second half of the book. It was lovely to see how everything progressed; this was truly a heart-warming, feel-good kind of story.

This is a book that is like an old friend that you sit down with and simply read. The plot is strong and well written, characters are great too.
I enjoyed this book.
Thank for to both NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for giving me the opportunity to read this fabulous book in exchange for my honest unbiased review.

This is an extremely charming and emotional story that will be enjoyed by readers of all ages. Just wonderful.

Calling Major Tom is a brilliant story that wrenches at your heart strings while simultaneously making you smile. I just could not put the book down. I even sneaked the book into a party because I couldn't bear to stop reading. David Barnett has certainly outdone himself and he has captured his character's eccentricities beautifully!

My reading of "Calling Major Tom" started slowly. I confess that I wasn't getting into the story. There were a number of plot lines that seemed just a bit disjointed. (Big hint - keep reading!)
But then, suddenly the story bloomed as all the plot lines started to merge. The grand scheme, the whole picture started to appear. Thomas Major seems to be a grumpy antisocial man. In the beginning it is very hard to like him at all, but as the character and the backstory develops we learn how he became this way. We also learn how he suddenly got picked to go to Mars on the British space voyage to start a pioneer colony.

Then we have James, Ellie and Nan. The two children are living with a grandmother who is starting to show signs of dementia. Ellie is trying to keep the family together. James is trying to survive school - and the accompanying bullies. They are living in a perfect storm. Until one day when Major Tom mistakenly calls Nan while trying to reach is ex-wife.
By the end of the book I was in happy tears - and hoping there is a sequel somehow.

This book is like comfort food. It's so sweet, and so soul warming. David Barnett develops characters and plot so well that I was genuinely sad that Major Tom wouldn't be coming back to Earth to carry on a life with the people that he helped heal. This book is just damn cathartic and exactly what you need if everything else in the world seems like its going completely mental. Great book.

Calling Major Tom is a really great book. Perfect for young teenagers. Thomas is alone on a rocket to Mars which suits him just fine as he has always been grumpy and dislikes other people. But he contacts a family on Earth by accident and finds himself helping them, changing their lives and his own into the bargain.

I loved this book. It's very funny and readable. I loved the characters, even grumpy Thomas. Highly recommend it.

"He could run forever, if this is what it does, strip away all the horror. So, he decides, that's what he'll do. He'll run for ever. From everyone."

Thomas Major is a middle-aged Grump, who after a strange tangle of events has the opportunity to be the first man ever on mars. It is the perfect escape for him.
Gladys is an old lady tried with the responsibility of taking care of her two grandchildren- and she would do a fine job at it, were it not for her Dementia threatening the balance of their home life.
When Thomas dials a number that's long been changed, he makes the acquaintance of Gladys instead. Quite confused and a bit disturbed, he makes for the exit. Little do they both know, it might be the one call that saves both of them...

I finished this book at 2 A.M., and didn't realize how much the characters grew on me until I read "The End" and felt tears come to my eyes. David M. Barnett sucks you in to two very complex individuals whose lives intersect in the strangest of ways. I couldn't put this book down and didn't want to see the end in sight!

Let me make this easier for myself- I basically just absolutely fell head over heels for this book.

David M. Barnett has drawn heavily from popular culture to create his new book Calling Major Tom. Set in modern day England, this tale made me feel despair at the state our social system has become, proud of many of today's teenagers, insulted by the author's take on the British Space Program, nostalgic for the poetry and talent of David Bowie, excited about chemistry and the beauty of the Periodic Table and generally in awe of how Barnett's mind must work! Although somewhat dark at times this novel has an uplifting ending which left me feeling joyful.
But I really want to know is, has Chris Hadfield read this book?

I received a free copy of this ebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Calling Major Tom was a very enjoyable read. Thomas Major is a grumpy old man that has had a rough ride in life. Deciding he has no more use for Earth or other people, he ends up on a spaceship to be the first man on Mars. From there we learn all about his past: His heartaches and failures and all the ways life made him the way he is.
Thomas dials the wrong number one day and accidentally connects himself to the Ormerod family. As Thomas gets to know the family, and all their struggles, he learns that maybe it's not too late to do some good things, and to let people into your life.
This book tackles loss, love, friendship, bullying, dementia, and even incarceration in a light hearted, loving manner. You will enjoy this heartwarming story.

I was provided a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! 'Calling Major Tom' by David M. Barnett is a wonderful story about a desperate family who accidentally come across a spaceman who is feeling hopeless and worthless. I immediately related to the characters Tomas Major, Ellie, James, and Gladys because they are charmingly flawed. Together they team up to find friendship and hope. The remarkable resilience of Omerod family left me in awe. This heartwarming story made me laugh, it made my cry. 'Calling Major Tom' is a must read. I recommend this fantastic novel.

I enjoyed this book. It was an interesting story and the characters were very likeable. I loved the references to "simples" with a character named The Meerkat.
There were a few small typos still in the book but they were nothing too annoying.
I did think a few things that happened at the end were a bit cheesy, had me rolling my eyes a bit and saying "oh, of course!" out loud to my kindle... but overall a very enjoyable book. I'm glad I read it.

I was given a digital copy of this by Netgalley.

The story follows Thomas Major, the first British man to fly to Mars. He can’t wait to escape his unhappy life on Earth for the solitude of life on Mars but when he accidentally calls an old lady from Wigan he gets caught up in the lives of her whole family.

The story and characters had me gripped throughout the book and I really enjoyed the story. There wasn’t too much suspense and it was quite an easy read. Definitely a feel-good book that will tug on your heartstrings.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this one. I am so glad I picked it up. Yes, it had a bit of whimsy for something as serious as someone going to Mars by himself but that is what made the book unpredictable. I loved all the characters. James, Ellie, and Gladys were facing some very hard situations while Thomas was just floating in space on his way to his hard situation, getting Mars ready to inhabit. The flashbacks were not disrupting but added to the story. This was my first read by this author but I will be looking for more. I received an ebook at no charge for which I voluntarily provided an honest review.

I opened the book, started reading and hmmm, not loving this, really not sure about any of it. What’s going on and what does this have to do with what? And I am not reading one more, well maybe just one more page and it will start to make sense. It all starts February 11, 1978 with Thomas Major, “Space Oddity” and a father’s betrayal. A not so subtle segue to Shednik-I and the insanity is just beginning. Where is this story is going? And I am still reading, just a few more pages, it will all become clear and then I can put this book to the side and start something interesting. But who are James, Ellie, Gladys and Delil and how do they figure into this Space Oddity?

I kept reading and when Gladys said; “you might be drunk, he might be crackers and I might be losing the plot, but if we stick together we might be all right”, I knew I was reading to the last page. This book has equal parts humor and pathos, it examines right, wrong and some in between. The underlying social issues are exposed and handled with finesse. This is a great off-the-wall read.

Thank you NetGalley and Orion Publishing for a copy

This is such a lovely and unique story. I laughed and cried while reading it. I love every cultural referances. I love how story connected to David Bowie. It really effected me so many ways.

Calling Major Tom by David M. Brunette is a story of Tom Major, an astronaut on the way to Mars. His father used him for an excuse to see other women but was disappointed that he wasn't into sports as was his other son.. While reading this, I had the song Space Oddity ( not Major Tom) replaying in my head. It is a story of overcoming obstacles, bravery and unexpected generosity to someone you don't know. Major Tom tries to call Janet, his ex wife but gets an elderly lady named Gladys, who now has that number. Major Tom and Gladys' life became intertwined since the phone call. James, who Gladys''s grandson is made fun of at school because his father is in jail. The fear is that since Gladys has dementia and the oldest person in the house is James' fifteen year old sister is that the family will be split up if anyone finds out. They have no money and cannot pay rent on their house, then James is invited to participate in a science fair where the prize is $5000. If James could win it, many of their problems would be resolved. The question is how? My main question is If you pass gas in a spaceship, what would happen? I loved this book. I received this book from Net Galley for an honest review.

A unique story about a man who unexpectedly finds himself hopeless and on his way, alone to Mars, and a pair of siblings struggling to survive with their grandmother who has Alzheimer's disease. A story in its essence about relationships, family and hope, I enjoyed the funny and poignant story. The characters are unique but relatable

A light feel good story starts slowly but builds to a surprisingly good conclusion. Ok the plot is far-fetched – but the book is mainly about the characters who the author gradually fleshes out as the story progresses. In particular, the titular Thomas Major aka Major Tom, turns out to be far more interesting and likeable than the early impressions would suggest.