The Fruit Bowl

A beautiful, heart-rending story which has readers crying in pain and joy in equal measure.

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An innocuous playground incident between two schoolboys which some thirty years later reunites them, creating a beautiful and unlikely friendship.

Two broken men completing each other and saving each other’s lives.

Read the first chapter of The Fruit Bowl

What readers have to say

“Tears of sadness and then as many tears of joy. That’s some achievement and really marks out a skilled author.”

“Tears of sadness and then as many tears of joy. That’s some achievement and really marks out a skilled author.”

“That feeling when something you have loved comes to an end. This is how I felt at 3am having finished this perfect novel. A story with every human emotion laid bare. I cannot recommend The Fruit Bowl enough and I cannot imagine anyone not falling in love with it.”

“That feeling when something you have loved comes to an end. This is how I felt at 3am having finished this perfect novel. A story with every human emotion laid bare. I cannot recommend The Fruit Bowl enough and I cannot imagine anyone not falling in love with it.”

“…a joy to read. A fantastic story that I think the world really needs right now.”

“…a joy to read. A fantastic story that I think the world really needs right now.”

“…tragic but perfect in every way, it had me crying at the start and at the end and laughing in between. The blending of comedy with tragedy and grief is just astounding.”

“…tragic but perfect in every way, it had me crying at the start and at the end and laughing in between. The blending of comedy with tragedy and grief is just astounding.”

“Mr. Holland has a gift for making the reader feel just as vulnerable as his characters. I am not one to reread books, but I believe I may be making an exception for this modern masterpiece.”

“Mr. Holland has a gift for making the reader feel just as vulnerable as his characters. I am not one to reread books, but I believe I may be making an exception for this modern masterpiece.”

“I can’t remember ever crying or laughing as hard as I did whilst reading a novel. A universal story for everyone. I simply loved it.”

“I can’t remember ever crying or laughing as hard as I did whilst reading a novel. A universal story for everyone. I simply loved it.”

“A brilliant and poignant story of unimaginable loss and perseverance of the human spirit that you will not be able to put down.”

“A brilliant and poignant story of unimaginable loss and perseverance of the human spirit that you will not be able to put down.”

“Absorbing, uplifting, wonderful – a real peach of a book (other fruits are available).”

“Absorbing, uplifting, wonderful – a real peach of a book (other fruits are available).”

“…torn between needing to know how it resolves but feeling sad because I didn’t want it to end. Congratulations Dominic, I absolutely loved this wonderful book.”

“…torn between needing to know how it resolves but feeling sad because I didn’t want it to end. Congratulations Dominic, I absolutely loved this wonderful book.”


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Reader Reviews

"A heart-warming tale so beautifully told. It provokes tears, laughter, and creates a warm sense of decency. A fabulous read and an equally great cause.”

Ewen Murray / Sky Sports

“…like playing in a major on a Sunday, you never know what’s ahead, but you just keep on hoping. And sometimes, your best hopes come in. This is what Open Links is like.”

Ian Woosnam

“Open Links is a page-turner like no other. A tale that draws you in right from the start, kindling a wonderful mixture of happiness and spellbinding heartache. It's a story that makes you think about the beauty of life and the secrets it holds - a journey of pure, heart-warming euphoria.” 

Tony Jacklin CBE

‘Everyone loves a sporting fairytale which is why everyone will love Open Links. Worth it for the slow reading page alone which made me howl and cheer.’

Dame Laura Davies

“A delightful story wonderfully told.  You do not have to be a golfer or a golf fan to enjoy this - but if you are you will love it.”

Iain Carter / BBC Golf Correspondent

‘A story that will stay with you. The author takes traditional ingredients of hopes and dreams, love and regret, and does something really quite magical with them.’

Golf Quarterly

“As I have never played golf, I was sceptical about reading Open Links, but thought I'd give it a go as the money went to a great cause (Anthony Nolan). But I loved it! Ricky Randal captured my heart from the first page, and the story just kept getting better with each character being introduced.  A fabulous easy heart-warming read for golfers or non-golfers alike.”

“Truly, Open links is the best book I have ever read. As a 16-year-old girl with no interest in golf and mostly never finish an entire book, I was surprised at how quickly I became enthralled by this story. Completely, heart-warming, I expect I will read it again and again.”

“…so glad I heard about this book. Absolutely loved it. The characters are so vivid, I found myself genuinely caring about them, and I couldn’t stop reading because I just needed to know what happens next! It made me laugh out loud but also it made me cry. There aren’t many writers who can do this. Don't be put off thinking it's all about golf.  It’s a perfect setting and backdrop for a beautiful story that everyone will enjoy... golf fan or not.”

More books by Dominic Holland

The Ripple Effect

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Made in England

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Only in America

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I,Gabriel

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Takes on Life Vol.1

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Takes on Life vol.2

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Open Links

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