The Man Who Loved Children is a 1940 novel by Christina Stead, which tells the story of the dysfunctional Pollit family, headed by the selfish and self-absorbed Samuel Pollit. The novel follows the family's daily life and their relationships with each other and the people around them.
At the center of the story is Samuel's daughter, Louisa, who struggles to find her place in the family and to escape the suffocating influence of her father. She becomes an observer and a chronicler of the family's tumultuous and often unhappy life, and tries to find ways to protect herself and her younger siblings from their father's emotional abuse.
The Man Who Loved Children is a powerful and poignant novel that explores themes of family dynamics, identity, and the search for meaning and happiness. It is known for its vivid and memorable characters and its unflinching portrayal of family life.