The enduring appeal of Life with Father is evidenced by its numerous reprints since its publication shortly after World War I. This work offers a nostalgic glimpse into a bygone era, portraying a stable family life with devoted servants, leisurely club activities, scenic country drives, and wholesome family entertainment. To contemporary eyes, however, it also reveals stark gender role imbalances. The mother in the story, lacking an official voice, subtly manages her husband through coyness and manipulation, while the father assumes a central, unchallenged position in the family dynamic.

Clarence Day, Jr., despite suffering from acute arthritis that limited his social interactions, managed to forge lasting friendships through correspondence. His writings for major periodicals, infused with wit and humor, mirror the tone found in Life with Father and other works like God and My Father (1932) and Life with Mother (1937). For many years, selections from these works were regularly included in high school and college anthologies, though present-day readers often struggle with their dated stereotypes.

The charm of Life with Father lies in its meticulous portrayal of a past era, which Day crafts with careful detail and humor. The Victorian world depicted in the book is painted as a golden age, contrasting sharply with the complexities of modern society. Day's narrative glosses over the less pleasant realities faced by those outside his privileged circle, focusing instead on family dynamics and the era’s social attitudes.

In this context, the book serves as an intriguing documentation of gender roles within Victorian society. Mrs. Day’s need to employ subtle tactics to influence her husband underscores the patriarchal authority that defined family life at the time. Yet, this same authority provides a comforting sense of security for the children, grounding them in a stable environment reflective of the values and expectations of their era.

Central to the narrative is the figure of Mr. Day, whose commanding presence is both a literary type and a distinctive individual. His character embodies the quintessential Victorian father, presenting a blend of sternness and dominance that anchors the episodic structure of the book. Without a cohesive plot, it is Mr. Day’s vibrant personality that binds the stories together, making Life with Father a valuable social document offering insights into America’s past attitudes and customs.