The Son of Man

by Jean-Baptiste Del Amo
The Son of Man cover
Good Books rating 4.37
Literary Fiction
Technical:
  • ID: 290
  • Added: 2025-09-07
  • Updated: 2025-09-10
  • ISBN: 9781804270912
  • Published: 2024-05-15
  • Formats: 10
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £12.99

After a long absence, a man reenters the lives of his wife and young son, leading them to a dilapidated house in the mountains. This setting becomes the backdrop for a profound narrative that delves into the legacy of violence and its transmission across generations. The novel stands out as an exceptional study of familial and societal cycles of violence, examining how past wounds and conflicts shape and haunt the present. It uses the intimate story of a fractured family to illuminate broader themes of inherited trauma and the struggle to break free from destructive patterns.

Reviews
Netgalley UK · 2024-05-23
haunting 4.50

The novel is a haunting exploration of family ties, violence, and generational trauma, delving deeply into the impact of inherited pain and brutality.

This review highlights the powerful themes of familial relationships and the transmission of violence across generations. The story is portrayed as emotionally intense and thought-provoking, with a strong focus on how trauma shapes identity and family dynamics. The reviewer conveys that the book leaves a lasting impression due to its deep emotional and psychological insights, rather than just its narrative.

Quick quotes

    The Son of Man by Jean-Baptiste Del Amo is a haunting exploration of familial ties, violence, and the impact of generational trauma.

    The novel follows a family grappling with the weight of inherited pain and brutality.

    It is emotionally intense and thought-provoking, leaving a lasting impression.

Foyles · Dmitry Podpolny · 2024-05-23
beautiful 4.20

The prose is beautifully crafted and the storytelling compelling, focusing on three nameless characters with a powerful narrative style.

Dmitry Podpolny praises the book for its beautiful prose and engaging storytelling, appreciating the way the author creates atmosphere and emotional depth through the characters. The review suggests that while the characters remain unnamed, this lends a universal and symbolic quality to the narrative, enhancing the novel's impact. The writing style is cinematic and immersive, making the experience vivid and memorable.

Quick quotes

    Beautiful prose and lovely storytelling.

    The story follows 3 nameless characters, adding a symbolic depth.

    The narrative style is cinematic and immersive.

London Review Bookshop · 2024-05-23
exceptional 4.40

An exceptional novel about the transmission of violence, the story reveals the son discovering a wild, unknown nature in a dilapidated family home.

This review emphasizes the novel's exploration of inherited violence and the complex relationship between father and son. It notes how the setting—the dilapidated mountain house—plays a crucial role in the son's awakening to a raw and bewitching natural world that contrasts with his previous life. The novel is presented as a powerful reflection on legacy and identity, showing the emotional and psychological challenges faced by the characters.

Quick quotes

    The Son of Man is an exceptional novel on the transmission of violence from one generation to the next.

    The son discovers a nature unknown to him, wild and bewitching.

    The story is set in a dilapidated house in the mountains where he grew up with his ruthless father.

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