The Son

by Jo Nesbo, Philipp Meyer
The Son cover
Good Books rating 4.44
Historical Fiction
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Paperback • £9.99
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  • ID: 4168
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2026-02-03
  • ISBN: 9780857209450
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • Published: 2013-07-18
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 4

The Son is a critically acclaimed, New York Times-bestselling epic that traces the rise of the McCullough family across generations. Beginning with the brutal capture of young Eli McCullough by Comanche raiders, the novel delves into his complex journey of adaptation and survival, as well as the family's ascent to power and wealth in Texas. The story is a panoramic exploration of land, blood, and power, interweaving the lives of Eli, his son Peter, and his great-granddaughter JA, each grappling with the legacy of their ruthless ancestors. The novel is praised for its masterful narrative and evocative portrayal of Texas history, blending the prowess of Larry McMurtry with the sharpness of Cormac McCarthy. /n/n The Son is not just a family saga but a profound examination of identity and belonging. Eli's struggle to find his place in a world that rejects him as neither fully white nor Indian mirrors the broader themes of the American experience. The novel's richly detailed portrayal of Texas, from its rugged landscapes to its oil-rich boomtowns, provides a vivid backdrop to the McCullough family's rise and fall. With its intricate storytelling and deep historical context, The Son stands as a masterpiece of American literature, offering readers a transporting and thought-provoking journey.

Reviews
Andes Gazette · 2023-06-30
intriguing 3.75

The novel is complex and violent, with a demanding plot that is difficult to follow at times. The psychological and philosophical depth adds to its intrigue.

The reviewer from Andes Gazette notes that 'The Son' is a complex and violent novel that delves deep into psychological and philosophical themes. The plot is demanding and, at times, difficult to follow, but this complexity adds to the novel's intrigue. The reviewer appreciates the author's skill in creating a multi-layered narrative that keeps readers engaged. However, they also acknowledge that the novel's complexity may not be suitable for all readers, particularly those who prefer a more straightforward plot. The reviewer highlights the novel's exploration of themes such as revenge, corruption, and the impact of a corrupt system on an individual's life, praising the author's ability to create a compelling and thought-provoking tale.

Quick quotes

    The Son is a complex, violent, psychologically and philosophically acute novel, in which the plotting is so demanding and, frequently, difficult to follow.

    The novel's exploration of themes such as revenge, corruption, and the impact of a corrupt system on an individual's life is particularly noteworthy.

    Nesbø's ability to create a multi-layered narrative that keeps readers engaged is commendable.

Reddit - r/books · 2023-03-10
compelling 4.50

The book is described as brutal, devastating, beautiful, inspirational, funny, tragic, and utterly compelling. It follows three different protagonists, each with their own compelling story.

The reviewer praises the book for its brutal and devastating portrayal of life, while also finding beauty and inspiration in its pages. They highlight the humor and tragedy that coexist within the story, making it utterly compelling. The reviewer appreciates the diverse perspectives of the three protagonists, each bringing a unique and engaging narrative to the overall story. The book is seen as a rich tapestry of human experiences, making it a memorable and impactful read.

Quick quotes

    This book is brutal, devastating, beautiful, inspirational, funny, tragic, and utterly compelling

    It follows three different protagonists of different eras

    Each protagonist brings a unique and engaging narrative

Mike Finns Fiction · Mike Finn · 2020-09-30
highly recommended 4.50

The novel is a great example of a crime thriller, with a plot that emerges like a train out of night-time snow. The suspense is sustained throughout, making it a gripping read.

Mike Finn highly recommends 'The Son' as a prime example of a well-crafted crime thriller. He praises the novel's ability to build suspense and keep readers hooked until the very end. The plot, which emerges like a train out of night-time snow, is both compelling and unpredictable. Finn appreciates the author's skill in creating a fast-moving narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. He also notes that the novel's exploration of themes such as revenge, corruption, and the impact of a corrupt system on an individual's life adds depth to the story. However, he acknowledges that the novel's dark and violent portrayal of Norway's underbelly may not be suitable for all readers.

Quick quotes

    'The Son' is a great example of how to write a crime thriller. The plot emerges like a train out of night-time snow, growing bigger and more ...

    The book maintains sustained suspense throughout, with a fast-moving plot that keeps readers hooked until the final surprise.

    Nesbø's ability to create a compelling and thought-provoking tale is commendable.

Grimdark Magazine · 2020-03-25
tragic 5.00

The book is an epic tragedy that captures the birth of the West and America, along with the rise and fall of a family. The reviewer finds it deeply moving and tragic.

The reviewer describes the book as an epic tragedy that spans the birth of the West and America, focusing on the rise and fall of a family. They find the narrative deeply moving and tragic, highlighting the profound impact of historical events on personal lives. The reviewer appreciates the sweeping scope of the story and the emotional depth it brings, making it a memorable and impactful read.

Quick quotes

    There's a lot of tragedy in this book

    It is an epic tragedy of the birth of the West, of America and the rise and fall of a family

    The narrative deeply moving and tragic

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