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machadofam8's review against another edition
3.0
Definitely enjoyed reading this - dark, but good look at what lengths we, as parents, would go to protect our children.
arflegel's review against another edition
5.0
I thought this book was so very well written.. it kept me gripped from the beginning. I think reading in after multiple mass shootings was chilling, but regardless of the topic, I thought it was a powerful book. I felt for Paul in ways I haven't felt for other characters before.
fallingletters's review against another edition
4.0
I found this to be an incredible read. The opening scene was intense; I chewed on my finger in anxiety because I can imagine what this would be like, particularly after the Boston Bombing this year. The short description about pleading on the son's behalf was a punch to the gut. I didn't feel like this book was about shallow whys or ifs, but rather something much deeper. So sad but wholly believable. The chapter when everything solidifies, when you understand how all of the Daniel's missteps lead to his purpose, is a fantastic example of this. The 'explanation' isn't a crystal clear revelation of Daniel's motive, nor is it an excuse for his actions, but I felt like it could be a real insight into the mind of someone like him. Some parts of the book are a little dry, but overall a worthy read.
allibroad's review against another edition
3.0
Noah Hawley can't and doesn't write women (in this book). It's startling that every doctor, politician, police officer, lawyer is male. It's the 21st century, welcome to it.
I wouldn't have noticed, but every character makes a point of disrespecting women, describing or praising them as givers of comfort and sex. It's repeated in different contexts that good women ride or blow. Lovely. If the wife or ex-wife had been fully drawn I would have given Hawley the benefit of the doubt that he'd made some literary choice I missed.
Interesting idea, but also a done idea. Could have been 50 pages shorter.
I wouldn't have noticed, but every character makes a point of disrespecting women, describing or praising them as givers of comfort and sex. It's repeated in different contexts that good women ride or blow. Lovely. If the wife or ex-wife had been fully drawn I would have given Hawley the benefit of the doubt that he'd made some literary choice I missed.
Interesting idea, but also a done idea. Could have been 50 pages shorter.
nixieknox's review against another edition
3.0
This got a starred review in PW - that sort of surprises me, but I'm not sure why. Maybe PW liked having a father wrestling with divorce-guilt issues over his first son, as opposed to the kid's mother. This had the right amount of family drama and crime plot, and I appreciated the way the father's character matured from selfish privileged doctor to a regular human being while the son spiraled down into crazy.
mandyc1977's review against another edition
5.0
Just finished.
I have all the feelings.
I'm not sure what to say.....I had a hard time putting this book down and stayed up late to finish it. I wanted answers as much as the "good father". This is the type of book that creates empathy in you, that causes you to wonder and ask questions and feel frustrated/sad/angry/heartbroken/etc.
This is a book I want to talk about with others.
I have all the feelings.
I'm not sure what to say.....I had a hard time putting this book down and stayed up late to finish it. I wanted answers as much as the "good father". This is the type of book that creates empathy in you, that causes you to wonder and ask questions and feel frustrated/sad/angry/heartbroken/etc.
This is a book I want to talk about with others.
alanyoung's review against another edition
5.0
How can one cope with the knowledge that one's child could be guilty of a horrendous crime?
The storm breaks on the peaceful life of the father who learns that his son has been arrested as the killer of a popular Presidential hopeful.
The father who, apart from the breakup of his first marriage has an ordered existence suddenly has to wrestle with the issues raised - failure as a parent. threats to his new family and the feeling that he never knew his own son.
The story is set against the gun culture of the US and the tragic pattern of mass shootings. It explores of the terrifying combination of people on the fringe of society and the ready access to weapons of death.
The book closes with final thoughts that moved me to tears.
The storm breaks on the peaceful life of the father who learns that his son has been arrested as the killer of a popular Presidential hopeful.
The father who, apart from the breakup of his first marriage has an ordered existence suddenly has to wrestle with the issues raised - failure as a parent. threats to his new family and the feeling that he never knew his own son.
The story is set against the gun culture of the US and the tragic pattern of mass shootings. It explores of the terrifying combination of people on the fringe of society and the ready access to weapons of death.
The book closes with final thoughts that moved me to tears.
huffmaneric's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
nuhafariha's review against another edition
3.0
On the one hand, the book presents a very interesting portrayal of the father's remorse. On the other hand, the book could have done more to define the son's time out West. It was frustrating in the sense that the son had no real motivation. Also it was very repetitive to the point of boredom.