Fortunate Son

By: Walter Mosley

Narrated by: Lorraine Toussaint

Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

Tommy's nickname is Lucky, but no one would think this crippled boy was blessed. Cursed with health problems and drawn into trouble more often than not, Tommy is the recipient of pity rather than admiration. He is nothing like his stepbrother Eric.

Eric, a Nordic Adonis, is graced by a seemingly endless supply of good fortune, he is charming, a star athlete, and a magnet for anyone in his sphere. Yet in spite of these differences, Eric and Tommy are as close as two humans can be.

After tragedy rips their makeshift family apart, the lives of these boys split. In a powerful story of modern-day resilience and redemption, Tommy and Eric forge their separate ways in the world, each confronting the challenges of his sphere. For Tommy this means dropping out of school, selling drugs, living on the streets, and somehow creating a family of his own. Motherless, African-American, and impoverished, Tommy has nothing but feels lucky every day of his life. For Eric, the golden youth, life means athletics, sexual attraction, excellent grades, prosperity, and the uncertainty that comes with prizes won too easily. Given everything, he trusts nothing.

Eric and Tommy's parallel lives are an astonishing story of self-determination and the true measure of fortune. The ties that bind this Adonis and his sickly counterpart, however, are thicker than blood, and when circumstances reunite Eric and Tommy after years apart, their distinct approaches to life may be the only thing that can save them from forces that threaten to destroy them for good.

©2006 Walter Mosley (P)2006 Time Warner AudioBooks

Critic reviews

• Audie Award Finalist, Solo Narration - Female, 2007

"Mosley shows how a certain kind of inarticulate, carnal, involuntary affection transcends just about anything. It's not love, it's fate, and it's breathtaking." (Publishers Weekly)

Sad to the End

Wow, not the ending I was expecting. I know every story can't have a happy ending but my goodness! I was hoping for a glance of happiness. It was a fast read but if you're going through a hard or difficult patch in your life, AVOID this book for now. I'm a Walter Mosley fan. I enjoy the small details of his writing but this one has a dark & unhappy spirit.

Beautifully sad!

I really did not know what to expect with this book. It took my emotions all over the place. It was so compelling, then I almost stopped listening to it. I almost could not handle it. But I had to come back each day to know what happens.

Some of the most beautiful flowers grow in mud

This book discuses the challenges of privilege and and fortitude.
At times it is difficult to read/listen to the challenges faced by a child without human protection, but the author lets shine through the power of a higher protection for the protagonist. The lesson for the reader is how to be gracious under fire.

Excellent

There was never a dull moment throughout this book. I found myself questioning morality/right and wrong more than I expected. The narrator did a great job distinguishing between the characters.

Exceptional Writing

Love all of Walter Mosley’s books. He is a master storyteller. Looking forward to the next.

exceptional

I cried various times throughout the book for the character Tommy. The book had me breathlessly waiting for what would happen next!!!

Great story and narrator

What did you love best about Fortunate Son?

For me, a great narrator makes the experience of listening to a story more enjoyable. The narrator did an amazing job and the author does an awesome job with character development and plot. I've listened to this on cd in my car, but had to buy it so I could listen again!

another great Mosley story!

Very entertaining and lots of twists into human psyche. Love Walter Mosely books! This story is relevant to and for our times where we need to still believe that love can Trump evil...

Heartfelt

I must say I have read or listen to many of Walter Mosley books. Sometimes as an author it is hard to change your normal in step into a zone that is not yours or that has not been yours. I must say Walter wrote a lovely heartfelt story was expecting some of the things that I’ve read before in the past This book actually shows how diverse Walter is

Heart-wrenching story.

Everybody responds to death differently. Thomas was a tragic hero, but a hero nonetheless. Please read this book. You will not regret it.