The Son

By: Philipp Meyer

Narrated by: Will Patton, Kate Mulgrew, Scott Shepherd, Clifton Collins Jr.

Length: 17 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Finalist, Literary Fiction, 2014

Soon to be a TV Series on AMC starring Pierce Brosnan and co-written by Philipp Meyer.

The critically acclaimed, New York Times bestselling epic, a saga of land, blood, and power that follows the rise of one unforgettable Texas family from the Comanche raids of the 1800s to the oil booms of the 20th century.

Part epic of Texas, part classic coming-of-age story, part unflinching examination of the bloody price of power, The Son is a gripping and utterly transporting novel that maps the legacy of violence in the American west with rare emotional acuity, even as it presents an intimate portrait of one family across two centuries.

Eli McCullough is just twelve-years-old when a marauding band of Comanche storm his Texas homestead and brutally murder his mother and sister, taking him as a captive. Despite their torture and cruelty, Eli—against all odds—adapts to life with the Comanche, learning their ways, their language, taking on a new name, finding a place as the adopted son of the chief of the band, and fighting their wars against not only other Indians, but white men, too-complicating his sense of loyalty, his promised vengeance, and his very understanding of self. But when disease, starvation, and westward expansion finally decimate the Comanche, Eli is left alone in a world in which he belongs nowhere, neither white nor Indian, civilized or fully wild.

Deftly interweaving Eli's story with those of his son, Peter, and his great-granddaughter, JA, The Son deftly explores the legacy of Eli's ruthlessness, his drive to power, and his life-long status as an outsider, even as the McCullough family rises to become one of the richest in Texas, a ranching-and-oil dynasty of unsurpassed wealth and privilege.

Harrowing, panoramic, and deeply evocative, The Son is a fully realized masterwork in the greatest tradition of the American canon-an unforgettable novel that combines the narrative prowess of Larry McMurtry with the knife edge sharpness of Cormac McCarthy.

©2013 Philipp Meyer (P)2013 HarperCollinsPublishers

The blood that ran through history

First, I need to thank (@Melinda) for recommending this novel. I read American Rust a couple years ago and loved it, but might have missed this nearly perfect novel if I hadn't stumbled onto Melinda's fantastic review and been gently prodded by her into reading it.

There are certain rare novels that brilliantly capture the art, heart, and action of both American fiction and history. 'The Son' is one of those historical novels that can absolutely propel the reader. Its narrative strength, however, is equaled by its artistry and its multi-generational, multi-narrative, epic arc. 'The Son' captures the tension between land and people; the contest between people and people; the struggle between fathers and sons. 'The Son,' is the history of Texas and the West told through three generations of Texans: Eli McCullough (born 1836: the year Texas became a Republic/thesis), his son Peter (born 1870/antithesis) and Peter's granddaughter Jeanne Anne (born 1926/synthesis).

This is a novel that is a pure descendant of Melville, Faulkner, Cather and McCarthy. These authors set the stage that allowed Meyer to carve an epic novel out of the rich soil of the Earth and to shoot another Western myth into the the innumerable stars in the sky.

I'm usually not a fan of multiple narrators for a book, but 'The Son' was well served by four strong narrators (lead by Will Patton).

I really can't recommend this book enough. One of my favorite books/novels/audiobooks of the last several years. Seriously, if you have one credit left in your cache, I would recommend using it RIGHT now to buy rights to this novel. You won't regret it, but your children may--eventually.

You must read this book ! 10 stars!

Where does The Son rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the only books I reccomend to every new listener ! Top 10 !

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Son?

When Will Patton is finally accepted into the Comanche tribe as a warrior . At first it was the menial womens tasks he was assigned to.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

So , so much . Will Patton is such a wonderful narrator , as always expresses every emotion passionately. Kate Mullgrew was the supreme choice for the mcCullough's daughter. She would have to be a certain type of gruff and tough woman. Since I'm not really sure of the other 2 narrators, they did well. One of the guys though, third generation was annoying with his wimpy whiner voice .

Who was the most memorable character of The Son and why?

Mr. Mc Culloughs the most interesting of the character, the Patriarch. His experiences are so diverse and interesting. And also very unpredictable. I really am disappointed by predictable stories.

Any additional comments?

Just that everyone I have recommended this book to has given me positive feedback . Most books I get excited about no one comments to me. It's a big roller coaster . Laugh alot, cry alot.

1/3 Great, 2/3 Okay

Is there anything you would change about this book?

This book was told from the perspective of three people. At any given time, one of the story lines was fascinating. The other two were dull and I couldn't wait to get back to the one that was worth my time.

Captivating-Just Finished and Want to Start Again

What made the experience of listening to The Son the most enjoyable?

First Will Patton can do no wrong. I love everything he narrates, and he was the perfect voice for Eli. I've listened to many Audible books and have been amazed how one voice can create so many textures giving life to characters in the book. However, this book was enhanced by having 4 distinct voices for the main characters. I now have a personal relationship with each one.

I love the history, how much life and attitudes changed within 150 years. I love the depth of relationship I was able to build with the characters. I loved the ending, and was able to see the moral to the story without being hit over the head with "and the Moral to the Story is ___________." Facts were laid out for you to see and feel and discover inside yourself. Not preaching and dogma. Not political agendas.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Son?

I found it moving that Eli spent three years with the Indians, but developed a lifetime love of his Indian family and their values. He thought himself an orphan from his natural family, and when it came time to return to white civilization, he was torn. I felt his pain.

There are things to be learned from all cultures. No enemy is all bad, and if you find yourself living on the other side of the fence, they are no longer the enemy.

I'm from Texas and proud of it. Our rich history is full of people with bigger than life personas. This book easily could have been about real people in Texas.

Which scene was your favorite?

During the first half of the book you are instantly drawn in thinking, "okay, this will be good entertainment." During the second half of the book, the pieces to the story that you hadn't even realized were missing, suddenly open, revealing not just an entertaining story, but a GREAT one.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I loved all the performances. At first I thought Peter's voice was rather exaggeratedly pathetic. It sounded like he was greatly depressed. It took a bit of getting used to. However, that's who Peter was. He was depressed. Sad. Whiny. Not saying he didn't have a reason to feel that way, or that he didn't have anything to say.

At first, when I realized Jeanie was being narrated by Kate Mulgrew, I wondered how I was going to accept her voice as truly Texan. I'd just finished listening to NOS4R2 with Kate Mulgrew. Really enjoyed it, but that character definitely had no southern influence. Happily, I was not disappointed. It took very little time to adapt my ear to Kate reading as Jeanie McCullough.

Any additional comments?

Texas history buff or not, this is a MUST READ!

Interesting...

What made the experience of listening to The Son the most enjoyable?

I truly enjoyed the historic aspect of the story....a little hard to follow from time to time, but enjoyable.

For me a DUD

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I found the characters unpleasant, mean, and definitely not people that I wanted to spend time with. I spent about 25 chapters with them and then thought I'm not enjoying this at all. I don't care what happens to any of them and have no desire to continue listening to find out.

What could Philipp Meyer have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Have characters with some redeeming qualities. Some hopeful, or inspirational events. Characters that one could identify with and actually admire and like. Not all of them but at least something positive going on that would keep one interested and want to know what is going to happen next. I did find it hard to believe that 1851 Comanches said 'okay'

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

They did a good job but could not, for me, overcome the material.

Could you see The Son being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Possibly

Perfect Book & Performance

What did you love best about The Son?

I listen to audio books when I run so it's important that they're engaging and can keep you hooked throughout and The Son delivered big time. The performance was wonderful-- I actually think I probably would prefer this book in audio form over hardback, and the story was excellent as well. I would highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

Captivating story

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Excellent narration and story line. Land, oil, wealth do not buy happiness in any life. This story was Well done.

Such an addictive listen. Great characters.

This is a very addictive listen. The characters are great and I love how the story is told from each song perspective with is naturally different considering each role

A Tall Tale Well Told

Wonderfully well-written novel spanning several generations. Beautiful patchwork of characters and their stories. Both characters and their story are extremely well-developed, and their stories flow smoothly separately, and blend together so nicely. Will Patton is a master at voicings and characterizations. He brings this book to life. Run-time is just shy of 18-hours, but you’ll be so entranced with the characters and the stories that the time just slips away. Book was made into a television series (check Hulu) and it doesn’t matter which one you take in first. A rare case when the movie is as good as the book, and vice-versa.