(37)The Good Father by Noah Hawley

Tuesday, March 20, 2012



The Good Father

Publication Date: March 20,2012
Pages : 320

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There are very few events in our world that makes everyone sit up and take notice.  Unfortunately tragedy is one of them, especially tragedies involving shocking shootings.  For example, the shooting in Arizona last year where Gabby Giffords was shot and so many others lost their lives.  Or the school shootings seem to happen far too frequently.  Do you ever wonder what life is like for the family of the accused shooter?  Author Noah Hawley explores that thought with his new book, The Good Father.


Dr. Paul Allen is living the good life with his second wife and two small children.  Daniel, his son from his first marriage comes and goes from their lives, but is never far from Paul's mind.  It is a day like any other when he gets the call that his son, Daniel, has shot and killed the Presidential hopeful that is beloved by the entire nation.  Paul doesn't believe it is possible and  even though his son has confessed, he sets off to find out the truth about what really happened the day.  Will he be able to save his son from the death penalty or will what Paul finds change his life forever?


The Good Father is a book that ranks right up there with We Need to Talk About Kevin and Nineteen Minutes. It is a riveting look at a Father who learns who his son really is, the hard way. The author did a fabulous job of inserting the stories of some of the most notorious killers and their families. It was fascinating to watch the "Good Father" go from shock to denial to acceptance of the fact that his son is a killer.  Honestly, Paul was a very hard character to like because of some of his thinking related to the what happened and what happens to HIS life because of the shooting. 


Bottom line, The Good Father is a wonderfully written novel that I think will become the next big Book Club book.  The subject matter is a bit tough to read, but no more than picking up the average newspaper on any given day.  Let me know what you think!
Sara Lucinda Bell said...

I am definitely interested in this book. School shootings is something that really touches me in a deep way because they hurt everyone involved. I feel horrible the families who have lost someone and the students who were lost, but also for those parents. I suppose there have certainly been some cases where the parents maybe could have seen it coming, but in a lot of instances those students are so hurt and damaged that they're hiding a lot of feelings from everyone, including their parents, and those parents are mourning the loss of a child they loved too. Very heartbreaking stuff and a big part of why I'm such a huge advocate against school bullying.

Charlotte's Web of Books said...

It was a hard book to read, yet I couldn't put it down. If that makes sense? I would be interested in hearing what you think of it when you are done reading.

Laura said...

I have definitely added this book on my reading list. I finished 19 Minutes yesterday which left extremely sad almost raw, if that makes sense.

I am new to your blog Charlotte and I haven't had the chance to go through all of your site but I wanted to thank you for taking the time to do this blog. I find it wonderfully fascinating and with me being a huge bookworm also I love hearing views from others in regards to books. Thank you!!!

Charlotte's Web of Books said...

Thank you for your kind words, Laura and welcome to my little corner of the web!

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