'The Good Father' is Harrowing

The Good Father by Noah Hawley
Published by Knopf/DoubleDay on March 20, 2012
Genres/Lists: Fiction
Pages: 320
Read synopsis on Goodreads
Buy the book: Amazon/Audible (this post includes affiliate links)

The Good Father by Noah Hawley is the haunting tale of Dr. Paul Allen, a remarried father of young twins, who is struggling to come to grips with a single horrific act perpetrated by, Daniel, his son from his first marriage. After dropping out of college for a soul-searching life on the road, Daniel assumed a new identity and is arrested for assassinating a popular presidential candidate. Mostly narrated by Dr. Allen, there are parts that switch to Daniel’s point-of-view, giving the reader the full 3-D experience.

Reading this book was a bit of a harrowing experience. What propels the book forward is Dr. Allen’s quest to understand his son’s actions. He is desperate to prove his son’s innocence while also trying to come to terms with what he has done. Was it the divorce that changed his sweet boy into a killer? Was it the cross-country flights between parents? Was it because he had remarried and started a new family? Did he pay his son enough attention? These are the questions Dr. Allen asks himself as the rest of the world vilifies his son.

What is difficult about this book is that it personifies the killer. In light of recent events in Aurora, CO; Newtown, CT; and California, this is a difficult pill to swallow and I know that a of of people will likely put off reading The Good Father because of it. But it is a very good book and it should be read because it’s main focus is the father. We oftentimes forget that violence affects the families of the guilty, and this is one of those rare books that delves into that unexplored side of tragedy.

Side note: I don’t know if this is publishing issue or not, but the years were all listed as 20__ even though there was a reference to what year the book took place. It wasn’t detrimental to the story, but it bugged me!

Mel
It’s always good to know the other side of the story. In every murder there are more than one victim: the person that was murdered and the families of both the latter and the murderer. It is so easy to be angry and sometimes judge – I watched a documentary on murder crimes in SA. Every week is based on a different murder and it gives you alot of perspective when you see how much the murderer’s family suffers too. Especially the Donovan Moodley/Leigh Matthews case – not sure if you know about that one. I cried for both Leigh’s family and for Donovan’s mother. Heartbreaking…
- The Book Wheel
  I’m not familiar with that case but I know the types of shows that you are referring to. The ‘other’ family is often forgotten and this book does a good job of reminding the reader of that.
Rebecca @ Love at First Book
I’m glad that there are books telling another side to the story. I often think about Casey Anthony’s parents and wonder how they really are dealing with the situation (especially with a verdict I disagree with). For the majority of situations, hearing more than one side is really interesting and eye-opening. Jodi Picoult usually does that with her fiction.
Even though it sounds like a tougher read, you’re right in the way that, even in the wake of all of this tragedy, we can’t forget that the families of the shooters are in turmoil as well.
- The Book Wheel
  Exactly. I wonder if the author knows someone (or knows someone who knows someone….) who was the parent of a perpetrator because he did such a good job. Or, at least I’m assuming he did a good job, because I haven’t been in that situation.
Sherrey Meyer
What a chilling tale written in the midst of so many tragedies in our country! However, a good writer knows how to bring those emotions and nuances to the page, and it seems you have brought us not only a good writer but a good read despite its story line. Thanks!
- The Book Wheel
  I agree. I was hesitant because the storyline could have been horribly insensitive or over the top, but he did a great job balancing it all!

Related Posts