Century's Son

by Robert Boswell

Book Overview

Century's Son is a piercing and visionary novel that explores the surprisingly diverse lives of one midwestern American family. In the years following the suicide of their teenaged son, husband and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0375412379
• ISBN13: 9780375412370
• Release Date: April 2002
• Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
• Length: 307 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.6" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

books usually aren't this entertaining

this book was absolutely amazing. the emotions, themes, ideas, etc., throughout the book are incredible. i've never been so entertained by a novel. i highly suggest this to anyone who likes to laugh, cry, and read.

Amazing that this book doesn't get more attention

Century's Son was a truly rewarding read. if you enjoy rich characterization, then you will enjoy Boswell's writing. Few authors are able to create such textured characters with as much feeling and depth as Boswell does here. If anything, the only character that did not strike me as particularly real or original is Peter Kamenev, who is slightly stereotyped as the precocious, over-sexed, hyperbolic old man. Nevertheless, Kamenev if extremely enjoyable as a character as well.The only reason why people may not like this book is that there were no earth-shattering developments in the plot. Nothing truly happened to resolve the lingering tension in the book. But to me, that's precisely the point. The richness of the characters is not drowned out by a schmaltzy plot device. Every character is allowed to develop and reveal his faults at their own pace. They develop organically. You know that you've found a satisfying read when your chief complaint is that the book is too short!

Great Book

I really enjoyed this book. It was a pleasure reading fiction that developed the characters as Boswell did. This book really kept my attention in ways I wish many others did.

Another brilliant work

Peter Kamenev is one of the best characters I've seen in years. He's charmingly rude, a mercilessly opportunistic and engaging raconteur--ubiquitous like Zelig, but as whole and flawed as anyone you'll find in Tolstoy. Boswell's characters are one of his great strengths and throughout this book I was struck again and again by how wonderful it is to find such a gloriously flawed cast. Reading Century's Son reminds you of how it is to fall in love--you feel the vulnerable thrill of being unmasked because the relationships portrayed in these pages are as complex and convincing as those you've experienced for yourself. A deeply satisfying and humane novel that I recommend to anyone.

Great new novel from a writer who only gets better!

Boswell's new novel is, in short, the product of an experienced and risk-taking novelist working to the fullest extent of his talents. His usual abilities are on display -- heartbreaking characters, keen obervations, crisp and stirring prose -- yet every aspect has been upped a notch. CENTURY'S SON manages to capture the varied rhythms of life at this particular collision of time and place and shape them into a work of towering literary merit. I have read no better novel this year, and don't expect to read one as good for a very long time.