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The Son Paperback – August 20, 2014

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 15,818 ratings

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SONNY’S ON THE RUN

Sonny is a model prisoner. He listens to the confessions of other inmates, and absolves them of their sins.

HE’S BEEN LIED TO HIS WHOLE LIFE

But then one prisoner’s confession changes everything. He knows something about Sonny’s disgraced father.

SONNY WANTS REVENGE

He needs to break out of prison and make those responsible pay for their crimes.

WHATEVER THE COST
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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover comes a novel that explores life after tragedy and the enduring spirit of love. | Learn more

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Random House (August 20, 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 490 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1846557402
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1846557408
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.44 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.02 x 1.34 x 9.21 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 15,818 ratings

About the author

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Jo Nesbo
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Jo Nesbo is one of the world’s bestselling crime writers, with The Leopard, Phantom, Police, The Son and his latest Harry Hole novel, The Thirst, all topping the Sunday Times bestseller charts. He's an international number one bestseller and his books are published in 50 languages, selling over 33 million copies around the world.

Before becoming a crime writer, Nesbo played football for Norway’s premier league team Molde, but his dream of playing professionally for Spurs was dashed when he tore ligaments in his knee at the age of eighteen. After three years military service he attended business school and formed the band Di derre ('Them There'). They topped the charts in Norway, but Nesbo continued working as a financial analyst, crunching numbers during the day and gigging at night. When commissioned by a publisher to write a memoir about life on the road with his band, he instead came up with the plot for his first Harry Hole crime novel, The Bat.

Sign up to the Jo Nesbo newsletter for all the latest news: jonesbo.com/newsletter

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
15,818 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and hard to put down. They appreciate the intriguing plot with nice twists and well-developed characters. The writing is praised as articulate and well-crafted, reminiscent of Stieg Larsson's style. Readers describe the story as fast-paced and entertaining, keeping their interest throughout. Overall, customers consider it a classic Nesbo novel that keeps them hooked until the end.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

661 customers mention "Readability"632 positive29 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it engaging with great plotting and characters. The story is enjoyable, compelling, and worth revisiting. Readers describe the book as satisfying and inspiring.

"...one of my new favorite authors, and more importantly, a story worth reading all over again." Read more

"...and his writing style is what keeps you reading, then this novel is a good bet...." Read more

"...In reality, that's the theme of this excellent book by Nesbo - and while it might be predictable and unrealistic at times, I'd still highly..." Read more

"...I haven’t read a lot of Jo Nesbo, but I think this must be one of his best books." Read more

602 customers mention "Plot twists"550 positive52 negative

Customers enjoy the plot twists and character development in the book. They find the story compelling, intriguing, and enjoyable. The narrative works on multiple levels and keeps readers hooked until the end. Readers praise the well-written, fast-paced writing style and the author's innate goodness throughout the story.

"...Sonny Lofthus is immediately relate-able even though I'd wager that the majority of readers aren't current or former heroin addicts, and the way he..." Read more

"...outside in almost super-hero fashion - but nonetheless it is a compelling story of a son trying to avenge his father's death...." Read more

"...everything upside down and throughout the entire book, this constant feeling of tension. Another winner for Nesbo! And, even a happy ending." Read more

"...Actually, it is the supporting characters that are well drawn, interesting and worth knowing. This book feels underwritten and rushed." Read more

240 customers mention "Character development"221 positive19 negative

Customers enjoy the character development and plot. They find the characters well-portrayed and appreciate the son's insight into others' weaknesses.

"Sonny is a sympathetic character, imprisoned and willingly takes the rap for various crimes/murders he did not commit in exchange for a steady..." Read more

"...Actually, it is the supporting characters that are well drawn, interesting and worth knowing. This book feels underwritten and rushed." Read more

"An amazing book with great characters! Exciting, fast paced, well written. Jo Nesbo is outstanding! Read it and you will be glad. Enjoy!" Read more

"...He has an instinct for the weaknesses of others and how most to hurt them...." Read more

185 customers mention "Writing quality"173 positive12 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book. They find it articulate, fascinating, and well-translated. The tone and writing style are reminiscent of Stieg Larsson, making it an engaging read. Readers appreciate the author's skill in crafting his craft without formulaic repetition.

"...The novel hits all the right points, nails the tone perfectly, and brings in a few big twists along the way that shake the story up without..." Read more

"An amazing book with great characters! Exciting, fast paced, well written. Jo Nesbo is outstanding! Read it and you will be glad. Enjoy!" Read more

"...writers don't: an amazing and subtle ability to reproduce his craft time and again without formulaic repetition...." Read more

"...vision and intelligence shine in "The Son"--through his nuanced characterizations and beautifully constructed narrative...." Read more

85 customers mention "Pace"68 positive17 negative

Customers enjoy the book's brisk pace, with action sequences and memorable characters. They find it entertaining and well-written, describing it as a blockbuster film with a clever twist at the end.

"An amazing book with great characters! Exciting, fast paced, well written. Jo Nesbo is outstanding! Read it and you will be glad. Enjoy!" Read more

"...Nesbo’s strong suit is plot development and he unfolds the story in a steady and excellent fashion...." Read more

"...Throughout, Nesbo remains a master of pacing and close observation...." Read more

"...Fast paced, though provoking and extremely well written. I didn't even mind some of the street names that I could not for the life of me pronounce...." Read more

71 customers mention "Interest"68 positive3 negative

Customers find the book engaging and entertaining. They say the plot holds their interest throughout. Readers appreciate the interweaving of events and activities that take them away from daily news.

"...way of showing you what's inside their head that serves as entertaining social commentary...." Read more

"...Although perpetually stoned, he’s a better listener than the chaplain. Inmates go to him to confess their sins and be forgiven...." Read more

"...An entertaining, intricate, and thoughtful work. Big time recommendation." Read more

"...The interweaving of events, the layering of unrelated activities and persons into this fabric is genius...." Read more

38 customers mention "Nesbo quality"33 positive5 negative

Customers enjoy the book's quality. They find it interesting, suspenseful, and emotional. The plot keeps readers guessing with a twist. Readers praise the author's creativity and light touch.

"...Exciting, fast paced, well written. Jo Nesbo is outstanding! Read it and you will be glad. Enjoy!" Read more

"...Nesbo is so creative, with such a light touch that found myself swept forward with no lingering doubts, simply submerged in the beauty of his writing..." Read more

"I've read every Harry Hole novel so this is a good Jo Nesbo fix. If you enjoy his style of writing you have to read it...." Read more

"...This book is so good I couldn't put it down. Jo Nesbo is remarkable, and The Son increases my esteem...." Read more

35 customers mention "Author"35 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the author's skill and ability to create unpredictable stories. They find him talented and interesting, praising that he doesn't play cheap tricks. The book is described as a stand-alone novel without any of the author's usual characters.

"...I was grateful and happy that the author doesn't play cheap tricks trying to deceive you as how the story is going to end...." Read more

"...This is a stand-alone novel, although the way it ended it feels as if it a sequel will follow!" Read more

"...Jo Nesbo has become quite the accomplished author and I felt that this book had terrific character development, intriguing plot and "can't put..." Read more

"...Jo Nesbo is such a talented and interesting writer that he transcends genre, giving the reader classic modern literature...." Read more

"The Son" is well deserving of your attention...
5 out of 5 stars
"The Son" is well deserving of your attention...
Taking the fall for crimes he didn't commit, The Son appears content serving time in prison in exchange for a steady supply of "Superboy" and the opportunity to absolve his fellow in-mates of their sins. Until one prison confession changes Sonny's world. Now he's out for vengeance."The Son" is the first of Jo Nesbo's books that I have read that isn't a "Harry Hole" story. It does however take part in the same town and a number of references to organizations and characters from the Harry Hole series are made throughout this book. While you certainly wont need to have read any "Harry Hole" to understand or enjoy this story, you may appreciate these subtle, and not so subtle references if you are already familiar with "Harry". I thoroughly enjoyed this story and it's characters and while Nebso doesn't appear to have plans of continuing it beyond a single book, I would have enjoyed to see this story continue on as a parallel series to "Hole". Whether you're already a fan of Jo Nesbo's literary work or just getting started, "The Son" is a solid piece in itself and I strongly recommend giving it a read. I would have preferred to rate this book 4.5 stars but the option doesn't exist (yet) and I don't feel it deserved a full 5 star rating, so 4 stars it is.The Son
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2015
    The Son was my first introduction to the works of Jo Nesbo, and while his fame was born out of his novels featuring Harry Hole, novels which I will now surely be moving on to, this standalone story was a wonderful read. Sonny Lofthus is immediately relate-able even though I'd wager that the majority of readers aren't current or former heroin addicts, and the way he seems to balance his own internal innocence and humanity while on a warpath of vengeance is engaging and keeps him ever the protagonist in your mind. And a warpath it is. Sonny's hunt turns into a Seven-esque string of murders, each killing a punishment fitting the crime. It's said in the novel that when the local papers report about Sonny's killings, they cheer him on for cleaning up Oslo's garbage characters, and I can't say I'd argue that. Sonny spends the majority of the novel killing people we'd all want dead anyway, and in a suitable fashion. And when he's not Batman-ing it up, he's saving kids from bullies, junkies from debt collectors, and teaching young women how to feel again. He's really got the whole package.

    Jo Nesbo writes wonderfully, painting a picture that is at times as grim as it is uplifting. This is truly a story of redemption and atonement, but also of revenge and rage. The two sides of the coin that is Sonny Lofthus is a motif that Nesbo applies to his other characters as well. From inspector Simon Kefas, the grizzled veteran willing to lose anything to give his wife her eyesight again, to Arild Franck, the prison warden who despises criminals yet has no shortage of skeletons in his own closet, to a seemingly innocent victim with a terribly sordid past, and right up to the main antagonist himself. Everyone in this story has a second side, and Nesbo happily expounds upon them, reminding us all of our own darker side.

    The Son was a heart-pounding read, and by the end of the novel I was practically out of my chair cheering for Sonny to succeed. The novel hits all the right points, nails the tone perfectly, and brings in a few big twists along the way that shake the story up without derailing it completely. I purchased The Son on a hunch that it would be a good read on a ten hour train ride. Little did I know it would introduce me to one of my new favorite authors, and more importantly, a story worth reading all over again.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2015
    As others have noted, the broad strokes of the story are completely ridiculous. The ending is also a little unbelievable. I enjoyed the novel despite those things, though. I don't read Nesbø for his broad strokes. I read Nesbø for his style of storytelling. I like how he introduces characters. He has a way of showing you what's inside their head that serves as entertaining social commentary. I also like how he weaves the details of the storyline together. Always well thought out and well executed.

    If you've read other works by Nesboø and his writing style is what keeps you reading, then this novel is a good bet. If, on the other hand, you're fascinated by the personality of Harry Hole, or you like the grungy atmosphere of the Harry Hole series (this novel has grunge, but it's counterbalanced by the unrealistic purity of the protagonist), you might want to skip this one.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2014
    It's not a Harry Hole novel but there's no mistaken the author is Jo Nesbo. The Norwegian tourism industry probably cringes every time Nesbo releases a new book because the Oslo we read about in THE SON is every bit as dark, corrupt, drug-riddled, crime-ridden, violent and sinister as the one where Hole himself is from.

    Simon Kefas, the chief inspector in THE SON, is also reminiscent of Hole. Kefas fights a constant battle against addictions (gambling), corrupt city officials, moles in the police ranks, and he prefers to do his own thing when chasing after criminals.

    Sonny Lofthus is "the son" who lost his way in life after his father committed suicide and was revealed to have been a corrupt police officer working for "the Twin," Oslo's legendary crime overlord. Sonny willingly went to prison for other people's crimes in exchange for a steady supply of heroin so he could stay high and escape his past - but when Sonny finds out that his father's "suicide" was really murder then he escapes from prison and begins a quest to find and punish everyone responsible for his father's death and for the crimes that Sonny himself was serving time for.

    You have to stretch your imagination a bit to believe that a junkie imprisoned for twelve years could in the course of a few days plan a dramatic escape from Norway's most secure prison - much less do all the dramatic things he does on the outside in almost super-hero fashion - but nonetheless it is a compelling story of a son trying to avenge his father's death.

    Nesbo succeeds in THE SON in much the same way as he does in so many of the Harry Hole novels - by putting his characters in complex moral situations where they must make hard choices, and where we as readers are forced to root for someone to succeed in doing things that are otherwise horrific.

    The high point of the book is the interaction between Simon and Sonny - because Simon had at one time been Sonny's father's best friend. There's a great exchange where Nesbo writes "the only guarantee you have in life is that you're going to die ..." Then later it's Simon who tells Sonny that, "a son's responsibility isn't to be like his father, but to be better than him." In reality, that's the theme of this excellent book by Nesbo - and while it might be predictable and unrealistic at times, I'd still highly recommend it.
    9 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Cliente Amazon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Muy bueno
    Reviewed in Spain on December 19, 2021
    El producto llegó a tiempo y en perfecto estado. Relación calidad-precio espectacular.
  • K_men
    5.0 out of 5 stars Strong characters and engaging narrative
    Reviewed in India on February 13, 2019
    I shelved this book for a long time before I picked it up. As I moved through the narration in the first few pages, the characters started becoming stronger and the narration pretty tight. I loved the characters and the shades of grey. I most liked the way the author played with the point of view all through the story. The writing is amazing and some places really awed me with usage of perfect words and metaphors. This is a very different story telling for me and I loved experiencing it. Recommended read.
  • Raingirl
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping
    Reviewed in France on May 3, 2019
    I enjoyed the novel from the first lines till the very end, which I read at work as could not wait to get home to find out of the outcome of the story. Go for it, it's a masterpiece.
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars An Awesome Read.
    Reviewed in Australia on July 26, 2024
    " The Son", by Jo Nesbo was an awesome read.
    A lovely long read, that I so love.
    The storyline was so good, and held your attention from beginning to end with some surprises along the way.
    All characters were well placed, and there were quite a few.
    This book I didn't get to reading until now, but it made me think how wonderful it would be, made into a movie or series. If only that had/ or would happen. It would be fantastic.
    A Highly Recommended Read. Frances
  • Jodi Chapters
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Son is a thrill ride of a read!
    Reviewed in Canada on July 11, 2014
    “Many authors know how to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Jo Nesbo’s one of the few who keeps them there.” -Linwood Barclay

    I couldn’t agree more with Linwood Barclay, a celebrated writer in his own right, when he says the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. Nesbo has proven a master with his Harry Hole series and once again with his latest stand alone novel The Son.

    I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’m a die-hard fan of Jo Nesbo and I’ve read probably every book, with the exception of his children’s titles. I waited months to get my hands on THE SON and once I opened the cover and read “And he will come again to judge the living and the dead” I knew I was in for a thrill ride.

    Sonny “The Son” Loftus has spent the last twelve years of his relatively young life in prison for murder. With a strong addiction to heroin which is supplied to him in a constant flow for taking the fall for crimes he didn’t commit. Fellow prisoners find him a confessor to their secrets and his rumored laying of hands. When one such man confesses to Sonny, he learns a long hidden secret surrounding his father. Seeking revenge he escapes prison to find and serve his own brand of justice to the men responsible.

    The series of gruesome murders that follow his escape have the authorities and cops on the take on a manhunt; one to bring Sonny to justice, and one to silence him. Thrown into the mix is an unexpected and touching love story and a touch of championing the downtrodden.

    Nesbo’s plot line is bang on. There is not a single lull or plot hole in the book. The action is fast and the scenarios often graphic and not for the faint of heart. Sonny, the main protagonist, will without a double have readers struggling knowing they should be rooting for him to get caught, but inevitably hoping he will fulfill his vendetta and make a clean getaway. The supporting cast are equally well written causing readers to have emotional reactions to each, some favorable some not so much.

    My final thought is this. The Son is a thrill ride of a read that will have you struggling to put it down for fear of missing any action. Trust me, this is the read you absolutely need to take on vacation.