Fortunate Son: A Novel
by Walter Mosley
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 261)
Read in December, 2007
I finished "Little Yellow Dog" and immediately started another Mosley book, and another one after that, to the extent that tells you something. After finishing "Fortunate Son," I cast about for any book by any other author, to the extent that tells you something.
"Fortunate Son" is at once quintessential Mosley and at the same time a big departure for him. It's essentially a fairy tale of America, and the magical realism is a new toy for him (one he seems to en...more
"Fortunate Son" is at once quintessential Mosley and at the same time a big departure for him. It's essentially a fairy tale of America, and the magical realism is a new toy for him (one he seems to en...more
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Read in January, 2007
Think of a combination between an allegory and a thought experiment: What would happen if a poor black boy spent the first six years of his life with a rich white boy, before he went back to the ghetto? What would happen to them then? And what if the white boy was a blessed, golden child, seemingly fated to succeed in every situation, where another must also fail, sometimes drastically? And if the black boy was sickly but strong inside, with a direct connection to the supernatural? Would they ev...more
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Read in December, 2007
This was a toughie to read. Tommy, a young African-American boy, and Eric, a young white boy, are raised as brothers...then traumatically separated when Tommy's mother dies and his real family comes to claim him. Mosley skims fairly quickly over the boys' resulting lives--drug-dealing and crime for the sensitive Tommy, college, girlfriends, and an All-American charmed path for the heartless Eric. The story picks back up when the young men reunite and try to make sense of their intertwined his...more
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Read in June, 2007
recommends it for:
adults
I listen to more than read books. I heard this on on CD.
I love Walter Mosley's writing. The Algy in me (my mom) struggles with the explicit sex. This book is no exception in regard to sex. However, Fortunate Son goes down a different path from his Easy Rawlins mysteries. The NY Times evidently found the characters "stereotypical." In some ways, it's true. But I think there is much more to the book than the stereotypes, which certainly are on the surface. Where else would stereotype...more
I love Walter Mosley's writing. The Algy in me (my mom) struggles with the explicit sex. This book is no exception in regard to sex. However, Fortunate Son goes down a different path from his Easy Rawlins mysteries. The NY Times evidently found the characters "stereotypical." In some ways, it's true. But I think there is much more to the book than the stereotypes, which certainly are on the surface. Where else would stereotype...more
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Read in February, 2008
I read this book in two or three days, which, for me, is a good sign, that I'm invested enough to read it that quickly. It was a wonderfully spun story, although a bit overly tragic and therefore hard to believe at times. given that the author concedes it's a parable of sorts, though, I suppose you can look at the hyperbole as intentional. In that case, the only problem I have is with the ending. it's very hard for a novel's ending to satisfy me. this one didn't dissappoint in any specific way, ...more
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Read in June, 2008
Eric is the child of a doctor, possessing Nordic good looks. He is twelve pounds and healthy at his birth. His mother dies in child birth. Thomas is a black child with serious complications at birth. His father abandoned his mother when he finds out she is pregnant. Thomas is in the hospital for six months where his mother and and Eric's father fall in love. Although they never marry, the raise the two boys together as a family, as brothers. The boys are inseperable. When the two boys ar...more
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Read in January, 2008
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Read in January, 2008
recommends it for:
Those that have and Those that have not!
A modern and provocative twist of Pudd'n Head Wilson, Mosley created a novel that makes you reflect inward and realize how fortunate you are. After reading this novel I had to think which male was the fortunate son? I know to live is to be fortunate with each day another chance to improve your life. No this is not a Mosley mystery it is more so a novel that deals with the realism at hand. Two sides of life, one privileged and the other taken away from privilege now becomes a victim of the system...more
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Read in January, 2007
I read this book while feeling sorry for myself (I had a wicked cold), which turned out well because one of the main characters in the book is homeless and lives a life way worse than mine. I realized from this book that life is what you make it. The book also highlights how race and circumstance dictate our behaviors and attitudes.
Overall, it was a quick and enjoyable read. I felt the story was gripping, but sometimes overly sentimental, which is my only criticism.
Overall, it was a quick and enjoyable read. I felt the story was gripping, but sometimes overly sentimental, which is my only criticism.
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Read in November, 2007
recommended to Breanna P. by:
Haley Trecommends it for: anyone
The book that I read was "Fortunate son". This book was one of the best books that I have ever read. If you like sad books you would probably like this one. One of the best things about this book is the excitement never ends.
This book is about two brothers that separated at birth and reunited when they got older and tommy was the unfortunate one and he did not have any money!
This book is about two brothers that separated at birth and reunited when they got older and tommy was the unfortunate one and he did not have any money!
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Read in October, 2007
Uh, I had higher hopes for this book, very disappointing. I mean, the story was decent and I liked the characters, but the way it was written was so cliched I was dyin. So literal, as if someone was writing for the first time and didn't know the phrases he was using were old as the hills and just as tired. Of course, I've never written a novel, so I can't slam it too hard...
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Read in July, 2008
3.5 stars: This was one of those books that didn't have a ton of plot but just took you through life in the eyes of a boy who was not as fortunate as most of us to have all the amenities of life such as a house to live in, loving parents and an education. I was interested to see how things would end up for him when all was said and done.
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Read in January, 2008
I read 200 pages the first night I had it. So far I feel like some of the prose is clunky and awkward and some dimensions of the story lines are unrealistic, but despite all that, I got totally sucked in and can't wait to finish. How did Mosley do that? I am completely intrigued by Tommy and Eric's lives.
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Read in March, 2008
This book is very very depressing and graphic at some points. It is the first book that I have read by this author. He writes mostly mysteries and I thought that his attempt at this book was successful. It made me wonder and take a look at my own life and appreciate what I have.
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Read in November, 2006
All of Mosley's books are worth it. While most are mysteries, they all have issues of race woven in. This one is maybe the most explicit. It's like a fairy tale, about boys who become brothers - one white, one black, and what befalls them through their lives.
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Read in October, 2007
Good storytelling. I couldn't put the book down. Some twists and turns are unbelievable, but I think it's best to just suspend one's disbelief and let this story play out. It's a story of two brothers... one black, one white, rich and poor.
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Read in September, 2007
recommends it for:
brothers
This story brought so many emotions to the table for me. It is a great story of two brothers who are polar opposites, yet are each others saving grace. It is a tragic story of selfless sacrifice and the corruption of innocence.
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Read in October, 2007
A family that is not traditional, doses of dysfunction, racism, privilege and a story line that kept me interested from the beginning to the end. A little predictable, great character development and well worth the read.
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Read in January, 2006
I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANY WHO LIKES HAPPY ENDING. THIS BOOK SHOW YOU HOW ONE BROTHER CAN HAVE THE WORLD AND THE OTHER SUFFER THE WORST POSSIBLE THINGS IN THE WORLD AND STILL KEPT A POSSIVE LOOK ON LIFE.
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Read in November, 2006
I listened to Fortunate Son on audio and was captivated. Found myself driving blocks out of my way to finish chapters! First Walter Mosley I've been exposed to, but looking forward to more.
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