The Father: America Leaves the American Century

The Father #1

by Brett Alan Williams

What is the fate of America and each of us as individuals? The Father: America Leaves the American Century addresses this vital question through four generations of the Whitaker family and their witness to the evolution of modernity. Amongst modesty of private lives in 1926 rural America, John Whitaker is born to a conflation of events, signifying paths crossed by this world with another. Conflicts in John's family express widening chasms between changing views, from belonging to autonomy, religious belief to skepticism, self-sacrifice to self-indulgence. Eventually, John has a son of his own; Morgan. Morgan arrives in a materialistic world of public lives, captivated by potentials for fame during America's ascendancy. Morgan also absorbs social movements against authority to wage combat with his father John as America abandons reason to become ever more dogmatic. Realizing battles with his father were impersonations of contemporary fashion, history will not be rectified as John is dead. Since Morgan cannot correct the past, he sets out to fix the future in a fistfight with society. Failing to change the world, Morgan spends his last dollar on an adventure to the Yucatan, where fate provides a woman, commencing the love story of his life. Morgan tries to inoculate their son against the ills of humanity with the wonders of nature, but Morgan's son finds hope in the human race. Convinced he's found redemption for civilization, Morgan's son takes his message to a greater audience than his father, navigating a second Axial Age, fiercely attacked by Morgan on a global stage during The Great Upheaval of 2057.

This edition is a 2019 revision of The Father published in 2014.

Genres: Fiction

317 pages, Paperback

First published March 28, 2014

About the author

I left my career in applied research and engineering to pursue writing, painting, and hiking with my dogs (with permission from the cats). The Father: America Leaves the American Century is my debut novel, and 2014 Global eBook Award winner in New Adult Fiction. The Worst of Things: America in the 21st Century is the second in this series. For me, writing is not about the usual measures of success; it’s about the message expressed through literary fiction. I am passionate about the defense of reason in our age of ever-growing unreason, realizing that reason also has limits. The Father Trilogy treats the evolution of the human condition in concert with that of modernity. Back-and-forth interactions of individuals and their movements (social, technological, religious) with the larger society and where these lead are of keen interest to me. Of keen interest because these interactions determine the trajectory of civilizations. What were inspirational ideals of founding generations also bare seeds of demise in maturity. The outcomes of human populations are not rocket science – humans are much more difficult to predict. The Father Trilogy strives to delineate this future, and the project has been a great source of motivation to study a wide range of ideas on the subject and where we all fit in. My blog can be found on Goodreads, Medium, and TheFatherTrilogy.com.

Reviews

[Briar's Reviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Father by Brett Williams is a unique take on a generational story.

I did not enjoy this book as much as I hoped to. The book was written in a tone that just didn't fit with me personally, but it is a great book. The story follows a family through the generation, with each section building on each other. I found the first section of this book to be incredibly hard to read, and I felt very bored. I put this book down many times because I just couldn't get into it. There were sentence fragments all over (it didn't help that I was editting my English paper during the week I was reading this book), and it just didn't connect with me. The second and third sections of this book were a lot easier to read for me, but I worried that I was just going to give up on the book in the first section when I couldn't connect.

The second half of the book is where all of my interest picked up. If there was anything I could recommend for this book, it's for Brett to capture our attention early in the novel so readers don't put the book down. I understand the first bit of the novel was needed to introduce a lot of the back story, but this could have been woven in throughout the story.

The story does look at a lot of themes and issues throughout the over one hundred year span. I really loved how descriptive and interesting the topics and thoughts were throughout the novel. Those comments are often lacking in novels nowadays, so seeing some sensitive topics touched upon was a nice change.

The "unevenness" for this book is the reason why my score is lower. I easily got bored and confused as I read the novel, and when I pulled myself away from it for a couple days it was just as hard to get back into it. I hope the next novel in this series keeps the faster pace and is more exciting, because I think Brett Williams is a good writer! This series definitely deserves some love!

Overall, this book was not for me. The style and tone didn't match with my reading style, but it was still a great book that is probably someone else's favourite novel!!!

Two out of five stars.

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

[Elizabeth Carson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this review I want to touch on two issues “The Father” raised for me, good and bad: my emotional response to “the story,” and to “the message.” With an interest in the psychological aspects of spirituality I was intrigued by, and suspicious of this work, right from the provocative book cover. Opening with hard times experienced by the Whitaker farm family in 1920’s Midwest America, salted just a little with some kind of mystical event, piqued my interest. Each chapter connects to the last with anticipation and a question of some kind, mostly what’s going to happen next? Pace in the story matches the times, slower and more simple in the past, picking up in stride until the love story between Morgan and Ne Shole heats up and a massive earthquake separates them. At this point I was breathless, anxious for the world to be set right.

There are a few chapters that get rather heavy with intellectual dialogue, and I was almost always absorbed by them. However, on occasion I had to reread several pages of an argument. While I wished the author had found a more laconic expression, the extra effort was an Ah Ha moment for me, and useful for later debates when ideas clicked together. I felt strong empathy for both the protagonist and antagonist. By the end I was sad, frightened for what I see in the world around me as an imitation of this tale, and encouraged to feel there’s a better way. For me, “the story” was a success. I liked the way this author eased through early history, jumped into action in the present, and wrecked our world with a glimmer of hope in the end. (Remember this is volume 1 of a trilogy.)

Now for “the message.” There are two, in keeping with storylines. For the America question this book is a slap in the face to both political sides, so no matter where you stand you’re mad (clearly intended). For the second, that of “salvation,” this book is going to make some people very angry. Consider what one character does to accepted religion. Only careful readers will see it. But when they do (and I mean “believers”) there’s going to be some really hot tempers. I’m so far unable to tell for sure what position the author holds on the question of “religion proper” because counter arguments are so even. (Spirituality is another matter. Clearly the author seeks an embrace of it, with accompanying empathy for all living things.) But this ambiguity will not quiet the outrage when it’s recognized that one of the characters nudges religion in a new, “progressive” direction. What he says is not accepted scriptural teaching. The kicker is, he’s the religious believer, not the attacker. The atheist-antagonist is easier to dismiss (sometimes not), but the believer is the stealth change agent. Oh boy... This book could see a flood of poor ratings.

I purchased my copy at a local arts festival.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book but, in the opening chapters, I felt sure I was heading for disappointment and a long dull haul.
It was only when I reached the half way point that it all seemed to come together and the earlier sections revealled themselves as the foundations of a clever, though provoking work which left me considering my role in the world for the first time in ages.
This is a warning of our own demise, it is real and it is potent.

I received my copy free via Goodreads giveaways.

[Anita Sosinka · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

Uneven, that’s how I essentially feel about the book.
It’s heavy in reading, for me it did not flow at all. I struggled to finish it but I am glad I did, as the last hundred or so pages turned out to be the best. I would give it 4 stars for the span of ideas covered on barely 317 pages and only 1.5 for too much covered on only 317 pages. In other words high rate for the amazing concept standing behind the text and low rate for the execution. For me the problem was that it is a novel. I love novels, yet this one somehow falls apart. It has really brilliant spots, whole sections even but they simply don’t go together. I would rather see it as a selection of short stories or essays on condition of a modern economy, politics and society, as parts where author discusses these problems are, in my opinion, quite catching. The book is well researched, author do not avalanche a reader with facts but uses them to set believable background and, often, as a topic of dialogues.
And here comes another strong point – some dialogues are pretty good - real, natural, fast paced, infused with traces characteristic for time, region and character. But then again some are simply tiresome. Overdone, is my impression.
Almost each of 31 chapters pulls us right in the middle of a scene. Narration is minimal and settings are not always sufficiently outlined, mind that plot covers 131 years, so there is a lot of jumping in time, and space. For that reasons I found myself often confused as to where we are, what year it is, what is happening and who are the dramatis personae. Especially in two first parts the characters around the leading figures of aging father and growing son are changing from scene to scene, almost all of them never to return again, so before we got to know them, before we even figure out fully who they are and what role they play, they vanish.
I find the book uneven because each time when I was already put off and at the point of giving up reading it I was coming across a fragment that made me say: wow! And then again, when my spirit picked up and I hoped that now it will really turn to be good, came part where I just couldn’t get through, I had to skip a paragraph or a few, although I don’t often do that, I am a scrupulous reader.
Yet I have to admit that The Father has something to it, the sparkle that promises that next books of this author might be much more successful, because there is a talent, of that I’m sure.

[Brett Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, I've just read my own book 5 years after I gave birth to it. No matter how much effort, blood, sweat and tears, parents say they never know how their children will turn out. When I delivered this child after many years of labor, I was quite certain it was flawless, bound for something remarkable. Not long after publication, reviews started to roll in. Some liked it, some didn't, but one comment was fairly persistent: it reads choppy.

WHAT? I was indignant. I read that book nineteen times (yes, 19) in the 6 months before first light, so when I went back to see what these reviewers saw, I found nothing but writing as smooth as a newborn-book's behind. And why wouldn't I? I could have read that book aloud in my sleep at that time. Now, 5 years on, I went back to read it in full, certifying volume 2 of the trilogy conformed with volume 1. After the first chapter I slumped in my chair and said out loud, "Dang, that's choppy."

Fortunately, at 5 years of age, my book was old enough to attend the latest academy of home schooling (with more writing experience) to get a revision. While none of the ideas, events, or arguments have changed, countless edges are in the process of a stern buff and polish, like punctuation, paragraph breaks, some sentence structure, and word choice here and there. The Father remains a political philippic against the Old Postmodernist Left and the New KGB Right, with the descent of America as witnessed over generations of the Whitaker family, and sure to irritate both dogmas, but it will be easier on the eyes. Hopefully this child will soon be on the straight and narrow. Say, by August. I just don't know what I'm going to do if this little guy runs afoul of Letter Law one more time. And at such a young age. You never know how they’ll turn out.

[Tony Hands · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through First Reads giveaway.

This is a good first novel. I hope lots of people read this. The author bravely raises lots of issues covering american society and behaviour. In truth, one has to read the book carefully. The style and language often mean that sections need to be re-read to clarify. The language is stilted. I recomend the reader perseveres, because there is lots of interesting things to mull over here.

It helps us non-americans get to grips with the American mind.

[Serge · Rating 1 out of 5]

(Free copy received from Goodreads.com and the author.) This was a strange experience; the author uses a deliberately chaotic and fragmented narrative structure. He also doesn't seem to get to the real heart of the story until about 50 pages from the end. I didn't care for the writing and the structure, and didn't care about the story, even though some of the subjects are of great interest to me.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow. I loved this novel. Boys always seem to need their Fathers approval and end up with the same concerns of life. Well pick up this novel and read every word. You may find that you can empathize with sons. Excellently written. Easy to follow through the generations. Loved the ending!! Should have seen it coming.

[Jeanette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to win this book earlier this year in the Goodreads First Reads Giveaway. This is the second attempt to read this book and unlike previously, I did manage to get to the end. I can see that this book would appeal to some, especially those who are interested in American history.

[Gillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and learnt a lot from it.
It gave me an insight into a world of American history that was both interesting and amazing.

[Jan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got this as a free win from a Goodreads contest. I struggled with a lot of it. The first 10% was fascinating, a look into the past with down home values. The last 10% was interesting with a glimpse in fear of where we could be heading as a society. The rest was a manifesto that tried to be Ayn Rand without there storyline.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good reads free giveaway

This was a bit of a hard read. It follows a family through the times of America and covers subjects from religion, politics and more.
The pace seems to follow that if the time period being written about but is a bit clunky and hard to get into at first.
As the pace increases the depth of the conversations do to and sometimes pages have to be read and reread to get the depth that is there.
Overall I loved the book and an looking forward to reading the rest of the trilogy.
I rated it as only 4 stars because it was a bit clunky in parts and probably needs a little bit more editing for spelling and gramatical fixes but otherwise a very solid read with a lot of unbiased controversy.

[Steven Ridgely · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unique read

[Charissa Wilkinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book as a part of the Goodreads First Reads program, for the purpose of a fair review.

Mr. Williams held a good idea for a story here. Unfortunately his telling of the story didn’t live up to it’s potential.

The first problem I ran across was the dialect. Much of which I didn’t understand. The pacing itself was another problem. The sentences were written in such a way to leave you wondering why the story is trying to run when nothing is happening.

The idea of seeing America through the eyes of the Whitaker family was a great idea. I wish the novel came out just as great. With more work, this could be an interesting read.

[Spencer Broadley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was lucky to win a copy through goodreads.com - I don't go into the plot in my reviews - this is easily available elsewhere.

This was not my sort of book, but I was happy to give it a chance. I found that there was too much dialogue and a bit "holyer than thou" attitude. Maybe this will appeal to some people, but not me I'm afraid.

I have to mark this down for those reasons - but don't let this put you off - I am sure there are many people who would enjoy the book - I will say it is well written, but just not my "cup of tea".

[B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won a copy of this one in a Goodreads Giveaway. I really wanted to like it more than I did. It's an interesting take on a generational story, but honestly, this one's real easy to put down. The choppy sentences really highlight the discontinuity in the story, and the continual dropping of articles from sentences was highly annoying. That said, at the halfway point, it really started to come together, and while it's a great story, because of how it's written it's not a series that I'll continue from this point on.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Father: America Leaves the American Century (The Father Trilogy, #1)" by Brett Alan Williams.

This story, which spanned from 1926 to 2057, is about four generations of the Whitaker family, and the evolution of what is current in each generation. From farming to wars to materialism and the sexual revolution forward into the future.

This was a tough read for me. Parts were engaging. Other parts were"way over my head" in philosophy. It took me much longer to read than most books. It was well written.

I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.

[Lindsey Bluff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was sent to me as a Goodreads first read. I found it very hard going to start with and struggled to get into the story. About halfway through though I started to really enjoy it and was pleased that I had carried on. This is a very thought provoking book and is written really well, some parts I did have to go back and re-read just to make sure I fully understood what I had read. All in all a very good book which I would recommend.

[Chris · Rating 1 out of 5]

l was really looking forward to reading this book which l won through Goodreads Firstreads but l really struggled.

l kept going back to it hoping my mindset had improved but unfortunately each time it became harder and harder to get back into it. l'm afraid this is one of the few books l will never enjoy or reccommend.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won the second book in this series and the author kindly sent this 1st book.
Not the most uplifting of books in fact seems purposely written to antagonize all political sides in the US system. Not that I disagree with everything but it is just arguments that lead to no answers. A bit too much Rand here for me.

[Elizabeth Hesseltine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a free copy through Goodreads First Reads giveaway. There was no flow of words or of thoughts. It was had to determine what was a dream and what was reality. This could have been very thought provoking but it didn't capture my attention.

[Maggies Daisy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look into a mid west family trying to make ends meet in the early forties to just into the future. We follow a family that works hard to make a living in a inhospitable environment. I enjoyed the story and recommend it to anyone interested in a America's history like myself.

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book son helps father become what he thought he would try to be when he was young