What do you think?
Rate this book
Son of the Morning
The story of Nathanael Vickery who believes himself to be one of God's chosen and then loses his way.
392 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 1978
22 people are currently reading
317 people want to read
About the author
Joyce Carol Oates
854 books9,630 followersJoyce Carol Oates is an American writer. Oates published her first book in 1963, and has since published 58 novels, a number of plays and novellas, and many volumes of short stories, poetry, and nonfiction. Her novels Black Water (1992), What I Lived For (1994), and Blonde (2000), and her short story collections The Wheel of Love (1970) and Lovely, Dark, Deep: Stories (2014) were each finalists for the Pulitzer Prize. She has won many awards for her writing, including the National Book Award, for her novel Them (1969), two O. Henry Awards, the National Humanities Medal, and the Jerusalem Prize (2019).
Oates taught at Princeton University from 1978 to 2014, and is the Roger S. Berlind '52 Professor Emerita in the Humanities with the Program in Creative Writing. From 2016 to 2020, she was a visiting professor at the University of California, Berkeley, where she taught short fiction in the spring semesters. She now teaches at Rutgers University, New Brunswick.
Oates was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 2016.
Pseudonyms: Rosamond Smith and Lauren Kelly.
Oates taught at Princeton University from 1978 to 2014, and is the Roger S. Berlind '52 Professor Emerita in the Humanities with the Program in Creative Writing. From 2016 to 2020, she was a visiting professor at the University of California, Berkeley, where she taught short fiction in the spring semesters. She now teaches at Rutgers University, New Brunswick.
Oates was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 2016.
Pseudonyms: Rosamond Smith and Lauren Kelly.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 18, 2021
When I finished my Toni Morrison re-reading project, I thought I might embark on another “project” and found myself staring at several unread books by JCO I’ve acquired over the years. I have no memory of why I own this one, likely a cheap used-bookstore or library sale, because the subject matter isn’t one that would usually draw me in.
After reading Wild Nights!, I grappled with an “epiphany” of JCO’s (intentional?) Americanness; and, though this novel is from 1978, it’s more evidence. Here, for once, the blurb on the back of my copy of the work is fairly accurate: “the travail of a man who believes himself one of God’s Chosen” and “[JCO] looks into the hearts of those many Americans who today follow so avidly evangelism’s word.” Though the reader sees the inherent dangers of cultism, JCO isn’t mocking these characters. She presents a sincere, intense young boy, then man, who is shaped by his community and gripped by revelations. The novel seems a true exploration, yet its later parallels to Jesus’s story were what were most interesting to me: Were these events shaped in the narrator’s mind or did they really happen that way?
Some of the thoughts expressed by the narrator—who frequently addresses You—were repetitive and tedious, though I was pulled in by wanting to know who exactly the narrator was. Once I knew, I became interested in discovering how he got to where he was. The title is mentioned only once with this passage from Isaiah 14:12: “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! I never got the sense that the evangelist is a devil-figure, which leads to other interpretations.
After reading Wild Nights!, I grappled with an “epiphany” of JCO’s (intentional?) Americanness; and, though this novel is from 1978, it’s more evidence. Here, for once, the blurb on the back of my copy of the work is fairly accurate: “the travail of a man who believes himself one of God’s Chosen” and “[JCO] looks into the hearts of those many Americans who today follow so avidly evangelism’s word.” Though the reader sees the inherent dangers of cultism, JCO isn’t mocking these characters. She presents a sincere, intense young boy, then man, who is shaped by his community and gripped by revelations. The novel seems a true exploration, yet its later parallels to Jesus’s story were what were most interesting to me: Were these events shaped in the narrator’s mind or did they really happen that way?
Some of the thoughts expressed by the narrator—who frequently addresses You—were repetitive and tedious, though I was pulled in by wanting to know who exactly the narrator was. Once I knew, I became interested in discovering how he got to where he was. The title is mentioned only once with this passage from Isaiah 14:12: “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! I never got the sense that the evangelist is a devil-figure, which leads to other interpretations.
August 27, 2018
Joyce Carol Oates can sure write vernacular, but this book needed editing. It was just way too long, and had way too many strange side plots.
I suppose as with all shooting-star, schizophrenic, half-cocked prophet types, there's bound to be a lot of chaos and excitement without much coherence to the plot before they crash and burn. So in that way JCE achieved verisimilitude. But so much of this could have been cut out and have improved the thing on the whole, IMO.
I suppose as with all shooting-star, schizophrenic, half-cocked prophet types, there's bound to be a lot of chaos and excitement without much coherence to the plot before they crash and burn. So in that way JCE achieved verisimilitude. But so much of this could have been cut out and have improved the thing on the whole, IMO.
August 26, 2008
This is pretty much the scariest book I have ever read.
It's about a child prodigy preacher-turned radio evangelist in the sticks of upstate New York.
Read it. Hicks and religous zealots are terrifying. Pair them with the scariest literary depiction of Jesus EVER, and we have a winner.
It's about a child prodigy preacher-turned radio evangelist in the sticks of upstate New York.
Read it. Hicks and religous zealots are terrifying. Pair them with the scariest literary depiction of Jesus EVER, and we have a winner.
May 5, 2019
I have read several Joyce Carol Oates books in the past. They have all been enjoyable. But this one... I just have three words. Awful, just awful.
May 5, 2025
This is the closest I’ve been to believing in god. Or rather allowing myself to.
I am avidly anti god. I believe in something, but not him. Thaddeus resonated predictably - the intrinsic doubt woven with education, faith in the sciences, a rejection of the ease of religion. Japeth even more so. The funny note taking and consuming a sermon anthropologically, the preaching in direct contrast with your accumulated knowledge of the world, the idea of god almost laughable. And so when Japeth committed to this faith it was as if I was forced to as well. I felt it for a moment. Alarming, truly.
Within the reveal of the romantic desire between Japeth and this Christ reborn I was redeemed. I too have found religion in worshipping people I love. Letting them assuage my guilt, trusting them as though they are the only ones with the answer, the way through life, a purpose and a backbone in all that is evil in the world. Japeth finding God as Japeth simply finding desire - they are one and the same. The need to be forgiven and seen and loved by Jesus exists in parallel with the needs someone unresolved seeks in a partner. How sweet it is to be saved. What a cop out.
Religion is fascinating. The book is fascinating. Riddled with religious jargon, almost to the point of impossibility. Phenomenal insights into a world I have never known. Given the reveal of the narrator I feel I should at some point read it again. Feeling drawn to pick up another Oates book. Rumor has it they aren’t all this dense
I am avidly anti god. I believe in something, but not him. Thaddeus resonated predictably - the intrinsic doubt woven with education, faith in the sciences, a rejection of the ease of religion. Japeth even more so. The funny note taking and consuming a sermon anthropologically, the preaching in direct contrast with your accumulated knowledge of the world, the idea of god almost laughable. And so when Japeth committed to this faith it was as if I was forced to as well. I felt it for a moment. Alarming, truly.
Within the reveal of the romantic desire between Japeth and this Christ reborn I was redeemed. I too have found religion in worshipping people I love. Letting them assuage my guilt, trusting them as though they are the only ones with the answer, the way through life, a purpose and a backbone in all that is evil in the world. Japeth finding God as Japeth simply finding desire - they are one and the same. The need to be forgiven and seen and loved by Jesus exists in parallel with the needs someone unresolved seeks in a partner. How sweet it is to be saved. What a cop out.
Religion is fascinating. The book is fascinating. Riddled with religious jargon, almost to the point of impossibility. Phenomenal insights into a world I have never known. Given the reveal of the narrator I feel I should at some point read it again. Feeling drawn to pick up another Oates book. Rumor has it they aren’t all this dense
January 14, 2019
This is the third novel by Oates that I have read, and she always rewards the reader with a good story. The book is long (409 pages), and drags just a little bit at the end, but does hold your attention.
The story focuses on Nathan Vickery, a boy born out of difficult circumstances who becomes a boy preacher, and eventually turns into a cultish figure and faith healer. Nathan is seven times said to have had a vision of God, which visions inform and mold his ministry. The themes of light and sight interplay very frequently throughout the novel.
Oates sprinkles quotations from the Bible (King James Version) liberally throughout the novel. She deals with the themes of religious belief, power and its effects, emotions and the attachments that people form to religious figures, unbelief and the interplay between that and belief (Nathan's grandfather is an avowed unbeliever, while his grandmother is a believer).
The novel was first published in 1978, and Oates is interacting with Pentecostalism in particular, religious crusades, and faith healing. She has certainly done her homework; she has the rhythms and cadences of revivalist preaching down, as well as the skeptical--and sometimes jealous--reactions to it by others.
I might have rated this novel 4 stars, but I'm still not sure how I feel about it. It is an entertaining and thought provoking read, but still puzzles me a bit. Still, I recommend it.
The story focuses on Nathan Vickery, a boy born out of difficult circumstances who becomes a boy preacher, and eventually turns into a cultish figure and faith healer. Nathan is seven times said to have had a vision of God, which visions inform and mold his ministry. The themes of light and sight interplay very frequently throughout the novel.
Oates sprinkles quotations from the Bible (King James Version) liberally throughout the novel. She deals with the themes of religious belief, power and its effects, emotions and the attachments that people form to religious figures, unbelief and the interplay between that and belief (Nathan's grandfather is an avowed unbeliever, while his grandmother is a believer).
The novel was first published in 1978, and Oates is interacting with Pentecostalism in particular, religious crusades, and faith healing. She has certainly done her homework; she has the rhythms and cadences of revivalist preaching down, as well as the skeptical--and sometimes jealous--reactions to it by others.
I might have rated this novel 4 stars, but I'm still not sure how I feel about it. It is an entertaining and thought provoking read, but still puzzles me a bit. Still, I recommend it.
May 28, 2018
tung.
October 5, 2019
Interesting
October 9, 2011
I really did not like this book that follows the life of an evangelist who was identified as such as a young boy. Not sure whether the topic itself bothered me--the rigidity and potential for corruption of extreme religiousity. Could have been that I'm just not familiar enough with some of the nuances of theology to have appreciated what the author did. Whatever it was, I didn't like it---but don't go by my opinion on this one!
January 15, 2022
Perhaps 2.5 ...a really tedious read although beautiful prose. Tough to sit with for long periods of time yet I sank into the words and thoughts in small pieces. Recommend? I'm not sure. A bit of a meditation.
June 13, 2020
This book was far too large of an investment for me to not share some thoughts having completed it!
“Be ye in the world and not of it.”
Dense with symbolism and metaphor, “Son” provides a firsthand look into the mind of Christin preacher and prophet Nathaniel Vickery. It’s truly a treat to walk through the entire lifetime of this dynamic, tortured character. Oates’ prose soars through the reader’s mind like a rare bird coasting through a clear sky- themes range from collectivism vs. individualism to flesh vs. soul to civilization vs. animalism, yet find ways to tie into each other in ways that are hard for me to wrap my mind around. A frustration I had in this book was Nathaniel’s obstinate nature- while it made sense in many ways (the lord‘s will acting through him relentlessly regardless of his feelings about it) it was difficult to stand by and watch him make arguably stupid decisions in his life.
This was my first Joyce Carol Oates book. If all of the characters living in her head are constructed with this level of emotional depth then I truly marvel at her masterful creative visions. While the book could probably stand to be about 100 pages shorter, the richness of the story’s world is intensely rewarding. If you’re looking for a dense, rich, challenging read, this is definitely worthy of consideration.
“Be ye in the world and not of it.”
Dense with symbolism and metaphor, “Son” provides a firsthand look into the mind of Christin preacher and prophet Nathaniel Vickery. It’s truly a treat to walk through the entire lifetime of this dynamic, tortured character. Oates’ prose soars through the reader’s mind like a rare bird coasting through a clear sky- themes range from collectivism vs. individualism to flesh vs. soul to civilization vs. animalism, yet find ways to tie into each other in ways that are hard for me to wrap my mind around. A frustration I had in this book was Nathaniel’s obstinate nature- while it made sense in many ways (the lord‘s will acting through him relentlessly regardless of his feelings about it) it was difficult to stand by and watch him make arguably stupid decisions in his life.
This was my first Joyce Carol Oates book. If all of the characters living in her head are constructed with this level of emotional depth then I truly marvel at her masterful creative visions. While the book could probably stand to be about 100 pages shorter, the richness of the story’s world is intensely rewarding. If you’re looking for a dense, rich, challenging read, this is definitely worthy of consideration.
April 25, 2025
One of Joyce Carol Oates' talents as a writer isn't just her prolific output but her ability to channel the essence of Americana we tend to either fly over or avoid. Son of the Morning enters that fervor where religion and passion collide within a single, fated body, that of Nathaniel, who takes on the brunt of spreading the word out to other devout Christians at a time when evangelism began to utilize the current media of radio, then television, then entire baseball stadiums. What are the wages of sin if it really is in the pain and strife of existence we feel obligated to suffer for a greater calling? Nathaniel takes it to a whole new level. The more affecting part of the novel involves the crime committed against Nathaniel that led to his conception, the birth, then life of irresolute, immutable penance. The first part, probably more akin to how Christ might have come to be, outside of the divine Annunciation. Nathaniel views his life as tantamount to his savior's. In the end, brutality, as in many of Oates' work, devours.
December 29, 2021
Nathan Vickery, bastard child turned evangelical cult leader. I couldn't decide what his role was supposed to be: modern prophet? Christ figure? Maybe the point is the not-knowing. Though he receives visions of God, he's also a sort of anti-Jesus. Not antichrist, though his good(?) intentions and verse-quoting are supposedly from Him. But they're so off-base, much like many evangelical preachers, I suppose.
I can't decide if I liked this story. Normally I can't resist a plot surrounding unsettling Christian religions, but this didn't even feel like that. Nathan is presented as an otherworldly preacher, whose followers literally fall at his feet in tears, but I couldn't understand why. Nothing he preached was unusual, and I couldn't understand his rapid rise to stardom (nor the miracles he encountered—how could he be in God's favor, when his message is so off the mark?)
An engaging read regardless, even if it could use a little fine-tuning.
I can't decide if I liked this story. Normally I can't resist a plot surrounding unsettling Christian religions, but this didn't even feel like that. Nathan is presented as an otherworldly preacher, whose followers literally fall at his feet in tears, but I couldn't understand why. Nothing he preached was unusual, and I couldn't understand his rapid rise to stardom (nor the miracles he encountered—how could he be in God's favor, when his message is so off the mark?)
An engaging read regardless, even if it could use a little fine-tuning.
March 23, 2024
It's a great study of what is these days a stock character, the evangelical preacher guy.
Definitely too long and a bit random in its interludes. Especially the way it opens—I got completely confused about who the book was about. I suspect JCO doesn't operate with much of an outline, but once she's figured out what the book's about, it should only be about that.
I read somewhere that she loved working on this one and missed it when it was over, which would explain her love of passages that could have left or been trimmed down.
But, you know, every draft can be for you until it's out the door.
I do love big long baroque confrontations between diametrically opposed characters, though, and there are some very memorable ones in here. So I don't regret reading it but I won't be recommending it either!
Definitely too long and a bit random in its interludes. Especially the way it opens—I got completely confused about who the book was about. I suspect JCO doesn't operate with much of an outline, but once she's figured out what the book's about, it should only be about that.
I read somewhere that she loved working on this one and missed it when it was over, which would explain her love of passages that could have left or been trimmed down.
But, you know, every draft can be for you until it's out the door.
I do love big long baroque confrontations between diametrically opposed characters, though, and there are some very memorable ones in here. So I don't regret reading it but I won't be recommending it either!
January 12, 2022
Historien om Nathan Vickery: en pojke som blev till genom en våldtäkt. Modern är väldigt ung och fadern okänd. Nathan växer upp hos sina morföräldrar där han upplever att Jesus tar kontakt med honom. Han inser att han är kallad. Mormor stöttar honom i hans tro (till skillnad från morfar) och Nathan blir äldre och axlar rollen som predikant. En karriär som är ganska framgångsrik tills de första motgångarna kommer och tvivlet börjar gro...för att senare fortsätta med medvind igen.
Har läst andra böcker av Joyce Carol Oates och även om denna var läsvärd var det inte riktigt lika fängslande den här gången. Kan bero på att språket är lite otyglat och oredigerat, samt att historien inte vann på växlande berättarperspektiv.
Har läst andra böcker av Joyce Carol Oates och även om denna var läsvärd var det inte riktigt lika fängslande den här gången. Kan bero på att språket är lite otyglat och oredigerat, samt att historien inte vann på växlande berättarperspektiv.
January 28, 2024
Nope. Nope. Nope.
Cannot finish this. Got to p.77 ( the child has been born) but hate the style of writing so much I will not continue. The author seems to allude to stuff, adds in bits of poetry? Scripture? That I don’t understand the meaning or relevance of.
Maybe I am now a lazy reader - not willing or able to work hard to determine the meaning of the prose, to infer hidden themes.
I see the author is prolific and her reviews are generally very high scoring, so the issue most likely is me, not her work…….
Cannot finish this. Got to p.77 ( the child has been born) but hate the style of writing so much I will not continue. The author seems to allude to stuff, adds in bits of poetry? Scripture? That I don’t understand the meaning or relevance of.
Maybe I am now a lazy reader - not willing or able to work hard to determine the meaning of the prose, to infer hidden themes.
I see the author is prolific and her reviews are generally very high scoring, so the issue most likely is me, not her work…….
September 17, 2020
3.25 stars
I enjoyed the first half and the end, the middle plate seemed to drag. I really like the concept of Nathan as “the son of the morning” or the devil in the form of an evangelical preacher. Lots to talk about with this one.
I enjoyed the first half and the end, the middle plate seemed to drag. I really like the concept of Nathan as “the son of the morning” or the devil in the form of an evangelical preacher. Lots to talk about with this one.
April 17, 2018
Disturbing. She has an uncanny ability to get into the heads of the deranged without being judgmental.
March 1, 2020
I’ve always enjoyed Oates’ writing since my sister in law introduced me to her books. I found the book a tad bit long and winding but still enjoyed her writing process!!
September 19, 2020
3.5, maybe even 3.75 as I sit with it.
November 16, 2021
Beautiful soul, lost but found. Keep the spirit up !! Enjoyed every piece of words, worth reading, sonetime.
May 29, 2024
Obviously not my favorite JCO. Not interested much in books with this much religious content.
August 4, 2020
Full review here!: https://libellus.weebly.com/blog/revi...
Son of the Morning is my second Joyce Carol Oates book this year, and while I was going to give her the benefit of the doubt after disliking the first one, I have come to the realization that her novels are just not my cup of tea. SotM had a promising premise that could have brought us both interestingly twisted characters and a plot full of suspense and jump scares. Unfortunately, she only managed to deliver on the former.
Indeed, we do encounter some colourful characters, especially Nathan. Oates does a good job at making demented people seem normal, almost believable. Therefore, if you are expecting a freaky kind of twisted à la Stephen King, this is not it. Instead, the “freak” aspect comes from how normal everything seems to be. Even when there were some more shocking moments (I could count two, including the ending), it was treated banally.
The plot itself was fine, but could have done with a lot of editing. This book was over 400 pages and, as I said, only two big twists happen. Hence, by combining her approach of “normal characters” and a slow plot, it all gets boring quickly. If you are a particular fan of psychological novels with lots of self-reflection, then you may be fine with this. However, for me, it just combined to a painfully slow reading experience.
Son of the Morning is my second Joyce Carol Oates book this year, and while I was going to give her the benefit of the doubt after disliking the first one, I have come to the realization that her novels are just not my cup of tea. SotM had a promising premise that could have brought us both interestingly twisted characters and a plot full of suspense and jump scares. Unfortunately, she only managed to deliver on the former.
Indeed, we do encounter some colourful characters, especially Nathan. Oates does a good job at making demented people seem normal, almost believable. Therefore, if you are expecting a freaky kind of twisted à la Stephen King, this is not it. Instead, the “freak” aspect comes from how normal everything seems to be. Even when there were some more shocking moments (I could count two, including the ending), it was treated banally.
The plot itself was fine, but could have done with a lot of editing. This book was over 400 pages and, as I said, only two big twists happen. Hence, by combining her approach of “normal characters” and a slow plot, it all gets boring quickly. If you are a particular fan of psychological novels with lots of self-reflection, then you may be fine with this. However, for me, it just combined to a painfully slow reading experience.
June 16, 2019
I listened to the audio portion of this story; Son of the Morning. According to the bio on Wikipedia, Joyce Carol Oates was brought up in the Roman Catholic Church and is now an atheist. I came close to not finish this story because of the various misinterpreted of scripture and the way the author uses a literal interpretation to seemingly make fun of Christians through the elements of realism and the fantastic.
The protoganist, Nathan Vickery, is a isolated individual who leans towards the bizarre, surrealistic predicaments as well as incomprehensible social skills. He believes that he is the manifestation of Jesus Christ and all others are just mocking him and not a true 'seeker.'
Joyce Carol Oates as a writer has a great attention to detail in helping the reader become part of the story.
The story is filled with themes of allienation, existential anixity, guilt and absurdity. Which is the problem with the story as the reader is left wondering what else is there in this kind of metamorphosis of Nathan Vickery.
There is nothing else.
The protoganist, Nathan Vickery, is a isolated individual who leans towards the bizarre, surrealistic predicaments as well as incomprehensible social skills. He believes that he is the manifestation of Jesus Christ and all others are just mocking him and not a true 'seeker.'
Joyce Carol Oates as a writer has a great attention to detail in helping the reader become part of the story.
The story is filled with themes of allienation, existential anixity, guilt and absurdity. Which is the problem with the story as the reader is left wondering what else is there in this kind of metamorphosis of Nathan Vickery.
There is nothing else.
August 21, 2008
Creepy and intriguing. This book has all the things one has come to expect from Oates (if one is a fan): the otherworldly in the realistic, rich language, even slight goriness.
Son of the Morning is about a man by the name of Nathan Vickery, who comes into the world by unfortunate circumstances. From an early age, he is blessed by God; some go further and claim that he is the manifestation of Christ, reborn into human form. He has his demons, like all the rest of mankind, however, and confronts them one by one.
The title refers to a Biblical passage dealing with Lucifer. Take from that what you will. Oates definitely has the evangelical patter to a science. Fascinating fiction.
Son of the Morning is about a man by the name of Nathan Vickery, who comes into the world by unfortunate circumstances. From an early age, he is blessed by God; some go further and claim that he is the manifestation of Christ, reborn into human form. He has his demons, like all the rest of mankind, however, and confronts them one by one.
The title refers to a Biblical passage dealing with Lucifer. Take from that what you will. Oates definitely has the evangelical patter to a science. Fascinating fiction.
August 13, 2016
The book is composed of a few stories, describing the life and origins of Nathan Vickery, a very troubled child that goes on to to carry out and preach the word of God. At first, I thought things were a bit long-winded, and the Bible verses were disorienting, but once I adjusted to her style it became a lot more enjoyable. The book presents a fascinating picture of evangelical Christianity, visions of Christ, life in a small town, and the psychological evolution of someone warped by religion. Overall a great read if you can find a copy.
July 28, 2025
4.25/5 stars
Another interesting novel from Joyce Carol Oates. I thought the story of Nathan Vickery was really engaging and I liked that we got to see his rise to power as a leader of a church to his eventual downfall at the end of the novel. One things that I’m learning from reading Oates’s novels is that she always tackles different subjects in her novels and I thought this was a very interesting subject to tackle as far as the rise and fall of a religious leader.
Overall, I thought this was an interesting and good novel that kept me engaged throughout the story.
Another interesting novel from Joyce Carol Oates. I thought the story of Nathan Vickery was really engaging and I liked that we got to see his rise to power as a leader of a church to his eventual downfall at the end of the novel. One things that I’m learning from reading Oates’s novels is that she always tackles different subjects in her novels and I thought this was a very interesting subject to tackle as far as the rise and fall of a religious leader.
Overall, I thought this was an interesting and good novel that kept me engaged throughout the story.
July 11, 2015
Nathaniel Vickery rises to the upper echelons of becoming the evangelical leader of his church The New Seekers of Christ, only to meet a dis-satisfying end to his diligent fervor to please the Lord. Sort of an out of the ordinary book for Oates; written during her early years as a writer.
Want to read
July 10, 2011Stephen King recommended.
November 4, 2011
She is a wonderful author, weird story, but satisfying
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews