The Good Son: A Novel Audiobook

" Excellent book; complex characters; fascinating situations. I think of Gruber as writing "anthropological thrillers" and this one is no exception with a learned and erudite examination of the nature of religious violence and the cultural clash between East and West. As it typical of Gruber, there are lots of situations essentially set up so the characters can have those great conversations about Big and Meaningful Things. I've read all of Gruber's adult books now and would only rank this below "Tropic of Night" and "Forgery of Venus." Highly recommended. "

" "A richly layered tale...the absorbing history of modern jihadism and teh U.S. war on terrorism...". I thought this was going to be a light read but it turned out to be quite interesting - characters, plot, history. "

" I couldn't finish it. Maybe I 'll come back to it one day, I think it was just that I wasn't in a patient mood. I've enjoyed his other books much more. "

" Didn't finish: too unbelievable "

" Starts off a bit slow but picks up the pace around page 200 or so. A few surprises as well. "

" Excellent! I see they've made this into a movie... "

" I love every one of Gruber's books. I think he can write in any genre, and never disappoints!! This is one of the most engrossing books I've read thus far this summer season. "

" A great read by someone whom I had never read before. "

" VERY disappointed with the ending "

" A facinating, well written political thriller. Unexpected twists. Well painted story. "

" I am loving this book and cannot put it down. Set in Pakistan and Afghanistan, it's a great insight into the muslim and sufi cultures -- with the backdrop of the CIA, hostages, taliban, etc. Nick and Jan...you'd love it. "

" Twenty-five pages in I knew everything that was going to happen. Skipped to the end. I was right. "

" well written book about a pakistan/american man, his mother and the differences between the cultures "

" Definitely a book of ideas. Not every author can successfully weave different stories successfully with the past and present, but Dr. Gruber does. "

" Liked it, didn't love it. An interesting fictional look into our entanglements in the Middle East. Gruber writes beautifully, which makes up for the fact that his thrillers just aren't that thrilling. If you haven't read him before, stick with The Book of Air and Shadows. "

" SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!Terrible writing, maybe military freaks would like it. "

" This book was great. I learned more about the terroist mindset in this book than all the news articles I've ever read about the Middle East. And, all wraped up in a slick Clanceyish story. Glad I didn't let the lame title turn me off. "

" After a slow start, this is a very intelligent, psychological thriller "

" Sort of like The Kite Runner, but with more beheadings and less redemption. "

" I do not usually read thrillers but man this one had me really in its grips. My body was in Hanoi but my mind was in Peshwar... "

" Interesting story with intriguing characters. I am still thinking about it a week later! "

" Very different from other Gruber novels I've read. A thrilling story that, in a very matter-of-fact way, brings the reader into the world of Pakistani hill fighters. Really great. "

" I listened to the audio book. Great reader. I learned a lot, even though it is fiction. I would read other books by Gruber, although I understand from others' posts that this book is atypical. "

" I do not usually read thrillers but man this one had me really in its grips. My body was in Hanoi but my mind was in Peshwar... "

" 2.5 stars - got a little slow at times "

" Incredible insight into the war in Afghanistan and Islam. "

" I've read several books about the Pakistan/Afghanistan region, some nonfiction/memoirs and some fiction. I really enjoyed this story and got into it. It's fascinating to learn more about this region where we are embroiled in conflict. "

" Liked it, didn't love it. An interesting fictional look into our entanglements in the Middle East. Gruber writes beautifully, which makes up for the fact that his thrillers just aren't that thrilling. If you haven't read him before, stick with The Book of Air and Shadows. "

" Gruber writes on a wide range of topics with knowledge and insight. While ficitonal, this book gave me a better feeling for the tribal loyalties in Pakistan and Afghanistan than anything else I have read. "

" Ahhh, don't know. A well constructed plot, but the characters remain shallow and hard to believe. The main character - not the son, but the mother - is left strangely unlikeable. I did like, however, that the author basically subtly portrays religiousness as a mental (dis)order. "

" A bit implausible still it's a fast action spy story set in today's Pakistan and environs. I think it would make a very entertaining movie. "