Evening Book Club
April 2016
The Good Father, Noah Hawley
“What made him ditch his comfortable life and embrace an act
of barbarity? I have read the reports. I have watched the footage, but the
answer continues to elude me. More than anything I want to know. I am his
father, you see. He is my son.” Dr. Paul Allen, chief of rheumatology at
Columbia Presbyterian.
Readers expressed different opinions about the characters
and their motives. Some were more sympathetic to the doctor and his quest to
understand how his son Daniel could have assassinated a leading political
candidate. Most were expecting a conspiracy to explain the crime. Others were
not sure that Doctor Allen was a good father and that he did the best he could
to care for Daniel after divorce. Others said children can suffer through the
worst life circumstances and still come out fine. Children in the same family
can often grow up completely opposite of each other. Readers generally agreed
that Daniel was driven to kill the senator. Whatever was in his mind and
whatever triggers set him off was bound to happen no matter what in his life
influenced him. He was an angry young man.
Readers were not very interested in the political aspects of
the book. They felt that there was already enough information about people who
attempted and succeeded to assassinate other political figures. The
explanations got in the way of the story. The main interest was Dan’s family
and the people he met along the way to the conclusion of the story. In the end
there was no rational explanation for Dan and his actions. Dan may have known
but he did not reveal it to anyone, except to say that he was the shadow son
and should have died in a childhood accident. It was left for the family, acquaintances
and survivors to come to closure and deal with it in their own way in their own
time.
Conversation was centered on what ifs and how alternative
outcomes could have been influenced. In the end it was decided that the story
went in the direction that was preordained. Other conclusions would not have
fit.
The evening’s discussion concluded with a question about the
author’s intention in writing the story. Did the author write it with a book
club selection in mind? All agreed that this is an important book and a
difficult one to read, but were glad that they were able to finish it. The
discussion continued after the readers left the group. Readers will still talk
about as time goes on.
Have you read The Good Father? What did you think? Please
share your thoughts in comments.
