The Third Son A Novel
The Third Son by Julie Wu, published by Algonquin Books on April 30, 2013, is a novel that unfolds against the backdrop of Japanese-occupied Taiwan. The story follows Saburo, the least-favored son of a Taiwanese politician, as he navigates the challenges of his tumultuous environment. During a harrowing air raid, he encounters Yoshiko, a girl whose loving family stands in stark contrast to his own life. This pivotal meeting shapes Saburo’s journey as he strives to reconnect with her amidst family rivalries and personal aspirations.
Readers will find a rich narrative that explores themes of family dynamics, love, and ambition. Saburo’s determination to pursue education and his first love leads him to unexpected paths, including a connection to America’s space program. The novel is characterized by its vivid historical detail and offers insights into the complexities of coming of age during a time of conflict. With 320 pages, this edition presents a compelling story that resonates with those interested in fiction that delves into Asian American experiences and personal sagas.
Official synopsis Publisher
“Clear your schedule! The Third Son is your next obsessive read. Julie Wu’s book reads like an instant classic.” —Lydia Netzer, author of Shine Shine Shine
In the middle of a terrifying air raid in Japanese-occupied Taiwan, Saburo, the least-favored son of a Taiwanese politician, runs through a forest for cover. It’s there he stumbles on Yoshiko, whose descriptions of her loving family are to Saburo like a glimpse of paradise. Meeting her is a moment he will remember forever, and for years he will try to find her again. When he finally does, she is by the side of his oldest brother and greatest rival.
In Saburo, author Julie Wu has created an extraordinary character, determined to fight for everything he needs and wants, from food to education to his first love. The Third Son is a sparkling and moving story about a young boy with his head in the clouds who, against all odds, finds himself on the frontier of America’s space program.
“An appealing coming-of-age story packed with vivid historical detail.” —The Christian Science Monitor
“A boy growing up in Japanese-occupied Taiwan in the 1940s will do anything to escape his tormenting family and reconnect with his first love in this compelling work of fiction.” —O: The Oprah Magazine
“Deceptively simple, deeply compelling . . . An unusually awful sibling rivalry, a stunningly pure and inspiring love story.” —The Boston Globe
“Wu presents an alluring story that hits all the right emotional buttons and maintains readers’ empathy from the first page to the last.” —Kirkus Reviews
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