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Jack Reacher #15.5
Second Son
In this new short story from #1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Child, available exclusively as an eBook, a young Jack Reacher knows how to finish a fight so it stays finished. He knows how to get the job done so it stays done. And, in one of his earliest challenges, he knows that his analytical brain is just as important as his impressive brawn.
Okinawa, 1974. Even at thirteen, Jack Reacher knows how to outwit and overpower anyone who stands in his way. And as the new kid in town, that’s pretty much everyone. His family has come to the Pacific with his father, who’s preparing for a top-secret Marine Corps operation. After receiving a rude welcome from the local military brats, Reacher and his older brother, Joe, intend to teach them a lesson they won’t forget. But it’s soon clear that there’s more at stake than pride. When his family’s future appears to come crumbling down, it’s the youngest Reacher who rises to the occasion with all the decisive cunning and bravura that will one day be his deadly trademark.
Okinawa, 1974. Even at thirteen, Jack Reacher knows how to outwit and overpower anyone who stands in his way. And as the new kid in town, that’s pretty much everyone. His family has come to the Pacific with his father, who’s preparing for a top-secret Marine Corps operation. After receiving a rude welcome from the local military brats, Reacher and his older brother, Joe, intend to teach them a lesson they won’t forget. But it’s soon clear that there’s more at stake than pride. When his family’s future appears to come crumbling down, it’s the youngest Reacher who rises to the occasion with all the decisive cunning and bravura that will one day be his deadly trademark.
40 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 15, 2011
1168 people are currently reading
28665 people want to read
About the author
Lee Child
442 books34.4k followersLee Child was born October 29th, 1954 in Coventry, England, but spent his formative years in the nearby city of Birmingham. By coincidence he won a scholarship to the same high school that JRR Tolkien had attended. He went to law school in Sheffield, England, and after part-time work in the theater he joined Granada Television in Manchester for what turned out to be an eighteen-year career as a presentation director during British TV's "golden age." During his tenure his company made Brideshead Revisited, The Jewel in the Crown, Prime Suspect, and Cracker. But he was fired in 1995 at the age of 40 as a result of corporate restructuring. Always a voracious reader, he decided to see an opportunity where others might have seen a crisis and bought six dollars' worth of paper and pencils and sat down to write a book, Killing Floor, the first in the Jack Reacher series.
Killing Floor was an immediate success and launched the series which has grown in sales and impact with every new installment. The first Jack Reacher movie, based on the novel One Shot and starring Tom Cruise and Rosamund Pike, was released in December 2012.
Lee has three homes—an apartment in Manhattan, a country house in the south of France, and whatever airplane cabin he happens to be in while traveling between the two. In the US he drives a supercharged Jaguar, which was built in Jaguar's Browns Lane plant, thirty yards from the hospital in which he was born.
Lee spends his spare time reading, listening to music, and watching the Yankees, Aston Villa, or Marseilles soccer. He is married with a grown-up daughter. He is tall and slim, despite an appalling diet and a refusal to exercise.
Killing Floor was an immediate success and launched the series which has grown in sales and impact with every new installment. The first Jack Reacher movie, based on the novel One Shot and starring Tom Cruise and Rosamund Pike, was released in December 2012.
Lee has three homes—an apartment in Manhattan, a country house in the south of France, and whatever airplane cabin he happens to be in while traveling between the two. In the US he drives a supercharged Jaguar, which was built in Jaguar's Browns Lane plant, thirty yards from the hospital in which he was born.
Lee spends his spare time reading, listening to music, and watching the Yankees, Aston Villa, or Marseilles soccer. He is married with a grown-up daughter. He is tall and slim, despite an appalling diet and a refusal to exercise.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,220 reviews
July 3, 2012
I'm going to add the same review for all of the Reacher series, so if you've read this one, you've read 'em all. If you feel a certain affinity for the lone hero, a man of principle, of unwavering knowledge and assent as to his own actions, than Jack Reacher's your kinda guy.
Lee Child has created an unforgettable and unique character in his creation of Jack Reacher. Jack seems to implicitly understand that he is a unique animal/human running around on this planet and that in spite of social conventions, cultural trappings, and whatever conventions and abstractions we allow into our mind in order to alleviate this core fact of our singularity (and aloneness)...the truth of it is not something Mr. Reacher denies.
He embraces it. Understands his philosophy implicitly, revels in his physical being,his conventions and values. He defends those he loves, those he does allow into his world, with a loyalty bar none while never letting go of the notion that he is alone and being perfectly comfortable with that.
I read one, and within two months read all 15 books with an appetite that couldn't get enough.
Enough said,
HR
Lee Child has created an unforgettable and unique character in his creation of Jack Reacher. Jack seems to implicitly understand that he is a unique animal/human running around on this planet and that in spite of social conventions, cultural trappings, and whatever conventions and abstractions we allow into our mind in order to alleviate this core fact of our singularity (and aloneness)...the truth of it is not something Mr. Reacher denies.
He embraces it. Understands his philosophy implicitly, revels in his physical being,his conventions and values. He defends those he loves, those he does allow into his world, with a loyalty bar none while never letting go of the notion that he is alone and being perfectly comfortable with that.
I read one, and within two months read all 15 books with an appetite that couldn't get enough.
Enough said,
HR
December 18, 2024
A look back to when Reacher was 13 and finds himself with two mysteries to solve while also embroiled in a challenge from the neighborhood bully. Predictable but immensely enjoyable.
June 8, 2018
A short story with a much better effort of Reacher as a 13-year-old teen inflicting his own brand of schooling. 8 of 10 stars.
April 27, 2023
Book 15.5 in the Jack Reacher series, and I really don't understand the value of these slotted in short stories.
I love Jack. He's a solid five-star read in the full-length novels, but these short stories have no point, and neither do they add to the back story.
In this one, we meet Jack as a fifteen-year-old living with his mum, dad, and brother in Japan.
Jack didn't read fifteen to me. At times, he felt super childish, and others an adult.
Did Lee Child actually write these as they seem very amateur.
Two stars
I love Jack. He's a solid five-star read in the full-length novels, but these short stories have no point, and neither do they add to the back story.
In this one, we meet Jack as a fifteen-year-old living with his mum, dad, and brother in Japan.
Jack didn't read fifteen to me. At times, he felt super childish, and others an adult.
Did Lee Child actually write these as they seem very amateur.
Two stars
March 5, 2013
A very interesting peek at the life of young (13 years old) Jack Reacher.
Reacher admits to a military-base bully that he's probably a psychopath, and he's probably right — but as Elliott Leyton, author of Hunting Humans: The Rise of the Modern Multiple Murderer, tells us, the majority of psychopaths aren't Hannibal Lecter. As with any psychological diagnosis, there must be a range of psychopathy, from those who are merely empathically challenged to those who have no empathy at all. Young Jack Reacher exhibits many of the signs of psychopathy, but he does care for his family. Can he empathize with them? Perhaps not, but he fakes it well.
Another Canadian Elliott, Elliott Barker, says of The Partial Psychopath: "For about half a century, we have known one unfailing recipe for creating psychopaths -- move a child through a dozen foster homes in the first three years." I wonder if it even requires foster families: could moving a child as frequently between military bases, even with a loving but emotionally stunted mother, have some of the same effect.
This story shows that, even at 13, Reacher was dividing the world into Us & Them, and consequences to "Them" were never important, while he would protect "Us" (his family) at all costs. For the rest of his life, the attitude clearly never changes, though his definition of family does.
Reacher admits to a military-base bully that he's probably a psychopath, and he's probably right — but as Elliott Leyton, author of Hunting Humans: The Rise of the Modern Multiple Murderer, tells us, the majority of psychopaths aren't Hannibal Lecter. As with any psychological diagnosis, there must be a range of psychopathy, from those who are merely empathically challenged to those who have no empathy at all. Young Jack Reacher exhibits many of the signs of psychopathy, but he does care for his family. Can he empathize with them? Perhaps not, but he fakes it well.
Another Canadian Elliott, Elliott Barker, says of The Partial Psychopath: "For about half a century, we have known one unfailing recipe for creating psychopaths -- move a child through a dozen foster homes in the first three years." I wonder if it even requires foster families: could moving a child as frequently between military bases, even with a loving but emotionally stunted mother, have some of the same effect.
This story shows that, even at 13, Reacher was dividing the world into Us & Them, and consequences to "Them" were never important, while he would protect "Us" (his family) at all costs. For the rest of his life, the attitude clearly never changes, though his definition of family does.
June 14, 2020
A Jack Reacher short story published 2011
Journey back in time to see what Jack was like as a teenager. There is the size, the self confidence and the ever present never say die attitude.
Jack might be the second son but he is never second when it comes to standing up for the little people in his life.
On display here is, not only, Jack’s physical skills but also his deductive skills.
Jack’s dad is in a lot of trouble, he has lost a top secret document and if it can’t be found, and soon, all hell will break loose. Jack the sleuth to the rescue.
A good little story and worth 4 stars.
Journey back in time to see what Jack was like as a teenager. There is the size, the self confidence and the ever present never say die attitude.
Jack might be the second son but he is never second when it comes to standing up for the little people in his life.
On display here is, not only, Jack’s physical skills but also his deductive skills.
Jack’s dad is in a lot of trouble, he has lost a top secret document and if it can’t be found, and soon, all hell will break loose. Jack the sleuth to the rescue.
A good little story and worth 4 stars.
October 21, 2018
A nice quick read that delves into Reachers past.
With 13 year old Jack currently on an army base in the South Pacific. Alongside he’s brother Joe, the pair need to prepare for a test.
It’s an enjoyable little story that could easily be expanded to a full novel, the story was well structured but the skills that Jack already possesses at 13 was slightly unrealistic.
With 13 year old Jack currently on an army base in the South Pacific. Alongside he’s brother Joe, the pair need to prepare for a test.
It’s an enjoyable little story that could easily be expanded to a full novel, the story was well structured but the skills that Jack already possesses at 13 was slightly unrealistic.
October 22, 2014
More of a 2.5, if you can swallow a 13 year old acting like an adult & being smarter than all of them. If you can't, avoid this.
It's a glimpse at Reacher (Not Jack, even among the rest of his family. Yeah, swallow hard.) when he was younger solving problems. I have to say that I liked the way he handled the bully, although he sure leaps to conclusions & is always right. Too much, but kind of fun.
This was short, took maybe 30 minutes to listen to, competently read. I know my edition for this review is wrong. There are no audio versions available & my library's site is down now so I can't create a new one.
It's a glimpse at Reacher (Not Jack, even among the rest of his family. Yeah, swallow hard.) when he was younger solving problems. I have to say that I liked the way he handled the bully, although he sure leaps to conclusions & is always right. Too much, but kind of fun.
This was short, took maybe 30 minutes to listen to, competently read. I know my edition for this review is wrong. There are no audio versions available & my library's site is down now so I can't create a new one.
June 4, 2017
This is the story of Jack Reacher as a 13 year old. This could worked as introduction of Jack Reacher, his early years, his motivation but story barely offers any insights.
As a standalone story, it is too short to make any major impact and the detective skills (for a 13 yr old) are a bit unbelievable. Overall, you won't really miss anything if you skip this one and move directly to the main series.
As a standalone story, it is too short to make any major impact and the detective skills (for a 13 yr old) are a bit unbelievable. Overall, you won't really miss anything if you skip this one and move directly to the main series.
November 18, 2018
I do love the Reacher character in Lee Child's books.
And since this story starts off in his childhood I was hoping to learn how he ended up being called Reacher, no first name. But I did not. It was still a very good story unfailingly keeping my interest.
And since this story starts off in his childhood I was hoping to learn how he ended up being called Reacher, no first name. But I did not. It was still a very good story unfailingly keeping my interest.
December 12, 2022
"War is not about dying for your country. It’s about making the other guy die for his."
February 10, 2017
First read April 24, 2012.
A short story prequel, 0.1 (and 15.5 publication-wise), in the Jack Reacher thriller series. This story takes place when Jack is 13 in 1974, and the family has just been posted to Okinawa.
My Take
This sets us up for Jack's math and deductive abilities…even as a kid, that boy was bright!
I do like how Child describes the difference between Joe and Reacher. Joe has no trigger, he's all brains and into theory; he's likely to end up in military intelligence. Reacher, well, Reacher is "permanently jammed wide open on full auto", an unstoppable force of nature with his "get-the-job-done" mentality.
The wrong note in this is that a major and two Warrant Officers are willing to take this kid's word about the missing test answers and the code book. And they're willing to bargain with him!
Still, it was sweet! It makes me want to read more about Jack Reacher!
The Story
It's not "Jack". Not really. Everyone simply calls him "Reacher". His parents. His brother. It's Stan and Josephine. Joe and Reacher.
A new posting. A new batch of kids to impress. And now their new school expects Joe and Reacher to take placement tests?! Ehh, Reacher doesn't care. He'll do the minimum to get by. It's Joe who's worried about how well he'll do. It's that fear that gets played.
Captain Reacher has his own worries when he gets handed a top secret mission…and loses the code book.
It's Reacher who puts all the clues together — and makes us wonder how we missed 'em. Just a part of taking care of his family.
The Characters
U.S. Marine Captain Stan and Josephine neé Moutier Reacher are Joe and Jack's parents. Laurent Moutier is the kids' French grandfather. A carpenter. After World War II, he was ordered to make wooden legs for the combat vets. Using furniture legs.
Helen is the daughter of one of the NCOs. The fat, smelly kid leaves all sorts of clues…who knew?
The Title
Well, the title is certainly to the point. Jack Reacher is the "Second Son".
A short story prequel, 0.1 (and 15.5 publication-wise), in the Jack Reacher thriller series. This story takes place when Jack is 13 in 1974, and the family has just been posted to Okinawa.
My Take
This sets us up for Jack's math and deductive abilities…even as a kid, that boy was bright!
I do like how Child describes the difference between Joe and Reacher. Joe has no trigger, he's all brains and into theory; he's likely to end up in military intelligence. Reacher, well, Reacher is "permanently jammed wide open on full auto", an unstoppable force of nature with his "get-the-job-done" mentality.
The wrong note in this is that a major and two Warrant Officers are willing to take this kid's word about the missing test answers and the code book. And they're willing to bargain with him!
Still, it was sweet! It makes me want to read more about Jack Reacher!
The Story
It's not "Jack". Not really. Everyone simply calls him "Reacher". His parents. His brother. It's Stan and Josephine. Joe and Reacher.
A new posting. A new batch of kids to impress. And now their new school expects Joe and Reacher to take placement tests?! Ehh, Reacher doesn't care. He'll do the minimum to get by. It's Joe who's worried about how well he'll do. It's that fear that gets played.
Captain Reacher has his own worries when he gets handed a top secret mission…and loses the code book.
It's Reacher who puts all the clues together — and makes us wonder how we missed 'em. Just a part of taking care of his family.
The Characters
U.S. Marine Captain Stan and Josephine neé Moutier Reacher are Joe and Jack's parents. Laurent Moutier is the kids' French grandfather. A carpenter. After World War II, he was ordered to make wooden legs for the combat vets. Using furniture legs.
Helen is the daughter of one of the NCOs. The fat, smelly kid leaves all sorts of clues…who knew?
The Title
Well, the title is certainly to the point. Jack Reacher is the "Second Son".
September 1, 2016
My interest piqued by all the HUNT FOR REACHER stories penned by Diane Capri, I thought I would begin a Jack Reacher marathon. What better place to start than where it all began? While not in writing chronology, Second Son deals with a young Jack Reacher, making my choice to begin here self-evident. Please see a previous review of this short story below, as I commence the long and winding life of Reacher, with greatest interest:
Having never read any Lee Child or dabbled into the world of Jack Reacher, I cannot really pass proper judgment on the novella. I admit, I needed a filler before embarking on a major read in the second half of the year, and this one fit the bill nicely. Child presents the early years of his masterful protagonist and gives fans of the series something on which to chew and assess the modern-day Reacher. One day I will get to the series and perhaps ought to return to the novella at that time. That said, I can offer up that it places some historical context of the teenage Reacher and his life in a Marine family, always on the move. A pseudo-Encyclopedia Brown sans emotion or soul, Reacher gets the job done and cracks the case wide open, all without breaking a sweat. It was well written enough and the text flew across the page, though I am sure full-length Child books are much more complex and thorough. I look forward to tackling this series and perhaps returning to this book in its written chronology, somewhere after Book 15. Worth the short time I spent on it... especially as it was free!!
Having never read any Lee Child or dabbled into the world of Jack Reacher, I cannot really pass proper judgment on the novella. I admit, I needed a filler before embarking on a major read in the second half of the year, and this one fit the bill nicely. Child presents the early years of his masterful protagonist and gives fans of the series something on which to chew and assess the modern-day Reacher. One day I will get to the series and perhaps ought to return to the novella at that time. That said, I can offer up that it places some historical context of the teenage Reacher and his life in a Marine family, always on the move. A pseudo-Encyclopedia Brown sans emotion or soul, Reacher gets the job done and cracks the case wide open, all without breaking a sweat. It was well written enough and the text flew across the page, though I am sure full-length Child books are much more complex and thorough. I look forward to tackling this series and perhaps returning to this book in its written chronology, somewhere after Book 15. Worth the short time I spent on it... especially as it was free!!
May 19, 2018
Very short and starts slowly, doesn't get going until the last half.
13 year old Reacher talks and thinks just like 40 year old Reacher. Strange sensation.
Really only for die-hard Reacher fans.
13 year old Reacher talks and thinks just like 40 year old Reacher. Strange sensation.
Really only for die-hard Reacher fans.
November 15, 2012
Post-Thoughts:
I'm left with this impression.
I'm having trouble grasping the realistic aspects in The Second Son of Stan Reacher, Jack Reacher. Are you telling me a 13 year old pubescent child is capable of highly intricate, perplex deductive reasoning that can easily direct 3 trained military officers to find a missing potential catastrophic code book? Having that quality of a character in a story is truly fascinating and just plain awesome. But really, are you serious? That's completely far-fetched! It feels like from the span of his life, which is 13 years, he has learned everything in the sense of solving problems and justice. What I am trying to say is that there is no room for him to grow because he has already reach the zenith of problem solving.
This short story serves as an insight to Reacher's family history. The father was repeatedly resigned to different military posts in the world, forcing their family to reestablish and accommodate to their new lifestyle. Having moved countless times shows they are resilient and disciplined. At one time Reacher refers to his family as a "unit" because together they are loyal and loving to one another.
Cover:
Very candid and simple. Joe and Jack standing with their father, Stan, on the beach walking towards the ocean. Probably indicating the many obstacles they will face in the vast world.
Conclusion:
Lee Child's story writing is simple but his story telling in this short story doesn't quit sway me. For that, ★★.
I'm left with this impression.
I'm having trouble grasping the realistic aspects in The Second Son of Stan Reacher, Jack Reacher. Are you telling me a 13 year old pubescent child is capable of highly intricate, perplex deductive reasoning that can easily direct 3 trained military officers to find a missing potential catastrophic code book? Having that quality of a character in a story is truly fascinating and just plain awesome. But really, are you serious? That's completely far-fetched! It feels like from the span of his life, which is 13 years, he has learned everything in the sense of solving problems and justice. What I am trying to say is that there is no room for him to grow because he has already reach the zenith of problem solving.
This short story serves as an insight to Reacher's family history. The father was repeatedly resigned to different military posts in the world, forcing their family to reestablish and accommodate to their new lifestyle. Having moved countless times shows they are resilient and disciplined. At one time Reacher refers to his family as a "unit" because together they are loyal and loving to one another.
Cover:
Very candid and simple. Joe and Jack standing with their father, Stan, on the beach walking towards the ocean. Probably indicating the many obstacles they will face in the vast world.
Conclusion:
Lee Child's story writing is simple but his story telling in this short story doesn't quit sway me. For that, ★★.
May 10, 2017
Jack Reacher at 13, good grief. Like a bunch of my fellow readers and friends have said, Reacher was never a child; born with logic, street smarts, no nonsense attitude and drinking coffee out of a bottle. This story was kind of funny. It is just something you got to chuckle at because you'll wish you'd have thought of it first. Once again, Reacher inserts himself into the logic of the missing test answers for school, and his father's missing (classified) code book. Brilliant, I say, but still improbable for a 13 year old, even if it's Jack Reacher.
January 12, 2018
5 Stars
Jack Reacher is 13 years old and has just moved to Okinawa with his family.
Reacher is exactly the same as a teenager as he is as an adult smart, deductive and brilliant at fighting.
Second Son gives us a glimpse into his family life and a shirt mystery to watch Reacher solve whilst kicking ass.
Jack Reacher is 13 years old and has just moved to Okinawa with his family.
Reacher is exactly the same as a teenager as he is as an adult smart, deductive and brilliant at fighting.
Second Son gives us a glimpse into his family life and a shirt mystery to watch Reacher solve whilst kicking ass.
August 11, 2018
Just a short novella between two full-length installments in the Reacher series, this brief backstory returns to Reacher's childhood. Not only does a thirteen year-old Jack kick ass in this book, per the norm, he even solves a couple of cases for the authorities. Completely unbelievable, of course, but does give some insight into his family dynamics and background.
January 3, 2017
I'd almost call this, "Lee Child does The Hardy Boys...well if Frank and Joe were a bit more, physical. I mean I don't recall a beat down like the young Jack Reacher gives a guy here in any of those books. that said, Jack manages to solve a couple of mysteries in this short story.
September 7, 2017
An easy and well done story. The 13 year old acting like a full adult Reacher solving the mystery at the end was weird and prevented this from being a more realistic tale.
February 6, 2019
A quick listen on audio book, this story gives insight into Jack Reacher as a 13-year-old. A good prelude to starting the Reacher series. 6 out of 10.
October 18, 2023
This short Reacher story is set in his teenage years when as army brats his brother Joe and he shuffled and shuttled at the pleasure of the US Army of which his father was a part of and the story picks up as they land in Okinawa.
There is an early glimpse of the Reacher who is the star of the series and his sets of rules that he always follows and how it was his parents especially his mother who drilled the discipline of no first attack in him. We get a glimpse of parental tension with Reacher's father sure that his older son had a bright future but had a bit of concern where his younger would find his best fit being intelligent but not bookish and hence was just over average in academia.
We find out that Reacher's grandfather is dying and he was a former WW veteran. The story also shows how he despite being the youngest is expected to keep the family in order and is trusted by his mom. The case inside the story also shows his lateral thinking which made him a successful MP (military police) and the iron as well as the liberties that he takes when coming to a decision.
The story is simple but what shines forth is Jack Reacher.
Definitely a fan must read but also is a good short story.
There is an early glimpse of the Reacher who is the star of the series and his sets of rules that he always follows and how it was his parents especially his mother who drilled the discipline of no first attack in him. We get a glimpse of parental tension with Reacher's father sure that his older son had a bright future but had a bit of concern where his younger would find his best fit being intelligent but not bookish and hence was just over average in academia.
We find out that Reacher's grandfather is dying and he was a former WW veteran. The story also shows how he despite being the youngest is expected to keep the family in order and is trusted by his mom. The case inside the story also shows his lateral thinking which made him a successful MP (military police) and the iron as well as the liberties that he takes when coming to a decision.
The story is simple but what shines forth is Jack Reacher.
Definitely a fan must read but also is a good short story.
January 13, 2016
I miss Jack Reacher when there's no new book so I'm diving into the 5 novellas Lee Child has written. I really enjoyed this one, it shows Reacher's strength and mental prowess even at age 13.
September 17, 2022
This was a fun little short story giving a peek into Reacher’s childhood.
September 25, 2013
Prospective readers will be interested to know that Second Son is offered as a bonus tacked on to the end of the pocket paper edition of "The Affair" (itself in the top four of Lee Child’s Reacher novels).
At a little over 10,000 words it inhabits the nether world between the short story and novelette.
Like all of Child’s Reacher stories Second Son is a quick read. Its style is representative of the rest and Reacher’s character is fully-formed. Essentially the adult character is fully present in its 13-year-old incarnation.
Many of the usual elements are present. Reacher lays a whuppin’ on his tormentors, consorts with a love interest, and solves the crime. Readers will also find some not so usual elements: a more fleshed-out elder brother – Joe and snapshots of mother Joesephine and Major Reacher – a career Marine, born during the Great Depression with thrift in his bones.
The adult Reacher is something of a loner. Not shy, he’s more than able to conduct conversations as required to conduct his day-to-day affairs. He’s even charming as the occasion requires. However, he generally prefers solitude to the social register and always sits with the back to the wall and the entrance in sight. Some have labeled him a mild psychopath – and indeed in Second Son the young Reacher not only acknowledges but defines his own psychopathy.
Bottom Line: if you want a low cost introduction to the Reacher series, get The Affair and skip to the back, where a couple hours with Second Son will give you a taste for the rest.
At a little over 10,000 words it inhabits the nether world between the short story and novelette.
Like all of Child’s Reacher stories Second Son is a quick read. Its style is representative of the rest and Reacher’s character is fully-formed. Essentially the adult character is fully present in its 13-year-old incarnation.
Many of the usual elements are present. Reacher lays a whuppin’ on his tormentors, consorts with a love interest, and solves the crime. Readers will also find some not so usual elements: a more fleshed-out elder brother – Joe and snapshots of mother Joesephine and Major Reacher – a career Marine, born during the Great Depression with thrift in his bones.
The adult Reacher is something of a loner. Not shy, he’s more than able to conduct conversations as required to conduct his day-to-day affairs. He’s even charming as the occasion requires. However, he generally prefers solitude to the social register and always sits with the back to the wall and the entrance in sight. Some have labeled him a mild psychopath – and indeed in Second Son the young Reacher not only acknowledges but defines his own psychopathy.
Bottom Line: if you want a low cost introduction to the Reacher series, get The Affair and skip to the back, where a couple hours with Second Son will give you a taste for the rest.
January 16, 2012
There's nothing in here to indicate a certain event shaped him the way he was. What this 'chapter' does (only a few pages long is this book) is merely to confirm that Reacher from a very early age was tall, big, fights well, loves his coffee strong, eats a lot, clearly has a healthy appetite for the opposite sex, and could have made a good Sherlock Holmes if he was brought up in London instead of various army bases around the world. The events in this book are what we know of him already... it's not like he was this mild mannered shy kid who stayed out of trouble and then because of moving to Japan he suddenly had to face up to these things and thus structured his brain to what it is now.
Nice read if you're having withdrawal symptoms from finishing rather too quickly your last Reacher novel or like me, you're still trying to find the parallels between Reacher the character and Tom Cruise. Oh I know... they are both the same height - only that Tom Cruise is still the same height from when Reacher was in his early teens.
Nice read if you're having withdrawal symptoms from finishing rather too quickly your last Reacher novel or like me, you're still trying to find the parallels between Reacher the character and Tom Cruise. Oh I know... they are both the same height - only that Tom Cruise is still the same height from when Reacher was in his early teens.
May 18, 2019
After watching the Jack Reacher movie I was curious about this series & just yesterday planned to read the first book. I like to read books in order so I picked up this novella first to know the background of the hero. I'm slightly disappointed with it. I know its a novella & seeing its based on Jake Reacher's childhood I shouldn't expect more. & I didn't really. what had me disappointed is I didn't get the deduction explained by Jack about the two mysteries he solved in this book. I get that he was highly intelligent & observant about smallest details even as a child. But really how he came to the conclusion about who & how of the mysteries didn't seem believable & convincing to me. Maybe author should have added more clues & hints for the readers or maybe its just me. Having said all of it I'm going to read the 1st book. Hope it will live up to the expectation & I will get to understand the super intelligent brain of Jack's better than this one. (lol)
September 14, 2011
ok. i absolutely adore jack reacher. and by extension, lee child. but i have to say - calling this short story a peek into reacher's childhood is totally misleading. this story takes place within a very short time frame - a couple of days - when jack was 13. sure, we meet his parents and his brother, but what we're seeing of jack is pretty much what we've seen of him in all the previous books. just shorter.
his role in this book is as per the others - enforcer slash detective. but please. the kid's 13, and managed to solve a mystery related to army security? w/out all the clues? (we certainly don't get them all). jack's smart - but he's not psychic. felt a bit rushed to conclusion.
doesn't matter though. if you're a fan, you're going to read this regardless. so please do so. just don't look for any hints of what made jack jack.
his role in this book is as per the others - enforcer slash detective. but please. the kid's 13, and managed to solve a mystery related to army security? w/out all the clues? (we certainly don't get them all). jack's smart - but he's not psychic. felt a bit rushed to conclusion.
doesn't matter though. if you're a fan, you're going to read this regardless. so please do so. just don't look for any hints of what made jack jack.
January 2, 2015
As part of a series of short stories I read up on Lee Childs Jack Reacher - This was the first and ironically the most intriguing. It is set in the early years of Jack Reacher - yes the books do not make a secret of his history or influences but this was something slightly different it takes a tale from his childhood - and rather than giving one of those little life lessons where you can see an influence being made - you get to see in fact a hint of what there is to come.
as such even though I am just starting on exploring the world of Jack Reacher I can see it is going to be an interesting if slightly violent experience and one I can see will not be dull at all.
as such even though I am just starting on exploring the world of Jack Reacher I can see it is going to be an interesting if slightly violent experience and one I can see will not be dull at all.
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