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Fail Sons
A pair of estranged brothers drive their father’s cryonically frozen body across the country to its final resting place in a darkly comic 21st century update of As I Lay Dying.
When Scott Platt’s brother, Nick, calls to ask him to fly to Arizona and retrieve their father’s body from the Cryo Center where it’s been frozen since the nineties, the timing couldn’t be worse: He’s forty, unemployed, and spiraling as he and his wife await the birth of their first child. Nick’s as tightly wound as Scott is adrift, and the brothers have never gotten along. But the Cryo Center’s shutting down, and they’ve got six days to haul their father’s frozen body to a new facility in Massachusetts—without letting it thaw past –109°. And Scott needs to get back home to New York before his wife goes into labor.
It’s the summer of 2022. The country’s still reeling from the pandemic. And driving a corpse cross-country in a U-Haul through Red State America proves predictably chaotic. Nick insists on wearing a KN95 the entire time. They pass through deserts, mountains, and plains, encountering Aryan cops, ex-Mormon hitchhikers, a Gen Z commune, and MAGA-hat-wearing Walmart clerks. They play blackjack, take shrooms, and swim under the stars—all while trying to keep the body frozen and their relationship from melting down.
Fail Sons is a brilliant exploration of masculinity, grief, and the ways we carry the dead—and each other—across a divided America.
When Scott Platt’s brother, Nick, calls to ask him to fly to Arizona and retrieve their father’s body from the Cryo Center where it’s been frozen since the nineties, the timing couldn’t be worse: He’s forty, unemployed, and spiraling as he and his wife await the birth of their first child. Nick’s as tightly wound as Scott is adrift, and the brothers have never gotten along. But the Cryo Center’s shutting down, and they’ve got six days to haul their father’s frozen body to a new facility in Massachusetts—without letting it thaw past –109°. And Scott needs to get back home to New York before his wife goes into labor.
It’s the summer of 2022. The country’s still reeling from the pandemic. And driving a corpse cross-country in a U-Haul through Red State America proves predictably chaotic. Nick insists on wearing a KN95 the entire time. They pass through deserts, mountains, and plains, encountering Aryan cops, ex-Mormon hitchhikers, a Gen Z commune, and MAGA-hat-wearing Walmart clerks. They play blackjack, take shrooms, and swim under the stars—all while trying to keep the body frozen and their relationship from melting down.
Fail Sons is a brilliant exploration of masculinity, grief, and the ways we carry the dead—and each other—across a divided America.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published October 6, 2026
About the author
Adam Wilson
6 books124 followersADAM WILSON is the author of the short story collection What’s Important Is Feeling, and the novels Sensation Machines and Flatscreen, which was an Indie Next Pick and a National Jewish Book Award finalist. In 2012, Wilson received The Paris Review’s Terry Southern Prize for Humor. His work has appeared in Harper’s, The New Yorker, McSweeney’s, Tin House, Bookforum, The Paris Review, and The Best American Short Stories among many other publications. Wilson has taught in the creative writing programs at Columbia University and NYU. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and their two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 20, 2026
This had me laughing by myself like a dumb bitch & I had a blast
October 7, 2026
I wrote it so I'm biased.
October 11, 2026
Scott and his younger brother Nick have to fly to Arizona to pick up their father’s body, which has been cryonically frozen since his death in the 1990s. The plan is to take him back to the cryo company’s headquarters and they will attempt to reanimate him in a few years.
So they’re driving across the country with their father’s body on dry ice in a trailer. They’re both obsessed with the app that tracks the body’s temperature, since if it thaws it will no longer be viable. Scott and Nick don’t get along well, and they couldn’t be more different. Scott is a lazy stoner whose wife is about to have their first baby; Nick is uptight but in excellent physical shape.
“I’m here because I’m going through what may, in fact, be a midlife crisis on the cusp of fatherhood, and though the nominal purpose of our journey is to transport our father’s frozen corpse across this fair nation under the delusion that he might rise again—like the South, like Christ on Easter, like Rocky after twelve rounds with the Russian—what I really want is a drunken send-off before my firstborn arrives, and I’m disappointed that you’re not the right companion for the job.”
Nick insists on wearing a KN95 mask, as it’s 2022 and he never contracted COVID during the pandemic. But of course, as they drive through red states, his mask immediately gets peoples’ hackles up.
Their road trip sees them interacting with hippies, visiting Nick’s old girlfriend, taking various drugs, and mostly avoiding talking about their father. Meanwhile, Scott is worried about his wife and dealing with back and prostate problems, but he views the trip as a bit of a last hurrah.
This was darkly funny and very thought-provoking. It certainly was an adventure I never imagined reading about! I found both of the brothers to be amusing, quirky characters in their own way, and I was really curious about what would happen to their father’s body.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getbookedwithlarry/.
So they’re driving across the country with their father’s body on dry ice in a trailer. They’re both obsessed with the app that tracks the body’s temperature, since if it thaws it will no longer be viable. Scott and Nick don’t get along well, and they couldn’t be more different. Scott is a lazy stoner whose wife is about to have their first baby; Nick is uptight but in excellent physical shape.
“I’m here because I’m going through what may, in fact, be a midlife crisis on the cusp of fatherhood, and though the nominal purpose of our journey is to transport our father’s frozen corpse across this fair nation under the delusion that he might rise again—like the South, like Christ on Easter, like Rocky after twelve rounds with the Russian—what I really want is a drunken send-off before my firstborn arrives, and I’m disappointed that you’re not the right companion for the job.”
Nick insists on wearing a KN95 mask, as it’s 2022 and he never contracted COVID during the pandemic. But of course, as they drive through red states, his mask immediately gets peoples’ hackles up.
Their road trip sees them interacting with hippies, visiting Nick’s old girlfriend, taking various drugs, and mostly avoiding talking about their father. Meanwhile, Scott is worried about his wife and dealing with back and prostate problems, but he views the trip as a bit of a last hurrah.
This was darkly funny and very thought-provoking. It certainly was an adventure I never imagined reading about! I found both of the brothers to be amusing, quirky characters in their own way, and I was really curious about what would happen to their father’s body.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getbookedwithlarry/.
July 17, 2026
This book was a funny, wild ride. I was rooting for these brothers the entire time.
November 5, 2026
I admit that I have a hard time thinking someone would NOT find this book entertaining. I totally disagree with the big-time godless vibe, but this book is funny, touching, and I probably kinda loved it.
I think--actually, I know--it appealed to my latent Jewish girl humor--because there are special little sentences.
"Assuming all gentiles are born with a priori mechanical expertise, I ask Cameron what he thinks is making the sound."
--Is this INSIDER JEWISH STUFF?
"My mother sees life as an Olympics of suffering, a contest over whom the world has most egregiously wronged. Complicatedly, she herself is both a competing nation and the event's only judge."
--I know this woman.
It's also, though, generational. The characters are younger, but there are humorous cultural references that ring true.
I think--actually, I know--it appealed to my latent Jewish girl humor--because there are special little sentences.
"Assuming all gentiles are born with a priori mechanical expertise, I ask Cameron what he thinks is making the sound."
--Is this INSIDER JEWISH STUFF?
"My mother sees life as an Olympics of suffering, a contest over whom the world has most egregiously wronged. Complicatedly, she herself is both a competing nation and the event's only judge."
--I know this woman.
It's also, though, generational. The characters are younger, but there are humorous cultural references that ring true.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A fun-filled dark but witty contemporary story of two estranged sons reuniting to transport their father’s cryogenically frozen body cross country dealing with male grief and masculinity.
Scott Platt, 40, and his brother Nick, 36, have to transport their father’s from the cryogenic facility where it resides, Cyril Center in Arizona, to a facility in Massachusetts, Revivify. The trick will be to keep the body cold enough. Scott is facing parenthood as his pregnant, pot-smoking wife accompanies him - hoping he arrives at Revivify before she delivered and his father thaws out. It’s 2020 and COVID, so Nick is wearing his KN95 mask - all the time. They are quite contrasts - Scott copes with recreational drugs and songs that annoy Nick. Nick is rule follower who likes self help and personal accountability books. As they travel through through mountains, deserts, and plains red states they meet a cast of characters sure to delight the readers: some a pair of stoned ex-Mormons, a MAGA-hatted Walmart clerk who calls Nick “diaper face,” Aryan police officers, a Gen-Z commune and various other “types” who represent a cross section of the American “melting.” And, of course, as they journey they explore their relationship.
The story blends the past and present and includes stories of the brother’s family. Scott and Nick are millennials - right now 44% of the population and most diverse chunk of American society. Their world is also explored especially slackers. The family memories are told in hilarious conservations. At times the humor can become repetitive but its underlying reasons - why are we doing this, who are we as men - is worth it.
I love irreverent books. They allow us to see life in a different way by poking the bear. If you are like me, this book is differently for you.
My thanks to NetGalley and SoHo Press for granting me access to this ARC.
Scott Platt, 40, and his brother Nick, 36, have to transport their father’s from the cryogenic facility where it resides, Cyril Center in Arizona, to a facility in Massachusetts, Revivify. The trick will be to keep the body cold enough. Scott is facing parenthood as his pregnant, pot-smoking wife accompanies him - hoping he arrives at Revivify before she delivered and his father thaws out. It’s 2020 and COVID, so Nick is wearing his KN95 mask - all the time. They are quite contrasts - Scott copes with recreational drugs and songs that annoy Nick. Nick is rule follower who likes self help and personal accountability books. As they travel through through mountains, deserts, and plains red states they meet a cast of characters sure to delight the readers: some a pair of stoned ex-Mormons, a MAGA-hatted Walmart clerk who calls Nick “diaper face,” Aryan police officers, a Gen-Z commune and various other “types” who represent a cross section of the American “melting.” And, of course, as they journey they explore their relationship.
The story blends the past and present and includes stories of the brother’s family. Scott and Nick are millennials - right now 44% of the population and most diverse chunk of American society. Their world is also explored especially slackers. The family memories are told in hilarious conservations. At times the humor can become repetitive but its underlying reasons - why are we doing this, who are we as men - is worth it.
I love irreverent books. They allow us to see life in a different way by poking the bear. If you are like me, this book is differently for you.
My thanks to NetGalley and SoHo Press for granting me access to this ARC.
October 22, 2026
Perfectly nails the humor in seemingly humorless conversations…the final finality of death juxtaposed with joy in rebirth. Loved this book so much. 💜
November 1, 2026
This book was so up my alley. I loved exploring the dynamic between the brothers, the strange post-pandemic summer of 2022 atmosphere, and the anxiety around impending fatherhood when you have no idea what you’re doing with your life. There’s something universally recognizable about reaching an age where you thought you’d have things figured out and realizing you can still feel just as lost as ever. The story touches on family, grief, disappointing the people you love, and your life not looking quite the way you thought it would. The writing is quick, smart, and hilarious in this really understated way. Even when the story gets sad, there’s an underlying absurdity that keeps it from ever feeling too heavy. I loved these messy, complicated characters and this completely bizarre road trip. Funny, poignant, slightly unhinged. Exactly my kind of book
November 7, 2026
Funny. Smart. Highly readable. And -- at times -- poignant.
I loved it.
I loved it.
October 12, 2026
A unique story line that has all the feels! These two brothers, who swear they are nothing alike, will find out exactly what their kinship means to each other as they travel across the US with a strict deadline. If they can't reach their destination....the consequences are unthinkable. Adam Wilson has gifted readers a set of brothers that are easily recognizable. If you have a sibling with an attitude, you'll recognize the heart felt ties between them.
October 12, 2026
This is a fun one!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Those sons sure do fail, alright.
Adam Wilson brings such a fun, loose tone to this book that made it a really enjoyable read the whole way through. The whole "frozen dead father in a truck" concept manages a difficult balancing act between serious and unserious quite well. It is an absurd situation, carrying out your dad's dumbest request after he failed you and himself, but there's still pathos there.
The political satire element of the book also worked well for me. I think a lot of parodies of Gen Z, from activist students to polyamorous hippies, often read as a bit preachy and mean. You can often tell the author has a sincere bone to pick with the youth that makes it fall flat. In Fail Sons, it comes across as more of a goodhearted gentle ribbing, and Adam Wilson refuses to make anyone purely a caricature.
I read another book featuring a man going on a roadtrip where he ignores his wife and his health while he ponders growing old in the new world, The Rest Of Our Lives by Ben Markovits. That novel was unbearably whiny and unselfaware, and Fail Sons is such a good counterbalance to it. Fail Sons is just self-aware enough to give a bit of insight to a generation I'm not part of, but not to the point where we enter a post-ironic metatextual hell.
All around a feel good novel in the classic sense, would recommend for booksellers as something to stock.
Adam Wilson brings such a fun, loose tone to this book that made it a really enjoyable read the whole way through. The whole "frozen dead father in a truck" concept manages a difficult balancing act between serious and unserious quite well. It is an absurd situation, carrying out your dad's dumbest request after he failed you and himself, but there's still pathos there.
The political satire element of the book also worked well for me. I think a lot of parodies of Gen Z, from activist students to polyamorous hippies, often read as a bit preachy and mean. You can often tell the author has a sincere bone to pick with the youth that makes it fall flat. In Fail Sons, it comes across as more of a goodhearted gentle ribbing, and Adam Wilson refuses to make anyone purely a caricature.
I read another book featuring a man going on a roadtrip where he ignores his wife and his health while he ponders growing old in the new world, The Rest Of Our Lives by Ben Markovits. That novel was unbearably whiny and unselfaware, and Fail Sons is such a good counterbalance to it. Fail Sons is just self-aware enough to give a bit of insight to a generation I'm not part of, but not to the point where we enter a post-ironic metatextual hell.
All around a feel good novel in the classic sense, would recommend for booksellers as something to stock.
November 9, 2026
I've enjoyed road trip books like Run for the Hills and I'm Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom, but this one unfortunately didn't quite land for me. The premise and situations were delightfully outrageous but I found myself not really caring about a man-child hipster's imminent parenthood and reticence to accept aging/having to grow up. A lot of detail on bladder issues as well. Needed a lighter read as a breather and this was a fast and decent one, if a bit forgettable. The cover is awesome and I wonder if I might have enjoyed the storytelling more if it was rendered as a graphic novel instead.
November 4, 2026
The premise sounded interesting and ludicrous all at the same time. This was just meh for me. The one brother is a whiny, pseudo hippie trying not to act his age the other is an uptight hypochondriac. This was touted as a poignant meditation of midlife masculinity, perfectionism and failures. I didn’t care about each character enough to really invest in their stories. It was a miss for me.
November 10, 2026
Sweet, funny, and overall just a really breezy and entertaining read. I really enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews