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The Other Son #1
The Other Son
From Nick Alexander, the author of the No 1 ebook hits, The Photographer's Wife, The Half-Life of Hannah and The French House. Alice has been lying to herself for years, holding fast to the belief that the needs of her family far outweigh her own. But her outwardly successful marriage hides dark secrets, and for much of her life, the children were the only reason she stuck around. These days, though her successful banker son lives nearby, his young wife seems to do everything she can to keep Alice at bay. As for Alice's other son, he has always been something of a stranger and has been traveling for so long that Alice isn't even sure what continent he is on anymore. Alice can't help but wonder if the effort she expends presenting a united front to the outside world is actually helping anyone and what would happen if she suddenly stopped pretending. Could life, like the novels she devours, hold surprises in its closing chapters? And if she did shake everything up by admitting the truth about her marriage, would anyone be on her side? Has the time finally come for Alice to put her own needs first? For the first time in years, her heart is racing. Can Alice really change her life? Dare she even imagine such a thing?
352 pages, Paperback
First published September 22, 2015
3962 people are currently reading
1980 people want to read
About the author
Nick Alexander
31 books663 followersMy novels:
Where Do We Go From Here (2025)
The Imperfection of Us (2023)
Perfectly Ordinary People (2022)
From Something Old (2021)
The Road to Zoe (2020)
You Then, Me Now (2019)
Things We Never Said (2017)
The Bottle of Tears (2016) (also published as Let the Light Shine).
The Other Son (2015)
The Photographer's Wife (2014)
Two novels featuring Hannah:
- The Half-Life of Hannah.
- Other Halves (Dec 2013)
Two novels featuring CC:
- The Case Of The Missing Boyfriend
- The French House (May 2013)
The Fifty Reasons Series, following the life of lovelorn Mark
- 50 Reasons to Say Goodbye
- Sottopassaggio
- Good Thing, Bad Thing
- Better Than Easy
- Sleight Of Hand
And the standalone novel
- 13:55 Eastern Standard Time
The Case Of The Missing Boyfriend, The French House, and The Half-Life of Hannah have all been huge kindle hits, reaching number #1 in Amazon's kindle chart.
I live in the southern French Alps with three mogs (Mangui, Pastel & Pedro) and a very special ferret.
Where Do We Go From Here (2025)
The Imperfection of Us (2023)
Perfectly Ordinary People (2022)
From Something Old (2021)
The Road to Zoe (2020)
You Then, Me Now (2019)
Things We Never Said (2017)
The Bottle of Tears (2016) (also published as Let the Light Shine).
The Other Son (2015)
The Photographer's Wife (2014)
Two novels featuring Hannah:
- The Half-Life of Hannah.
- Other Halves (Dec 2013)
Two novels featuring CC:
- The Case Of The Missing Boyfriend
- The French House (May 2013)
The Fifty Reasons Series, following the life of lovelorn Mark
- 50 Reasons to Say Goodbye
- Sottopassaggio
- Good Thing, Bad Thing
- Better Than Easy
- Sleight Of Hand
And the standalone novel
- 13:55 Eastern Standard Time
The Case Of The Missing Boyfriend, The French House, and The Half-Life of Hannah have all been huge kindle hits, reaching number #1 in Amazon's kindle chart.
I live in the southern French Alps with three mogs (Mangui, Pastel & Pedro) and a very special ferret.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 513 reviews
December 12, 2019
Alice is ot happy. Her husband is abusive and her sons don't want to spend any time with her. Alice is her own worst enemy. One of her sons is marries and doing well. The other son is away travelling the world.
This is a out as dysfunctional a family you can get. It covers some delicate subjects: abuse, human trafficking and prostitution to name a few. The story is told from multiple points of view. The characters are not likeable. None of the char5are very likeable. Nons of them are happy in their situations. It did take me a little while to get into the book, but once I did, I couldn't put it down.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and the author Nick Alexander for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a out as dysfunctional a family you can get. It covers some delicate subjects: abuse, human trafficking and prostitution to name a few. The story is told from multiple points of view. The characters are not likeable. None of the char5are very likeable. Nons of them are happy in their situations. It did take me a little while to get into the book, but once I did, I couldn't put it down.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and the author Nick Alexander for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 10, 2020
The Other Son, by Nick Alexander is the third book I’ve read by this author after reading the both books of the Hannah series. This character-based story is pretty much in the same vein as his other books, exploring intra-familial relationships, the complexities of and the resentments, desires and emotions within. All very readable stuff I reckon, particularly if written well. Alexander has done it again, this is a really good read.
It’s a book in three parts:
Firstly – We learn about Alice and Ken, married for 50 years in an abusive relationship. We also learn about their two sons, Tim and Matt. This part sets the scene for the story, the way each of the sons were raised, why they ended up the types of men they have turned out to be. But importantly, the author leaves some important parts of their history up his sleeve for later. The domestic violence aspect of this book paints a similar picture to what we know and understand, familiar, scary, wicked and all too predictable patterns.
Secondly – We spend more time with son Tim and his Russian wife Natalya. I found myself laughing at the preposterous situation this couple found themselves in chasing their dreams. There is one particularly funny scene involving Tim’s purchase of a pair of hideously expensive hi-fi speakers. But the unavoidable, persistent, darkness of Tim’s parent’s relationship permeated.
Thirdly – we spend time with “The Other Son”, Matt. Matt is living in France with his partner. This last section really puts everything together. Throughout the book, I found myself judging the behaviour of some of the characters in this book, but we really get to know why. It really does remind us, it is so easy to fall into the trap of judging others from a distance. I won’t say much more about this last section, other than to say – I couldn’t put it down.
Even though Alexander is a little obvious in outlining what happiness is about and what it looks like and what our assumptions may be in this regard, I believe he is right, it all makes sense – it all ties in well.
Another Nick Alexander hit.
4 Stars
It’s a book in three parts:
Firstly – We learn about Alice and Ken, married for 50 years in an abusive relationship. We also learn about their two sons, Tim and Matt. This part sets the scene for the story, the way each of the sons were raised, why they ended up the types of men they have turned out to be. But importantly, the author leaves some important parts of their history up his sleeve for later. The domestic violence aspect of this book paints a similar picture to what we know and understand, familiar, scary, wicked and all too predictable patterns.
Secondly – We spend more time with son Tim and his Russian wife Natalya. I found myself laughing at the preposterous situation this couple found themselves in chasing their dreams. There is one particularly funny scene involving Tim’s purchase of a pair of hideously expensive hi-fi speakers. But the unavoidable, persistent, darkness of Tim’s parent’s relationship permeated.
Thirdly – we spend time with “The Other Son”, Matt. Matt is living in France with his partner. This last section really puts everything together. Throughout the book, I found myself judging the behaviour of some of the characters in this book, but we really get to know why. It really does remind us, it is so easy to fall into the trap of judging others from a distance. I won’t say much more about this last section, other than to say – I couldn’t put it down.
Even though Alexander is a little obvious in outlining what happiness is about and what it looks like and what our assumptions may be in this regard, I believe he is right, it all makes sense – it all ties in well.
Another Nick Alexander hit.
4 Stars
March 23, 2017
uffffff
¿qué hago?
me fascinó
lo amé
lo disfruté tanto
me dejó llorando
qué placentera es la vida cuando lees estos libros, qué delicada y bella y dura
me gusta mucho que la protagonista tenga 70 años (estoy más cerca de ella que de las de 20´s!)
recomendado para un momento de paz
aunque te la quite y te la regrese tantas veces el libro!
¿qué hago?
me fascinó
lo amé
lo disfruté tanto
me dejó llorando
qué placentera es la vida cuando lees estos libros, qué delicada y bella y dura
me gusta mucho que la protagonista tenga 70 años (estoy más cerca de ella que de las de 20´s!)
recomendado para un momento de paz
aunque te la quite y te la regrese tantas veces el libro!
January 26, 2021
This was a slow burn kind of read.
Very emotional and deep.
The characters are so real in there normality, selfish, materialistic and flawed.
This really is a thought provoking read that has kept me thinking about the characters long after finished the last page .
Very emotional and deep.
The characters are so real in there normality, selfish, materialistic and flawed.
This really is a thought provoking read that has kept me thinking about the characters long after finished the last page .
August 12, 2017
Traducción al español por Roberto Falcó Miramontes. Muy lograda dicha traducción.
Aunque tardó en engancharme, al final fue una lectura muy agradable. La historia de Alice, 69 años, atrapada en un matrimonio miserable, con dos hijos totalmente distintos entre si, y las consecuencias que su matrimonio ha generado en el desarrollo de los mismos.
Lo que más me ha gustado es que te familiarizas enseguida con todos los personajes. Son situaciones y diálogos muy reales, lo que te lleva a leer la novela casi como si fueses un miembro más de la familia. Tiene momentos cómicos y momentos de tristeza, y ambos están muy bien conseguidos. Quizás le sobre un poco de “moralina” hacia el final, esa especie de “Carpe Diem” repetitivo. Y tampoco le hubiera venido mal mostrar la reflexión del personaje más desagradable de toda la novela. Me refiero al padre, y que conste que no es por defender lo que hace, que es indefendible, sino por saber cómo habría reflejado el autor a una persona que, sin duda, tendría en su aporte una mayor consolidación de una obra que es casi perfecta.
Muy recomendable.
Aunque tardó en engancharme, al final fue una lectura muy agradable. La historia de Alice, 69 años, atrapada en un matrimonio miserable, con dos hijos totalmente distintos entre si, y las consecuencias que su matrimonio ha generado en el desarrollo de los mismos.
Lo que más me ha gustado es que te familiarizas enseguida con todos los personajes. Son situaciones y diálogos muy reales, lo que te lleva a leer la novela casi como si fueses un miembro más de la familia. Tiene momentos cómicos y momentos de tristeza, y ambos están muy bien conseguidos. Quizás le sobre un poco de “moralina” hacia el final, esa especie de “Carpe Diem” repetitivo. Y tampoco le hubiera venido mal mostrar la reflexión del personaje más desagradable de toda la novela. Me refiero al padre, y que conste que no es por defender lo que hace, que es indefendible, sino por saber cómo habría reflejado el autor a una persona que, sin duda, tendría en su aporte una mayor consolidación de una obra que es casi perfecta.
Muy recomendable.
January 10, 2016
The story line I feel is quite basic but it doesn't need to be anything more, because instead the focus is on the family dynamic. There are 3 parts of the book, focusing on the mother and each of her two sons. The characters had a lot of depth and I felt like I was sat in the living room with them. I don't think I've seen in a book before where it shows how other people see you, Alice was so unaware of how others saw her. Finished this book quickly which is always a good sign. It really got me thinking about my own family dynamic and do certain family members really know how they come across. Second book I've read by this author, will definitely look out for more.
July 8, 2016
Didn't think I was going to stick with this book, but it turned out to be fab read :) The story of the complexities of family life was told so well. A surprisingly captivating book :) p.s. I's have stabbed Ken in the head though! lol
October 21, 2015
This really is the most beautiful book.
Nick Alexander has written a story that at times shows the main character, Alice, in a less-than-flattering light, but that honesty is what makes her so identifiable with. She starts to question her marriage, and indeed her whole life, and this sets her off on a new path, one filled with anxieties, and no clear direction.
Added to the mix are her two sons. One, living fairly locally, is your fairly typical married-with-two-kids-and-a-mortgage type and on the surface has it all sorted; the other, an apparent drifter who can't hold down a 'normal' life. But things aren't always what they seem and Alice learns some hard truths about herself and her offspring as she unpicks her own life, and starts to try and build some meaningful relationships.
Nick has - I think - stepped outside the comfort zone to write this, and I think it's a better book for the leap. In places I laughed out loud, and I smiled a lot at scenes that resonated with me. But I also sobbed in parts.
I'm no clairvoyant, so I don't know if this will reach the dizzy heights of the sales charts like his previous book The Photographer's Wife, but I personally think this is even better.
Nick Alexander has written a story that at times shows the main character, Alice, in a less-than-flattering light, but that honesty is what makes her so identifiable with. She starts to question her marriage, and indeed her whole life, and this sets her off on a new path, one filled with anxieties, and no clear direction.
Added to the mix are her two sons. One, living fairly locally, is your fairly typical married-with-two-kids-and-a-mortgage type and on the surface has it all sorted; the other, an apparent drifter who can't hold down a 'normal' life. But things aren't always what they seem and Alice learns some hard truths about herself and her offspring as she unpicks her own life, and starts to try and build some meaningful relationships.
Nick has - I think - stepped outside the comfort zone to write this, and I think it's a better book for the leap. In places I laughed out loud, and I smiled a lot at scenes that resonated with me. But I also sobbed in parts.
I'm no clairvoyant, so I don't know if this will reach the dizzy heights of the sales charts like his previous book The Photographer's Wife, but I personally think this is even better.
March 25, 2018
¡Cuantísimo me ha gustado! Una historia que no era lo que esperaba, para nada, pero que me ha sorprendido por el análisis, duro a ratos, dulce a veces, de unas relaciones familiares complejas y terribles. Técnicamente me parece que cojea en varias cosas, pero... me ha dado igual. Me ha emocionado demasiado como para que me importara.
August 6, 2019
Great audio book! An ingenuously crafted story with an emotional, surprising, ending that caught me quite off guard and somewhat stunned! (In a good way!) The combination of Alexander's writing and
the story telling of Imogen Church is a masterful combination. A book I won't soon forget! I highly recommend it!
Other books narrated by Imogen Church:
The Woman In Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware. I highly recommend this one too!
the story telling of Imogen Church is a masterful combination. A book I won't soon forget! I highly recommend it!
Other books narrated by Imogen Church:
The Woman In Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware. I highly recommend this one too!
May 22, 2019
The continuing attempt to read books I've bought but not read!
This wasn't what I expected in a really good way. It moved me and made me think even though it has a light touch and is a very domestic novel. It isn't full of big ideas and massive game changers, it has a quiet, good humoured slightly melancholy feel and it was exactly what I needed when I read it.
This is the story of Alice and her perfectly awful husband, Ken. Alice comes to realise that the beatings she took as a young wife, sometimes in front of her two impressionable young sons, wasn't appropriate, wasn't good for her or her children. She starts to fight back and when her best friend leaves her similarly awful husband, she realises that she could make a change too.
It is also the story of the wife of one of those sons, a Russian emigrate, Natalia is a materially ambitious woman. Her husband, a banker, is not capable of discussing things of a difficult nature and cannot bring himself to talk about his mother and father's relationship. Family get togethers are awful tense affairs, the conversation stilted, the connections missing. She feels criticised and undermined by Alice and Ken.
We also have the other son. Living with his partner in rural France, barely in touch with his family and happy to adopt his partners family as his own. When Alice leaves Ken, his life changes completely.
This is a story which is moving and uncomfortable at times. I loved it a lot. I wanted Alice to look at herself and her behaviour, I wanted her to empower herself and see life with new eyes. The author took me on a journey of self discovery, everyone in this family grows. Everyone is shown new ways of thinking. I really liked that. It is a fast but moving read. I'll seek out more from this author.
This wasn't what I expected in a really good way. It moved me and made me think even though it has a light touch and is a very domestic novel. It isn't full of big ideas and massive game changers, it has a quiet, good humoured slightly melancholy feel and it was exactly what I needed when I read it.
This is the story of Alice and her perfectly awful husband, Ken. Alice comes to realise that the beatings she took as a young wife, sometimes in front of her two impressionable young sons, wasn't appropriate, wasn't good for her or her children. She starts to fight back and when her best friend leaves her similarly awful husband, she realises that she could make a change too.
It is also the story of the wife of one of those sons, a Russian emigrate, Natalia is a materially ambitious woman. Her husband, a banker, is not capable of discussing things of a difficult nature and cannot bring himself to talk about his mother and father's relationship. Family get togethers are awful tense affairs, the conversation stilted, the connections missing. She feels criticised and undermined by Alice and Ken.
We also have the other son. Living with his partner in rural France, barely in touch with his family and happy to adopt his partners family as his own. When Alice leaves Ken, his life changes completely.
This is a story which is moving and uncomfortable at times. I loved it a lot. I wanted Alice to look at herself and her behaviour, I wanted her to empower herself and see life with new eyes. The author took me on a journey of self discovery, everyone in this family grows. Everyone is shown new ways of thinking. I really liked that. It is a fast but moving read. I'll seek out more from this author.
January 23, 2016
Got better as I progressed through. Family life across different generations from varying viewpoints. Enjoyable although subject matter hardly positive stuff!
June 23, 2025
I just adored this book. Despite the cute cover, the story deals with really painful topics, such as domestic abuse, generational trauma and homophobia. The characters are really well-crafted and realistic. I am just so happy I read this one. Beautiful from start to finish. I was really hooked by the plot the entire time.
December 18, 2019
It's the first time that i have read any of Nick Alexander's books and judging by 'The Other Son', it will not be the last. I very much enjoyed reading about Alice, her husband and two sons. A well written book that i can recommend.
My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for my copy. This is my honest review, which i have voluntarily given.
My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for my copy. This is my honest review, which i have voluntarily given.
July 30, 2017
SÚPER BUENO. Al principio lo encontré tedioso porque qué señora más quejosa, pero después... bueno, cada vez se puso más interesante y los personajes más complejos, tanto que al final lamenté terminarlo. Un libro inteligente, diria, con sorpresas y evolución en sus caracteres. Tantas cosas no eran como parecían, empezando por la señora. Me pareció esperanzador.
Tiene varios clichés, eso sí, y además me pareció injusto que todas las personas de la familia muestren su versión de los cómo y de los cuándo, menos el papá, quien resulta ser el ojo del huracán. Encontré que llegar y sacar toda la perspectiva del señor de la ecuación fue como no hacer la tarea, porque siempre será más fácil demonizar a alguien que intentar comprenderlo. Lo que NO SIGNIFICA que esté de acuerdo con la violencia, sino solo que falto análisis, en el libro.
En fin, que ¡es bacán! Me encantó, y se me pasó volando. Vale la pena leerlo.
Tiene varios clichés, eso sí, y además me pareció injusto que todas las personas de la familia muestren su versión de los cómo y de los cuándo, menos el papá, quien resulta ser el ojo del huracán. Encontré que llegar y sacar toda la perspectiva del señor de la ecuación fue como no hacer la tarea, porque siempre será más fácil demonizar a alguien que intentar comprenderlo. Lo que NO SIGNIFICA que esté de acuerdo con la violencia, sino solo que falto análisis, en el libro.
En fin, que ¡es bacán! Me encantó, y se me pasó volando. Vale la pena leerlo.
December 30, 2019
Alice isn't happy with Ken. Back then she had to marry him, leave Joe behind. Her life would be much more bearable if only she could see her family more often. She loves her grandsons but her son Tim, successful and happily married doesn't visit often and his wife Natalia seems not to like her in-laws very much. The other son Matt was always somewhat on the dark side, now he has been traveling for too long. And Ken forbad her too see her only friend Dod since she left her husband. When Alice finally decides to do something, she learns that nothing in her family is as it seems...
This is the tale of Alice's life, memories of her childhood with the tragic story of her brother, her youth and scenes of her marriage. The story of Matt, estranged from his family, kind of hiding in France. And the story of Tim, always the good son, and Natalia, who have a good marriage but never talk about the ghosts of their past.
How they all became who they are, how their lifes became what they are.
The complexities of being normal people with problems, how you can't judge anyone for being selfish at times or making little wrong decisions even if they mean a lot and affect you and your memories,
Reading not only about Alice but also about the lives of her sons, the dynamic of their relationships and their ugly memories of their childhood really made this special. I love how the pieces clicked into place, how different parts of this show that perspective is key. The way everone acts and reacts says so much. I loved how the true nature of everyone involved was slowly revealed. Especially with Ken it has the right effect.
The characters are heavily developed and brought to life perfectly. The whole thing really is witty, honest and moving.
I loved reading about Natalia and Tim. She's really something but I got to see beyond her effort to appear perfect, to see her insecurities, flaws and wishes. Her fantasies and her russian breakfast were hilarious, the scene where she accuses her little son was disturbing, her past tragic. She has a mean sense of humor and I absolutely can relate to the swearing in mother language when mad.
Tim was susprisingly insecure himself, his constant worries and him remembering the broken wrist, the head under water, the boot in the face, the night in the cupboard made me feel sorry for the little boy he was. His determination to not get involved was understandable but his comments about Alice winding Ken up made me question him.
It was Matts perspective, his memories, that made me understand Tim.
Matt lives a life no one knows about. He walked away from the trouble at home but surprisingly he has more in common with his mother than he thought. I loved Bruno and his honest and open take on life. I loved how the honesty versus tact game played out when Alice was offended, when he tells her to quit complaining. Same as Natalia, when she could look beyond the looks, he surprised her and was just what she and this story needed.
The Joe-twist does explain lots of things mentioned earlier but the book didn't exactly need it.
It was great to see Alice evolve, how she realized that she way lying to herself along with everyone else, how she thought about the complaining. The complaining, pointing out negative and grumbling all the time was probably the one thing that made me understand, how she exhausted everyone. It would have exhausted me, if I wasn't so absorbed into the deeper meaning.
Such a great read!
This is the tale of Alice's life, memories of her childhood with the tragic story of her brother, her youth and scenes of her marriage. The story of Matt, estranged from his family, kind of hiding in France. And the story of Tim, always the good son, and Natalia, who have a good marriage but never talk about the ghosts of their past.
How they all became who they are, how their lifes became what they are.
The complexities of being normal people with problems, how you can't judge anyone for being selfish at times or making little wrong decisions even if they mean a lot and affect you and your memories,
Reading not only about Alice but also about the lives of her sons, the dynamic of their relationships and their ugly memories of their childhood really made this special. I love how the pieces clicked into place, how different parts of this show that perspective is key. The way everone acts and reacts says so much. I loved how the true nature of everyone involved was slowly revealed. Especially with Ken it has the right effect.
The characters are heavily developed and brought to life perfectly. The whole thing really is witty, honest and moving.
I loved reading about Natalia and Tim. She's really something but I got to see beyond her effort to appear perfect, to see her insecurities, flaws and wishes. Her fantasies and her russian breakfast were hilarious, the scene where she accuses her little son was disturbing, her past tragic. She has a mean sense of humor and I absolutely can relate to the swearing in mother language when mad.
Tim was susprisingly insecure himself, his constant worries and him remembering the broken wrist, the head under water, the boot in the face, the night in the cupboard made me feel sorry for the little boy he was. His determination to not get involved was understandable but his comments about Alice winding Ken up made me question him.
It was Matts perspective, his memories, that made me understand Tim.
Matt lives a life no one knows about. He walked away from the trouble at home but surprisingly he has more in common with his mother than he thought. I loved Bruno and his honest and open take on life. I loved how the honesty versus tact game played out when Alice was offended, when he tells her to quit complaining. Same as Natalia, when she could look beyond the looks, he surprised her and was just what she and this story needed.
The Joe-twist does explain lots of things mentioned earlier but the book didn't exactly need it.
It was great to see Alice evolve, how she realized that she way lying to herself along with everyone else, how she thought about the complaining. The complaining, pointing out negative and grumbling all the time was probably the one thing that made me understand, how she exhausted everyone. It would have exhausted me, if I wasn't so absorbed into the deeper meaning.
Such a great read!
July 7, 2016
I absolutely loved this book from start to finish,I didn,t want it to end.its a wonderful insight into different relationships within a family and with such believable characters.I Couldn,t stop thinking about it,It has a level of sadness and unhappiness brought about by wrong choices having been made within relationships.I did also find snatches of it humorous though.I now can't wait to read "The Photographers wife"
October 19, 2015
An eagerly awaited book and as usual Nick Alexander does not disappoint. A beautifully written, thought provoking read. Highly recommended as always.
January 5, 2016
Simple story really well told.
Thoughtful insight into family life. Must be many out there living in a similar way reminds you how people can see a situation very differently.
Thoughtful insight into family life. Must be many out there living in a similar way reminds you how people can see a situation very differently.
February 12, 2016
got better as it developed.
October 23, 2022
I'm a big fan of this writer. As an Indie writer myself he gives me hope that for go-it-alone writers like us, success is possible.
Having said that, I found this book a harder read than some of his others. It deals with family, always a tricky, emotive topic, and especially the difference between people who were brought up in the forties and fifties and those of subsequent generations. The sixties changed a lot, but they did not change everything, and although people whose formative years were pre-1960 may not have altered much, that era created a tension that this book explores.
In Ken and Alice's day, the man was the head of the household, the meter-out of money and discipline. He decided how the family was run, making all the decisions, and the wife more or less had to go along with it. Usually women had to quit their jobs when they married, losing their financial independence, their job-satisfaction, the support of work colleagues and their social network. They retreated to a world of housework and nappies. Plus, family matters were private. The unpleasant, like abuse, alcoholism, gambling addiction, money worries and marital infidelity, were kept behind the net curtains. People didn't talk about them and so it was often impossible to seek help.
Nick Alexander's portrait of this kind of marriage is painfully accurate. He is only four years younger than I am and I guess he saw it, or at least was aware of it, as I was. As a child of the 60s I was nevertheless brought up with the values and expectations of the 50s. All that meant was that I kept things secret from my parents because I knew they would not approve. This had long-term consequences for my life.
The modern-day marriage of Tim and Natalya, Ken and Alice's son and daughter-in-law, although a contrast, is by no means perfect. Things might be different now, or it is to be hoped they are. There is a more equal balance in decision-making and contributions around the home are shared. Women are at liberty to continue their careers after marriage if they want to, retaining financial independence and self-worth. But there are still things that make marriage difficult. Tim is driven to succeed, to amass wealth, to live in bigger and bigger houses. Both he and his wife are rabid consumers of tech, of fashion, of wine, of designer goods of every type. They spend, they aspire, they live life large, but they are not happy. They look at their marriage from the outside, as they imagine others will see it. In the end, all Tim wants is his parents' approval, but quite why this should be I did not understand. Everything about them annoys him, even his poor, beleaguered mother gets no sympathy from Tim.
The story moves to the south of France, where the eponymous 'other son' lives a simple life in a cabin with his partner. Matt is no hero, he is flawed and damaged by his up-bringing at the hands of Ken and Alice, but he has found something that none of the others characters have, and therein lies the positive note of this otherwise rather dark and knotty story. No spoilers here, but I liked Alexander's gentle, show-don't-tell example of what a happier life might look like for all of us.
Having said that, I found this book a harder read than some of his others. It deals with family, always a tricky, emotive topic, and especially the difference between people who were brought up in the forties and fifties and those of subsequent generations. The sixties changed a lot, but they did not change everything, and although people whose formative years were pre-1960 may not have altered much, that era created a tension that this book explores.
In Ken and Alice's day, the man was the head of the household, the meter-out of money and discipline. He decided how the family was run, making all the decisions, and the wife more or less had to go along with it. Usually women had to quit their jobs when they married, losing their financial independence, their job-satisfaction, the support of work colleagues and their social network. They retreated to a world of housework and nappies. Plus, family matters were private. The unpleasant, like abuse, alcoholism, gambling addiction, money worries and marital infidelity, were kept behind the net curtains. People didn't talk about them and so it was often impossible to seek help.
Nick Alexander's portrait of this kind of marriage is painfully accurate. He is only four years younger than I am and I guess he saw it, or at least was aware of it, as I was. As a child of the 60s I was nevertheless brought up with the values and expectations of the 50s. All that meant was that I kept things secret from my parents because I knew they would not approve. This had long-term consequences for my life.
The modern-day marriage of Tim and Natalya, Ken and Alice's son and daughter-in-law, although a contrast, is by no means perfect. Things might be different now, or it is to be hoped they are. There is a more equal balance in decision-making and contributions around the home are shared. Women are at liberty to continue their careers after marriage if they want to, retaining financial independence and self-worth. But there are still things that make marriage difficult. Tim is driven to succeed, to amass wealth, to live in bigger and bigger houses. Both he and his wife are rabid consumers of tech, of fashion, of wine, of designer goods of every type. They spend, they aspire, they live life large, but they are not happy. They look at their marriage from the outside, as they imagine others will see it. In the end, all Tim wants is his parents' approval, but quite why this should be I did not understand. Everything about them annoys him, even his poor, beleaguered mother gets no sympathy from Tim.
The story moves to the south of France, where the eponymous 'other son' lives a simple life in a cabin with his partner. Matt is no hero, he is flawed and damaged by his up-bringing at the hands of Ken and Alice, but he has found something that none of the others characters have, and therein lies the positive note of this otherwise rather dark and knotty story. No spoilers here, but I liked Alexander's gentle, show-don't-tell example of what a happier life might look like for all of us.
April 21, 2017
Je ne pensais pas que Nick Alexander pourrait me plaire plus qu'avec La femme du photographe. Il y avait la surprise de la découverte d'une plume, et son roman était vraiment d'une qualité supérieure à presque tous les indés lus jusqu'alors. La même qualité de style et la même excellence de narration que tous les auteurs étudiés durant mes études de littérature anglo-saxonne. Une subtilité des sentiments comme dans Les vestiges du jour, un don pour décortiquer les architectures complexes des familles comme on peut en lire chez Ian McEwan, une générosité qui lui est propre et qui fait du bien et un don pour les twists très surprenants en fin d’histoire. Bref, je partais dans la lecture de L'Autre fils en ayant une nouvelle fois cette peur d'être déçue par un auteur que j'aime.
Mais ayant posé le livre il y a quelques minutes me voilà soulagée, L'Autre Fils m'a fait vivre beaucoup d'émotions. J'étais souvent obligée de m'arrêter en cours de lecture non seulement pour souffler face au flot que le livre faisait monter en moi, mais aussi pour me dire, me redire à quel point Nick était doué et qu'il avait absolument tout compris au métier d'auteur, de conteur. J'étais frustrée de ne pas l'avoir découvert plus tôt dans ma vie et mon parcours de lectrice, mais comblée d'avoir eu la chance de trouver ses livres sur mon passage. Parce que comme la Femme du photographe, peut-être même plus d'ailleurs, l'Autre fils est un de ces livres qui non seulement ne vous laisse pas indemne à la lecture mais qui continuera de vous accompagner longtemps après. La proximité à l'un des personnages, à certaines situations décrites ne peut expliquer tout mon attachement pour ce livre. Nick y déroule une vision du bonheur pleine d'espoir. Je pourrais m'étaler des heures sur la qualité technique de l'écriture, mais j'ai envie de rester sur cette impression béate pendant quelques temps, d'emmener la chaleur de la Provence avec moi pour essayer de cultiver ma pensée positive.
Mais ayant posé le livre il y a quelques minutes me voilà soulagée, L'Autre Fils m'a fait vivre beaucoup d'émotions. J'étais souvent obligée de m'arrêter en cours de lecture non seulement pour souffler face au flot que le livre faisait monter en moi, mais aussi pour me dire, me redire à quel point Nick était doué et qu'il avait absolument tout compris au métier d'auteur, de conteur. J'étais frustrée de ne pas l'avoir découvert plus tôt dans ma vie et mon parcours de lectrice, mais comblée d'avoir eu la chance de trouver ses livres sur mon passage. Parce que comme la Femme du photographe, peut-être même plus d'ailleurs, l'Autre fils est un de ces livres qui non seulement ne vous laisse pas indemne à la lecture mais qui continuera de vous accompagner longtemps après. La proximité à l'un des personnages, à certaines situations décrites ne peut expliquer tout mon attachement pour ce livre. Nick y déroule une vision du bonheur pleine d'espoir. Je pourrais m'étaler des heures sur la qualité technique de l'écriture, mais j'ai envie de rester sur cette impression béate pendant quelques temps, d'emmener la chaleur de la Provence avec moi pour essayer de cultiver ma pensée positive.
December 22, 2019
The Other Son by Nick Alexander is the second novel that I have read by this author and, like the first, I found it to be a fascinating character driven story that speaks, with much wisdom, to the human condition. What I love about a Nick Alexander story is the fallibility and vulnerability that is so fully fleshed out in each and every character.
Alice has been ticking along for years with her husband, Ken, until one day her friend Dot decides to leave her own marriage, and Alice realizes that the time has come for her to drop the facade that she has hidden behind for so long. The dysfunction of the family has been glossed over for years, and Alice and Ken's two sons, Tim and Matt, have each carved out new lives for themselves. Having a distant relationship with her boys, Alice awkwardly reaches out to them in her time of need, but is it too late to begin healing the hurts of the past, particularly with Matt, whom Alice has always considered to be 'other'? This is an emotive and engaging domestic drama that showcases the author at his best.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this ARC.
Alice has been ticking along for years with her husband, Ken, until one day her friend Dot decides to leave her own marriage, and Alice realizes that the time has come for her to drop the facade that she has hidden behind for so long. The dysfunction of the family has been glossed over for years, and Alice and Ken's two sons, Tim and Matt, have each carved out new lives for themselves. Having a distant relationship with her boys, Alice awkwardly reaches out to them in her time of need, but is it too late to begin healing the hurts of the past, particularly with Matt, whom Alice has always considered to be 'other'? This is an emotive and engaging domestic drama that showcases the author at his best.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this ARC.
December 16, 2020
Alice and her husband Ken are close to seventy when he punches her in the face for the last time. The Other Son is partly a story of domestic abuse, but the main theme is how we adapt over time. The accommodations we make, in this case desensitizing ourselves to our losses, to our petty and large capitulations. The rationalizing we do. How much is too much? And can we truly change, especially when we're old?
In the beginning of this story, I was solidly on Alice's side. Then I saw how cold and judgmental she was to her son and DIL, but later in the story you realize that's not the real Alice. That's the Alice who made herself numb to be able to deal with her life. Her two sons are still, in middle-age, crippled by their need for parental approval; one of them chases materialism while the other is virtually estranged. When Alice finally makes a big decision, it's gratifying to see how she begins to thaw and grow.
Nick Alexander does a great job of getting us inside the characters' emotions. Alice's horrible life with Ken resonates. Brought back bad memories for me, and that's a testament to the writing. Especially when we see how Alice glosses over what happened to her and the boys. Chilling, but with redemption. I recommend it.
In the beginning of this story, I was solidly on Alice's side. Then I saw how cold and judgmental she was to her son and DIL, but later in the story you realize that's not the real Alice. That's the Alice who made herself numb to be able to deal with her life. Her two sons are still, in middle-age, crippled by their need for parental approval; one of them chases materialism while the other is virtually estranged. When Alice finally makes a big decision, it's gratifying to see how she begins to thaw and grow.
Nick Alexander does a great job of getting us inside the characters' emotions. Alice's horrible life with Ken resonates. Brought back bad memories for me, and that's a testament to the writing. Especially when we see how Alice glosses over what happened to her and the boys. Chilling, but with redemption. I recommend it.
January 6, 2023
I read this because of a review. The blurb wouldn't have drawn me in, I don't think, but this was a fantastic read. I was drawn in straight away and loved the way the book was broken into four segments which let us get to know the different POVs. There were a lot of things just left up in the air. Are we supposed to guess how things go? I don't know if there is a sequel but I feel there needs to be (I haven't checked to see if there is yet). This would probably have been a 5-star read for me and might yet be if there is a sequel that 'finishes' things properly.
September 27, 2020
A very heartwarming simple story of a very ordinary family.
Kids trying to get approval from their parents. Parents not being so parent-y. It’s sad that not all parents are openly affectionate with their kids but doesn’t mean it always has to end bad.
Kids trying to get approval from their parents. Parents not being so parent-y. It’s sad that not all parents are openly affectionate with their kids but doesn’t mean it always has to end bad.
November 7, 2017
Questo libro dalla trama promette molto ,leggendolo non da praticamente nulla !
May 18, 2020
Nick Alexander is a good entertainer. I enjoyed this read.
April 13, 2017
not what i expected from the blurb but implies how positive thinking or attitude changes the way we see things if only we can find that influence in our lives.
June 15, 2017
I loved this book. It put me through a multitude of emotions. Great storyline and well written. This is the 2nd book I've read by this author and I've just bought anothe. love his writing style.
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