The Death of a 10-Year-Old Boy

by Scott Reardon

The Death of a 10-Year-Old Boy is a heartbreaking, once-in-a-generation novel that allows readers to experience something they fear most: what it's like to die.

A man who takes his dying son on a hunt for a bear that's killed two people. The man wants the boy to see something in life beyond school and sports, beyond everything he's ever known. Ultimately the book is about what's left when we're facing the end: what are we and what does it mean to be alive?

Genres: Ebooks

137 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 24, 2023

About the author

Scott Reardon is the author of The Dark Continent and The Prometheus Man, which was published in 2017 by Little Brown. He has written and directed two feature films, Our Pet Kat and Dakota Bastard. He lives in Connecticut with his wife and three children.

Reviews

[Kate O'Shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had to take a little time to compose myself after finishing this book.

The title says it all but tells you nothing really. The boy has been given a month or two to live and, at first he goes to school and life is kept normal but then he asks his father if they can go to the wilderness to hunt. He wants to be at the edge of the world then go beyond that safety.

The two travel to Montana where there are reports of a giant bear terrorising the wilderness.

This book had me in tears several times. I have not lost a child but stupid cancer killed my husband so I know how fast you can lose someone so precious that it floors you completely.

Anyway, Scott Reardon manages a very fine balancing act with his writing. It is not mawkish or sentimental. It is laced with pure love between the father and his son. Neither are heroes but they face what is to cone with a certain amount of stoicism.

The descriptions of the landscape are breathtaking and it certainly makes you wish you'd seen wild sites such as the ones in the book.

Safe to say that although this is a sad end it is an excellent book that gives you pause for thought about what life and death are and our place amongst our family, society and the world.

I am looking forward to reading more of Mr Reardon's work as he's an author new to me.

I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Death of a 10-Year-Old Boy
By Scott Reardon
Rating 5/5
How does a parent cope with the news that their 10 year old son has weeks to live. One heck of a quandary, hold him close or let him experience life. That experience involves the killing of a huge bear that has been held responsible for the killing of two humans. Unthinkable but it happens, the father and son set off on a risky journey from which only one will return.
Laughter and tears, fear and exhilaration, The Death of a 10 year old has it all. The journey of a 10 year old who grows in experience and closer to his father and then back to a scared wee boy is uplifting but heartbreaking.
Very well written it has a poignant insight to the boy and his father’s relationship. It really seems quite apt that they remain nameless, it gives a strong impact. Scott Reardon certainly knows how to tackle a sensitive and difficult subject with compassion, insight and writing skills.
Highly recommended. Thank you to Scott Reardon, Aspen Press and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read The Death of a 10 Year Old Boy. In return I have written an honest and unbiased review.

[Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scott Reardon's Death of a 10-Year-Old Boy is a deeply touching story of death and humanity. We follow the unnamed protagonists hunting a killer bear in Montanna, over the edge of the wild, in a last bid to give a dying child a meaningful life. But more than that we follow their exploration of the human condition as they face the greatest questions of life, god, and eternity. I found this book very moving, and even though it hit me hard I'm very glad I read it.

I received a free review copy of this book

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short novel revolved around the terminal diagnosis of a ten year old and his father's desire to let his son have a grand adventure before he dies. For the father, it seems to be an ongoing struggle to that old age questions of what is the meaning of life and does God exist?

I thought the premise of the trip taken was pretty unbelievable. A man and a boy sent off with rifles to hunt a gigantic grizzly with no hiking, camping or shooting experience just doesn't happen. :) I suppose as a backdrop for the main points, it worked.

Thank you NetGalley and Aspen Press for the early read.

[Becky M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although a short novel, this story packs a punch. A man and a terminally ill boy set off into the vast unknown of Montana to hunt a bear that had killed three people and continued to terrorize the area. What unfolds is a trip of a lifetime exploring areas of Montana rarely seen with the human eye, the thrill of a hunt and a bonding experience like no other. Themes in the novel really make you question what you believe when life comes to an end. You don’t come away from this story with answers to all the thoughts it evokes but it definitely makes you confront your thoughts on something we all fear the most and that is death.
Thank you to Voracious Readers and Scott Reardon for providing me with a ARC of this novel.

[Bethany Cousins · Rating 5 out of 5]

"To go as far as a person can." The boy thought a moment. "I’ve always wanted to go to the edge of the world— and then just keep going."

The Death of a 10-Year-Old Boy" by Scott Reardon is a profoundly touching tale. It portrays the journey of a young boy, living on borrowed time, as he embarks on an extraordinary quest alongside his father. Their mission: to confront a fearsome bear that has cast a shadow of terror over the region for years.

There is an emotional depth that permeates the pages, even in the simplistic manner the story is told. The author brilliantly captures the fragile yet resolute spirit of the young boy, painting a vivid portrait of his determination to embrace life's fleeting moments with unyielding courage. Amidst the backdrop of wilderness exploration and the looming presence of the bear, Reardon intricately weaves reflections on existence, mortality, and the essence of what it truly means to be alive. The story's power lies in its ability to strip away the extraneous, honing in on the raw essence of human experience, and prompting readers to ponder the significance of the time we are granted on this earth. It is a testament to Reardon's literary work that he can capture such a wide spectrum of feelings - from sorrow to hope, from fear to determination - in a narrative that is both eloquent and sincere.

"And he realized it was the most worthwhile things that killed you. Because the more you lived, the more you loved something, the more you could die."

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader’s copy of The Death of A 10-Year-Old Boy by Scott Reardon though Net Galley. The Death of A 10-Year-Old Boy by Scott Reardon was a unique, interesting story. What do you when your young child is going to die and there is nothing you can do? Do you have the child live as is nothing is happening? Do you pull your child out of school and let them decide what they want to do? The man and Mom ask the boy what he wants to do. The boy hears a story about a bear who has killed three people and evading all the hunters and the boy wants to hunt this bear. During this adventure, it is a story of a father’s and son’s love for one another, how far that they will push each other, and find the truth, even if it is haunting and hard. Another reason why I enjoyed this book is how Scott Reardon sets the scenes of the wilderness making feel as if I am right beside the dad and son. Truly a story that will stay with me for many years to come.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heart-breaking story of a boy dying of cancer, but it is uplifting and hopeful, too, as he and his father join a hunt for a rogue grizzly bear. It is a story of bravery, perseverance, appreciating the beauty of life and our world, looking for the meaning of a life when facing the end, and where do we fit in individually and as a group in the grand scheme of things. I think I will need to reread it another time or two because I feel there is so much more to get out of it, whether facing the death of a loved, our own death, or death in general. None of us know how we will face that moment when it comes, but the death of the boy doesn’t seem to me to be a bad way to go. A thought-provoking story worth the read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Don · Rating 2 out of 5]

Publishing date is 5/18/2023, I read an advanced reader copy. Read but didn’t finish. The premise is a 10-year-old boy has terminal brain cancer and so his dad takes him on a trip to Wyoming to participate in the hunt for a killer bear. What every dad would do, right? uWhat mother would, after finding her kid has a couple months to live, would let this happen? On top of it, the father and son are never named, they are just “the man” and “the boy.” There is no character development, poor dialog, faulty timeline, and within the first half of this short book “the man” tells “the boy” he will be dead in just a few weeks. The gore was starting as I decided to stop reading. I have questions: Who recommended this book? Why did I read over half of it? Why did I give it two stars?

[Kelsey Rhodes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is either a 2/5 or a 4/5 depending on if you handle it through a realism lens or a metaphorical lens. Because of this, I am going to average those and give it a 3/5 stars. I appreciate the symbolism of a father taking his dying child on one last grand adventure. The unrealistic nature of that adventure is hard to swallow unless you fully disengage from reality. If you can do so, its a beautiful story about grieve and letting go.

I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Sam Fry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Am amazing story about a man & his son who only has a few short months to live. It takes you on a journey of hope, love & determination as they travel to a place the young 12 year old wants to go to before he dies. They encounter hardships, excitement & friendship along the way & discover each others inner feelings. It's a very poignant read but not a sloppy cry your eyes out read & it makes you feel the closeness only a father & son can have. I really enjoyed this book even though it was a fairly short story.

[Kasia Hubbard · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those stories that will stay with you. Scott Reardon pens a story that is both devastating and yet enlightening. What would you do as a parent of a child who has less than two months to live? Would you have them continue on in a routine that has them face their own mortality, or, or do you give them the chance of a lifetime, to live a lifetime in a very limited time frame? Beautifully written with some very real wild moments, and yet so hard to forget.
*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. This review is my own opinion*

[Marty Tool · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of wondering what you would do if your life would soon be over, and if there is a God. The writing is so well done you can visually see everything that's happening, and feel the pain of both father and son dealing with the end. Beautifully written with a steady flow of emotions it doesn't disappoint the reader. I appreciate the beauty of the story while having to remember the title of the book. Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for an early read of this story.

[Carl F. Billings · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t know what to expect from this short novel with its intimidating title. What I found was the story of a man, faced with the impending death of his young son and their journey to that end. It was moving and inspirational in the style of The Alchemist. The boy was wise beyond his years and the man, unsurprisingly, had a number of barriers to battle before he was willing to let his boy go. In all, a fine text that made me think. That’s what good books are for.

[Joe Nasuti · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved the premise, but not the execution.

It takes a while to accept the fact that the author doesn't use any names for his characters. Might be related to the existentialism of the story, but this is only a minor annoyance.
The bigger issue is the perversion that appears more than once between the man and the boy. Locker room humor is one thing, but a line is more than crossed during the post-hike showering and when describing the father's remedy for the boy's constipation.
Add to this the overall morbidity and a general sense of disappointment relative to their final destination, and you'll know that I did not enjoy this book once finished.

I am intrigued by the author's subject choices, so I will likely try another title in the future.

[Vicki Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Death of a 10-Year Old Boy

His physical body died but not his soul. His father helped his accomplish his greatest dream - to have an adventure before he died.
A very soul searching story that will set your mind to some very serious thinking about life and death and if there really is a god out there somewhere looking out for you.

[Tam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compulsive and gripping! Suspenseful, addictive and complex! A very well-written book with wonderfully-interesting characters. The suspense builds at just the right pace as the story unfolds. Will keep you swiping the pages furiously. Worthy of your TBR list.

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book from in order to read and provide a voluntary and honest review, should I choose to do so.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful book that forces you to look death in the face. What does death mean to you? The book doesn’t give you an answer, but makes you reflect on that question. I nearly died last year and was forced to do the same for myself. A lot of the questions and issues I’ve worked through to pull myself back together are raised in this book. Deep, dark, but well done.

[Lori Henrich · Rating 3 out of 5]

The end made me cry even though I knew it was coming. It was partly because of the story, but also because I had just heard from a dear friend of mine that her mom had passed away. I was the first non-family member that she told. So between the book and the news I got I had tears. I wish the language would have been better though.

[Tabatha Slagle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting story. I think what threw me the most was just that the main characters weren't referred to by their names. It didn't give me that personal connection to the characters and storyline. It wasn't a bad book it just didn't resonate with me. My heart definitely broke at the end, though. The titles tell you what to expect going into it but it's still sad.

[Paul Doherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievable

I just finished what by far was one of the most powerful and gut wrenching books I have ever read. The boy and his father will stay in my thoughts for a very long time, I'm sure. And even more importantly it has caused me to look a bit harder at my own life and my own faith, and to ultimately be renewed in hope. Read this book!!

[Vicki McNally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it yourself!

I can't say I enjoyed this book. But it was very intense. Had no idea how it would end. It certainly makes you think about life, but raises lots of questions. Have to read it and draw your own conclusions!

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short story about a 10-year-old boy who has a very short time left to live. He and his dad decide to go to Montana to hunt a monster of a bear. It's about them spending their last moments together and contemplating life. It's an enjoyable read.

[raymond hassett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reading

Great writing it will hit you in the gut have tissue ready only book that bought me to tears. Great reading do yourself a favor and READ this book

[William Falo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure how I fell about this book. It is a different story that is sad, and hard to believe at times. It will make you think about if for quite a while

[Barbara Ardoin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book and story !ine

This book will captivate your heart. Its characters will make you think a out yourself and beliefs.I would definitely read more from this author.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful tear-jerker

A boy and his father, the man, search for answers about life and death. The answer is indefinite and eternal.

[Myra McCulloch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A free book from Voracious Readers thank you

A child with a terminal illness and a father who wants his son to experience life. They spend time in the wilderness hunting bear and asking the questions of our perceptions of life.