The Third Son, Julie Wu
The Third Son, Julie Wu
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The Third Son

Author: Julie Wu

Narrator: David Shih

Unabridged: 10 hr 34 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 04/30/2013


Synopsis

It’s 1943 as air-raid sirens blare in Japanese-occupied Taiwan, eight-year-old Saburo is in no hurry to go home to the abuse he suffers at the hands of his parents and older brother. In the peach forests of Taoyuan, he encounters Yoshiko, whose loving family is like a glimpse of paradise for him. Their brief meeting is a memory he cherishes from that moment forward, and for years after he tries to locate her again. But when he finally does, she is by the side of his eldest brother and greatest rival.

As the Chinese Nationalist Army lays claim to the island after the war, Saburo bravely struggles to break free of the future assigned him by heritage and circumstance and to go in search of new frontiers.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Jessica on June 23, 2013

I spent many hours this weekend on my couch reading this beautiful novel, this heart wrenching story that I loved so much. And it made me cry. How it touched so many truths for me. Most vital is how this story takes on the travails of a young man and his struggle to free himself from his family and......more

Goodreads review by Denise on March 25, 2016

The Third Son is a beautifully written debut novel. This book reads more like a memoir. Julie Wu takes the reader back to 1943 to Japanese occupied Taiwan, continues through the struggle with Chinese Nationalism and Communism, and ends in late 50's to early 60's in America. What made this story extr......more

Goodreads review by Barbara on August 03, 2013

Despite the rich settings, the historical backdrop, the beautiful writing, this is a compelling story about an unforgettable character. Saburo, the third son of a Taiwanese politician, suffers abuse, neglect, and disdain from his family, but he is never bitter. He is gentle, resilient, determined, a......more

Goodreads review by Jennifer on August 17, 2013

I knew when I picked this book up that it wasn't for me--not a topic I'm particularly interested in--and I was only reading it because a friend of mine insisted. Holy cow, how many other fabulous books am I missing out on because they're "not for me"? I could not put this book down, and when I quick......more

Goodreads review by Anne (Booklady) on February 20, 2016

3.5 Stars "Family. A wound that never healed. A promise never to be fulfilled. That was family." This is what the least favored son, the third son, of well off politically connected parents think until he meets a young girl in the peach woods of Taoyuan. At 8 years old, Saburo is in no hurry to get ho......more