What readers think of The Good Father, plus links to write your own review.

This book was so well paced, well researched, and well written that I will read ANYTHING that Hawley ever writes again. There was absolutely no filler. The book was absolutely taut. Everything that was written was necessary to the plot development. It was so satisfying a read, that I was willing to overlook any flaws. What a treat this was.

This book really made me think about our society in America. There aren't very many marriages with kids that last and the kids spend their time going from one parent to the other plus grandparents and others. It's very confusing for them to know where they belong or if they really belong anywhere. That's what happened to Daniel once his mind was messed up so was his idea of right and wrong. I found the book very interesting though and could've passed for a true story.

I would lose track of whether this was a true story or not, given the style, and the very believable story. It will satisfy many readers: lovers of mystery, or of legal drama, or those who simply enjoy a good story of human nature. Was he a good father? I'm not sure and the story doesn't try to tell us so. The imperfect cover art is a great hint of what is to come.

Enjoyed this book a lot. From a parent's point of view, it really makes you think about how some people grow up to be bad or good. I like how the author defended the dad's actions right up till the end.

This is a story about a young man who commits a serious crime and a father who tries to understand his son’s behavior and its origins while placing the blame on others and outside influences. The story made me think about my own parenting skills and how they relate to my grown children. I could not let them go even though I was totally involved in the story.

I felt the characters and their actions were very real. How can anyone really tell what makes one child turn out well and the next one not? Bringing up children is a crap shoot. I believe most parents pray a lot before their children grow up and even after! The father does not believe his son is guilty of the crime and believes that someone else is involved or there were others influencing him. He wonders if his lack of interest in his son after his divorce and moving far away from him, remarrying and raising a second family destroyed him. I don’t think there can be a definitive answer to this – so many variables to these questions and interpretations are too personal and also simplistic views of events cause unreliable opinions.

I feel emotionally attached to this, having lived through the horrific assassination of President John F. Kennedy as a young adult. I loved exploring the psychological trauma experienced by Dr. Paul Allen, The Good Father. This book seeped into my soul and will stay with me for years to come.

I haven't read a book THIS good in a while! I used to think it was overkill to describe any product, book, or movie with a bunch of grandiose adjectives, but "The Good Father" deserves every one of those words. Spellbinding, engaging, thought-provoking, riveting, mesmerizing, addicting, intriguing! Noah Hawley's writing is fluid and descriptive, his characters are enriching and the plot and scenery are even more alluring as the tale jet sets from coast to coast. I had to re-read his bio, because he writes with such authority and confidence I had to make sure he wasn't a Historian or Doctor moonlighting as a writer. I got a history lesson, all while questioning my own morals and abilities as a parent and a person. This book made me want to learn more and know more about politics, history, the government, the human condition, and matters of the heart. I literally TORE through the pages to get to the end, one that does not disappoint by the way! The next time someone asks me what's a good read I am definitely going to insist they read "The Good Father".

I found The Good Father a compelling read, very thought-provoking and discussion-worthy. It reminded me of books I enjoyed by Jodi Picoult and Rosellen Brown. I like that it was told mostly from the father’s perspective, both as a parent facing one of your worst nightmares and integrating his career as a doctor who is a diagnostician. My only criticism of the book is that the author is a little heavy-handed trying to include all the research he did on assassins, guns, etc., although it was probably intended to show the father’s need to do comprehensive research on the subject.

I think book discussion groups would appreciate reading this book, and it will provoke interesting discussions about divorce, custody and new families.