The Third Son

A Novel

By Julie Wu | Publisher: Algonquin Books

About the book

“Clear your schedule! The Third Son is your next obsessive read. Julie Wu’s book reads like an instant classic.”  —Lydia Netzer, author of Shine Shine Shine

In the middle of a terrifying air raid in Japanese-occupied Taiwan, Saburo, the least-favored son of a Taiwanese politician, runs through a forest for cover. It’s there he stumbles on Yoshiko, whose descriptions of her loving family are to Saburo like a glimpse of paradise. Meeting her is a moment he will remember forever, and for years he will try to find her again. When he finally does, she is by the side of his oldest brother and greatest rival.

In Saburo, author Julie Wu has created an extraordinary character, determined to fight for everything he needs and wants, from food to education to his first love. The Third Son is a sparkling and moving story about a young boy with his head in the clouds who, against all odds, finds himself on the frontier of America’s space program.

“An appealing coming-of-age story packed with vivid historical detail.” —The Christian Science Monitor

“A boy growing up in Japanese-occupied Taiwan in the 1940s will do anything to escape his tormenting  family and reconnect with his first love in this compelling   work of fiction.” —O: The Oprah Magazine

“Deceptively simple, deeply compelling . . . An unusually awful sibling rivalry, a stunningly pure and inspiring love story.”  —The Boston Globe

“Wu presents an alluring story that hits all the right emotional buttons and maintains readers’ empathy from the first page to the last.” —Kirkus Reviews

Editions of The Third Son

Hardcover
ISBN 9781616200794
EBook
ISBN 9781616202668

Read an Excerpt

“Clear your schedule! The Third Son is your next obsessive read. Julie Wu’s book reads like an instant classic.”  —Lydia Netzer, author of Shine Shine Shine

In the middle of a terrifying air raid in Japanese-occupied Taiwan, Saburo, the least-favored son of a Taiwanese politician, runs through a forest for cover. It’s there he stumbles on Yoshiko, whose descriptions of her loving family are to Saburo like a glimpse of paradise. Meeting her is a moment he will remember forever, and for years he will try to find her again. When he finally does, she is by the side of his oldest brother and greatest rival.

In Saburo, author Julie Wu has created an extraordinary character, determined to fight for everything he needs and wants, from food to education to his first love. The Third Son is a sparkling and moving story about a young boy with his head in the clouds who, against all odds, finds himself on the frontier of America’s space program.

“An appealing coming-of-age story packed with vivid historical detail.” —The Christian Science Monitor

“A boy growing up in Japanese-occupied Taiwan in the 1940s will do anything to escape his tormenting  family and reconnect with his first love in this compelling   work of fiction.” —O: The Oprah Magazine

“Deceptively simple, deeply compelling . . . An unusually awful sibling rivalry, a stunningly pure and inspiring love story.”  —The Boston Globe

“Wu presents an alluring story that hits all the right emotional buttons and maintains readers’ empathy from the first page to the last.” —Kirkus Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Third Son about?

“Clear your schedule! The Third Son is your next obsessive read. Julie Wu’s book reads like an instant classic.”  —Lydia Netzer, author of Shine Shine Shine

In the middle of a terrifying air raid in Japanese-occupied Taiwan, Saburo, the least-favored son of a Taiwanese politician, runs through a forest for cover. It’s there he stumbles on Yoshiko, whose descriptions of her loving family are to Saburo like a glimpse of paradise. Meeting her is a moment he will remember forever, and for years he will try to find her again. When he finally does, she is by the side of his oldest brother and greatest rival.

In Saburo, author Julie Wu has created an extraordinary character, determined to fight for everything he needs and wants, from food to education to his first love. The Third Son is a sparkling and moving story about a young boy with his head in the clouds who, against all odds, finds himself on the frontier of America’s space program.

“An appealing coming-of-age story packed with vivid historical detail.” —The Christian Science Monitor

“A boy growing up in Japanese-occupied Taiwan in the 1940s will do anything to escape his tormenting  family and reconnect with his first love in this compelling   work of fiction.” —O: The Oprah Magazine

“Deceptively simple, deeply compelling . . . An unusually awful sibling rivalry, a stunningly pure and inspiring love story.”  —The Boston Globe

“Wu presents an alluring story that hits all the right emotional buttons and maintains readers’ empathy from the first page to the last.” —Kirkus Reviews

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Third Son?

Fiction > Fiction: literary and general non-genre

Where can I read a sample of The Third Son?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781616200794

How long is The Third Son and how many pages does it have?

The Third Son has 320 page(s)

Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Third Son?

Julie Wu

Who is the Publisher of the book The Third Son?

Algonquin Books

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

The Third Son is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781616200794) and ebook(ISBN 9781616202668)

Where can I buy The Third Son online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy The Third Son from below

Where can I buy The Third Son?