In Episode 90 of the Good Scribes Only Podcast, hosts Daniel Breyer and Jeremy Streich dive into Philipp Meyer’s The Son, a sweeping multi-generational novel that unravels the myths and realities of Texas. Set against the backdrop of the Lone Star State’s frontier history, The Son explores themes of family, power, and the clash of cultures that define Texas’s identity.
In this article, we’ll explore the novel’s key themes, its reflection of Texas’s history, and its relevance in today’s cultural and political landscape.
At its heart, The Son tells the story of the McCullough family across three generations. From Eli McCullough’s violent capture by the Comanche in 1849 to his transformation into a ruthless cattle baron, the novel charts Texas’s evolution from a lawless frontier to a modern state. Through Eli’s descendants, including his son Peter and great-granddaughter Jeanne Anne, Meyer captures the moral complexities of inheritance, ambition, and survival.
The novel doesn’t just narrate history—it interrogates it. Jeremy reflects on the story’s relevance:
“The Son isn’t just about Texas history—it’s about how power is built and sustained, and the costs that come with it.”
Meyer’s novel dismantles the myth of Texas as a land of rugged individualism and boundless opportunity. Instead, it presents Texas as a place forged by violence and shaped by the clash between settlers, Native Americans, and later, Mexican landowners.
Daniel notes how the novel reflects these tensions in modern Texas:
“Even in places like Austin, which feels progressive, there’s an undercurrent of pride and identity that ties back to the frontier mentality.”
The McCullough family serves as a microcosm for Texas itself—flawed, ambitious, and haunted by its past. Eli’s brutal upbringing with the Comanche defines his worldview, but his descendants wrestle with the morality of their inheritance.
Peter, for example, becomes a voice of conscience, questioning the violence and greed that built his family’s empire. His letters, scattered throughout the novel, provide a stark contrast to Eli’s unapologetic pragmatism.
Jeanne Anne McCullough, the novel’s most modern figure, embodies the sacrifices and isolation of preserving her family’s legacy. As a powerful businesswoman, she struggles to reconcile the ambitions of her forebears with her own desires.
“Jeanne Anne’s story reminds us that progress often comes at a personal and societal cost,” Jeremy observes.
The conversation turns personal as Daniel and Jeremy discuss how The Son resonates with their own experiences of Texas. Living in Austin, Daniel highlights the dichotomy between the city’s liberal enclave and the more traditional, rural “real Texas” beyond its borders.
“Austin feels like an island, but the culture and identity of Texas are deeply woven into its fabric,” Daniel says.
The hosts also explore how Texas’s frontier mentality persists today, from its politics to its cultural attitudes toward freedom and expression.
In its unflinching portrayal of history, The Son challenges readers to rethink the narratives that shape Texas—and America at large. It’s not just a story about a state; it’s a meditation on the forces that define nations and families alike.
As Jeremy concludes:
“The Son forces us to confront the stories we tell ourselves about our past, and whether we’re willing to face the truth beneath the myth.”
Want to explore The Son in greater depth? Tune into Episode 90 of the Good Scribes Only Podcast, where Daniel and Jeremy unpack the novel’s themes and its lasting impact.
