In Episode 89 of Good Scribes Only, Daniel Breyer and Jeremy Streich delve into Philipp Meyer’s The Son, a sweeping multigenerational saga set against the backdrop of Texas’s turbulent history. This 2013 Pulitzer Prize finalist unpacks the violent, unrelenting transformation of the American West through the lens of the McCullough family, grappling with themes of power, survival, and identity.

This episode covers the book’s key themes, memorable characters, and its place in the Western literary canon. Dive into the highlights below, and don’t forget to catch the full episode for a deeper discussion!

The Rugged Landscape of The Son

Meyer’s portrayal of Texas isn’t just a setting—it’s a character that looms large, influencing every decision and event. From the Comanche raids of the mid-1800s to the oil booms of the 20th century, The Son explores how the land’s harsh beauty shapes the destinies of those who call it home.

The McCullough family epitomizes this dynamic. At the story’s core is Eli McCullough, captured by the Comanche as a boy and later shaped by their ways of life. His survival instincts and adaptability make him a formidable patriarch, but his ambition sets off a legacy of violence and betrayal.

Three Generations, Three Perspectives

The Son balances its narrative across three perspectives, each shedding light on different facets of the McCullough legacy.

• Eli McCullough: Known as “The Colonel,” Eli’s journey begins with his abduction and assimilation into a Comanche tribe. His later return to white society, marked by both his resilience and ruthlessness, sets the foundation for the McCullough empire.
• Peter McCullough: Eli’s morally conflicted son offers a stark contrast. Through diary entries, Peter wrestles with the weight of his family’s violent actions, especially their treatment of neighboring Mexican families. His reflective and guilt-ridden voice highlights the emotional cost of legacy-building.
• Jeannie McCullough: Eli’s great-granddaughter and the inheritor of the family’s fortune, Jeannie navigates the male-dominated oil industry with tenacity. Her narrative, spanning decades, examines the sacrifices required to sustain the empire and the loneliness that often accompanies success.

Themes of Violence and Legacy

Meyer’s novel is steeped in themes that define Western literature. The cycles of violence—whether through Eli’s clashes with the Comanche, Peter’s guilt over his family’s misdeeds, or Jeannie’s battles in the boardroom—underscore the cost of ambition and survival.

At its heart, The Son questions what it means to inherit not just wealth but also the emotional and moral burdens of one’s ancestors. Eli’s resilience is both awe-inspiring and chilling, while Peter’s introspection and Jeannie’s determination showcase how legacy manifests differently across generations.

A Modern Addition to the Western Canon

During the episode, Daniel and Jeremy situate The Son within the broader Western literary tradition. From Larry McMurtry’s Lonesome Dove to Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian, Westerns often explore the complex interplay between myth and reality. Meyer adds to this canon by examining the transformative power of time—how the frontier disappears, but its echoes persist in the modern era.

Unlike some Westerns that romanticize the past, Meyer’s narrative is unflinching in its realism. It portrays the West as a place of opportunity and exploitation, beauty and brutality.

Conclusion: The Enduring Power of The Son

The Son is more than a tale of Texas; it’s a meditation on family, power, and the moral complexities of survival. Through its richly drawn characters and evocative prose, Meyer captures the essence of a changing America, making this novel a must-read for fans of literary fiction.

For a deeper dive into The Son, its themes, and how it compares to other Western epics, listen to the full episode of Good Scribes Only. Join Daniel and Jeremy as they break down this modern classic and its place in literary history.