The Brave

A Novel

By: Nicholas Evans

Narrated by: Michael Emerson

There's little love in eight-year-old Tom Bedford's life. His parents are old and remote and the boarding school they've sent him to bristles with bullies and sadistic staff. The only comfort he gets is from his fantasy world of Cowboys and Indians. But when his sister Diane, a rising star of stage and screen, falls in love with one of his idols, the suave TV cowboy Ray Montane, Tom's life is transformed. They move to Hollywood and all his dreams seem to have come true. Soon, however, the sinister side of Tinseltown casts its shadow and a shocking act of violence changes their lives forever.

What happened all those years ago remains a secret that corrodes Tom's life and wrecks his marriage. Only when his estranged son, a US Marine, is charged with murder do the events resurface, forcing him to confront his demons. As he struggles to save his son's life, he will learn the true meaning of bravery.

Powerfully written and intensely moving, The Brave traces the legacy of violence behind the myth of the American West and explores our quest for love and identity, the fallibility of heroes and the devastating effects of family secrets.

Great Book

I fully enjoyed this book. Yes it does jump back and forth through time, but I didn't find it hard to follow once I got used to it. It did switch without warning, but there were clues right away as to who they were talking about. If the main character was being referred to as "Tommy" you were likely in the time period when he was a child, if he was called "Tom" he was as adult. There were also certain characters and settings that were only around in either childhood or adulthood. I also liked all the different settings, it helped to keep the book interesting. There are parts in London, Hollywood, Montana, etc and scenes at a horrible boarding school, hollywood set, out horse riding, the Iraq war, at a trial, etc. There is a lot going on. I found myself not wanting to stop working (I listen to my book while working) as I was so enthralled with what was going on. I've loved all Nicholas Evan's books and I think this is another great one.

A Bit of a Disappointment

Not as good as his other books I have read by this author. It’s a long way from the Horse Whisperer.

Overwrought?

The moral/truism as stated/revealed at the end made the rest of the book seem overwrought.

OK book, not as good as his other books

If you could sum up The Brave in three words, what would they be?

Entertaining but not great.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Brave?

I liked the story and characters but I already knew pretty early in the story how it was going to end. Did not like that.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Yes

WOW!

at first it was hard to follow, then it became an awesome story. Loved it