Rating: 
Summary: Just good writing
Review: The Keeper's Son is an example of how an historical novel should be written. Great characters, taut writing, several interesting storylines, a little war, a little romance, always something going on. It's a page-turner. Readers will get swept away in the romance and action of the Outer Banks in 1942. After reading this book, my family took a vacation to Cape Hatteras. That's how it affected us. Just good writing. Looking forward to the sequel.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Read
Review: The Keeper's Son is in the tradition of classic writers like Herman Melville. The fact and fiction of the time period are the artist's tools by which Hickam creates his story telling masterpiece. The juxtaposition of German and American characters provided a perspective on World War II that I had never previously considered. Who would have thought that battle scenes on the Atlantic ocean would appeal to women? Redemption and romance are the central themes of this historical fiction which appeals to both men and women. The book was well researched and and contains symbolism, fiction, and facts that both entertain and educate the reader. I can't wait for the next adventure on the Outer Banks!
Rating:
Summary: Homer Kickam is a true American classic writer
Review: The Keeper's Son is in the tradition of classic writers like Herman Melville. The fact and fiction of the time period are the artist's tools by which Hickam creates his story telling masterpiece. The juxtaposition of German and American characters provided a perspective on World War II that I had never previously considered. Who would have thought that battle scenes on the Atlantic ocean would appeal to women? Redemption and romance are the central themes of this historical fiction which appeals to both men and women. The book was well researched and and contains symbolism, fiction, and facts that both entertain and educate the reader. I can't wait for the next adventure on the Outer Banks!
Rating:
Summary: Mesmerizing
Review: This book captures the imagination and makes you believe in miracles. There is mystery, romance, intrigue, and a bittersweet ending. What more could you ask from a writer?
Don't miss this one.
Rating:
Summary: A Winner!!
Review: This book has something for everyone. The mystery of a lost son, romance between 2 very appealing characters, humor (Once & Again), the quirks of a fishing village (especially the moms), German U-boats and some little known history of events that took place off our coastline in WW2.A tremendously great read - it would make a good movie if they only leave the storyline alone. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Book
Review: This book was so good that I did not want it to end.
It is written with the historical accuracy of W.E.B.Griffin with plot twists worthy of Jack Higgins. Homer Hickam brings to life the little known fact that the coastline of Eastern Virginia and the Outer Banks of North Carolina were a war zone in the early months of World War II. Hickam shows that he has a clear knowledge of the history and culture of the Outer Banks and the German U-Boats. A previous reveiwer stated that this would make a great movie, I could not agree more. The charaters are colorful and believable. I recommend that Hickam's nonfiction book (Torpedo Alley)be read also. This book is also well written and will give the reader even more information of this facinating subject.
Rating:
Summary: I love books like this!
Review: This is a review of The Keeper's Son, my first review ever. I loved Hickam's earlier books and hoped his fiction would be as good. It's better. Thoroughly enjoyable novel with lots of wonderful characters. You really get a feel of being on this little island. Just like Hickam's books set in Coalwood, he makes you feel like you're part of a special little community. If like the other reviews say, this is a start of a series, can't wait for the follow-up!
Rating:
Summary: Now this is what a novel should be...
Review: This is what a novel should be: interesting characters, varied storylines, good plot (several all going on at the same time), humor, and writing that is simple but stunning in its clarity. Hickam is a rare writer these days. He knows how to tell a story and tell it well. I count six main stories here: the mystery of the lost son, the odd but torrid love affair between Josh and Dosie, Dosie's search for herself, Josh and the laidback crew of his patrol boat that he works hard to turn into fighters, the surprising love of Otto, the U-boat captain, and the woman he has looked for his whole life and loses, and Otto and his crew. Oh, one more. The evil intent of the overall U-boat commander. Hickam is very good at creating interesting and eccentric, though not too eccentric, characters. The denizens of the island are so interesting. Oops, just thought of another story line, that of Willow the hoodoo and then there's Doc and the Keeper and the hotel lady and the pelican... anyway, this is the kind of big, juicy novel that nobody seems to be writing much anymore and I frankly loved it.
Rating: 
Summary: Romance and Adventure
Review: Truly a novel of romance and adventure, but, unhappily for some,
"romance" is the dominant theme.
The novel takes place in the years before WWII, and it then
travels into WWII and some awful events. But through it all,
the author makes most of his characters very nice people, regardless of which side they are on in the war, and in his
world, nearly everyone tried hard, and they are honest, with
redeeming values.
He obviously ignores the reality of the world we live in, and
even the world of the Depression and of WWII.
The action takes place in and around one of the small outer banks islands off the coast of N.Carolina, and the characters
are mainly those islanders whose lives revolve around the ocean,
fishing, boating, salvaging wreckage, etc.
The hero, Josh, is "the keeper's son", but it turns out he isn't
the only such son, and a possible 2nd son appears out of further
away than "nowhere," and our imagination has to be stretched rather far to follow the logic and storyline of this novel.
For example, even the Germans operating the U boats off our Atlantic coast, and sinking many boats with much loss of life,
are shown to be patriotic in their own way, and we are supposed
to have the American view that they aren't really such bad fellows after all.
A good deal of suspension fo belief is required here, even more
than typical novels, and it is a bit much for many.
But the author handles his premise nicely, and he weaves a
coherent, flowing story.
Rating:
Summary: Romance and Adventure
Review: Truly a novel of romance and adventure, but, unhappily for some,
"romance" is the dominant theme.
The novel takes place in the years before WWII, and it then
travels into WWII and some awful events. But through it all,
the author makes most of his characters very nice people, regardless of which side they are on in the war, and in his
world, nearly everyone tried hard, and they are honest, with
redeeming values.
He obviously ignores the reality of the world we live in, and
even the world of the Depression and of WWII.
The action takes place in and around one of the small outer banks islands off the coast of N.Carolina, and the characters
are mainly those islanders whose lives revolve around the ocean,
fishing, boating, salvaging wreckage, etc.
The hero, Josh, is "the keeper's son", but it turns out he isn't
the only such son, and a possible 2nd son appears out of further
away than "nowhere," and our imagination has to be stretched rather far to follow the logic and storyline of this novel.
For example, even the Germans operating the U boats off our Atlantic coast, and sinking many boats with much loss of life,
are shown to be patriotic in their own way, and we are supposed
to have the American view that they aren't really such bad fellows after all.
A good deal of suspension fo belief is required here, even more
than typical novels, and it is a bit much for many.
But the author handles his premise nicely, and he weaves a
coherent, flowing story.
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