A Good Doctor's Son

By Steven Schwartz

When sixteen-year-old David Nachman accidentally kills three-year-old Sarah Vale while drag racing, his world is thrown into turmoil and his life changes forever. Set in Chester, Pennsylvania, in the 1960s, a town experiencing a renaissance, the story of Sarah's death is in stark contrast to the hopeful events swirling around David's community. He must find his place in this optimistic world in which Sarah's tragic death makes him feel like an outsider. Although tragedy lies at the center of A Good Doctor's Son, the story is life-affirming and laced with humor, and David's voice is keenly alive. His search for peace after the accident and the choices he makes to find it are written in a compelling and honest style.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0688154018
• ISBN13: 9780688154011
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.1" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

A good book - plain and simple.

Steven Schwartz was the first writing professor I had while attending Colorado State University. In many ways, he showed me the joys of writing and gave me my first taste of success as a young college writer. This book is written by a very good writer. Schwartz devotes time to the character development and captures the essence of "show - don't tell."

A great book about how a young boy overcomes a tragedy.

I don't read many books, but this one kept me up late. A fondness for the main character, David, was established early on, and I couldn't wait to turn the page to find out how his life unfolded. Stunning events were revealed with a suddenness that was exciting. The story begins when David, a young Jewish boy growing up in his father's benevolent "good doctor" shadow, struggles to find an identity within a difficult, and sometimes painful, family. Turning to rebellion as a teenager, David falls into the "wrong crowd," and one terrible day during a "dare" David is involved in a tragedy that envelops his life. The novel then chronicles this thoughtful young man's struggle to resolve the pain and horror that follows him. The author, Steven Schwartz, is a master storyteller, and is able to tell this story with the passion -- and even humour-- that is so often missing in today's fiction. I found the end of the book very moving and hopeful, as I'm sure other readers will too. John DeLand , San Diego, California

Some problems, but a good read nonetheless.

Schwartz's "Therapy" is a much better novel than this follow up. I highly recommend "Therapy" to readers looking for a memorable and moving novel. This one, however, seemed unfocussed and conventional toward the end. Its beginning was powerful and promising, but I kept on waiting for something more that Schwartz never provided me. However, Schwartz has a good way with words and characters. I enjoyed this novel and recommend it as a good read.