70 pages 2 hours read

Philipp Meyer

The Son

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2013

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Chapters 15-28

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 15 Summary: “Diaries of Peter McCullough. September 5, 1915”

Peter is stalked by a shadowy figure that reminds him of his participation in the Garcia massacre.

Sally distances herself from Peter. She raises the possibility of placing a bounty on Pedro’s missing sons-in-law. The following month, a judge offers to sell Peter the Garcia property if he can backpay Pedro’s delinquent land taxes. Knowing that the delinquency claim is likely untrue, Peter defers his decision.

Eli asks Peter to help him burn down the Garcia house. When Peter refuses, Eli argues that its acquisition will either bankrupt their ranch or improve someone else’s. He criticizes Peter for never being brave enough to stand up to strangers. Eli stresses that the Garcias were always meant to die and that the McCullough family will eventually end as well. Peter watches his father destroy the Garcia house.

Chapter 16 Summary: “Eli/Tiehteti. The Buffalo”

Eli explains the Comanche method for hunting buffalo. Each part of the buffalo is used by the band, leaving only the heart to seek the blessing of more buffalo.

Chapter 17 Summary: “Jeannie McCullough”

Grandmother Sally returns from Dallas every so often to look after Jeannie’s grooming. When Jeannie is in eighth grade, Sally enrolls her in Greenfield, a Connecticut boarding school.

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