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The Reckoning
The Reckoning
Dec 4, 2025 5:39 AM

Author:Andrew Solomon

The Reckoning

'How much do I beat myself up about the fact that he's my son? A lot.'

On 14 December 2012, twenty-year-old Adam Lanza shot his mother dead, then drove to Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, opened fire and killed twenty children and six adults. No motive has ever been uncovered.

Adam Lanza's father is still searching for answers and in this moving interview Andrew Solomon tells his story.

This ebook also includes a chapter on children who commit crime from Solomon's Wellcome Trust Book Prize-winning book, Far from the Tree: Parents, children and the search for identity. ('A book everyone should read' Julie Myerson; 'Extraordinary, moving' Spectator)

Reviews

Solomon tells the story of Peter Lanza, the father of Adam Lanza, the Sandy Hook Elementary shooter. Read it—it’s moving, brave and just profoundly human and sad....There aren’t any answers. And that’s what makes this all so impossible, and Solomon’s journalism so essential

—— Salon.com

Both parents loved Adam. Neither parent imagined or wanted their child’s horrific end. This is why what Peter Lanza did by sharing his story with Andrew Solomon is so important. Lanza’s story fills important gaps in our understanding of how a beloved child became a killer—and reminds us as a society that we have an obligation to help families and children before they find themselves on irreversible paths of violence

—— Time

A satirical masterpiece

—— Sunday Times

One of the century's most perceptive writers on working life

—— Observer

His view of America was mordant, yet it was also unexpectedly loving; there is a tenderness in all three of these books that catches the reader unawares, and imbues them with a humanity that makes their satire all the more penetrating.

—— Washington Post

Sinclair Lewis's skewering of the 'image is everything' mentality is as relevant today as it was in his day

—— San Francisco Chronicle

The broad concept of Babbittry - the idea that the average American lives in a benighted, blinkered spiritual state - has been both popular and durable... Lewis's central idea, like the name of his hero, has survived depression, war, the rise of the suburbs, the revolt of the cities, feminism, the sexual revolution, the counterculture, multiculturalism and the Internet

—— New York Times

A fantastic book that had me gripped . . . Malorie doesn't just write great stories, she also writes characters that can tell those stories with a real heart in them . . . Noble Conflict is just as much a thriller of the mind as well as making your heart race

—— sisterspooky.co.uk

A brilliant book which I quite literally could not stop reading

—— Clare Poole , The Bookseller

Another gripping, thought-provoking read...The essence of war and weaponry, corruption and control is explored making this a pertinent read, and one that resonates in today’s society

—— Vanessa Lewis , The Bookseller

Noble Conflict is a very enjoyable piece of literature. Whilst it must have been very tempting to draw from other dystopian fiction and cinema, Blackman instead draws more from taking the idea of terrorism and exploring how it might actually evolve in the future. This set up allows for a very interesting cat and mouse narrative . . . A very entertaining book; it takes a very relevant topic and, with a strong narrative and lead character, allows the reader to question the arguments of each side and judge who the real villains are

—— Starburst

A powerful story

—— Big Issue

The new UK Children's Laureate, Malorie Blackman, doesn't disappoint with her teen novel . . . a powerful examination of war, loyalty and love

—— Irish Independent

A satisfying meld of fantasy and reality which will absorb readers of either sex

—— Carousel

A thrilling, powerful, page-turning story of love, violence and betrayal, that will stay with teen readers long after they finish it

—— Mumsnet

A thought-provoking novel which makes us all think about what we accept and what we really want. It doesn't pull any punches but there are touches of humour to lighten the story

—— Parents in Touch

A gripping, conspiracy-filled read

—— Children's Books Ireland

Stealthy … Sneaky … Gripping … It is, in short, awesome. Read it immediately.

—— Tor.com

Tigerman manages ... that elusive combination of intelligent, beautiful writing with a story that is imaginative, fast-paced and really good fun. There's plenty to make you think as well as plenty to make you laugh … Harkaway writes with such dexterity and delight … That balance of proper storytelling with literary complexity is, for me, what makes a book really special and Tigerman does this with aplomb - it's a joy to read.

—— We Love This Book

Tigerman is a brilliant and unique novel which deserves to be read again and again ... dazzling display of creativity.

—— Upcoming4.me

I was dazzled … Characterisation is as ever top notch … this is a marvel … everyone will appreciate the sheer grace and artistry of it.

—— Liz Loves Books

Tigerman is a truly engaging and original book; for all the nail-biting tension, humour, superheroic deeds and a brilliant twist there is also a deep and honest heart to it ... This is easily one of the best books I've read this year.

—— Hair Past A Freckle

With intelligent, witty writing you cannot help but warm to the unlikely and slightly hapless hero in Lester Ferris.

—— Starburst

A virtuoso piece of entertainment which hurtles satisfyingly towards its conclusion after delivering a startling, didn’t-see-that-coming sucker-punch of a twist.

—— A Life in Books

Funny, moving and thought-provoking

—— Big Issue in the North

The key to Harkaway’s writing is the incredibly textured depth and imaginative characterisation. It is one of those books whose character are so rich that by the climax, you feel like they’ve penetrated your reality and you want to keep them close, even after the book is over.

—— Nudge

Original and exciting, full of humanity and comedy, Tigerman by Nick Harkaway is a beautiful piece of work

—— Morning Star

Original, exciting, full of humanity and comedy, Tigerman by Nick Harkaway is a beautiful piece of work.

—— Morning Star
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