--- product_id: 25344528 title: "The Third Son: A Novel Paperback – May 27, 2014" brand: "julie wu" price: "£28.46" currency: GBP in_stock: true reviews_count: 7 url: https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/25344528-the-third-son-a-novel-paperback-may-27-2014 store_origin: GB region: Great Britain --- # The Third Son: A Novel Paperback – May 27, 2014 **Brand:** julie wu **Price:** £28.46 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** The Third Son: A Novel Paperback – May 27, 2014 by julie wu - **How much does it cost?** £28.46 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.uk](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/25344528-the-third-son-a-novel-paperback-may-27-2014) ## Best For - julie wu enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted julie wu brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description Full description not available ## Images ![The Third Son: A Novel Paperback – May 27, 2014 - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41oZ9uEU2IL.jpg) ![The Third Son: A Novel Paperback – May 27, 2014 - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ifAD8RdJL.jpg) ![The Third Son: A Novel Paperback – May 27, 2014 - Image 3](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/310baNjSFSL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ a beautiful book *by D***D on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 3, 2022* It is a wonderful story about immigrant life, the perseverance that one person can have to achieve in this country, the emotional shackles that keep a person back, the love that fueled the struggle becoming a wonderful reality, and the disfunction of an Asian family that can last for years and years. ### ⭐⭐⭐ Interesting look into another time and culture *by E***F on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 25, 2017* -In post WWII Taiwan, there was a great deal of political upheaval. Chang Kai Chek was pushed from mainland China by the Communists and set up a regime in Taiwan. There were factions in Taiwan that welcomed the departure of the Japanese, but the entry of this new regime was affecting their hopes for their own independence. The government was now restrictive and life was very difficult for those still in the country.-Into this background, we are introduced to a young boy, Saburo, who is the third son of a man that is part of a well to do family that have a pharmaceutical business. We first find Saburo when he is an 8 year old boy during the war, and he comes across a couple of young girls who are, like him, rushing home because of an air raid. One of the girls leaves them and he accompanies the other one, Yoshiko, close to where she lives, but she left a strong impression on him.-Because Saburo is the third son in his family, all of the attention is given to the older boys, and he is shown to be an afterthought, even to the point of handing out food to the children. The local doctor ends up finding out that Saburo is severely malnourished and has to give him special IV supplements for about a year.-Saburo is found to be extremely gifted and capable, much more than his other siblings. Despite this, he's still pushed down by his family. If he goes along with their wants, he will never amount to anything, and will be relegated to being a pawn in the desires of his family.-Years later, toward the end of high school, Saburo's brother Kazuo comes across the girl that has always stayed on Saburo's mind, Yoshiko. Kazuo takes her out, and we see Kazuo as an arrogant and vicious person who constantly is looking to harm Saburo. Yoshiko doesn't want to be with Kazuo, but Kazuo lied and told Saburo it was because she had someone else that she liked, so that Saburo would not pursue her. Yoshiko and Saburo happen to meet and fall in love. They marry soon after.-There are special exams which will allow the one passing to go the United States on a partial scholarship. Saburo was forced to go to a secondary school, but, pushed by Yoshiko, he achieves the extremely rare success story and passes the exam. His father helps raise the money to send him to the US, but he still feels like his family treats him as a nothing, as Yoshiko, who is now his bride with a child on the way, is constantly belittled while waiting for him in Taiwan.-We ultimately watch as Saburo continues to achieve what no one else dreamed of, and is able to bring his wife and young son to the US. He learns to break free of what his father thinks of him, and becomes what he wants himself to be. This is a success story, that has bittersweet elements, as Saburo's brother is still doing all he can to take Saburo down, even from Taiwan.-Very interesting look into the mores of other cultures, but they still occur to some extent in all cultures, as parents very often tend to show favoritism to a particular child at the expense of others. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Love and Heartbreak *by A***E on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 14, 2014* Julie Wu's debut novel is set in Japanese-occupied Taiwan, takes us through WW2 and then into the postwar years. It follows the life of Saburo, the third son in his family of the book title. As the book opens, Saburo is running home from school because of an American bombing raid. He meets the love of his life, Yoshiko, despite being only 8.Because of favoritism for the older sons and his rebellious nature, Sanburo is treated very badly by his parents. He is cruelly beaten for various offenses. While his oldest brother is giving the best food, Sanburo is given little more than rice and some vegetables. He becomes malnourished, and but for the attention of his cousin Toru, a doctor, he would not have survived childhood.While attending vocational school, Saburo encounters Yoshiko and wins her heart. They get married, and Saburo is one of the few Taiwanese students who pass the entrance exam that allows him to go to graduate school in the US.His family pays for him to go to the US, but with the expectation that he will study to become a pharmacist and return to help the family's company. Saburo leaves his baby son and wife behind and goes to a very foreign US.If his life has not been challenging enough, it is during his graduate study, that Saburo finally emerges from his shell and confronts and challenges the maltreatment from his family. His strong internal motivation that has driven his success in Taiwan, becomes even more important as Saburo struggles with breaking away from his family demands, and pursuing his graduate school interests. Against all sorts of hurdles, he works to get his degree at breakneck speed and to bring his wife and son to join him in the US.The tribulations and triumphs of Saburo drive our interest in this compelling story. In the background, we also gain insight into life under Japanese occupation and then the turmoil that happens when the Nationalist government retreats to Taiwan. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/25344528-the-third-son-a-novel-paperback-may-27-2014](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/25344528-the-third-son-a-novel-paperback-may-27-2014) --- *Product available on Desertcart Great Britain* *Store origin: GB* *Last updated: 2026-04-23*