Ed King
Ed King
Book Brief
320
Novel • Fiction
Seattle, Washington • Contemporary
1998
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
A re-telling of Sophocles’s Oedipus Rex, American author David Guterson’s novel Ed King (2011) follows adopted Ed King as he becomes a wealthy internet entrepreneur, accidentally killing his father and marrying his mother along the way. Sensitive topics in this book include adultery, substance misuse, sexual predation, and incest.
Mysterious
Dark
Contemplative
Emotional
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
2,161 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
David Guterson's Ed King is a modern reimagining of the Oedipus tale. Reviewers praised its inventive narrative and dark humor. However, some criticized the pacing and felt the characters lacked depth. Despite mixed reviews, Guterson's writing exhibits his trademark eloquence and thought-provoking themes, appealing to both literary fans and newcomers.
Who Should Read Ed King?
Readers who relish contemporary adaptations of classic literature and moral dilemmas will enjoy David Guterson's Ed King. Fans of Tom Wolfe's The Bonfire of the Vanities and Jeffrey Eugenides's Middlemarch will appreciate the blend of modern-day satire and deep character exploration.
2,161 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Ed King by David Guterson is a modern retelling of the classic Greek myth of Oedipus, set in the technology-driven world of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
The novel was longlisted for the prestigious 2011 International Dublin Literary Award, recognized for Guterson's inventive narrative style and compelling prose.
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David Guterson, author of the bestselling Snow Falling on Cedars, uses Ed King to explore themes of fate, identity, and the unintended consequences of human actions in the contemporary age.
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320
Novel • Fiction
Seattle, Washington • Contemporary
1998
Adult
18+ years
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