# The Harder They Come - Paperback

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by **T. C. Boyle** (Author)

**A powerful, gripping novel that explores the roots of violence and anti-authoritarianism inherent in the American character**

Set in contemporary Northern California, _The Harder They Come_ explores the volatile connections between three damaged people--an aging ex-Marine and Vietnam veteran, his psychologically unstable son, and the son's paranoid, much older lover--as they careen towards an explosive confrontation.

On a vacation cruise to Central America with his wife, seventy-year-old Sten Stensen unflinchingly kills a gun-wielding robber menacing a busload of senior tourists. The reluctant hero is relieved to return home to Fort Bragg, California, after the ordeal--only to find that his delusional son, Adam, has spiraled out of control.

Adam has become involved with Sara Hovarty Jennings, a hardened member of the Sovereign Citizens' Movement, right-wing anarchists who refuse to acknowledge the laws and regulations of the state, considering them to be false and non-applicable. Adam's senior by some fifteen years, Sara becomes his protector and inamorata. As Adam's mental state fractures, he becomes increasingly schizophrenic--a breakdown that leads him to shoot two people in separate instances. On the run, he takes to the woods, spurring the biggest manhunt in California history.

As he explores a father's legacy of violence and his powerlessness in relating to his equally violent son, T. C. Boyle offers unparalleled psychological insights into the American psyche. Inspired by a true story, _The Harder They Come_ is a devastating and indelible novel from a modern master.

### Front Jacket

A _NEWSWEEK_ BEST NOVEL OF THE YEAR

A TOP 10 BOOK OF 2015 (Michiko Kakutani, _New York Times_)

Set in contemporary Northern California, _The Harder They Come_ explores the volatile connections between three damaged people--an aging Vietnam veteran, his psychologically unstable son, and the son's paranoid, much older lover--as they careen toward an explosive confrontation.

On a cruise to Central America, seventy-year-old Sten Stensen kills an armed robber menacing a busload of tourists. The reluctant hero is relieved to return home to Fort Bragg, California--only to find that his delusional son, Adam, has spiraled out of control. Adam has become involved with Sara, a hardened member of a right-wing anarchist group. As his mental state fractures, he becomes increasingly delusional until a schizophrenic breakdown leads him to shoot two people, spurring the biggest manhunt in California history.

As T.C. Boyle explores a father's legacy of violence and his powerlessness in relating to his equally violent son, he offers unparalleled insights into the American psyche. Inspired by a true story, _The Harder They Come_ is a devastating and indelible novel from a modern master.

\--_Cleveland Plain Dealer_

### Back Jacket

A _NEWSWEEK_ BEST NOVEL OF THE YEAR

A TOP 10 BOOK OF 2015 (Michiko Kakutani, _New York Times_)

Set in contemporary Northern California, _The Harder They Come_ explores the volatile connections between three damaged people--an aging Vietnam veteran, his psychologically unstable son, and the son's paranoid, much older lover--as they careen toward an explosive confrontation.

On a cruise to Central America, seventy-year-old Sten Stensen kills an armed robber menacing a busload of tourists. The reluctant hero is relieved to return home to Fort Bragg, California--only to find that his delusional son, Adam, has spiraled out of control. Adam has become involved with Sara, a hardened member of a right-wing anarchist group. As his mental state fractures, he becomes increasingly delusional until a schizophrenic breakdown leads him to shoot two people, spurring the biggest manhunt in California history.

As T.C. Boyle explores a father's legacy of violence and his powerlessness in relating to his equally violent son, he offers unparalleled insights into the American psyche. Inspired by a true story, _The Harder They Come_ is a devastating and indelible novel from a modern master.

**Number of Pages:** 400

**Dimensions:** 1.2 x 8 x 5.3 IN

**Publication Date:** June 27, 2023

**Award:** Mark Twain American Voice In Literature Award (2017)

## Details

- **Price:** 18.99 USD
- **Vendor:** Books by splitShops
- **Type:** Books
- **Tags:** Books by splitShops, Shopify Collective

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 18.99 USD | In stock |

## Images

- The Harder They Come - Paperback

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