The Old Man (Perry novel)

{{Infobox book

| name = The Old Man

| image = The Old Man (Thomas Perry).png

| alt =

| caption = First edition cover

| author = Thomas Perry

| audio_read_by = Peter Berkrot

| country = United States

| language = English

| genre = Thriller

| publisher = Mysterious Press

| pub_date = January 3, 2017

| media_type = Print (hardcover and paperback), e-book, audiobook

| pages = 352

| isbn = 978-0-8021-2586-6

| isbn_note = (First edition hardcover)

| oclc = 951453058

| dewey = 813/.6

| congress = PS3566.E718 O43 2017b

}}

The Old Man is a stand-alone thriller novel by Thomas Perry, published by the Mysterious Press imprint of Grove Atlantic in January 2017. A television adaptation of the same name starring Jeff Bridges aired on FX beginning June 2022.

Synopsis

Former army intelligence officer Michael Kohler, who now goes by the name Dan Chase, lives in Norwich, Vermont with his two dogs. However, he has been in hiding for most of his adult life after absconding with $20 million during a mission in Libya.

Reception

Publishers Weekly called it an "engrossing if not flawless thriller." They also praised the "refreshing" unconventionality of an older action protagonist and the novel's "palpable" tension. However, they criticized the "contrived and unnecessary" backstory of a secondary character.{{Cite web |date=January 1, 2017 |title=Fiction Book Review: The Old Man by Thomas Perry |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-8021-2586-6 |access-date=April 9, 2021 |website=Publishers Weekly}}

Kirkus Reviews called it "Swift, unsentimental, and deeply satisfying."{{Cite web |date=September 27, 2016 |title=The Old Man by Thomas Perry |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/thomas-perry/the-old-man/ |access-date=April 9, 2021 |website=Kirkus Reviews}}

The novel was nominated for the 2018 Barry Award for Best Thriller.{{Cite web |date=January 23, 2018 |title=Announcing 2018's Barry Award Nominees |url=https://www.criminalelement.com/announcing-2018s-barry-award-nominees/ |access-date=April 9, 2021 |website=CriminalElement.com}}

Television adaptation

The novel was developed into a television series of the same name by Jonathan E. Steinberg and Robert Levine, with Jeff Bridges starring as the lead. The series premiered in the U.S. on FX on Hulu on June 16, 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/07/jeff-bridges-to-star-as-retired-cia-officer-in-fx-drama-the-old-man-from-black-sails-co-creators-jon-steinberg-robert-levine-1202653849/|title=Jeff Bridges To Star As Retired CIA Officer In FX Drama 'The Old Man' From 'Black Sails' Co-Creators Jon Steinberg & Robert Levine|work=Deadline Hollywood|first=Peter|last=White|date=July 25, 2019|access-date=May 29, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/11/disney-fx-hulu-streaming-cate-blanchett-disney-earnings-1202780657/|title=Hulu To Be Official FX Streaming Home Next Year, Bob Iger Says; Cate Blanchett's 'Mrs. America' & 3 Other Series Move Online|work=Deadline Hollywood|first=Dominic|last=Patten|date=November 7, 2019|access-date=May 29, 2020}}

The Old Man (Perry novel)

Synopsis

Reception

Television adaptation

References

Further reading