Memories can be weak. Review on Memories Of Midnight - Sidney Sheldon

Prologue

These days I am on a Sidney Sheldon trip. Have already lapped up The Other Side of Midnight and Memories of Midnight during the past fortnight and am currently racing through the pages of The Naked Face (yet another reread).

(I)

Recap of The Other Side of Midnight

Sidney Sheldon came up with one helluva story – The Other Side of Midnight. It was the story of two people Catherine Alexander and Constantin Demeris and their betrayal by the two people they loved immensely – Larry Douglous and Noelle Page respectively. Larry and Noelle plot the murder of Catherine. However, they are put on trial for her murder. There is only one hitch here: the body of Catherine is not found. Their lawyer, Nicholas Chotas tells them that if they admit to the crime they would be dealt easily by the law. Noelle and Larry do as advised. The jury condemns them to be executed. Nicholas Chotas, on the behest of Demeris had beguiled his clients to admitting a crime that had not been proved. Not knowing the Greek law, they fall into the trap set by Demeris and executed by Chotas. The novel ends by portraying Catherine, now a victim of dementia, taking refuge with some nuns, and Demeris proving to be a compassionate man below the cold veneer.

(II)

Even Midnights Have Memories

I am sure that Sheldon had thought of a sequel even while he was planning The Other Side of Midnight. In this book, Catherine suddenly starts rediscovering her memory and things start falling into place for her. As for Demeris, he returns to his fiendish ways and starts thinking of ways to finish Catherine, albeit not before relishing her physically. Memories of Midnight talks about the devious mind of Demeris and Catherine’s struggle to live life normally once again. Here, we are introduced to Demeris’ wife, his brother-in-law and a lot many characters afflicted by his villainous ways. Nicholas Chotas has full-blooded role to play in this story, while Melina, Demeris’ wife is one of the pivots of the narration. What happens to Catherine? Does Demeris manage to terminate her? This is yet another good vs evil tale from the stables of Mr Sidney Sheldon.

(III)

My opinion

The Other Side of Midnight was a taut narrative, made memorable by apt characterizations. Memories of Midnight, at best is a racy best seller that tries to match wits with the original plot. And that probably is its undoing. Memories of Midnight pales in comparison to The Other Side of Midnight. Here too, we have great characterizations and situations full of possibilities. But, I guess Mr. Sheldon tries very hard to give them a logical conclusion. They appear improbable. For instance, how on earth did Catherine recover her memory? How did Nicholas Chotas survive his near fatal accident? Read the master move made by Melina to understand what I am saying. Though pulsating, it defies logic. Also, the way Demeris eliminates a drug-trafficker who was blackmailing him is simply ‘astounding’. There are a few inconsistencies in the novel. For example, if Demeris wanted to ravish Catherine’s beauty before killing her, then why did he wait for such a long time? (What he does to her ultimately, I will not reveal in this review).

Memories of Midnight is not something that you will drop midway. You will definitely read to the very last page, and then grimace, particularly if you have like The Other Side of Midnight.

For me, The Other Side of Midnight was a steamy, tempestuous love affair that the author had with his readers. In contrast, Memories of Midnight, is more like a one-night stand in a cheap motel room, somewhere probably in Athens. Right Mr Sheldon?

Epilogue

So what if Memories of Midnight was a let down in many ways? I can feel my heart pound faster while reading The Naked Face. It is one great suspense thriller. Await a review on the same very soon.