You'll be Up Past Midnight to Finish this book. Review on Other Side Of Midnight, The - Sidney Sheldon

I've enjoyed The Other Side of Midnight by Sidney Sheldon for many, many years. I'd have to say it is my second favorite book by him; my very favorite is If Tomorrow Comes.

This book is full of fascinating characters living in exciting places doing interesting things. The story starts, as many of Sidney Sheldon's do, with a scene in a courtroom taking place in present day. A woman by the name of Noelle Page and man named Larry Douglas are on trial for murder. As you continue reading past the prologue, the first chapter will plunge you into the past and all of its happenings which led up to the trial.

Noelle Page is a woman born in France and raised by her loving mother and father. She is totally beautiful and extremely intelligent, and loved by many. When she turns sixteen, however, her father shows his true colors by first forcing her to get a boring job, then by having her boss, a lecherous older man, pay him to take Noelle on a vacation and having his way with her.

Noelle is completely destroyed by her father's betrayal, but she decides to use her beauty and brains to her advantage. She runs away from the man and ends up outside of a hotel, looking for someone to help her. She meets an exceedingly handsome and charming man named Larry Douglas, and falls head over heels in love with him. He rescues her from a night on the streets alone, and they spend the next week blissfully in a hotel together.

At the end of the week, Larry tells Noelle he needs to go back to work for a week - he was a navy pilot. He leaves her with the promise that he will return for her and they will get married. Excited, Noelle goes out and purchases an expensive wedding dress and eagerly awaits Larry's return.

You can probably guess what happens next - Larry never comes back. Her worry turns into apprehension, then finally to anger, then to a cold, dark hatred and thirst for revenge. Noelle vows to herself that no matter what, she is one day going to destroy Larry Douglas.

This of course makes for a very exciting plot - a revenge story. I was hooked on this novel basically from the first page. Also, Sidney Sheldon is a WONDERFUL suspense novel writer - you will be forced to stay up far into the night to finish this and many other of his books.

So, just as we are wondering what Noelle is going to do to exact her revenge, we meet another character of the book named Catherine. She is an intelligent and beautiful college student, attending Northwest University, who is disliked by her fellow classmates for her brains. Burying herself in studies, she barely has time to go on dates. So where does she fit into the story? Well, she ends up leaving Northwest University and goes to Washington to live with her friend. She pursues, and obtains, a government job working for a charismatic and very eligible man named Bill. Catherine and Bill's feelings for each other, after a shaky start, soon blossom into love.

The novel goes back and forth between Catherine and Noelle's lives, chronicling how they fall into the story. Noelle goes on to become a model, then an actress, using and discarding men as she goes. Catherine ends up meeting Larry Douglas on a Hollywood set and hates Larry on first sight. (That hate later turns into a mad passion). They end up getting eloping after a wild weekend together.

So how exactly does Noelle get her revenge? What is going to happen to Catherine and Larry in the process? How do Noelle and Larry end up in court on a murder charge? You will find out when you read this novel. The characters are very well-developed and you will feel as though you know them once you get into the story. Sidney Sheldon, in my opinion, has a great talent for obtaining the reader's sympathy for even his most ''bad'' characters. For instance, you find out that Noelle is quite crazy as you get into the story, that she is consumed with hatred and a desire to ruin Larry's life; yet somehow she still remains classy and will draw your empathy. Catherine touches the reader because of her innocence and do-gooder spirit; You will most likely understand why Larry does what he does.

There are a host of other fascinating characters as you make your way through The Other Side of Midnight. You will meet famous, wealthy men - as a matter of fact, a man named Constantin Demeris, one of the richest Greeks in the world, will be integral to the storyline. There are politicians and detectives and actors also.

The only thing about this book I would change is the ending. I will not give away any spoilers; but only say that the ending will leave you shocked in spite of yourself. Sidney throws in many twists throughout the book, especially near the end.

Keep in mind that this book is known as a ''Smut'' book, meaning it has some somewhat graphic love scenes in it. But, I feel they are (for the most part) appropriately placed and important to the overall story. I wouldn't however recommend this book to anyone younger than 15 for that reason.

Overall?

Anyone who has enjoyed any other of Sidney Sheldon's books should put this on their reading list. Also, anyone who enjoys a good revenge plot will absolutely adore this book. (I can almost promise you that!) This book was published in the 1970's, but still can be understood and enjoyed by people today.

Also, a further word on Sidney's Sheldon's writing - he is, in my opinion, one of the best writers ever. His books are filled with exciting characters and story lines that will grab ahold of you and not let go until you finish the last word! (And sometimes the story stays with you after as well.) The reading style of his books are pretty easy to read, but not so simple that you will be bored.