Nov 29, 2004 05:55 PM
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(Updated Nov 29, 2004 05:55 PM)
Year of Publication: 1974
Plot Overview :
Noel Page and Catherine Alexandre have been brought up at the same time in two entirely different atmospheres. While one is beautiful, otherone is average. While one is from downtown France, other is from a decent background in US. While one is cunning, other one is intelligent. While one has used sex as a means to climb up the ladder, other one has remained a virgin till it felt like a sin!!
Still, there lives are brought together to the same path by one man: Larry Douglas. The man who had ditched the beautiful Noel Page and had got married Catherine Alexandre.
This is the story of Noel, whose sole motive in life is revenge on Larry. But the big question remains, if she is so much in love with Larry, can she sustain her emotions when she meets him? Will Larry recognize her? What will be the fate of Catherine?
But there is one more character, who can have the final say… Constantine Dimiris.
Time Setting: The base of the story is formed during World War 2 and the events that followed.
Profession at Background: Unlike most other novels of Mr. Sheldon, this does not use any profession as the backdrop. There is show business, secretarial, People in War and of course… business tycoon.
Trivia This book hit the New York Times bestseller list, going on to hold the paper's then record of 52 weeks on the charts.
My Review:
Sidney Sheldon Hit the Bull’s Eye in his very second novel. This had got all the ingredients that later on became his trademark. From Rags to Riches and the fall, use of sex as a weapon for manipulation, conspiracy, revenge and women power.
For any Sidney Sheldon fan, this is a must read. No matter how many times I read this, I simply can not get out of the aftereffects….
The highlight of the novel was definitely the indomitable Constantine Dimiris. A character, which is probably the best of Sidney Sheldon.
So much was the impact of this novel that there was a sequel to it: Memories of Midnight, the only time Mr. Sheldon has wrote a sequel. In fact, his ongoing autobiography is called as “Other Side of Me”.
Positives: Extremely strong characterization. Probably he gave everything to bring life to these characters.
Negatives: Nothing standing out.
Memorable Characters:
Condtantine Dimiris: Simply Superb
Noel Page: At one moment she is innocent, next moment she is cunning. She is beautiful, but accepts that her body is her biggest asset. So much is her hatred that she does not mind killing Larry’s baby in he own womb by using a knife!! You will hate her, you will sympathize with her.
