Dec 20, 2004 04:22 PM
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(Updated Dec 20, 2004 04:22 PM)
The beginning of 1980s marked a great new era in the history of modern fiction and this era belonged to Sidney Sheldon. He reached an unparalleled high with a series of masterpieces in the 1980s. In fact, the next 4 to follow are probably the best ever written by him.
Year of Publication: 1980
Plot Overview :
The story of a young and dedicated lawer, who has been made a victim of circumstances at her very first visit to court. The attorney, who wanted to bring justice to all, has been instrumental in the escape of a notorious mafia don. This starts the vengeance of the district attorney – DeSilva, who will stop at nothing to destroy the career of Jenifer Parker. There is only one man who trusts the honesty of Jenifer: Adam Warner.
The story passes from this naïve and gullible attorney till she vbecomes an iron lady, for whom law is simply not a profession alone, it is a passion. While going towardsher goal in life, she gets trapped between the love for Adam Warner (President Prospect) and Michel Morretti (Mafia Don) who are out to destroy each other.
In the middle of all these, she has got DeSilva, whose obsession in life is Jenifer’s destruction and series of other characters, who play short but very memorable parts in her struggle to the top.
But with all these forces pulling her in all directions, can she do justice to herself and her profession? Read on…
Time Setting: Contemporary
Profession at Background: Law/ judiciary
My Review:
This is the second Sidney Sheldon that I read in life, the first one being Doomsday…. I was amazed at the stark difference in the style of writing and the characterization. Each character, irrespective of the length, has been spectacular to say the least. I don’t think even Mr. Sheldon has ever created such strong characters in one novel.
The flow of the story is phenomenally fluid. In spite of being such a voluminous reading, you don’t feel the length. You don’t feel even a single word has been spoken extra. From the courtroom scenes, to the inside of mafia world and US presidential elections…. everything has been described to the reader’s satisfaction.
The great beginning has been backed up by strong movement of the story line and a huge build-up to the climax. The climax leaves you totally spellbound.
In my peraosnal ranking, I rate is as the 2nd best ever by Mr. Sheldon (No.1 being Master of the Game) and still this is the only novel that I have not read the second time. Reason? Very simple… I am yet to recover from the shock of the first reading some 10 years back!!
A MUST MUST MUST Read.
Positives:
Story, characterization, flow
Negatives:
Nothing apparent (though I wold have preferred a Hindi Filmi Climax!!)
Memorable Characters:
Jenifer Parker (Probably the best creation of Mr. Sheldon, with Constantine Dimiris)
Michel Morretti
Robert DeSilva
(Forgot the name).. The black prisoner who was Jenifer’s first major case
