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The title is quite cheesy, considering that we are in 2016. For a book that’s written in 1976, that really helps in ensuring that one feels young. I really like that the book uses a lot concepts of business management in the plot as well as the introduction towards the conflict in the story like the concept of how the stock prices would increase as more people buy, due to the increase in interest from the people who are willing to invest.
As in any story of getting even, there must be an act of where something that should be taken away from the hero. Since this is about business, the conflict was about people buying shares for lots of money and losing their investment. Through this book, it was quite interesting to look into some of the works that were written during my parents’ childhood. My parents always told me of how they were kept busy in their childhood. This included playing with others outside, reading books and watching TV even though it worked for only 2 hours in a day. Not that I felt bad for the TV not being there all the time, but the idea of having friends to play outside seemed like a fragment of imagination. I always found that homework and other people’s homework would keep them busy, making it really hard for playing outside. Like any comedy-tragedy of being robbed, there is always this plot for stealing things back for revenge. The book seems to mix plots of the movie series of Ocean’s and the Gambit, having the villain who stole from them give them their money back in the most inconspicuous of ways. However, the true progress of this whole plot is rather long, which made it quite dragging for maintaining the interest towards the end.
I’m not very pleased to say this but sometimes I had to take a few breaks from reading the book due to these patches of slow progress. I know that sometimes it happens in a lot of books and movies, but I felt that the length and the frequency was too much for a normal read. I would like to recommend the book for the people who enjoy some knowledge applied plots and who like revenge plots without people dying. Fair warning that the progress of the story might be quite a drag, I do like the book for what it’s worth, and also for the fact that it is a 40 -year- old book, it is nice. Also having read this book and realizing its advantages and disadvantages, I now understand that boredom must seriously have been a daily problem in my parents’ childhood.
Hey dhruv….that was well written. I can tell you for most of us this was one of the epic books ..I liked your view and your thoughts on it.. candid yet balanced and a good way of bringing in your parents growing up years too…..keep reading and sharing your thoughts. Its a nice way for us to relive our teens too
Cheers
Shashank
I am one of those people who grew up reading Archer’s books. It is quite interesting to see a view which is no inline with the perception I have . In ‘Those days’ that you mentioned Dhruv, though TV was limited to 2 hours a day, we still did not have the word ‘bored’ in our dictionary . (Now don’t tell me to get an updated dictionary :). )
You are right .. the book does slow down in patches… We accepted it as part of life. Now I see kids being unable to cope with anything slow… (Given the speed of ipads they are used to) . Books like this might bring them closer to reality ..
Now I am quite keen to read it again 🙂
Although I share your dad’s generation as well as his choice of books, I will agree fully with you here, Dhruv! JA has been one of my favorite authors, but tends to drag on the plot-speed a lot. You should try some of his other works including the short stories.
Your observation on how the gen before you spent its childhood brought a smile! That I saw my first video game when I was 16 years old… should give you a fair idea.
Keep writing about these and such books. Your critique is refreshing!
Hey Dhruv!
Nice to be acquainted through your writing and discoveries. You probably already know this was JA’s first novel. I’d put “Quiver Full of Arrows” a tad up the stack in comparison. Go for it, if you’d like to give him a second try 🙂
Best,
Nicely written Dhruv! But I have to say the the “boredom” was the best part of our childhood 🙂
On your target, Ry! Like you got your paradise flycatcher diving into a pond in scorching Ranthambhor.
I haven’t read this book as am not into reading. But I know if you keep reading and writing then I would get a ringside view of a reluctant critic making a connect with the generation that was thoroughly engrossed discovering English text scape.
Go all out when you can, and keep on defining and mapping bird flights!
Kata
Dear Dhruv
I am across your website & blog! It is a very well done website. Kept me glued. I liked the “Parks of Singapore” book – the pictures and story-telling is commendable. I hope you can share this more broadly since a lot of people dont know these gems like Mt Faber Park or Bedok reservoir.
I also like your honest review about “Not a penny more, not a penny less”. Yes – Jeffrey Archer can be slow at times but his books always expose you to a new aspect of the world. His books tend to grow on you as you experience life – i do hope you will re-read it few years later. For now, i would recommend you to read – Paths to Glory (it is really a no-miss!), Kane & Abel and Shall we tell the president?
Wishing you all the best – Keep the passion on. I am sure this is just the beginning.
I tend to agree with you Dhruv. Though I am of your parent’s generation, quite a few movies and books of that era seem very slow and boring now!