tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290476670691353414.post7873081268616760059..comments2024-03-06T04:04:24.597-08:00Comments on The Trap of Solid Gold: A Man of AffairsSteve Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863138617383626261noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290476670691353414.post-33291704986499532312015-07-05T14:24:33.003-07:002015-07-05T14:24:33.003-07:00Thanks Steve. Like you, I continue to enjoy this b...Thanks Steve. Like you, I continue to enjoy this book, despite its many shortcomings.Steve Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15863138617383626261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290476670691353414.post-23769489449104739662015-07-05T07:32:38.033-07:002015-07-05T07:32:38.033-07:00I hadn't read much of this blog post before I ...I hadn't read much of this blog post before I finished A Man of Affairs, but I remember seeing here or somewhere else that this wasn't one of your JDM favorites. But I set that aside and dove it, enjoying the set up, Sam's character and cast of usual suspects. Like another one of MacDonald's weaker efforts (Weep for Me), it strikes me that the author suddenly got tired of the story line and looked for a way – any way – to end it. Thus, the entirely improbably barracuda attack and heart attack. MacDonald usual deals with the demise of bad guys in much more sophisticated ways, although he seems to thoroughly enjoy describing these deaths in gruesome detail. But, these solutions seem just too simple.<br /><br />The other thing that JDM didn't pull off was the emotional connection between Sam and Louise – these two never seemed compatible and I had to suspend my disbelief to think that the mature Sam could ever have feelings for this empty woman, who in my opinion never came across as attractive as MacDonald would have liked. What a mopey, depressive character! What about her did Sam find appealing, even from the get-go?<br /><br />But the story line as it relates to the Harrison business strategy, take-over plans and intra-company politics was all well-handled and good reading. And, like you say, it is a bit of a shame that many of the characters didn't play a larger role in moving the plot along – they seemed there just to add color and occupy our attention for the first couple of days at the resort island.<br /><br />But, it was a good and enjoyable read overall. Thanks, as always, for your insightful commentary and review of the cover art, Steve.Steve Wellmeierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17494750550653572290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290476670691353414.post-44319633977368071912014-10-29T05:40:11.773-07:002014-10-29T05:40:11.773-07:00Thanks for commenting Frank. Yeah, this novel had ...Thanks for commenting Frank. Yeah, this novel had a lot of promise early on... don't know what MacDonald was thinking.Steve Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15863138617383626261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290476670691353414.post-52903144885834529122014-10-28T06:08:14.108-07:002014-10-28T06:08:14.108-07:00I'm glad to have read your review. I just fini...I'm glad to have read your review. I just finished the book and thought that two thirds through, the book really jumped the shark. Who goes out on the ocean in a small boat without any food or water? It was enjoyable for a while. Thanks for your review.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13333338903075168480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290476670691353414.post-76657057025990247582014-10-15T12:55:51.716-07:002014-10-15T12:55:51.716-07:00Nice layout of the various book covers over the ye...Nice layout of the various book covers over the years.slapout9https://www.blogger.com/profile/16194212731572156295noreply@blogger.com