The Gate House
by Nelson DeMille
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Book Reviews of The Gate House
Book Review: Very Disappointing
Summary: 2 Stars
If you have never read Nelson DeMille, skip The Gate House and read Charm School, Lion's Game, Word of Honor, Up Country, etc. You will be thoroughly entertained and wonder where he's been all your life.
Having said that, I am almost done beating myself up for spending the time to finish this silly book. Almost. I knew after the first 200 derivatives on "the mafia don my ex-wife had an affair with" that this book was going to be a repetitive, mindless, fluff-filled non-adventure and that I should just put it down and walk away. Seriously - this story is stretched out over 700 time-wasting pages, when it could easily have been wrapped up in less than 300 (if it needed to be written at all, which is doubtful).
To say The Gate House was the most poorly written Nelson DeMille book is a bit deceiving, as I have loved all of his previous books and practically salivate when I hear he has another one coming out. So, in my opinion, it's the *only* poorly written Nelson DeMille book - forgettable in every sense of the word.
As I did with Patricia Cornwell, I'll give him one more chance. Cornwell kept putting out drivel and lost me. I hope DeMille gets back on track by tightening up his prose, making his characters more substantive and likable, and thickening the plot.
Why two stars? Hey, it's Nelson DeMille - I just couldn't go any lower.
Book Review: Not one of his best
Summary: 1 Stars
I've been a reader of Mr. DeMille's books for years and have enjoyed each one and eagerly wait for the next, but this one was a waste of money and a real loser. His blending of sarcasm and humor in other books has been welcome and enjoyable and one of the reason I enjoy his books so much, but it was so over-done in this one it was boring and irritating.
This book was so totally void of a plot that it was basically an unbelievable rehash of the day to day life two characters from his Gold Coast book. I actually finished this book hoping a plot would developed but it just got worse. The story revolves around the day to day antics of this couple, now somewhere in their 50's I suspect from the age of their children, as they behave like two horny 15 year olds trying to avoid the son of the mafia leader she killed in the first book. But even that try at a plot failed and was pushed under the carpet by over-done sarcasm and the frequent trips to the bedroom with these two.
A rambling read which never seems to make a plot but attemps to try out several ideas which just don't blend together or get buried under all the nonsense. Not a good read if you are looking for classic DeMille and I would simply say..."don't waste your money wait and see if he once again starts to produce the fantastic books he once wrote". Dont' do this to us again Mr. DeMille.
Book Review: Rich or Poor
Summary: 3 Stars
In an interview in The New York Times, Nelson DeMille said "Gold Coast" was never meant to have a sequel, nor did he want to write one. After reading "The Gate House," I'm inclined to agree with his initial inclination. "Most authors stay away from sequels," he said, because they put you into competition with yourself and open you up to a lot of scrutiny." Truer words . . .
The plot is pretty simple and straightforward: Attorney John Sutter returns from London after a hiatus of ten years (following his ex-wife's murder of her Mafioso lover and subsequent divorce and notoriety) to attend a funeral and complete the decedent's estate settlement. While there he meets his ex-wife and they take up where they left off. Meanwhile the murdered Mafioso's son has moved into the adjoining estate and gives an indication of wanting revenge for the murder of his father.
A potboiler of a story, more like a soap opera. The only saving grace: the amusing asides uttered by John throughout, commenting on various other personages. The conclusion is relatively easy to figure out. "I'm glad I did it," DeMille stated, "but I was very sorry while I was writing it."
Many may find it enjoyable [after all, soap operas have large audiences], and apparently many have, placing it, and keeping it, on the bestseller lists.
Book Review: Another Great Effort
Summary: 5 Stars
OK, I know we were all spoiled by John Sutter's coy/caustic personality as created by Nelson DeMille in the original Gold Coast, but I think the other reviewers have been far too hard on the newly released sequel, The Gate House. Although I will agree that John Sutter's endless comments on anything and everything do get a bit repetitious and repugnant in this effort, but given that he is not a detective ala other DeMille books, the means for developing a story around a divorced middle aged grumpy old man who is broke and homeless needs something for which he can develop a story, yes? Afterall, just how exciting can DeMille make a well-to-do family that has already had more excitement and adventure than most shall ever know during the first book of Gold Coast! Given what was available to DeMille, I think he made the absolute most of what was obviously a difficult effort, why else did DeMille wait for fifteen years to write it?--also needing obvious persuasion and pushing from his family and friends to do so, as DeMille himself acknowledges. Given that, I think this was another winner from DeMille, and I for one already miss sitting down in the evening to read more of what may be happening with John and Lady Stanhope Sutter. For myself, I'm rooting for another sequel--maybe a new adventure as John and Susan travel the world.Book Review: A Nice Read, Not One of DeMille's Best
Summary: 3 Stars
I echo what a lot of other readers wrote, this is a good book, not great by any means. It is the second straight DeMille book I didn't love.
I won't bore you with the details as they have been written by so many others. The story dragged for hundreds of pages, and while the author spent countless pages describing the slow and tedious death of a former servant to this enormously wealthy and dysfunctional family, he sped through some crucial details of the story. John Sutter and Susan Stanhope reuniting and sudden decision to remarry after a 10 year hiatus just sort of happened. And while John claims many times to be in love with Susan he did have some very funny quips about her nutty personality and lack of sense of reality; he was always weighing other options for himself at all times. Towards the end of the book when Sutter has a secret to share with Susan's father that will impact all of their futures, the reader barely got a glimpse of what was said. The reader would have wanted to know what went on behind the closed doors on this account. Yes there was tension building, but again it was not the Nelson DeMille thriller that we've all been waiting for. I gave this 3 stars because it really was a nice, easy read, but when I am sorry to say I was happy when it was over. Sorry Nelson.