The Rule of Four
by Dustin Thomason, Ian Caldwell
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Book Reviews of The Rule of Four
Book Review: Diverting, but flawed, though not as bad as the reviews
Summary: 3 Stars
I was really torn when reading this book: I really wanted to enjoy it and at times it was genuinely engaging, but it was so flawed and frustrating it ends up ultimately disappointing. It is not, however, as bad as some on here are saying.
The good bits: the analysis of the Hypnerotomachia is really interesting and I thoroughly enjoyed the "detective" elements of the story as the boys solve the puzzles.
What I didn't enjoy:
1. The relationships between the boys are complete fiction. There is no way that Tom, Paul, Gil and Charlie would be friends the way the book is written, and in fact, it was almost like they were not friends. For instance, Tom and Gil act like strangers throughout. There is no way these 4 would be friends which is a fatal flaw to the story.
2. Only Gil would be at Princeton. Ivy League colleges are for the US upper-class. People like Paul just doesn't exist in the real world, and he and Tom wouldn't be at Princeton.
3. Reading about the high-class hi-jinks of Princeton students does not make it a better story.
4. Most of the story takes place in a few days, yet the last chapter covers a number of years in a cursory and irritating manner.
5. The dichotomy between the love for people (father, friends, Katie etc) and the love for the Book is overdone and unbelievable. The interminable chapters contrasting Tom's addiction to the book vis-a-vis his love for Katie were unbearable.
6. It strays into pretension at times. The most gratuitous example: the reference to Schroedinger's cat as indicative of the affair between Katie and Tom. Completely unnecessary and utterly pretentious.
7. Another reviewer below thought the murder plot had been added on. This is very perceptive and, I suspect, close to the truth. The murders are never properly investigated or detailed and are poorly written.
Overall a bit disappointing, but in no way is it the worst book ever written. Clearly those reviewers have not suffered through Point of Origin by Patricia Cornwell (the worst book I have ever read), or anything by John Grisham.
Book Review: Avoid the hype - just read it....
Summary: 4 Stars
In 1499 was published a book named the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili - a work both exalted as equal to the Gutenberg Bible, and reviled as mundane as the Sunday newspaper. It has fascinated and frustrated throughout the years, with it's allegory and hints of deeper meaning within the text.
The Rule of Four is a wonderful walk through what might otherwise become a tedious tale about Princeton graduate students embroiled in a 15th century literary mystery, told in first person by Tom Sullivan, a young man whose life is woven with old books and the singular passion of his father. The prose is related lovingly, beautifully, and the voice of Tom is the weave that holds the story together.
If the Rule of Four has a failing, it's when the modern world intercedes the dream-like quality of the narrative - a LaserTag game in the sewers, an interaction with a girlfriend, even certain conversations become somewhat stilted, and distracting for it. That the book opens with an introductory scene of four dormitory roommates is a stumbling block, but once read over, Tom's world opens up rich with nostalgic observations that suggest an old man looking back fondly on his youth, with none of the blindness of hindsight.
'...So ended the formative period in my father's life, the single year that set in motion all the clockwork of his future identity. Thinking back on it, I wonder if isn't same for all of us. Adulthood is a glacier encroaching quietly on youth. When it arrives, the stamp of childhood suddenly freezes, capturing us for good in the image of our last act, the pose we struck when the ice of age set in. The three dimensions of Patrick Sullivan, when the cold began to claim him, were husband, father, and scholar. They defined him until the end...'
The Rule of Four, Chapter 6
Readers who seek validation of the secrets of life in books will not likely find it here - although compared to 'The Da Vinci Code', I find the comparison off the mark. You may not find yourself changed or inspired by The Rule of Four, but ease back, and this book will read itself to you, which is the real jewel of the matter.
Book Review: Small scale intellectual thriller
Summary: 4 Stars
Unfortunately, the name of Dan Brown's bestselling thriller, The Da Vinci Code has been thrown around in the advertising of this book. I say "unfortunately" because other than the concept of hidden messages in the art of the past, there is almost nothing similar to the Da Vinci Code in this novel.
There are two main points of interest in this story. The first is the Hypnerotomachia, a real-life mysterious book written during the Renaissance by an unknown author, whose convoluted plot, meandering written style, and prose which is difficult to interpret, has befuddled and challenged art historians ever since its first publication. On its surface the Hypnerotomachia is about a man searching for his lost love, but it has hidden in its pages a secret message only for those knowledgeable enough to crack its code. The Rule of Four, like the Hypnerotomachia, has a surface story: the attempt to solve the mystery of the Hypnerotomachia, and a second, more important layer; the coming of age of the main character.
Set almost entirely on the campus of Princeton University, we are immediately immersed in the student social life on campus. The book is written in the first person and we examine the nature of school friendships; the loss of a parent; and love, both between individuals and the kind of love that a dedicated scholar can have for his/her subject.
The novel is quite introspective and relatively fast-paced for its subject matter. However, those expecting the chapter to chapter cliff-hanger suspense of the Da Vinci Code will be greatly disappointed. It is not that kind of a thriller. The main character's development is the most fascinating thing here.
I think that what I enjoyed the most here was the insight into those approaching their college graduation. Ironically, the attainment of a degree often leads to more introspection and more uncertainty than the finality of it would seem to indicate. This is well reflected here as all the main characters are forced to confront their own assumptions and fears.
Not a perfect book, but remarkably well written and thought provoking.
Book Review: Smart, but very young-- three-and-a-half stars.
Summary: 4 Stars
Kudos to Caldwell and Thomason for completing a fresh and well-written adventure at such a young age. The passion for history shines through, and the reading of the Hypnerotomachia works well both in itself and as a device for advancing the plot. If the Dan Brown link is what brought you to this book, the writing quality is well above the Da Vinci Code, and its goals are much higher.
This said, I am afraid that it is probably a good deal less satisfying as a reading experience than a lot of books that are more outright hacks. Like other reviewers, I tend to cut this book quite a bit of slack because of the quality of writing and the bigger project. It is not as successful as a book as the four stars rating would imply.
My major thought when I had finished the book was that obsession is really the province of the young. The two scholars are obsessed with their mystery, obsessed with their girlfriend and honestly that is as it should be for the age. What fails to work in the larger book is that they assume that the motivation of obsession extends to the adult characters in exactly the same way and to the same level. It is not a good bet to make and the assumption is the biggest flaw in the book. A more nuanced approach to character would have made it more believable and more finished. Obsession is interesting because of how it changes and hardens over time. It is uninteresting and predictable in the form that it appears here.
Also-- although this is a minor quibble-- not everyone is fascinated with Princeton tradition. There were points where it provided nice backstory, but there were points where it gave the book an unfortunate pretentious tone.
Still, The Rule of Four is a strong first effort with a lot of heart and inspiration. I will certainly pick up their next book (separately or together) to see where they go as writers.
The Rule of Four should appeal to readers who like a bit of mystery, but would like writing quality one step above the supermarket pot boiler. Fans of Katherine Neville and Umberto Eco will probably find this a good use of a few hours.
Book Review: The Da Vinci Code meets The Great Gatsby
Summary: 3 Stars
Ok, not really, but at least I have gotten the mandatory Da Vinci Code reference out of the way. I can't argue with the decision to market the book as "The Da Vinci Code for smart people" (or whatever the jacket said). Heck, if I wrote a cookbook, I'd want it advertised that way too. However, in the end, I think the marketing created expectations about the book that went unfulfilled for many readers.
So, if it's not The Da Vinci Code, what is it? At its heart, I think that the book represents a medium grade intellectual thriller mixed with a fairly good "coming to grips with life after college" story. The problem that arises is that these two genres don't mix very well. In the end, I'm still not sure what sort of book I read. It seemed, at times, that the "intellectual thriller" was just a vehicle. It offered a way to write about that time in college when friends are as close as can be, before the responsibilities of adulthood begin to exert their pull. In terms of evoking that time in one's life, I think this is where the book actually has its most success. At other times, it seemed that the characters veered into arch stereotypes: grinding premed, brilliant bookworm loner, scion of noble birth, etc. What started as interesting characters began to devolve into caricature. At these times, the "thriller" had to carry the weight of the narrative, and here the success was mixed. There was enough action to keep me interested, but the compelling bits were broken up by the digressions, diluting the effect.
If allowed, I would have rated 3.5 stars. The book was overall enjoyable, and I don't regret having devoted the time to reading it. I agree with many reviewers in thinking that better work may be yet to come from its authors. In particular, I hope that they can decide what sort of book they are trying to write and focus on that.
And, finally, I'd like to thank the authors for upholding the "reputation" of my old eating club. As of today, there are 265 Google hits for the block quote: ""the naked buttocks of the Tiger Inn members"
T.I.!