Customer Reviews

The Gold Coast

5 star:		(113)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

I've read almost everything by DeMille. What usually happens is that I go into the book store, rummage around for a while, and then if I don't find anything, I go to the prominent DeMille display and get another DeMille novel I haven't read before. I enjoyed Plum Island and, before Gold Coast, thought The Charm School his best work. But generally, when I pluck a DeMille novel off the shelf, I sometimes feel a little like I'm settling, because I couldn't find anything that grabbed my attention more.

Gold Coast is one that never particularly appealed to me; although I knew nothing about it other than what was on the back cover. It was the one I never bought and never read, because it seemed the least likely to interest me. But I ran out of everything else and finally bought it the other day. It was a modest revelation. I could not believe it was by the same author as the other stuff, other than maybe The Charm School. The point above about my usually "settling" for DeMille is to emphasize just how wonderful I thought this book was, and how much I think it transcends his other work and other novels out there.

The characters are exceptionally well developed. After finishing the book, I felt as though I could tell you what they might do in situations not presented by the book, for example; in other words, I understood them. The story, the setting, and the sense of place and history were equally impressive. The writing was even above his usual standard.

In short, this is an excellent book for anyone that simply enjoys good fiction, whether you are a DeMille fan or not. I suspect his strongest advocates love this book too, but the reason I took time out to write this review, which I rarely do, is to suggest that those of you, like me, who though his other stuff was merely good not great, might really be dramatically surprised by this one.

Nelson DeMille is my favorite author, and The Gold Coast is one of his better books. This is a hilarious novel. The basic premise is simple enough. John Sutter is an upper-class WASP lawyer who lives in the most exclusive area in America, an area in Long Island known to insiders as "The Gold Coast." He has a beautiful wife, an OK law practice, looks, class, and health. All seems well. Then, the local Mafia Don decides to move into the property next to the Sutters. And so begins the tale of a mid-life crisis to beat all mid-life crises. The rest would be telling.

As is the case with many of DeMille's novels, John Sutter is a hoot. His insights into life in general, the Gold Coast in particular, and his encounters with the local Mafia Don are very funny. The novel is written in first person, not a perspective I always like, but here it is extraordinarily effective. The reader comes to know, like, and care about John Sutter and his deepening predicament. DeMille's prose is superb. The writing is clear and crisp. The storyline starts out at a leisurely pace, but it always keeps the reader's attention and interest, and the plot quickly picks up momentum. This is an absorbing and very funny story.

DeMille is one of the great novelists of the times. I do not exaggerate; many of his books in my opinion are instant classics. The Gold Coast is one of these.

This book seriously got to me for a day or so. The whole book has a depressing feel to it from cover to cover. I give it a 4 star instead of a 3 because it is different than his other books and I did like it. A lot of his books seem to drag on in spots and this book is no exception. However, like all of his books I have read, I couldn't put it down. I do not recommend reading this book though. I recommend reading his others book first and if you like those then read this.

Like most of DeMille's writing I couldn't put this book down either.I shall read it again one of these days, as I will The Gate House and The Charm School.

John Gallagher

Three years ago a friend of mines father had insisted that I read Nelson DeMillies Gold Coast because it was amazing. He let me borrow his copy. This was the first time reading DeMille,and I did not know what to expect. This is purely a updated version of F Scott Fitgeralds Great Gatsby. The comparison between the Mafia Boss and Gatbsy is remarkable. This book is not a copycat but a revamped version of Gatsby set in the 1990's and it has a lot more power. Developing characters and showing their emotion is DeMilles gift as a writer. This book does not dissapoint.

This abridgment of the Nelson DeMille novel, provides an interesting story of three people, the Mafia boss, the lawyer, and his wife. Well read by the late, great, David Dukes, whose inflections and wry way of reading makes this a most interesting tale. I'd also recommend "The Charm School", "By The Rivers Of Babylon", "The Lion's Game", "Plum Island". [Too bad the movie of "The Lion's Game" isn't likely to see the light of day, in the wake of 9/11 and the current threats.]

How do I write a review for one of the finest novels I've ever read? I could describe the basic plot, the type of story it is; or just say "Hey, this is a great book!", however, you can read that in the editorial reviews so I won't bother.

I can say this: Out of some 600 pages (in the paperback version I read) there are only a few places of actual intense character "action" of the "mystery/gangster thriller" type, but this was a couldn't-put-down-page-turner. To hold a reader on the edge, interested, involved, compelled and feeling for that long, wanting to press forward while simultaneously hating the fact that the right side of the book was getting thinner and thinner, now that is the feat of a fine writer, a rare writer.

I wouldn't say that this book is anything like Conroy's 'Beach Music', except to say that both authors have the ability to make the reader feel along with the characters. Both have an almost unnatural insight into the human psyche and both books are among the finest novels I've ever read. Where Conroy made me feel sad and empty at times, DeMille made me laugh (occasionally out loud) and feel the same frustration with existence that his protagonist did. Life really is screwed up and people really do behave this way.

As way of another comparison, I enjoyed this novel the way I enjoyed 'Time Enough for Love' by R.A. Heinlein. Heinlein takes the reader across thousands of years, time and different universes, what makes his work so amazingly good is his ability to capture human emotion and motives in words, sentences, paragraphs and finally chapters of a great novel. DeMille captures the same, yes, but the setting doesn't take place outside of a few square miles and few months. I won't hazard a guess as to which was the greater feat, or which was harder to write, but I will say that both are absorbing works, the kind that get reread with enthusiasm.

The paperback I read had a new foreword by the author, which is well worth reading in itself. Apparently this work has touched a lot of people over its relatively short life and I concur with those that already consider it a classic.

This was my first novel by this author, but I can guarantee not my last.

The highest recommendation and a simple "I owe you one" to the author.

While I have enjoyed all of Nelson DeMilles books; This will be one of my favorites. As always, his characters are strong, the settings vivid. Couldn't put it down.
If you enjoy gaining insight to how others live, you will enjoy "The Gold Coast".

While I have enjoyed all of Nelson DeMilles books; This will be one of my favorites. As always, his characters are strong, the settings vivid. Couldn't put it down.
If you enjoy gaining insight to how others live, you will enjoy "The Gold Coast".

Nelson Demille may be my favorite writer, and "The Gold Coast" is another great one. Patterned after F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby," Demille tries to create a piece of Americana. He easily succeeds.

John Sutter is a tax attorney living in a part of New York nicknamed "the gold coast." The area is pretty exclusive and features extremely wealthy people who's families have lived there for generations. Sutter's wife, Susan, has lived there all her life. Then a Mafia Don moves in next door. Frank Bellarosa immediately takes a liking to John and Susan. They become friends and are the gossip of the town. Frank is charged with a murder rap, and he summons John to represent him. This leads to various funny things happening.

This book is told through the eyes of John Sutter. The narration is witty and serious at the same time. Sutter is another one of Demille's funny characters. It is kind of about a mid-life type of crisis. Demille weaves this tale as smooth as ever. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone.