Temptation

I keep scratching my head and wondering why it is that every other review I’ve read of this book talks about how utterly amazing it is and I keep asking myself why I felt bored while I was reading it. Other reviews of Temptation: A Novel by Douglas Kennedy discuss how “thrilling the ride” is while turning the pages and how they were “enraptured by the story” and I just keep thinking, “Really? Because I had a hard time forcing myself to pick it up.”

Initially, the story did start off with a promising hook. A writer finally gets his big break and shoves off his wife and kid. See ya later, deadweights. Who wouldn’t want to read that? He immediately hooks up with a beautiful, rich producer who would never leach him for his show more fame and money and gets pulled into a reclusive bazillionaire’s plot to get a writing credit. I think this is where the twists and turns are supposed to occur, but, by this point in the story, I no longer cared. David Armitage, the main character of the novel, was unlikable and I had a difficult time wanting to read about him, much less care about why his story should be something I should waste my time reading. My guess is that all the Hollywood type characters were written with a fiendishly cartoonish portrayal so I wouldn’t have to stretch my brain cells too far and try to wrap them around the idea that people could be dynamic.

Fair enough. I’d give it a 1 out of 5 stars, possibly a 1 1/2, because truly the first thirty or so pages were entertaining.

It’s a good thing I got this book for free to review because I would have been irritated if I’d spent money on it. show less

Douglas Kennedy takes his readers on a roller coaster ride in Temptation. It comes complete with ups, downs, twists, and surprise turns. Temptation was an easy read but I found that I never knew what to expect next and that kept me turning the pages. The ending came as a surprise but not an unwelcome one.

As a character I found Armitage to be shallow, selfish, weak, and over the top. These are traits that are usually not good in a character but I think they work here, and he does eventually redeem himself.

Don't let the cover fool you. This is not a book about sex. It is about control and the lack of it, fame and the cost of it, money and the effects of it.

There was one character where I felt the bad language was a bit much. I know what show more Kennedy was trying to do with it but I found it a bit off-putting. On the other hand, I absolutely loved the character of Alison, Armitage's agent. She also had some off colored language but it did not seem as out of place.

This was an enjoyable read and more like 3 1/2 Smiley, but I haven't figured out how to do that yet. I would suggest giving it a try yourself if it sounds at all interesting to you. Temptation was an interesting peak into Hollywood and it's players.

A Library of our Own show less

I found this book entertaining enough to finish, but lacking in the type of tempo that keeps the pages turning. David Armitage is a flawed character who betrays all of those people that stuck with him as he pursued his dream of becoming a famous screenwriter. After he finds success and lives the life of a wealthy individual, he finds himself at the center of a professionally damaging plagiarism scandal. This experience, of course, leads him to do some soul searching and discover what is really important in life.

Kennedy's plot seems to be original and the characters for the most part appear to be plausible except for the eccentric billionaire. This of course makes the whole premise of the book a little shaky. Also, as I read to the end show more of the book, I felt the resolution seemed to drag on a bit. Overall, I thought the book was an entertaining read, but with a few flaws in the plot and character development. show less

This novel starts out with David telling us that he always wanted to be rich. Well who does not want to be rich? It is something everyone would like to have unlimited supply of money. David is a screenwriter trying to get a big break in Hollywood. I really wonder how many people there really are in that area trying to get a break. Everyone knows of someone that wants to be either an actor or singer/songwriter. To be rich to have fans constantly wanting to meet you, to have fans screaming your name this is a dream of so many people. However how many actually achieve this dream.

Well, David Armitage has tried for 13 years to sell his scripts. During this time, he has worked at a large bookstore. While his wife, Lucy has been a show more telemarketer. David and Lucy met in Manhattan. David was determined to make it as a playwright and Lucy was determined to make it as an actress. After a few weeks, they thought they were in love. Lucy gets a role in a pilot for a television show and they both move to Hollywood.

Well, as life normally happens neither David or Lucy make it big. David keeps writing scripts while Lucy keeps selling in telemarketing. This makes me wonder if Lucy has one of those jobs that call people up randomly trying to dell that cheap dream vacation. The kind of call we either all hang up on or start yelling in the phone at the person that has called us.

David finally get ‘The Call’, you know the call that tells you something big has happened. The call that lets you know everything will be great, all of your worries are over. For David it is the call he has waited for 13 years. However, for Lucy that call seems a little too late.

This wonderful novel takes the reader through the life of someone trying to make it big. It gives to ups and down, the scandal, to start to live the dream and have it all snatched away.

If you are looking for a wonderful read that takes the reader through the Hollywood trials of trying to be successful, or just want another amazing read. Then this book is for you. Mr. Kennedy has written this book with style, flare and amazing intuition.

Thanks for a great read Mr. Kennedy. show less

Quick enjoyable read. Liked Kennedy's previous books very much - this one not quite as good but lots of detail and interesting characters.
I guessed half way through that someone was behind the demise of David Armitage and I was correct.

TRès bon suspense psychologique!!! On le lit d'une traite, on ne peut s'en défaire!!! Cela pourrait nous arriver... we never know!!!

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