The Race

The Race centers around Ohio senator Corey Grace, who makes a bid to be a candidate for the Republican presidential primary. However, Grace is a fairly unconventional Republican. He's divorced, he is in a rather public relationship with a well-known African American actress, he supports stem cell research, and overall straddles the line of the traditional Republican conservative.

I had mixed feelings about this novel. I read the abridged audiobook and really wasn't too invested in the story for the first 1/3 of the book. But it picked up. Though published ten years ago, it hits many of the topics that are hot buttons currently: racial tension, gay rights, terrorism, religious fundamentalism, and the increasing role that the media plays show more in today's society. I liked Grace's character, although I think that's where the realistic (unrealistic) quality of the novel comes into play. While the story touches on a lot of today's contemporary issues, I find it difficult to swallow a story such as this. Besides an ending that was fairly unrealistic, it's hard to imagine a down-to-earth, pleasant, & likeable character such as Corey Grace in today's political world. It's a nice thought, but hard to picture.

I enjoyed this novel for its entertainment value. Less so for it's realism. show less

Enjoyable political fiction, especially during the midst of the 2008 election campaign. Written about fictional candidates for the Republican Presidential nomination, it doesn't present the G.O.P in the best light. I doubt if Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, etc. would recommentd it, and it probably won't interest those with a right wing, Christian fundamentalist leaning, nor graduates of Bob Jones University, etc. But if you don't take that personally, you should enjoy the story, and find yourself putting real names on the fictional characters presented in the story. If you're tired of negative political adds, or how dirty polictics can be, you'll enjoy the story of the hero, a moderate Republican war hero. Now if only (s)he existed in the show more real world. show less

An overly long, overly detailed account of the naming of the Republican candidate for president. Explores the conservative nature of the United States by demonstrating that non-traditional lifestyle choices (e.g., being gay or interracial dating) automatically disqualifies a candidate. Although I understand that this type of narrow-mindedness is the majority thinking in our country, it always offends and upsets me when I am reminded of it. This particular book did not offer me any hope of seeing a change in these attitudes in my lifetime. Normally I enjoy Richard North Patterson's books, but not this one.

As a Brit my knowledge of the US political system is based almost entirely on watching the West Wing. I enjoyed learning how the presidential nomination system works, although it seems overly complicated! I wonder if anyone exists in politics anywhere in the world who is as true to them-self as the lead character Corey Grace. I also found it quite frightening to think that so many Americans hold the opinions this book suggests on gay marriage and race. This book definitely gave me a lot to think about.

An ambiguous title given the recent US Presidential election: here an agnostic former war hero takes on the Republican right, dating a Halle Berry clone in the bargain.

Politics are a dirty game and there are no holds barred as he attempts to win the Republican nomination against ruthless opposition.

It all ends happily though: the hero, having won the nomination and exposed the baddies, gives it up to marry the beautiful black film star and asks instead for his mentor, a black war hero, to run instead.

Not quite an Obama moment but close enough.

5448. The Race, by Richard North Patterson (read 4 Mar 2017) This is the sixth novel by Patterson I have read. I was originally attracted to his work because he was a lawyer and I figured his books would be better in depicting legal matters than books by non-lawyers. But this book has no legal implications, but deals with a fictional race for the Republican nomination for President in 2008. It was written in 2007. The central figure is Corey Grace, a war hero and a Senator from Ohio who often in the course of the book fornicates with a black movie star. His opponents in the race are a Senator who will do anything to win and a very right-wing preacher. Grace, in addition to being divorced and being involved with a black movie star, will show more not say the things which in 2008 a Republican was expected to say. In other words, he is a moderate Republican such as no longer holds office in today's world. So the novel does accurately reflect the Repuvlican senator of today. There are exciting events in the story but it seemed to me to be pretty formulaic and about what one would expect from a novelist admiratory of a liberal Republican. I am not sure it was worth reading, even though I would like to see Republicans who had the courage of their liberal convictions. But this book is fiction and not true to today's political spectrum. show less

In Patterson’s (Exile) timely, fast-paced political yarn, a war hero seeks the Republican nomination for president. Republican Sen. Corey Grace leans to the left—he’s pro-choice, pro stem-cell research, and pro gay marriage—and he’s one of the top-three contenders for his party’s nomination. His competitors are favorite son Sen. Rob Marotta, who will pander to anyone and do anything to get the nomination, and Rev. Bob Christy, a right-wing preacher with a national following. Grace faces a few other stumbling blocks as well: he votes his conscience instead of along the party line, and even worse, he’s divorced and dating a beautiful, famous African American actress. A three-way tie at the national convention leads to a show more fairy-tale ending, but it’s the wild ride to get there that’s so much fun. This is a well-researched, in-depth look at the voting process in America, examining the unbridled lust for power of a right-wing media magnate and a power-crazed lobbyist looking for complete hegemony by seating the next president. Highly recommended for all public libraries. show less