Lasko Tangent

Rating:
Summary: easy to read but flawed
Review: I found this a page turner, but I was really turned off by the "hero" smoking dope and giving it to his girlfriend, with whom he goes to bed practically as soon as he gets a chance. Other than some of the moral aspects of the protagonist's character, this boook moves right along, even tho its plot is simplistic. I may read its sequel

Rating:
Summary: Something missing.
Review: I like Patterson's work. However, I didn't care for this one. I found the story often confusing. Not very detailed, leaving me feeling as if there was missing pieces to the plot. Not his best!

Rating:
Summary: Glad I read it!
Review: It was actually Degree of Guilt that led me to this book. I had heard it was great, and read over the reader's reviews. One reader said it's best to read The Lasko Tangent first, since that's where Christopher Paget is first introduced. The Lasko Tangent was pretty good, although I thought Degree of Guilt was much better. I'm now eager to read all Patterson's books--he has a great style, with intricate plots, excellent characterization and sophisticated dialog. I'd enjoy any recommendations from other readers who particularly like this author.

Rating:
Summary: Audio Version Lacks Sophistication
Review: My wife and I bought this tape for something to listen to while traveling cross country in the car. Though it's abridged, we felt the author's endorsement would ensure a quality presentation -- big mistake.

First of all, Ken Howard's voice offered little range and capability in offering distinctions between the various characters, and he clearly sounds nothing like a 29-year old protagonist. The novel's dialogue doesn't help on this last point, however, as I had difficulty being convinced that Paget could be both this jaded and self-assured at such a young age.

Most of the characters were two-dimensional sterotypes with limited depth -- especially the women, of which there were too few. These guys are supposed to be big corporate and government hardball players, and yet get flustered everytime Paget talks tough (Ohhh, I'm sooo scared of you). There also appears to be virtually no sensory information in the narrative beyond a visual context -- we know almost nothing about any of the character's personalities or their appearance and mannerisms throughout the book. This applies to descriptions and sensations of the locales as well. I suppose this could have been what was cut as part of the abridged version.

The plot stalls for about half of the book, but picks up quickly at the end, but Paget's failure in attempting to analyze and interpret his first big clue (a written note) is a big investigative oversight right from the start.

Very disappointing.

Rating:
Summary: Audio Version Lacks Sophistication
Review: My wife and I bought this tape for something to listen to while traveling cross country in the car. Though it's abridged, we felt the author's endorsement would ensure a quality presentation -- big mistake.

First of all, Ken Howard's voice offered little range and capability in offering distinctions between the various characters, and he clearly sounds nothing like a 29-year old protagonist. The novel's dialogue doesn't help on this last point, however, as I had difficulty being convinced that Paget could be both this jaded and self-assured at such a young age.

Most of the characters were two-dimensional sterotypes with limited depth -- especially the women, of which there were too few. These guys are supposed to be big corporate and government hardball players, and yet get flustered everytime Paget talks tough (Ohhh, I'm sooo scared of you). There also appears to be virtually no sensory information in the narrative beyond a visual context -- we know almost nothing about any of the character's personalities or their appearance and mannerisms throughout the book. This applies to descriptions and sensations of the locales as well. I suppose this could have been what was cut as part of the abridged version.

The plot stalls for about half of the book, but picks up quickly at the end, but Paget's failure in attempting to analyze and interpret his first big clue (a written note) is a big investigative oversight right from the start.

Very disappointing.

Rating:
Summary: Entertainment but,...
Review: The book is easy to read, but the fiction goes too far. What happens if you see your boss talking to the enemy? Paget is a hero? Must be because he was in Vietnam. Is it good a hero who smokes dope? I think that sometimes a reader interacts with the main character; in this case I felt dissapointed with this moment when he smokes drug. Otherwise the book is entertaining

Rating:
Summary: CRISP BUT NOT TOTALLY SATISFYING
Review: This is Patterson's first book, and in his introduction he offers an explanation for its inception. Christopher Paget appears in two later novels, "Degree of Guilt" and "Eyes of a Child" which are far superior novels than this one. Be warned, though---if you read "Degree of Guilt" first you'll pretty much know what happens in this book. Paget is a little overbearing and cynical in this one and not as likeable in his mature years. The pace is pretty effective, and the villains are appropriately nasty. I found the ending a tad bit too brisk; it just seemed to end.
RECOMMENDED IN ORDER TO ENJOY THE BETTER SEQUELS.

Rating:
Summary: CRISP BUT NOT TOTALLY SATISFYING
Review: This is Patterson's first book, and in his introduction he offers an explanation for its inception. Christopher Paget appears in two later novels, "Degree of Guilt" and "Eyes of a Child" which are far superior novels than this one. Be warned, though---if you read "Degree of Guilt" first you'll pretty much know what happens in this book. Paget is a little overbearing and cynical in this one and not as likeable in his mature years. The pace is pretty effective, and the villains are appropriately nasty. I found the ending a tad bit too brisk; it just seemed to end.
RECOMMENDED IN ORDER TO ENJOY THE BETTER SEQUELS.

Rating:
Summary: Early Patterson Pretty Smokin'
Review: This is the first of the "Paget Trilogy" and is a pretty decent book. Let's remember Patterson was 29 when he wrote this back in 1979. I guess that could explain the dope references, which didn't bother me at all. A flawed main protagonist??? Oh my God, The HORROR!!! Easy read that will set you up for the much better "Degree of Guilt".

Rating:
Summary: Early Patterson Pretty Smokin'
Review: This is the first of the "Paget Trilogy" and is a pretty decent book. Let's remember Patterson was 29 when he wrote this back in 1979. I guess that could explain the dope references, which didn't bother me at all. A flawed main protagonist??? Oh my God, The HORROR!!! Easy read that will set you up for the much better "Degree of Guilt".