Dec 25, 2004 10:16 PM
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(Updated Dec 31, 2004 03:01 PM)
The mega success of rage of Angels created a perfect setting for the master piece of the master storyteller: The Master of the Game. In my opinion, the greatest of Sidney Sheldon.
Year of Publication: 1982
Plot Overview :
Jemmie McGregor was a nobody when he came to South Africa. He was a gullible and lucky fellow, who struck diamond fast and had to wash his hands off even faster. However, his near brush with death makes him even stronger and determined to take revenge on the man who ruined him. From there follows a life of hatred and bitterness of Jemmie which was aimless after he took his revenge.
The story moves to his daughter Kate, for whom inheriting her father’s company was not just another thing in life, it WAS her life. She was willing to give her everything for the company and do anything for the company. This meant starting from destroying her best employees’ love life to maneuvering her next generations. Anything… after all, its Kruger Brent Limited that mattererd the most.
To the utter disappointment of Kate, the only passion of her only child: Tony was painting. His grandfathers business meant nothing for him. This is where Kate steps in clinically destroying her son’s career.
The generation after that had some equally fascinating stories to tell. The twins: Eve and Alexandra were different in all aspects, other than their looks. Finally Kate found someone, who was as capable of maneuvering others as Kate did.
What happens next is something that you gotta find out when you read the novel.
Mr. Sheldon takes us through 5 generations of the family with each generation equally captivating, spellbinding and spine chilling. I can bet, nobody can sleep peacefully for nights after reading this.
Time Setting: Spreads over five generations, from 1890s to 1980s.
Profession at Background: Industrialist/ business
My Review:
Definitely the best of Sidney Sheldon and the best that I have read of modern writers. Even though the story covers 5 generations, at no pint it gets boring and at no point has the story being hijacked from the character at center.
Probably Mr. Sheldon has given his best effort in characterization in his first two novels of 1980s (other one being Rage of Angels). Each character has been created with equally passionate effort and you can hear their hearts beat in the pages of this novel.
Jemmi McGregorwas a symbol of determination and willpower. Coming back from grips of death and clinically taking revenge on the man he hated the most. In that generation, the character of Margaret also can not go un noticed.
Moving to the generation after Kate, Tony was the perfect case of a timid boy, who is scared of his mother’s excess love. Who won’t be? You can not help but feel pitty for this man, whose castle in the air was brought down by Kate mercilessly.
Eve and Alexandra were equally gripping and again, the contrast in their similarities is what makes this part enjoyable. Probably this is the only time Mr. Sheldon created twins.
DavidBlackwell is another character who is seen in the first two generations and leaves his mark in your mind. The man, whose dreams, ambitions and love were shattered by the lady who loved him.
Besides Kate, the single most character, who is seen as as passionate is probably Banda,the black man who was Jemmie’s friend once upon a time. Banda is an epitome of loyalty and courage.
Finally coming to the lady, who is the life line of this novel: Kate Blackwell. Kate is a creation of Sidney Sheldon like never before and never after. She had the single focused mind of Noel Page (Other Side of Modnight), the hunger after success of Janifer Parker (Rage of Angels), the mental strength of Tracy Whitney (If Tomorrow Comes) and the courage to do anything for things one love like Constantine Dimiris (Other Side of Midnight). In simple terms, she is the best ever creation of Sidney Sheldon.
Kate was a phenomena in herself. He love for the company was beyond passion and obsession… it was the sole motive of her being alive. She was an iron lady, who did not know how and when to quit.
I don’t thing I am ever again going to see a characterization as strong as Kate Blackwell!!
