Paperback: Five stars

Audiobook (read by Scott Brick): Five stars
Brick actually performs what he's reading instead of simply reading aloud. His range is a little limited (i.e., he's not very versatile when it comes to doing accents or women's voices), but his John Corey is spot on.

THE LION'S GAME is my first Nelson DeMille novel but clearly it will not be my last. His writing style kept me on the edge of my chair and at times I started to sweat from the suspense. It's very easy to get lost this novel. Reading THE LION'S GAME was like watching a film in my mind. I have often wondered what techniques authors employ to induce readers to become intensely drawn into the world of their novels. I don't have the answer, but believe I am on the trail of focusing a few particular writing skills. Two aspects of DeMille's writing are noteworthy.

First, throughout the novel, DeMille is able to seamlessly move from first person pronouns (the hero, John Corey) to third person pronouns. Later, he manages to employ the same skill with Asad Khalil, the anti-hero. In particular, I found the phone conversation between the two men nothing less than fascinating. It was written in the first person for both hero and anti hero. What emerged was a life-like conversation - pictures in the mind. Due to DeMille's skill of moving from first to third person, he was able to create a vivid picture of both characters' motivations. Good and evil in this novel is not black and white, it is grey. DeMille's writing skills, particularly his seamless ability to switch from first to third person pronouns, creates realism to his characters that we rarely witness in novels.

Second, the capacity to make implausible situations plausible is another important skill. A 747 jumbo jet independently and successfully lands at New York's JFK airport with the entire crew and all passengers dead - except for Asad Khalil. To me with no technological knowledge of commercial jet travel, I accepted the idea. Yes, although implausible, DeMille had me believing that jets can successful land without a pilot at the helm. I remained lost in the pages of this book until the scene where Asad had cornered Corey and Kate behind a small boulder. As a sniper, Asad employed a silencer and a telescopic lens, but Corey and Kate elected NOT return gunfire. They feared that upon hearing their gun shots, the Secret Service agents would enter the situation thereby giving Asad additional targets. At that point, the novel stopped creating pictures in my head - the implausible didn't plausible. In my mind, by returning gunfire the Secret Service would be able to identify Asad's location and take him out. In fact this scene forced me to stop reading. With great frustration, I describe the scenario to a retired Special Forces sniper who later was part of a SWAT team. He informed me that the actions of Corey and Kate were common procedure under such peculiar circumstances. Well - DeMille does his homework and I was able to finish this grand book. What I thought was implausible was common.

I found the end quite unnerving, but had a rare kind of realism that infrequently appears in such novels. I am hoping that DeMille will bring back Asad and Corey for a final showdown. Yet, I doubt this will happen - too implausible.

I still don't have the answer to my question, "what makes an author create pictures in the mind of the reader?" But - I do know that DeMille has this rare skill and I will continue to read his work.

During the bombing of Tripoli in 1985, a young boy loses most of his family, grows up angry, revengeful, and psychotic. In fact, his mission in life is to attack and kill any Americans having to do do with his family's death. This includes the airmen, generals, et al. After hijacking an airliner, and killing all its occupants, he seeks out his targets, and will not be happy until his "mission" is accomplished. This is a harrowing chase thriller by an author who understands the complexities of war and revenge. Unfortunately, many of our present day "leaders" do not. It might behoove them to read this book, since its plot is just as relevent today.

Nelson Demille is a tremendous writer. He takes his time developing characters and he keeps the reader laughing. His characters are intelligent and treated with respect. Demille can be a little wordy in places, but that is part of his charm. I enjoy the rich details he provides. He avoids formulamatic writing and shortcuts. With the exception of General's Daughter, I recommend all of his works.

Lion's Game was very topical and truly ahead of its time. The 9-11 foreshadowing was absolutely scary.

Several others have sung the book's praises and discussed the story. I'd like to touch on a few issues....




{{{{ SPOILER ALERTS }}}}




1 - John Corey falls in love a little too quickly for me. The engagement and marriage was crazy. It made no sense and didn't belong in the book.

2 - Why wouldn't they make Azim call Khalil from the van? Why not put 4 agents inside and take a drive? That was Dan Brown-level dumb. The book was so smart and sensible, then the agents make that blunder? Let the guy get smoked out in the van, not the house!

3 - I like the fact that the villian escapes. Of course, when the sequel is written it will probably stink and we will know the ending, but I give Demille credit. The good guys don't always win. Bravo!

This is the only DeMille book I've read and after reading this book I do want to read some of his others. I read this book about two years ago, closer to 9/11 and this was a very errie read. I will not summarize the book, others already have. Sometimes it seems as though game plans are being laid out for terrorists. It was a very very quick read, the characters were believable and it was like a semi non-fiction because it reffered to many real events. It is a long book about 600 pages, you can read it over a long snowy weekend.