Helpful Score: 10
This is one of those rare instances where I liked the movie more than I did the book. Probably because I have the hots for Clive Owen and he made the main character, Charles, more likeable. Because in the book I didn't really like old Charlie at all - even when he redeemed himself in the end. Here's an ordinary guy with a great family and a good job, who becomes involved with another woman and gets caught (literally) with his pants down. A ruthless blackmailer sees a prime opportunity and proceeds to exploit it - which stupid Charles goes along with - up to a point. That's when Charlie gets a new set of cujones and things really get interesting. PS - this book is pretty graphic in detail, so don't read it if you are easily offended.
Helpful Score: 4
Awesome book! Very suspenseful! I literally couldn't put it down. Just a study of how one ordinary man gets himself into so much trouble, and then struggles to get out of it. Constantly kept me guessing. A thrill ride from beginning to end.
Helpful Score: 4
Very suspenseful! I couldn't put this book down. Really great plot that moves along quickly, with awesome twists and turns. I saw the movie the next week, and it didn't come close to the thrill of the book. I highly recommended this book to my reader friends.
Helpful Score: 4
What a great book. I was completedly surprised at the ending, I had no idea! Which is saying a lot since I read all the time and usually have a clue about endings. I saw the movie after reading the book and was very disappointed with it. The movie was nothing compared to the book.
Helpful Score: 4
...maybe even more than the movie, and I loved the movie. The story has a few differences in it, but I think they probably needed to shorten it a bit for the movie. Throughout the book I teetered between feeling bad for the main character and thinking he got what he deserved. Still not sure how I feel about him.
