[.ca] The Gold Coast (ISBN 0446360856)

Surprisingly Great:
I've read almost everything by DeMille. What usually happens is that I go into the book store, rummage around for a while, and then if I don't find anything, I go to the prominent DeMille display and get another DeMille novel I haven't read before. I enjoyed Plum Island and, before Gold Coast, thought The Charm School his best work. But generally, when I pluck a DeMille novel off the shelf, I sometimes feel a little like I'm settling, because I couldn't find anything that grabbed my attention more. Gold Coast is one that never particularly appealed to me; although I knew nothing about it other than what was on the back cover. It was the one I never bought and never read, because it seemed the least likely to interest me. But I ran out of everything else and finally bought it the other day. It was a modest revelation. I could not believe it was by the same author as the other stuff, other than maybe The Charm School. The point above about my usually "settling" for DeMille is to emphasize just how wonderful I thought this book was, and how much I think it transcends his other work and other novels out there. The characters are exceptionally well developed. After finishing the book, I felt as though I could tell you what they might do in situations not presented by the book, for example; in other words, I understood them. The story, the setting, and the sense of place and history were equally impressive. The writing was even above his usual standard. In short, this is an excellent book for anyone that simply enjoys good fiction, whether you are a DeMille fan or not. I suspect his strongest advocates love this book too, but the reason I took time out to write this review, which I rarely do, is to suggest that those of you, like me, who though his other stuff was merely good not great, might really be dramatically surprised by this one.

different:
This book seriously got to me for a day or so. The whole book has a depressing feel to it from cover to cover. I give it a 4 star instead of a 3 because it is different than his other books and I did like it. A lot of his books seem to drag on in spots and this book is no exception. However, like all of his books I have read, I couldn't put it down. I do not recommend reading this book though. I recommend reading his others book first and if you like those then read this.

Jay Gatsby Meets the Godfather:
Three years ago a friend of mines father had insisted that I read Nelson DeMillies Gold Coast because it was amazing. He let me borrow his copy. This was the first time reading DeMille,and I did not know what to expect. This is purely a updated version of F Scott Fitgeralds Great Gatsby. The comparison between the Mafia Boss and Gatbsy is remarkable. This book is not a copycat but a revamped version of Gatsby set in the 1990's and it has a lot more power. Developing characters and showing their emotion is DeMilles gift as a writer. This book does not dissapoint.

Hilarious, wonderfully written, and a ripping read!:
Nelson DeMille is my favorite author, and The Gold Coast is one of his better books. This is a hilarious novel. The basic premise is simple enough. John Sutter is an upper-class WASP lawyer who lives in the most exclusive area in America, an area in Long Island known to insiders as "The Gold Coast." He has a beautiful wife, an OK law practice, looks, class, and health. All seems well. Then, the local Mafia Don decides to move into the property next to the Sutters. And so begins the tale of a mid-life crisis to beat all mid-life crises. The rest would be telling. As is the case with many of DeMille's novels, John Sutter is a hoot. His insights into life in general, the Gold Coast in particular, and his encounters with the local Mafia Don are very funny. The novel is written in first person, not a perspective I always like, but here it is extraordinarily effective. The reader comes to know, like, and care about John Sutter and his deepening predicament. DeMille's prose is superb. The writing is clear and crisp. The storyline starts out at a leisurely pace, but it always keeps the reader's attention and interest, and the plot quickly picks up momentum. This is an absorbing and very funny story. DeMille is one of the great novelists of the times. I do not exaggerate; many of his books in my opinion are instant classics. The Gold Coast is one of these.

Excellent story, well read, with many twists/turns.:
This abridgment of the Nelson DeMille novel, provides an interesting story of three people, the Mafia boss, the lawyer, and his wife. Well read by the late, great, David Dukes, whose inflections and wry way of reading makes this a most interesting tale. I'd also recommend "The Charm School", "By The Rivers Of Babylon", "The Lion's Game", "Plum Island". \oToo bad the movie of "The Lion's Game" isn't likely to see the light of day, in the wake of 9/11 and the current threats.\c