Rating: 
Summary: A delight for the brain.
Review: I don't know when I've enjoyed reading English as much as with this book. The use of language was wonderful. The story was great and kept me captivated. Although as we all know the identity of the murderer is known right away, I found myself wondering how it came to her ....although you know it has to, the linkage was wonderful. I have recommended this to all my friends who really relish a good read as well as a good mystery. This is not your ordinary printed novel, this is a treat for the brain. Do the English just learn to use words better than we Americans?
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT
Review: The writing is beautiful -articulate, elegant. You can read it for that alone, but the plot is captivating as well and it's a fast read. It is refreshing to have a novel so pleasing to read - to hear, and a plot that is fast-moving and real. Mason faces head-on the characteristics of human nature with which we all must deal regularly. The descriptions of events and the thought processesof the main character are fascinating. The viewpoint of the older English gentleman, and his British upper-class lifestyle, reminds me that none of us is immune from the same challenges. The combination of elegant style and action is delightful!
Rating:
Summary: Why the hype?
Review: This is a question I often ask myself when reading well-publicised novels (particularly when they are written by photogenic Hugh-Grant-of-the-written- word young men, who must be a publicist's dream). And with Richard Mason's The Drowning People (after watching the recent profile of him on CNN) I asked this old question with more than my usual dose of scepticism. What surprised me, however, is that The Drowning People (as many others have thought before me) more than lives up to its hype. I found it a gracefully- written, beautifully constructed novel; and felt like its 70 year old narrator was speaking directly to me. Keep 'em coming, Mr. Mason!
Rating:
Summary: Completely Gripping
Review: I have just finished The Drowning People by Richard Mason having stayed up three nights in a row, unable to put it down. For any writer, this book would be a major achievement. From someone who was 18 when he wrote it, it defies belief. Deftly crafted, beautifully written, expertly put together, The Drowning People is a beautiful novel; and may well become a major one. My only criticism: that he hasn't written his next one yet.
Rating: 
Summary: though not as good as A Secret History by Tartt
Review: This book was very good, much better than the average faire published today. The fact that it was written by a 20-year old added to its intrigue. I liked the perspective of a 70 year old man through the musings of a 20 year old. As for the story...somewhat predictable but the sad undertow and sense of tragedy kept this reader hooked.
Rating:
Summary: Well-written and intriguing.
Review: I thought the confession in the beginning and the subsequent narrative made for a compeling story. I was guessing throughout the story what the specific reason for his action was.
Rating:
Summary: Captivating characters; nicely written; absorbing story
Review: To use an old cliche, "I could not put this book down." The characters intrigued me with their constantly changing emotions and relationships. I was most interested in Ella. At first she seems nervous and unstable. However, the reader soon learns that she is just haunted by her past and unable to live up to the expectations of her aristorcratic family. Then she finds James and she thinks her troubles are over. These two people start a love affair that is so profound it possesses their very being. The depth of this love went so far that Ella made James prove his devotion to her in a bizzare manner.This action is the catalyst to a mystery that will keep the reader hanging on until the very end of the book.I think Mr.Mason will go far with his novel writing if the rest of his books are anything like this one.
Rating: 
Summary: DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE
Review: although the idea behind this book might be called old-fashioned - even though its set in the future! - it could have worked if Richard MAson had any skill at portraying real human warmth or feeling in the interactions and did not obsess soooo much over his snobby upper-class mindset. Another reason to be wary of the marketing of modern "literature"
Rating:
Summary: I found it an excellent book and enjoyed it.
Review: Richard Mason wrote this book when he was 18 years old, I saw him interviewed on TV. For a young man of eighteen to understand human behaviour like he did, I was amazed. Most 18 year old boys cannot even think for themselves at that age, let alone understand or even try and understand how the human mind works.
Rating: 
Summary: wordy
Review: I enjoyed this novel, and now 5 hours after completing it, I am still thinking about it. Haunting, though not in a scary way might be a good way to describe it. I found it however to be quite wordy.(Very English)I would have really liked to get to know the characters better, except for James unless each main character was given the same amount of disclosure. Good work for a newcomer, but next time I would like to spend less time on the narrator, and more time developing the characters, and their relationship with plots.
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