Rating: 
Summary: blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, dahling!
Review: You can read the editorial review for the plot. I just want to comment on the wordiness of this book. The story could have been told more effectively in half the words. The last third of the book, I basically scanned, just to get the answers I needed. The subject's past was such an emotional carousel -- up & down, thinking this, now that -- aghh! It was so annoying & wordy -- not enough action for my tastes. One of the other things that really bugged me was the seemingly lack of communication devices during the time most of the story took place. It all happened in the 1990's and most communications were done by letter and telegram. I was beginning to think I had misunderstood the decade & reread the beginning. In the 90's, I would think that email or even telephoning would be more prevalent -- especially in the wealthy class of characters involved. I am a US resident though, and these things may be different in Britain. So, my summary.... the skeleton of the plot was good, but the body was just obese.
Rating: 
Summary: Page turner...
Review: Concurrent with previous views, the most astonishing thing about this book is the fact the author is only eighteen when he wrote it. His youth is certainly not reflected in the enviornment and characters he chose to set his work in. His youth is certainly not reflected in his style of writing, his choice of phrases and his description of senses. This impressive writing, coupled with a continuous twist in plot, makes for a page turner. However, it must be also admitted that his youth is reflected on several obvious occasions in overly exaggerated dramaticisms, especially toward the end, making it seem like he doesn't realise that "enough is enough!". I could not put the book down, and egarly rushed out to the store to look for his next book (which was what I was searching for today) as soon as I finished with the Drowning People.
Rating: 
Summary: Mason shows little respect for intelligence of his audience
Review: After reading glowing reviews I was anxious to read The Drowning People. It is with disappointment that I now write this review. I am a discriminating (I like to think) and prolific reader, so I feel that my opinion might be on target. This young writer appears to be addicted to the process of writing, and is obviously adept at getting the words to fall from the brain onto the page in front of him. I found the book extremely tedious and wordy as the author repeated, repeated, and repeated description of the protagonist's thoughts, emotions, motivations, and reactions. I wanted to say to the writer, "I get it! Now please, just get on with it". Seldom do even minor events occur more frequently than every 20 or 30 pages, and the fore- fore- fore shadowing becomes quite predictable and annoying. The narrator's character is clearly defined, but the other characters remain one dimensional and removed from the reader. I believe that this writer has good potential if he will learn to write dialog and can bear to get rid of every word that is not absolutely necessary.
Rating: 
Summary: Impressive Debut
Review: Richard Mason's first novel is certainly an impressive start to what should be a long and successful career. I don't like the term 'page turner' but I did find it hard to stop reading. This is not un-put-downable in the blockbuster sense...you just want to keep reading because the story is so damn good - even if it is a little contrived. The only real flaw is the occassional lapse into over writing in an effort to move the action along to the next important twist.
Rating:
Summary: Just like telling an old story.....intriguing with flaw
Review: I'm impressed with Richard's style of telling his story, just like a little boy narrating an old story way before his time. There're bits of flaws and loopholes here and there. It's like someone relating a past incident and sort of neglecting some little justification logically.All in all,a tragic story well-written. It's a page-turner.Totally intriguing,make me want to why, how and what happened.... Richard Mason being a young and novice writer shines with his conspiring plot filled with mystery,guilt,dark secrets(literally drawer secret),death,scheme,unlawful acts and lies,etc... The disposition of his protagonist's past with his love,wife and all those life events and eventually to his discovery of "the dark secret" were creditable well-versed. With maturity and experience,Richard Manson will be promising. I'm looking forward to his next piece of work.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a "quick read" but definitely worth the time!
Review: I can't say this book will be described by anyone as a "read it in one sitting" type of book, in fact it is one that will more likely be slowly and meticulously devoured, as it was by this reader. This very young writer is remarkably talented and his story of romance, jealousy and betrayal leaves the reader ultimately spellbound. The suspense is intense yet subtle! I was mesmerized throughout. . . this extraordinary debut novel has all the makings of a classic!
Rating:
Summary: Surpise, Surprise
Review: When I read the opening paragragh (somewhere, probably here) I had to read this novel. It took me awhile to finally pick it up but I am glad I did. This was not a simple case of murder and the way he told his story----be ready for some twists. A good rainy day read!!!!!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: ANNOYINGLY SOPHOMORIC!
Review: Do you know anybody in the 1990's that sent out telegrams?! Well, that's what Mr. Mason's characters do- whatever! This book holds the distinction of having the best opening line, followed by the worst story I've drudged through since Nicholas Sparks's "Message in a Bottle."
Rating:
Summary: Pretentious Drivel!
Review: OK, let's give Mr. Mason credit for a damn good 2-page opening. It's the remaining 300 pages I have trouble with. First of all, the author is intellectually lazy. He wanted his protagonist to reminesce over the past 50 years but couldn't be bothered doing research on life in 1950 (don't forget that advance they were dangling in front of him), so he plops him down in 2040 without even a by-your-leave. After all, then he'd have to show a little creativity about life in the future. I don't know why so many reviewers said they couldn't believe the book was written by an 18 year old. It could ONLY have been written by an 18 year old! Only kids that age are involved in so much "philosophical", narcissistic, we're-different-from-the-rest-of-the-planet, self-absorbed navel-gazing. Blah, blah, blah, blah.....And this is where Mr. Mason shows his mediocrity as a writer. He continually describes what his characters are thinking, feeling, etc., but he doesn't have the ability to let them demonstrate his descriptions though their own words and actions. And then there's the story. Did you really believe Sarah's pathological hatred of Ella is based on Ella's snagging the most forgettable character in all literature (She should have thanked her!) Do you have any clue why James marred Sarah? And best of all--this was really a thigh-slapper--Did you really buy James' agreeing to have sex with his best male friend in order to prove to his fiancee that he wasn't homosexual? How many men are getting on that line! But,most sadly of all, I could have forgiven all of the above had there been a single word of wit or charm or grace. Daphne du Maurier indeed!
Rating:
Summary: Ho-hum (gurgle)
Review: As opposed to THE DROWNING PEOPLE, I'll get right to the point: anyone who can't see where the plot is going by about page 2 is ready for HAROLD AND THE PURPLE CRAYON or maybe playing a round of CLUE. As for the much-vaunted "depth and insight" supposedly possessed by Richard Mason, "wunderkind" at 21, like, wow, man, I've never had any conversations with older people or read anything by, like, anybody with some life experience, and, like, I had no idea that mistakes can be made, like, and that guilt and regret can, like, um, grow, y'know? How much insight does it take to end every chapter with endless paragraphs of foreboding and dread, repeating the same tired phrases over and over? How much padding is required to get from point A to point A-1/2? What at first seems cleverly inspired -- placing a 19-century drawing room novel in a 21-century setting, with only a few small flashed references to the modern world to startle you, is not only dispensed with but ultimately not even germane: so what? A major disappointment. The best thing about it is the nice green hue to the US paperback cover.
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