Sliver

Rating:
Summary: A not-bad thriller with good local color
Review: "Sliver" is definitely not up to "Rosemary's Baby" but it's one of Levin's better products, and for those readers who felt it lacked believability, what would they say about "Rosemary's Baby" or "The Stepford Wives"? It's not supposed to be read with a straight face; it's fun, and on that count, it measures up. What made the book especially enjoyable for this reader was that I know the Carnegie Hill neighborhood very well, and it was a lot of fun identifying all the places Levin mentioned in the book -- real places, in fact. (The Corner Bookstore is one of my favorite book shops in all of New York.) The story of the sophisticated, jaded older woman who falls in love with a younger man has been done to death, but Levin makes this one refreshing by giving the heroine sense enough not to take this too seriously; she knows sooner or later it's bound to end so she just enjoys what she has while she has it. The book's main theme of voyeurism is well presented; we share the heroine's mixture of fascination and revulsion, and realize how all too easy it is to get sucked into the thrill of snooping and being privy to all the neighbors' secrets. And while the ending may be as believable as a two-headed giraffe, the whole book is slightly off-center so we shrug and enjoy the fun. If you're looking for something heavy or profound, go read "War and Peace" or an equally weighty tome; "Sliver" is a good book to spend a rainy day with.

Rating:
Summary: A not-bad thriller with good local color
Review: "Sliver" is definitely not up to "Rosemary's Baby" but it's one of Levin's better products, and for those readers who felt it lacked believability, what would they say about "Rosemary's Baby" or "The Stepford Wives"? It's not supposed to be read with a straight face; it's fun, and on that count, it measures up. What made the book especially enjoyable for this reader was that I know the Carnegie Hill neighborhood very well, and it was a lot of fun identifying all the places Levin mentioned in the book -- real places, in fact. (The Corner Bookstore is one of my favorite book shops in all of New York.) The story of the sophisticated, jaded older woman who falls in love with a younger man has been done to death, but Levin makes this one refreshing by giving the heroine sense enough not to take this too seriously; she knows sooner or later it's bound to end so she just enjoys what she has while she has it. The book's main theme of voyeurism is well presented; we share the heroine's mixture of fascination and revulsion, and realize how all too easy it is to get sucked into the thrill of snooping and being privy to all the neighbors' secrets. And while the ending may be as believable as a two-headed giraffe, the whole book is slightly off-center so we shrug and enjoy the fun. If you're looking for something heavy or profound, go read "War and Peace" or an equally weighty tome; "Sliver" is a good book to spend a rainy day with.

Rating:
Summary: Suspenseful, believable, a psychological thriller
Review: A successful single business women living by herself in a high rise...and some one is watching her. The walls have eyes... He knows her every move...

Rating:
Summary: A disappointing novel from a master novelist. See the movie.
Review: For Levin and Levin fans this is a disappointing novel. The story line is long, drawn out and not very exciting. The reader is hoping constantly that the next chapter will bring an actual event but each page only brings disappointment. The climax at the end of the novel passes uneventfully and you should be careful that you don't miss it. A poor effort for Levin who has written a number of very good and imaginative stories that you can't put down. Better luck next time Ira. For prospective readers - see the movie instead

Rating:
Summary: Suspenseful, believable, a psychological thriller
Review: I haven't read anything else by this author, but it looks as if his every previous novel has been made into a movie. He's obviously a major talent -- too bad this book doesn't show it. The characters are unendearing, and the ending is way beyond silly. On the other hand, it's a short novel that won't leave your brain in a sling. Go ahead and pick it up next time you see it at a yard sale, just in case need something to read during your next long flight.

Rating:
Summary: It's readable
Review: I haven't read anything else by this author, but it looks as if his every previous novel has been made into a movie. He's obviously a major talent -- too bad this book doesn't show it. The characters are unendearing, and the ending is way beyond silly. On the other hand, it's a short novel that won't leave your brain in a sling. Go ahead and pick it up next time you see it at a yard sale, just in case need something to read during your next long flight.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book.
Review: I love this book - easy to read, engrossing, interesting characters,... I definitely recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Don't waste your time with this one!
Review: I read this book several years ago (before the movie), and it still sticks in my mind as one of the worst books I've ever read. The entire story line is unlikely at best, and parts (notably the end) are so conveniently contrived, it becomes silly and pathetically comical. Rent the movie if you're curious. It was universally panned, but it couldn't be any worse than the book.

Rating:
Summary: great book
Review: Ignore the movie. Read this great book by Ira Levin. Smart dialogue, a sexy protagonist, and some biting commentary on the state of literature today, Sliver is an effective thriller that far surpasses the movie. The book reads like a movie script (which was done purposefully), but the makers of the movie unwisely deviated from the effective and thrilling plot here

Rating:
Summary: Without a sliver of believability
Review: Mr. Levin must have been writing this fast and furiously to meet a deadline. It's hard to believe that the author of such really great books could have penned this piece of trash. The characters are like life-sized cardboard cutouts. The plot was lacking in plausibility, passion or suspense and the conclusion was ridiculous. Did you ever try hanging from a curtain hook, Mr. Levin? A good sized cat hanging on the drape would have pulled the hook out and bye, bye kitty!