Rating: 
Summary: A bit on the torturous side
Review: I usually don't go for the books with all the buzz; I prefer to find the unexpected treasures. But in this case, the buzz was SO loud, and SO favorable that I picked up a copy. If only I had stuck with my instincts.
See, I have this theory. A very well-respected, and by all accounts intelligent professor wants to write a treatise on race relations in America. However, he fears that his opinions will be dismissed by the general public, and he will be seen as angry and racist--labels he has worked to avoid. So instead, he hides his theories in a so-called mystery novel, and the public goes nuts. He's the great American writer, and everyone goes to bed happy.
Well, not this reader. Not only is this novel ponderous and over written--it could be about 400 pages shorter and we'd still get the point--not a single character is sympathetic, or heck, even likeable. Towards the end, you almost want Talcott's life to fall apart, because he is such a sniveling little toad that you want to punch him.
The Emperor of Ocean Park is not a myserty novel. A mystery novel is a Ridley Pearson, a Conan Doyle, a carl Hiaasen. This is not a mystery novel--it is a nonfiction tome in mystery clothing.
I give the two stars to Carter's publicist and agent though--stellar job with the promotion. If only some titles worthy of the praise could garner the attention this book received.
Rating: 
Summary: Emperor of Tedious and Boring
Review: Consider the following: A law professor at Yale University after writing several non-fiction books decides to write a fiction book. The author is paid $4 million for the title and the book is hyped for months, one publication going so far as in March to call it "the best book of the summer." Then the rights to the movie are optioned. And finally consider that John Grisham selects this book as the first selection of the Today show book club. Sound familiar? Well, unless you've been living out of the country or under a rock you didn't hear or watch this scenario play out and are not familiar with the book The Emperor of the Air or the author Stephen Carter. I for one had read so much about forthcoming book and couldn't wait for it to be available and gulp it down. Now that I have read it I do wonder what where all the cheering went to and if I missed something which others saw in this larger than life novel. Yes, the first few chapters intrigued me, but was 600 pages of detailed characterizations and an improbable scenario, ("Was there an editor," I kept asking) worth my time and effort? Not to me I'm sorry to say. And before you think I was scared off by the size of the book or the many themes including current political race relations, I say again that I really did look forward to this book.The book begins with the death of a Black judge. Well known and well liked for the most part, this judge retired soon after his nomination for the position of Supreme Court judge in part because of his association with a well-known Mob leader. His last days are spent dividing his time between his home in Washington and on Martha's Vineyard at Oak Park where he has long been considered an emperor. But shortly after his death the judge's daughter reveals to her brother Talcott and the main character that their father was killed and she's determined to find out why and who did it. Enlisting his brothers aid won't be easy as Tal's wife is involved in her own nomination for a government position and their marriage isn't all that stable either. Now the stage is set for what should have been a hair raising roller coaster ride of a book which quickly took on many convoluted plots and went downhill quickly. As one reads on and on they begin to wonder what the author was really trying to say. Was the book really about whether a judge died naturally or was killed or about his bid to become a Supreme Court Justice or was it really about another of the judge's daughters hit and run death and his attempts to find out who did this vile act or was it about Tals and his wife's marital problems and who is Angela and her boyfriend. Finally was this really an attempt to explain to whites about prominent blacks living on the Gold Coast and the Vineyard. Any one of these themes might have filled one book alone but in this case all these subjects were discussed and the book moved along at a tedious pace leaving me to wonder why I spent my time on this title. Perhaps law professors are more verbose than other writers and if this is the case, then other readers knowing this may very well enjoy this title. But, despite all that I have said and my awarding this title with only one star which I rarely do, there were parts of the book which were somewhat interesting and well written. Unfortunately there just weren't enough of them. Now I will be curious to see what Carter writes next if he decides to return to the world of fiction. Despite all that I have said I would be willing to give him another chance hoping the next book would be much better than this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Almost - Not Quite! - A Masterpiece
Review: I have just finished this remarkable novel, which has kept me hooked (mentally and physically) for nearly two days. First, of all, let me advise all and sundry to rush out and get this book if they have not already done so. If it's lying at the bottom of your summer reading pile, promote it at once (those who have read the book and know chess will recognise the feeble pun). You're not likely to find a more engaging read among the new offerings of the year, and I would not be surprised if awards and other goodies are in the offing for this book. But having let loose on my enthusiasm, it is time to take a step back and look at "Emperor" with slightly more critical eyes. Two novels coexist uneasily in this book - a brilliant Trollopian social satire and a rather contrived mystery. One even wishes that Professor Davis had concentrated only on the former and left the latter to lesser talents. This wonderful journey through the worlds of law, academia, politics and upper class east coast society has no need for bloody murders and tortuous chess problems to enliven it. Caught in the spell of the narrative, the thriller bits (which have a tendency to show up in the last lines of chapters) seem almost like intrusions. And yet all criticisms aside, this is fine entertainment with more than its share of thought-provoking insights into life and human nature. Don't miss it!
Rating: 
Summary: Great legal book........
Review: This is not a "legal thriller" although I am not even sure what the term means at this point, with so many legal novels on the market. This is a good, old fashioned mystery- the protagonist is simply a law professor. I kept hearing about The Emporer of Ocean Park and finally decided to give it a try and am very glad that I did. I hope the author continues to write novels. Stephen Carter is an expert at prose with vivid descriptions and realistic (often humorous) dialogue. I loved that this novel is told in the first person Talcott was a very interesting character with wonderful observances of daily life. The mystery was needlessly complicated at the end and a good 50 pages could ahve been shaved off. However, this is more of a quality novel than so many others! Read it, but be sure to take the time to savor the writing and appreciate the plot.
Rating:
Summary: The emperor we all know
Review: I read very few reviews of this novel, but what I did read suggested it was a mystery novel. Well over 600 pages, it is more than just the standard mystery novel, it is a story with insight into the human condition and the power a father has over his children even in death.
I found it to be insightful into the human condition: an existential look at greed, lust, ennui, power, and ultimately what are we here for.
It is a touching story about love and loss and the many mysteries of life. It does not have all the answers, but in many of the questions that the author raises one at least can begin to focus on the perennial questions of life.
An excellent book, a great story and well worth the time to read.
Rating:
Summary: The Corporate Hype Machine Rolls Again...
Review: I'm sorry. Was I supposed to say anything else?
You KNOW his publisher has to pump up this book to recoup their [$$$] Mil advance.
Rating:
Summary: A Big Awesome Book...Full of intrigue and mayhem!
Review: The Emperor Of Ocean Park ......................................... Stephen L. Carter
Despite being labeled in some online book club circles as being a BAB (big awesome? book), The Emperor Of Ocean Park carries with its heft (672 pages) a mix of character and action worthy of song and salutation, especially among the likes of Hollywood and the publishing world. So much so, that Knopf outbid eleven other publishers with a four million two book deal, and moviemakers are salivating over film rights! Adding to the hoopla is Knopf's decision to launch a 500,00 first printing. This type of deal is reserved usually for authors well established with proven track records in garnering sales.
Stephen L. Carter, no stranger to serious literature is also the author of such academic works as Reflections Of An Affirmative Action Baby, The Culture of Disbelief, and The Confirmation Mess, et al, steps outside of well stated non fiction comfort in making an astonishing mature transition to mainstream fiction. Like most thrillers, the storyline, plots, and subplots bear witness to multi-layers of intrigue and mayhem. This book and its theme bodes well for this genre: the hold the past exerts over the present, and for the most part the hold a father has over his son. With that in mind, two mysteries lie within the searing heart of Mr. Carter's work here. One puzzle bears the markings of the conventional murder/mystery. Was a former federal judge murdered, or did he die naturally? The other enigma is deeper and far more provoking - what is the role of the black upper-middle class in a country that is overwhelmingly ruled by members of "the paler nation." as the protagonist of the book calls them?
When I read the first six chapters I had mixed emotions whether this book would live up to the liner notes, but as I progressed I changed my mind to that of new found respect that The Emperor of Ocean Park could even broach such a topical theme that permeates the Black social strata. And it is one of the many elements that set this novel apart from most of the cookie-cutter, brotherman/sistergirl books being churned out in regularity in African-American literature. In doing so, Carter has shed an unblinking eye on an area of race and culture conspicuously absent in popular fiction. We're dealing with subjects within that harkens to compelling sociological, psychological and political machinations that turns out to be a real page turner. It helps tremendously when nearly every chapter ends with you yearning to know what will happen next.
In a nutshell, The Emperor, Judge Oliver Garland a conservative federal judge is denied a Supreme Court seat when it was revealed during his confirmation hearings that he associated with an organized crime figure has suddenly died. This book is involved concerning multi-faceted plots, with a variety of subjects that are intertwined for effect: the intricacies of family relationships; the backstabbing and bullying that dominate academic power politics, liberal and conservative attitudes toward race; the silent acquiescence of both parents when a marriage goes awry; the healing strength of honest prayer in everyday matters; and the impotent rage of a man who on the surface has everything but still doesn't quite feel as if he belongs. The book does, however have a few flaws, but in my opinion doesn't detract from the authors work at all. For one, too much emphasis was placed on the genealogy of the Garland family which far outweighed interest in the enforced cat and mouse suspense games. Repeated references to "seeing red" grow tiresome, too many chess-related terms, and the soppy ending left more to be desired. In summing up this effort, this may prove to be a complicated and hard read for some, but it very well may be the best summer read of the year. If for no other reason than to disprove the notion to my book buddies that any perceived BAB just might be what is needed to endure the dog days of summer, I'll gladly recommend it! Read this one and dare to be different.
Rating:
Summary: Equisite Moder-Day Parable
Review: I truly enjoyed Stephen L. Carter's masterpiece, The Emporer of Ocean Park! He is a master story teller who demonstrates true genius as he slowly unravels the mystery of Judge Garland's "arrangements." Underlying this gripping story is a modern-day parable about the human condition that prompts the reader to reflect on their own personal and spiritual values - as well as those of society as a whole. I am anxiously awaiting this brilliant author's next book!
Rating:
Summary: Bravo Mr. Carter!!
Review: I could not put this book down! True, the book could have been a few pages shorter, but details are a very important element in this book. I cannot wait for Mr. Carter's next project.
Rating:
Summary: A Fabulous Read!!!
Review: Stephen L. Carter is a gifted writer. The vivid images and descriptions he gives keep the reader on edge and stirs a certain addiction for this novel. From the first page, I was drawn in. I could not put the novel down! I ordered the book and had to wait two-weeks for its arrival, however, the wait was well worth it! I would HIGHLY recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys suspense and intrigue... Again, Stephen L. Carter is a talented journalist... I can't wait for the follow-up to this debut novel.
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