Elixir

Rating:
Summary: Good Read
Review: Quite the dilemma. To stay young or not. Once you take the elixir, you take it for life, or die a horrible death. There are quite a few things to think about in this book and Gary Braver pretty much hits on all the consequences of most decisions. The pace of the book is fast. Maybe sometimes too fast as far as skipping time periods. There is good (Chris Bacon and family), there is bad (Quentin), and there is ugly (graphic details). Of course, along with the good action, there is the evil character of Antoine and the total idiot of Lamar Fisk. All these things bring this novel together to bring you some high brow entertainment along with an emotional rollercoaster ride. Happy reading

Recommended

Rating:
Summary: PERFCT VACATION READING
Review: If you're looking for a novel that is gripping, informative, well-crafted, suspenseful and one that will leave you thinking, then run out and get a copy of Gary Braver's ELIXIR. This terrific book takes the reader on a harrowing journey in which the discovery of a fountain-of-youth drug imperils everything and everyone the biologist-discoverer Chris Bacon cherishes--his wife, his child, his profession, his life. The settings in the novel, vividly and richly presented, add to the book's appeal--from the rainforests of New Guinea, to the Caribbean, to flossy Boston suburbs and biotech research labs, to upstate New York woods, to midwestern (Wisconsin) towns. The book crackles with suspense at the same time it brings up profound ethical and moral issues about tampering with the nature of human life by prolonging it indefinitely. And, best of all, Gary Braver is a first-rate writer. His prose is meticulously crafted with an elegance and precision that far exceeds the average thriller. Take this book to the beach, the pool, the mountains--take it anywhere. You'll be happy you did.

Rating:
Summary: Thillers for the New Millenium
Review: I recently came across Gary Braver's novels. After I read GRAY MATTER, I went in search of more, and liked ELIXIR just as much. I then found out he had three earlier novels out under his real name, Gary Goshgarian. I'm just finishing the first one and love it.

If you like Michael Crichton and/or Robin Cook, you'll like Gary Braver/Goshgarian even more. His books have a more timely, edgier feel. I find that they are much less predicatable in terms of plotting than the standard thriller fare. What really puts them in a class all their own is the true originality of the story lines. Read just one of Gary's books, and you'll be a fan, too!

Rating:
Summary: ELIXIR - Antidote for Boredom!
Review: I loved Braver's Elixir! Hadn't been possessed by such a gripping read since I picked up my first Grisham novel. Elixir kept me up at night too late [sometimes with white knuckles] reading yet another chapter. I didn't want to finish it too soon - what would hold my interest after this? Braver gives us a new twist while one is still pondering the previous one.

I'm a huge Elmore Leonard fan, and Elixir has similar intrigue with great pacing, intricately interwoven sub-plots, and fast repositioning of the story line. The distinctive difference is that Elixir is more intelligently written. Braver did his homework before writing this one. It's strong on science, and has more depth of character development of the lead players - Christopher Bacon and his family. Braver brings us inside their heads, and we understand what motivates them.

Underlying the story are very real issues of aging, family values, greed, and genetic manipulation. One can't help but examine one's own attitudes. If eternal life and youthful appearance were options -what price would we be willing to pay? Braver makes us comprehend potential sacrifices - the effect on our relationships and the world at large. I appreciated the humanity and sensitivity expressed and the moral challenge to embrace life as it is - not as it might be!

Elixir will make a great flick - but be sure to read the book first - you'll be glad you did!

Rating:
Summary: Elixir
Review: If you want a book that you can't put down after reading the first few chapters, this is it. Elixir immediately got my attention and I became hooked. I love how the characters are developed and you become attached to them. From reading the back of the book, you get a sense of what it is about, however I had no idea that it would turn out like it did in th end. This book has alot of suspense in it, and if you want something you will become addicted to instantely this is the book. Also because of the chapters not being long and drawn out, it feels like the book goes by so fast. From enjoying this book, I have gone out to get Grey Matter, and I hope its just as good.

Rating:
Summary: ELIXIR
Review: I just finished reading ELIXIR and felt compelled to share my observations. It was an incredible and well written novel. The protaganist made me reflect upon my life. It was provocative, creative and extremely forward thinking. I hope ELIXIR becomes a movie. I had the distinct pleasure of having Gary as a professor at Northeastern University. I can now say his teaching and writing have inspired me! I am now reading GRAY MATTER.

I highly recommend reading Gary Braver's books.

Rating:
Summary: READ THIS BOOK!!!
Review: there is a reason why everyone is giving this book a 5 star rating.. it is amazingly entertaining.. i haven't read a full book in years.. i usually get ambitious and tackle a novel.. but never pull my way through till' the end.. however, i was unable to put this elixir thing down.. i cruised through it in two days and found myself staying up absurdly late to get more of the story in. gary braver is an incredible writer.. i have recommeded this book to several people and they all loved it. so i am recommending it to you (person reading my crappy review).. if you want to know more about the story.. read the other reviews posted.. they are actually good.. however, i recommend you save your time and just read the book.. it is about something every person has thought about.. eternal life.. but further explains some of the problems that can come with it.. i also highly recommend the book rough beast by the same author. i read this immediately after finishing elixir because i wanted to read more from this author.

Rating:
Summary: Reads Like a Movie
Review: After enjoying 'Gray Matter' by Gary Braver, I bought Elixir from Amazon.com before Christmas and started reading it only getting to the first chapter. After the dust settled from Christmas, New Years and Valentines Day, I finally opened Elixir yesterday (Feb 16) and read 300+ pages. And I finished it the next day. I should say that I am not a fast reader, nor have I ever read 300+ pages in a single sitting (with a few time outs to eat and take care of nature) - I just could not put it down. I wept at the climactic showdown at the end. Very moving. Outstanding! This book read like a movie. I hope it gets made, but can't imagine it will be as good as the book. Thrilling!

Rating:
Summary: Bravo for Elixir!
Review: This is one incredible book. I've always enjoyed medical/scientific mysteries, but never have I been more fascinated and intrigued by a novel as this one. The story itself is so unbelievable that it's believable, and one twist after another in the plot and characterization leads you right up to the last line of the book wondering how it will end (and wishing it wouldn't). You will have a hard time telling yourself it's fiction because of Gary Braver's convincing style of writing. I recommend this book to everyone and guarantee an enjoyable trip!

Rating:
Summary: Elixir - Life Cycles illuminated
Review: Elixir deals with many of the life cycle decisions that we in society are trying to deal with on a daily basis. It addesses these issues in an exciting adventure, one in which you feel like you are watching a movie. They way in which Gary Braver writes, the characters comes to life as would be if you were watching a big screen with stereo sound.

Join the adventure, and get illuminated