Rating: Summary: A terrific suspense thriller. Review: I thought this novel was a great read! If you like reading James Lee Burke, Michael Connelly, Patricia Cornwall, Robert Crais, John Lescroart, T. Jefferson Parker and Ridley Pearson with their intricate plotting, fast action, marvelous suspense and education in a field which is on the horizon, you will love this book
Rating: Summary: Interesting...but wait for the paperback Review: The premise of this book is quite exciting, and the dust jacket blurbs will make you pick it up. Alas, Follett does not seem to do all that could have been done with the scenario he created. Much of the dialogue seems mechanical, and it's interesting that Follett frequently uses the odd construction: "Jeannie said: '....'" to have dialogue, which adds to the detached feel of the character interaction. While Follett's premise of a misuse of genetic engineering is interesting, he cops out on the answer to the "nature vs. nurture" argument that the lead charracter is trying to answer. This is worthwhile poolside reading, but wait for the paperback or tv movie
Rating: Summary: mediocre Review: The premise of the story is quite interesting, and it could have
made for a very enjoyable novel. Unfortunately, Follett's execution
is mediocre at best. Much of the dialog between characters is painfully
contrived, and the proliferation of clones becomes laughable
after a while (thus reducing their dramatic impact). It's quite
apparent that Follett knows very little about the Internet, given
the awkward, outdated way in which it's used throughout the book.
It's equally apparent that Follett doesn't know much about the real
American universities that are mentioned in the book. These errors,
while not central to the plot, become very distracting. The lack
of research is in stark contrast to other authors in the same genre.
Bottom line: Wait for the paperback. Better yet, borrow it from
the library, if you must read it at all. It's hard to believe the
same author who wrote Eye of the Needle penned this uninspired
piece.
Rating: Summary: Interesting idea, but plot peters out by mid book. Review: The concept of this novel is an interesting one, and involves cloning of embryos and misuse of IV fertilization. The plot is intriguing and captivating in the first half of the book, but Follett loses steam (and probably interest) there onwards. Not one of his better novels, but it may do well as a made-for-TV movie. I should have waited for it to come out in paperback, and read it on a plane
Rating: Summary: Fantastic! Review: Another good read from the master.
Ken Follett weaves in alot of twists and turns with good action and a really great plot. You love to love the protagonists and love to hate the villains.
What I liked about this book, and with most of Follett's books is that there's never an absolute good and bad. Everyone has their motivations for doing what they do and it makes everyone more beleivable. I like that his characters are fallible just like real people and try to do the best they can.
Scandals, mergers, genetic engineering, action...great book. couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
Rating: Summary: Three Identical People Are Not Twins! Review: I haven't read anything else by Ken Follett, and based on this book, I don't plan to. The story line was unbelievable, the plot full of holes, and I didn't care about the characters. Don't waste your money buying this book.
Rating: Summary: Jeannie, lose the nose ring! Review: On one level I enjoyed this book. It was a fun read as a mystery-thriller. But I agree with a number of the criticisms voiced already. I didn't like the main character Jeannie & I didn't like the gratuitous political moralizing where all the bad guys were conservatives. If you want to make your bad guys evil for their attempts at genetic manipulation & white supremacist rantings, fine, but don't throw in that they're against gun control & against welfare! And, Jeannie, I just couldn't warm up to. I know Follett likes his heroines feisty, which is fine, but Jeannie was just too counter-cultural for me. The swearing, the free & easy sex life, the "smoking a little weed," and, ugh, the nose ring. Is that really necessary? I also agree that Follett's presentation of academic life is unrealistic. (I am an academic.) Follett's books with a World War II theme are much better.
Rating: Summary: Sharkey Review: Can't believe this was required reading in a German high school English class. What is that focus? Sensationalism in pulp. Come on Ken.
Rating: Summary: Just Awful! Review: What happened to Ken Follett? His earlier works, such as "The Key to Rebecca" and "Eye of the Needle," were well-crafted thrillers. "The Third Twin" is sophomorically episodic with every character as stereotypically painted as imaginable. The novel has little suspense, no interesting characterizations, with foolish plot devices and juvenile twists abound. Ken must be simply churning out the pulp to make a few bucks. Save your money.
Rating: Summary: Mildly entertaining despite its flaw Review: As a suspense novel, this book is fairly entertaining. As a primer on genetics or anything scientific, it is fairly useless and inaccurate. I would give the book 3 stars for its entertainment value, but knock it down to 2 stars, for its many flaws and lapses in logic. The many flaws in this book are pointed out by other reveiwers. But some of my "favorite" are: -just what kind of scientist is the hero? Is she a geneticist, psychologist or a computer programmer? -just how many times can the hero be fooled by the bad twin? -would a police detective really hold off on arresting an arsonist and rapist, just because someone she didn't like asked her to? -Follett's fixation on women's underwear is just creepy (and I am a guy) -the whole plan to reveal the badguys at the end of the book is very contrived -all the badguys are conversatives (opposite of Tom Clancy, whose badguys are all liberals) This book has an interesting premise. But there is no suspense to it, since it is given away in the title. The idea of genetically bred, superhuman clones with a violent streak could have been explored a lot more than the superficial treatment given in this book. We could have seen more action in how they relate to society and each other. But despite all the flaws, I did not hate this book. It had a pleasant storyline and flow. The story moved along fairly well. It was pretty good light summer reading.
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