10 LB. Penalty

Rating:
Summary: My first Dick Francis book to read, definitely not my last!
Review: A few days ago my father told me that I should try out "10 lb. Penalty", saying that I might like it. And I surely did enjoy it! Totally hooked, I finished the book in about three days, each page an excitement and pleasure to read.

Here's the main plot: Young soon-to-be eighteen-year-old Benedict Juliar's hopes of becoming a steeplechase jockey are all dashed when he is fired for reason he can't understand. But things become clear as he realizes the whole idea was his father's. George Juliard is a businessman battling a Dorset by-election for a street level entry into politics. And he now needs his son to help him in his campaign. Benedict has no choice and agrees. Unfortunately, things get bad as many strange and dangerous incidents occur. Can Benedict protect his father from a mysterious attacker?

Dick Francis has a style all his own, with a plot which is believable and realistic. But one of the best things I liked about "10 lb. Penalty" is the wonderful array of characters. Each individual has his or her own personality, flaws, and characteristics put on paper so well that you can't help but feel that you know each person. There's characters like Benedict Juliard, George Juliard, Orinda Nagle, Mervyn Teck, Polly, A. L. Wyvern, Usher Rudd, and others. In the story also there is a quality of humor to it, making me chuckle at times. But still this book is ONLY for older people, NOT for younger children, due to language and innuendos.

Most of the reviewers have given less than 5 stars for this book, saying it was very different and not as good as Dick Francis' other books. I cannot agree or disagree with that since this is my first book of his to read and I think 5 stars is very much indeed accurate. I'm now also reading "To the Hilt" which I'm finding VERY interesting and exciting to read!

Rating:
Summary: I didn't care who won.
Review: Dick Francis is one of my favourite writers - but this is NOT one of his best. He has a typical Francis hero - underestimated, honourable, tenacious - the only difference this time being that this hero, Benedict, is a teenager in the shadow of an energetic, charismatic father, George Juliard.

When writing one of his books Francis often decides to explore a particular profession or occupation- for example film direction in "Wild Horses" or aviation in "Rat Race".

In "10lb Penalty" he tackles politics,and Benedict's father is standing for parliament. I was looking forward to seeing whether Francis got the details right about elections and campaigning.

He was fairly accurate with his details, but he didn't convey the flavour of campaigning- to political activists, elections can be just as exciting as the Grand National, but you wouldn't guess that from this book.

What bothered me more was that I didn't really care who won the election. George Juliard is just too flawless to be interesting. Although politics are supposed to be his whole life, we never get a clue as to what his beliefs are. In fact we don't even get told which party he belongs to - although he almost certainly is a Conservative , and his main opponent Paul Bethune probably a Liberal Democrat.

Actually, the Bethune family are more interesting that the Juliards. The unfaithful but witty husband, the wife who hates being dragged into politics and the grunting teenager sons make up a more realistic political family .

Oh yes, there's a murder plot. But it wasn't very believable.

Rating:
Summary: Dependably a good read...
Review: I've read most of Dick Francis' books and I always enjoy the qualities he give his main characters. He makes his characters honorable (even though they may not appear to be so on the surface) and I always put down the book with the feeling that I should strive to be more honorable myself. I found this to be true in 10 lb. Penalty. The story is different from most of his books, but the characters are unmistakably Francis. I enjoyed the relationship between Benedict and his father and although the plot may be predictable, it's still a very entertaining read.

Rating:
Summary: Francis doesn't dissappoint
Review: My favorite Christmas gift each year is the latest Dick Francis novel. It is a tradition started by my mother-in-law several years ago, when she would buy the latest, read it first and then give to me as a present. We got on famously. While Mom is gone, Pop continues the tradition and the latest from Mr. Francis, 10 Lb. Penalty, is his usual good mix of story, detail and suspense. The villain may be identified early, but the plot builds nicely to its climax. With Francis, the fun is how--not who. While this book may not have Sid Halley, Ben Juliard is quite competent and enjoyable. Francis rarely dissappoints, and this is no exception. Another good read.

Rating:
Summary: HORSE RACING AND POLITICS
Review: Okay, So francis continues to wander farther and farther from the horse races, this one puts the races on the back burner, is that what all the crying is about? Francis's 10lb penalty was actually quite intruiging, maybe a little less gore and action that used to be associated with him, but still a nice easy read as always, this lates book deals with politics, and revolves around the son of a political candidate, it was quite interesting and taught me some things to. i recomend it to anybody

Rating:
Summary: Interesting but lacks credibility
Review: The plot is interesting and educational to those of us who know little about British politics and less about horse racing. However the assassination attempts, especially the shoot-and-stumble, are less than credible and the final resolution is totally unbelieveable.

Rating:
Summary: Not One Of His Best
Review: The story is a good one until the halfway point and then seems to wander aimlessly. Still, worth reading if only for the likable characters and the message of morality.

Rating:
Summary: 10 pound snooze
Review: This book was dissappointing. There was very little mystery, and no thrill. The best part was the attempted sabotage of the automobile, but even that was not followed up well. I found it hard to believe that Julliard's rise in British politics went so fast. Dick Francis has a great reputation. Surely his other work is better.

Rating:
Summary: A bit of a change....
Review: This novel is tangentially about horses, and it is a mystery, but I think it is also an attempt by Francis to try something a little bit different. It is a coming-of-age novel, with a promising by very young hero, and it also has some elements of the long tradition of the British comedy of manners.

While it will nver be in my top ten percent of Francis' novels, it has a sunniness and good cheer that makes it a good light read.