I found this book for fifty cents at my local Salvation Army thrift shop. I've been anxious to read it, and I'm assuming that others have too, so I'm going to use it to start my first BookCrossing bookring. Note that the book is a hardcover, with no dust jacket, so it may cost a little more to mail than your average TPB. To register, please PM me. Thanks!

Well.

This book has been talked about quite a bit and has received some excellent reviews. My verdict: I enjoyed it, but I'm very glad that it is going to be part of a bookray as I am anxious to hear comments from others.

Talcott "Misha" Garland is a professor of law at an elite university (never named, but it's clearly based on Yale). His father was a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals and narrowly missed being confirmed as a Supreme Court Justice. His father has died and there is a mystery surrounding his death which pulls in many, many people.

The book is very long (around 650 pages) and, while the last third moves quickly it takes a bit of self-discipline to slog through the first 200 pages - stick with it though. I found the ending a bit disappointing, but also interesting. Misha is a fantastically drawn, multi-dimensional character - you'll fall in love with him. That said, I wonder how much of my enjoyment had to do with the fact that I am both a lawyer (and, obviously, a law school graduate - not from Yale, but from a highly regarded school) and, currently an instructor at a college...obviously I related to the LARGE portions of the book dedicated to faculty skirmishes and jealousies and to those dealing with the vagaries of law in America.

This will go out to our first link in the bookray this week - enjoy!

THE EMPEROR OF OCEAN PARK by Stephen L. Carter BOOKRAY

Signups will close March 12. Routing order will be listed below, and may be altered any time up until March 13. PM me if you would like to be included.

1. grover3d - Charleston, WV
2. kayters - Marietta, GA
3. karoda - Louisville, KY
4. angelgirl5579 - O'Fallon, MO
5. spark - San Francisco, CA
6. savannahblue - Portland, OR
7. sharalsbooks - Mesa, AZ
8. Bug007 - Duluth, MN
9. Meemaa - Media, PA
10. Shelly029 - Melbourne, Australia
11. ffyrestarr - Wiltshire, UK
12. kayters - Marietta, GA (to finish)

Not going to be able to read this one any time soon, so passing it along.

Release planned for Wednesday, May 14, 2003 at to another bookcrosser in Louisville, Kentucky USA.

I received it today...read a few pages to tease myself and I'm looking forward to diving into it. I must admit that knowing someone else is waiting on the book is a bit intimidating since it looks like its not a quick read. :)

Peace
************************
Okay, I'm a little under a third of the way through. And I'm pleasantly surprised to be enjoying the book as much as I am. Misha has a dark humourous side to him that I find entertaining...I'm identifying way too much with his sarcastic but unspoken thoughts. I think the characters are not that particularly compelling except for Misha but the story line keeps me wanting to move forward to know what and when and how. :)

Misha and I became good friends. :) I loved his sarcasm and wit in the beginning but quickly grew irritated with his insecurities and defensiveness. Then I gave him a layman's diagnosis of post traumatic syndrome and prescribed him something for anxiety. The other host of characters where interesting and just as annoying but not as endearing. I found myself saying each time before opening the book: So, Misha, what are we going to do today?" The plot was a bit confusing has it just seemed to be all over the place, but I guess a good mystery should be

I found myself wondering if my knowledge of the plot would have been enhanced if I had prior knowledge of chess strategies. Even though it is explained in the story, it was difficult for me to apply the analysis to the people and the events.

This was my first read of a murder mystery who done it type novel. The ending did surprise me and I'm somewhat frustrated with the ending. I can understand the decision he made at the end because the story really unfolded around his own inner weaknesses and strengths and Misha was more inclined to keep his inner world manageable. Plus, if the author is planning on a sequel, than somethings must remain unfinished.

Released on Monday, June 16, 2003 at to fellow bookcrosser in O fallon, Missouri USA.

I'm on my way to the post office now.

sending on its way