Temptation by Douglas Kennedy is a fictional book which takes the reader on a ride from the height of success to the lows in life. What happens when a gilded door opens to a man who suddenly has ample opportunities and Hollywood clout?
David Armitage reinvents himself, walks out on his wife and daughter and is hired by Philip Fleck, a billionaire, to work on a very strange collaboration. Taking the plunge, David finds himself on a rollercoaster in the celluloid jungle where nothing is appears as it is and everyone is out for themselves.
I have never read any of Douglas Kennedy’s books before, Temptation was my first one. The novel was a fast read, sarcastic and the narrative flowed from the start to the end.
I could never put my finger on why I liked this book. I’ve been to California but I don’t “get” the culture, mindset, and attitude of the west coast. I also don’t “get” much-ado-about-nothing scandals and why do people actually care.
Yet, from some strange reason the book grabbed me, which I can only attribute to Mr. Kennedy’s storytelling. I found the characters to be very relateable; David the screenwriter and protagonist isn’t exactly likeable but I could certainly feel his struggle.
The story of rise to the pinnacles of professional success and the sharp descent from those heights is an attention grabber. I was yelling in my head for David to slow down a bit, but I cannot say I wouldn’t have done the same given the circumstances and opportunities – as far fetched as they might be.
The book asks some questions which I often ask myself – mainly about the bad choices we make in life. Of course it’s easy to look back and see where you made these mistakes, but are they really mistakes? Is putting your faith in a “financial professional” who is only after your wallet a mistake or a scam? Or are they one and the same?
Temptation is a fun book, something to read on these lazy summer weekends.
- 320 pages
- Publisher: Atria Books; Original edition
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1451602103
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