Customer Reviews

Brewster's Millions

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Since it was originally written in the early 1900s, I don't imagine too many people nowadays have read this book without having heard of it through the 1985 Richard Pryor movie adaptation. But if you enjoy the film, as I do, then I'd recommend the novel if you can find it.

About all I'll say in comparing the 2 versions is this: the one and only similarity is they both center around a man named Montgomery Brewster having to dispose of a certain sum of willed money within a specified time period, without telling anyone why, in order to be eligible for a larger fortune. That's it. The novel's amounts are different, Mr. Brewster's profession and friends are different, and even the reason for the whole game is totally different - more complex and interesting in the novel, I thought. So it follows that Monty's methods of spending his money and the adventures, setbacks, and romances he experiences along the way make the novel a completely different story. Without giving away the book's ending, I will say that's different too, but equally satisfying.

Basically, if you're hesitant about tackling the novel because you're afraid it's just an outdated version of a story you already know, don't be. Read the book and I don't think you'll be disappointed.

The 1985 movie was great, but Brewster's methods are far more diverse and humorous in the book. Notable highlights:

-Brewster befriends a pair of muggers by insisting they steal everything, even the $300 they overlooked in his right pocket.

-He hosts a luxury cruise for 50 to Europe, and the guests stage a mutiny to curb Brewster's inexplicable generosity.

-An Arab sheik tries to steal Brewster's fiance in Egypt, but is shot in the head while absconding.

A possible detractor: the book has far more dramatic content than the movie. This is not simply a comedic vehicle. It is thoroughly absorbing, nevertheless.

George Barr McCutcheon wrote a book called Brewster's Million in 1902 under the name of Richard Greaves. It has been made into a movie multiple times. There is a 1985 movie with Richard Pryor as Brewster and his side kick was played by John Candy. The book is a 306 page story of how a person in the 1900's spends a million dollar inheritance so that he might receive an inheritance of multiple millions. The twist of families in disagreement with each other spurs this quagmire. The friends play the role of restraint due to the fact that part of the spending required Brewster to share that fact with no one. The other twist in the story is that Brewster must spend this money in a manner in which he will be a pauper, a man with no material wealth except the clothes on his back.

If you like to dream of how you could spend that million so you can inherit more, this is your book to read. If you have friends who do and those who do not stand by you no matter what, this is a book to read to find how loyalty can pay off. If you have a Kindle and want a fun, though time period influenced read then this is a great book since it is free.

This book is recommended.

I was hoping this book would have some of the humor of the Richard Pryor movie or other adaptations, but it's really not a comedic novel at all. In fact, some parts are downright grim. Even so, it was an enjoyable read, despite the somewhat dated language and attitudes expressed. My only real criticism is that there are a couple of racial terms used, which may have been acceptable when the book was written, but which are jarringly inappropriate now.