Customer Reviews

Chances

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've wondered for a long time just what the hubbub was surrounding Jackie Collins' books. I finally decided to investigate for myself, and since I enjoy reading fiction that involves the Mafia, I settled upon _Chances_, the first book in the Santangelo family saga. Wow! What a read! Suspense, steamy sex, violence, intrigue... it's all there. I found myself with a giant crush on the tough Gino Santangelo, and I came to admire his headstrong daughter, Lucky. Collins creates quite a memorable cast of characters in this novel. Some reviewers have noted that the story seemed "dated," as this book was published in 1975, but I thought this was an unfair criticism. Afterall, all the great works of literature are "dated." Not that I'm equating this book with great literature, but I thought this made the book even more appealing... giving the reader (who, like me, might have been very young in the 70's) a glimpse into that era. If you're a fan of Mafia-esque novels, and you're looking for a book that will immediately draw you in and carry you away, this is one I would recommend. I could hardly put it down! Now, I'm getting started on the sequel because I just don't want the journey to end!

Chances is a non-stop action. If you like sex, murder, intrigue, love and lust, the Santangelo Family for you. Gino the Ram who is almighty and powerful and a up and coming star Lucky Santangelo who has yet to begin her adventures. I have read all of Jackie Collins books except her latest LA Connections which will be next. But if you want to start at the beginning of the Santangelo Family saga, Chances is where I got hooked. ENJOY IT I did.

I remember as a young girl growing up, my mother used to read Jackie Collins' books. I used to sneak them to my room and try to read them, but I would never get past the 1st chapter because she would always catch me and snatch it away, saying I wasn't "old enough" to read books like this... Boy was mom right! At age 10 I would NEVER be able to appreciate "books like this".
CHANCES by Jackie Collins is one word -UNPARALLED. Never before have I read a novel so gripping and full of emotion... it is to the point where someone tomorrow can ask me "what is your favorite book?"... and instead of my answer being "too many to name"... I will respond "Chances".

Meet Gino Santangelo - mob boss, father, business man, player, friend...he is all of these things and more. Gino had a very tough life growing up. His mother left him and his father when he was just a young boy and his father lashed out by turning into an abusive monster. He went from home to home, where he toughened up, got smart and vowed to never be like his dad. Collins' takes us through his entire life, never missing a beat. We watch him grow, and become one of the most successful casino and hotel owners. But then an unfortunate event takes place banning Gino from America. Who will take his place? In comes Lucky his stunning daughter, who is a carbon-copy of her father in every way imaginable. She is determined to be bigger and better then her old man.

In this book we are also introduced to Carrie, a woman who was forced into prostitution at the tender age of 12, paving the way for the unfortunate circumstances she had to suffer through.
Both Carrie and Gino's stories ones to always remember. Compelling, and out of this world, CHANCES is really a 10 star book. I will definitely be picking up the 2nd book in the Santangelo saga.

Bravo Ms. Collins!!

Chances was exactly the right book at the right time for me. I'd been working very hard and needed a break. Happily, the next weekend was sunny and I was able to spend a lot of it out in the garden with my pink yoga mat (same shade as the book cover, incidentally), a pillow, and this book.

Chances starts in 1977, as crime boss Gino Santangelo is on his way back to New York after a period of exile. Daughter Lucky, who has been running the show in his absence, isn't thrilled and a power struggle seems to be in the offing. Meanwhile, socialite Carrie is on her way to Harlem in response to a mysterious message which she thinks relates to the dark secrets in her past. The date is Wednesday, July 13th. Ring any bells? Not for me, so the blackout came as a surprise, throwing the characters' lives into chaos.

The 1977 storyline is intertwined with the backstories, told in flashback, of Gino and Carrie, and finally all three strands come together - with a twist. I enjoyed all three narratives, but got especially absorbed in the story of Carrie, a young black girl sold into prostitution in the 1920s by her abusive family.

Gino, brought up by a series of foster parents, comes from a similarly bleak background. He chooses a criminal career because it offers scope for his ambitions, which his legitimate job as a mechanic doesn't. His early jobs as a getaway driver are risky, but so is working under cars: a friend is nearly killed when the jack holding up the Cadillac he is working on collapses. At twenty Gino is building a bootleg empire. At forty, wealthy, feared and respected, he is building Las Vegas. But he has to pay a terrible price for his success, and in more than one way.

His daughter, Lucky, is probably Jackie Collins's best-known character. She is very much a product of second-wave feminism. Trapped in an elevator during the blackout with Carrie's son Stephen, Lucky corrects him when he addresses her as Miss: it's Miz. Later, at his apartment (after a night spent trapped in the lift), when he suggests she could make them breakfast, she explains that she can't cook. Anyone further from the insecure, self-deprecating, slip-dress-wearing, barefoot, cupcake-baking (but burning the cakes, of course, because she's such a ditz) heroine prancing across the pastel covers of chicklit from here to eternity cannot be imagined. Thank God.

I found that while the book didn't skimp on either sex or violence, these scenes were never gratuitous. They are there to tell the story. And it's a great story. Not perfect: I had to suspend disbelief about Gino masterminding a criminal empire while staying clear of both prostitution and narcotics, and I would have liked more detail to convince me of Carrie's transformation from call girl to society wife - I think it could be done, but not without a major crash course in speech, etiquette, fashion and a lot else.

Bottom line: Chances is an exhilarating rags-to-riches rollercoaster. I'm looking forward to reading the sequels.

If I could give Chances more than five stars I would! Chances is the first Jackie Collins book that I have ever read and I think that I started with the right one.

Chances takes you from 1913 all the way up to 1979 in a tale that begins with Gino Santagelo the infamous mob boss and his rise to power. Gino came from very humble begings, an abusive father, a mother who abandoned him at the sage of five and a damageing stint in a juvinle detention center yet managed to work his way up to owning two of the most successful hotel & casinos in Las Vegas. But once Gino is force into exile his duaghter the beautiful Lucky Santangelo takes over the family business and makes a name for herself as one of the most powerful women in Las Vegas. And lets not forget the story of Carrie and her son Steven. Carrie was forced into prostitution at a very young age and lived a life filled with drugs and alcohol that took her from various whorehouses to running a very successful one of her own, until the birth of her son Steven that is, when she managed to find a better life for her and her son.

This was a brilliantly written story, however, while the chapters that focused on Gino may have been more exciting, Carrie's story was really superbly written. This book is really a great lead in to the second installment of this series 'LUCKY' which I plan to begin reading right away. I give Chances 6 Stars!

This book is the birth of Gino Santangelo's career of a gangster and business, Carrie's tumultous life from thirteen in prostitution and drugs to her rise as one of the most elegant black women in America, and Lucky's childhood cut short by the murder of her mother, her rendevous with Olympia Stanislopulous in Europe, and start in the business her father created. As with Lucky, the other characters in her book make it a good read. The NBC movie did a great disservice to the novel.

Guys like Collins too. I'm proof. This is such a great book. When I watched the mini series when I was in military several of the guys actually asked to finish it. And the book is so excellent. I've read almost all of her books. I'll read them all when I get a hold of them. I especially love the ones about the Santangelos. Can hardly wait for the next one.

"Chances" was THE big book for Jackie Collins. Lucky Santangelo makes her sizzling debut in this tale of mobsters and high society glamour. From the opening prologue during the great black-out of New York City, the author puts all the characters in direct conflict with one another better than any night-time soap opera ever did. We meet Gino and Dario Santangelo and all the origins of that great story. Each chapter is filled with all the elements to really keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. It is a long book, but you never "wish it would end", in fact you hope it never does. I love this book and enjoy returning to it--if only for a chapter or two of mindless escape--You will love it...BW

It's 11pm on Tuesday night and I am still up reading. My husband had to take the book away from me it was that good. I bought Jackie Collins' "Chances" on Saturday afternoon and by Sunday I was halfway through it; by Monday afternoon I was so enthralled with the Santangelo family. Jackie Collins is what I would call a great storyteller, she literally took me by my hand and lead me into this world that she imagined and soon, I was her willing captive. This book has it all, love, sex, tradegy, joy, the good, the bad, the heart wrenching; it is one of the best books I have read in such a long time. I highly recommend it! If you were going be on a flight or a long boring bus ride, you would devour this book up like I did. I am a fan for life, I do believe!

This is by far one of my favorite books. I have read this book, so many times, and each time I love it! Chances is the first book in a series of Santangelo Novels. This book has so much depth to it. I would have rated it wit 10 stars if I could!

This book is about a street hood named Gino Santangelo who grows up with the rough childhood. His Father Paulo, was a drunk, who beat on women, and was in and out of jail, leaving Gino to fend for himself. The one thing Gino knew was that he hated his father with a passion, and would not be like him. Gino,s fathers wife,Vera was a worn out prostitute who, took Gino in and gave him the closest thing to a home. Meanwhile Gino was in and out of Juvenile Homes, and Jail.

In A boys Home Gino Met a small kid named Costa. Costa was a small timid boy, who was getting raped and molested by one of the Men in the Home. Gino walked upon Casta getting molested and came to his defense. This rescue formed a lifetime friendship between Costa and Gino. Shortly after Costa was adopted into a family, and Gino was released because he became of age.

Gino was a small time hood trying to put money in his pockets by committing small crimes and driving. He became involved with Bonnatti a known big time Hustler, and made a name for himself. Costa was always in admiration of Gino, as soon as he was settled he invited Gino to his home. Gino met Costa's sister Lenora and was in love at first site. They made plans to marry, Gino planned on going home to save money then he would send for Lenora. Later Costa delivered the news to Gino that Lenora was already married with a baby.

Years later Costa introduced Gino to Lenora's daughter Maria, it was love at first site. Maria and Gino married and had 2 children Lucky and Dario.
Dario was gay, and never wanted Gino to find out, as Lucky had all the balls and followed in her fathers footsteps. Together Lucky and Gino built an empire which was legitimate Hotel Businesse's in Vegas. This book is all that it has so many twists and turns.

You will be introduced and enthralled by so many more characters like Stephen, Carrie, Enzio, Olympia and so on and so on, dont want to give too much of the book away but I promise that this book is a winner, and Jackie Collins delivers in this novel.