Errors and Omissions: A Novel (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: Max Kanarek, Bert Cobb, Mayer Bermann (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Goldstein, a Stanford law professor, takes a tired legal thriller convention for his debut—the alcoholic attorney staring into a personal and professional abyss—and spins out a fresh, sharp-witted drama about Hollywood's blacklist. Intellectual property lawyer Michael Seeley takes a case that could be his swan song: arguing that United Pictures, a huge movie studio, still has the rights to its cash cow, the Spykiller series, now coming up on its eighth installment. What appeared to be a simple legal brief, however, takes Seeley back to the Hollywood of the 1950s when blacklisted writers were forced to conceal their identity to sell scripts—a practice that muddies the Spykiller pedigree for United. Soon, Seeley finds himself in a violent tug-of-war among studio bosses, the screenwriter's union and long-forgotten blacklist victims. Sharp dialogue and a well-formed main character more than make up for a shortage of action and a finale that could use a bit more kick. Goldstein, who does a fine job of breaking down complicated moral, ethical and historical issues to understandable nuggets, has laid the foundation for what could be a strong franchise. (July)
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Review

“It’s difficult to convey the mounting excitement with which I turned the pages. . . . the writing [is] masterful, not one wasted word. . . . A terrific read.”
—Sue Grafton

“[S]pins out a fresh, sharp-witted drama about Hollywood’s blacklist. . . . Goldstein, who does a fine job of breaking down complicated moral, ethical and historical issues to understandable nuggets, has laid the foundation for what could be a strong franchise.”
—Publishers Weekly

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday (July 11, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385517173
• ISBN-13: 978-0385517171
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #811,486 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It Registered, July 22, 2006

By	Bert Krages (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

When I learned that a novel had been written about a copyright attorney, I was skeptical but decided to read it anyway. Errors and Omissions does not reflect a typical two-week period in the practice of copyright law but it is nonetheless interesting and exciting. The book starts with an attorney on the verge of losing everything and with the promise of perhaps salvaging the remnants of his life if he compromises his principles. The supposedly simple matter becomes increasingly complicated and involves him in a web of manipulation, history, and violence. The author ties the plot and themes together nicely (except that I can't believe anyone would seriously consider Michigan to be the pinnacle of college football), and explores issues such as the ownership aspects of creative works and how people deal with being the perpetrators and victims of unethical conduct. This is a book that is worth reading. I can't wait for someone to write about a patent attorney in a novel and unobvious way.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Slow Paced Plot and Rather Flat Characterization, October 16, 2006

By	Thriller Lover (Las Vegas, Nevada) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

ERRORS AND OMISSIONS has been promoted as a "gripping legal thriller" but I didn't find it particularly gripping or thrilling.

I ultimately found this novel to be a rather slow-moving experience. The main character, middle-aged lawyer Michael Seeley, is not particular likable or well developed. Despite his enormous financial success, Seeley spends a lot of time in this novel pitying himself and engaging in a variety of self-destructive and unprofessional behavior. I found him a tough character to root for.

The plot moves slowly and mainly consists of a series of dialogues between Seeley and a host of supporting characters. Much of this dialogue is stilted and ponderous. This is the type of book where characters give speeches instead of having real-life conversations. Some of the subject matter of this novel is interesting, but it is not served well by the dialogue.

I also found the storyline of this novel to be remarkably convoluted and largely rooted in the past. I was hoping for a more realistic and topical plot, given Goldstein's background as a prominent copyright and IP attorney. That didn't happen here.

In short, I found this book rather disappointing. It's a decently written novel that explores some interesting issues, but the plot and characterization falls short. I also found the ending rather limp and unsatisfying.

For a debut legal thriller that's much better than this one, I would recommend John Hart's KING OF LIES.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Promising start but downhill from there ..., January 8, 2007

By	Joe Shlabotnick - See all my reviews

"Couldn't put it down"? By about the half-way mark, I couldn't stay awake. After a promising start, the story unfortunately degenerated into a muddled disappointment, leaving me caring little about the characters or the outcome.

The author shouldn't quit his day job.