Customer Reviews

Errors and Omissions: A Novel

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

"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.

Errors and Omissions is an immensely enjoyable read. It builds into an engrossing page turner - the stay-up-too-late-at-night-to-read kind. Michael Seeley is a complicated and realistic character - very talented and deeply flawed. Seeley's client, a media conglomerate, is desperate, manipulative and dangerous. The book is very smartly plotted, and an unusual and entertaining mix of history (Hollywood blacklist), artists' rights, and copyright law. The writing evokes a strong sense of time and place. I finished the book hoping that there is a sequel, if only to resolve some of the unanswered questions about Seeley's future.

I thoroughly enjoyed Errors and Omissions. Goldstein aims high - to write a thriller that is intellectually compelling, full of suspense, engaging at multiple levels, and fun to read - with the most unlikely of heroes: a middle aged intellectual property lawyer. An IP lawyer? But somehow he hits a bulls-eye. The reader is led on a roller coaster ride full of surprising and twists and turns. As the hero's journey pushes forward from New York to LA and then to Germany, the author's deep knowledge of the territory he maps is obvious. The novel's lawyer/detective hero struggles with his own demons, yet one is drawn to him as a human being, especially as he confronts a series of tough ethical and personal dilemmas. And I was continually pulled into the story by a full-array of sharply-drawn and colorful characters, each with their own driving ambitions, troubled histories, and unresolved betrayals. Yet for all of the novel's dark themes, the dialogue is wonderfully sharp and witty throughout - like the clever, cutting dialogue in the old Hollywood noir movies Goldstein's novel evokes. If there is a series here I can't wait for the next.

I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of suspense and double-cross.
The subject matter was both interesting and thought provoking.

Prof Goldstein has proven he can masterfully craft a descriptive passage as well as text relating to copyright law.

A real page turner.......

Paul Goldstein's thoroughly engaging "Errors And Omissions" [...] in from its opening sentence. The author - one of the preeminent authorities on copyright law - has written a remarkable novel -- a sort of Dashiell Hammett meets "A Civil Action" thriller. Especially enjoyable for anyone who knows something about copyright law, "Errors And Omissions" is the perfect beach book for the summer! I'm already looking forward to the sequel. Very highly recommended!

I thoroughly enjoyed "Errors and Omissions." For a first novel, Mr. Goldstein has done quite well. The story hangs together well and, most importantly, it was both believable and engaging. I have only two quibbles with the book. First, every single character in the book was dysfunctional on some level. No one came from a normal family. Those that aren't plagued by alcoholism are either criminally deviant or suffer from one or more pyschoses. Would it be so terrible if at least one of the characters was quasi-normal (or would that make the book boring)? Second, the central charcter in the book, attorney Michael Seeley, is forever analyzing the morality and ethics of the decisions that confront him, almost always seeking the high ground. Except Mr. Goldstein conveniently overlooks a huge eithical lapse on Mr. Seeley's part--his willingness, while still in the employ of his law firm, to negotiate payments under the table from his client that he has no intention of sharing with his partners. Not only will this get you disbarred, there is a criminal term for it as well. It's called embezzlement. But these are minor flaws in what otherwise was an entertaining novel, perfect for your next cross-country bussiness trip.

It's a page turner -- a fun vacation read! The scenes are vivid and the characters memorable -- our hero Michael Seeley gets thrown into a web of Hollywood secrets that keep us guessing. I'm looking forward to Seeley's next case!

Awful! Paul Goldstein may be a great professor, but his novel is unreadable. My husband and I are both lawyers and my husband is a stanford alum, so we were looking forward to a great read. Not! The characters are flimsy at best and (without giving anything away) their actions make no sense. The lawyer client relationships are unrealistic and the plot makes no sense. The book simply isn't very good. Boring, unbelievable and never takes you in.
Too bad.