Errors and Omissions [Paperback]

Paul Goldstein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 10, 2007

An astonishing novel of legal and moral suspense from Paul Goldstein, a stunning new legal literary talent.Meet Michael Seeley, a take-no-prisoners intellectual property litigator–and a man on the brink of personal and career collapse. So when United Pictures virtually demands that he fly out to Hollywood to confirm legally that they own the rights to their corporate cash-cow franchise of Spykiller films, he has little choice but to comply. What he discovers in these gilded precincts will plunge him headfirst into the tangled politics of the blacklisting era and then into the even darker world of Nazi-occupied Poland. Drawing on historical fact and legal scholarship, this is a breathless tale of deception and intrigue.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The bromide about writing what you know works well for Stanford law professor Goldstein, an expert in intellectual property jurisprudence who participated in a famous case involving ownership of the James Bond film franchise. In his intriguing debut novel, he tosses his burned-out litigator, Michael Seeley, into the middle of a movie studio's homicidal battle to continue to control the rights to a fabulously successful spy series. This adaptation, which dips back into Hollywood's blacklist era, is a pretty intellectual property itself, depending more on character and motivation and moral ambiguity than action and suspense. Keeler relies on shading and subtlety rather than broad vocal interpretation. He segues smoothly from lively descriptive passages to even livelier dialogue sequences. Goldstein enjoys writing scenes in which several people converse at a fast clip; Keeler has no trouble attaching identifying voices to each while matching the novel's snappy patter. The novel ends not with a bang but with a mild joke. As wryly interpreted by Keeler, that seems not only appropriate but completely satisfying for a thinking man's thriller.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

“A compelling yarn and a fascinating glimpse at one of the more notorious chapters in Hollywood history.”—The San Francisco Chronicle “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“Memorable [and] pleasurable. . . . Goldstein displays the keen eye and sure hand of a gifted writer.”—The Wall Street Journal“Compares favorably with the best legal thrillers of the likes of John Grisham. . . . [Errors and Omissions] qualifies Goldstein for a high position among recent crime fiction.”—Political Affairs

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Anchor (July 10, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307274896
• ISBN-13: 978-0307274892
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.7 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,062,311 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 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)   

This review is from: Errors and Omissions: A Novel (Hardcover)

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.

10 of 12 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 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Errors and Omissions: A Novel (Hardcover)

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

This review is from: Errors and Omissions: A Novel (Hardcover)

"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.