Customer Reviews

The Esau Swindle: A Thriller

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

and as such it is not too badly written; the story is plausable and entertaining. After all, you have to learn the ABC's first and the only way to do that is write your novels...listen carefully to both praise and criticism; just pay more attention to the criticism and build up those soft places and write and write and write. Many 'reviewers' on this site have only written letters to their Aunt Tillie; so they don't know how difficult writing a novel is.
I give this writer credit for putting his story on paper and publishing it. It was entertaining. He needs to perfect his prose; to make the interplay of the characters more naturally flowing. Someone told me that 'less is better' where words are concerned. Don't you believe it! If more will help the reader 'see' the unfolding of the plot and to feel he is right there with the characters..then go for it.
Keep writing Gerald...you have the talent...now perfect it.
A good read...from one of tomorrow's best sellers.

I really enjoyed this book. I hated "Da Vinci Code." Now that I've drawn the line in the sand, allow me to elaborate.

"The Esau Swindle" reminded me of a good film noir. The plot and characters are well-defined, but, like a good film noir, the reader is led down a path of uncertainty regarding the ultimate truth. I was attracted to a plot revolving around an art swindle, being somewhat familiar with the art world, but the story leads the reader in several directions at once. I liked that aspect as well. This is a shadowy story, and I found myself wondering if there wasn't some new secret intrigue that would be revealed somewhere down the line. I felt the main character's growing psychic claustrophobia of being caught in a worsening situation with little hope of escape.

For me, a book like the "Da Vinci Code" is what I call a "page-turner." The characters are shallow and the plot is light.
The whole book seems to hang on the cliff-hanger at the end of each chapter. I loved this kind of stuff when I was reading the Hardy Boys, but I need more now.

That's why I say that I am a reader that doesn't like thrillers. I like suspense, and I like it when I am transported into another world of half-light and intrique. As a way of comparison, I would take "Chinatown" or "The Big Sleep" over nearly any new Hollywood thriller. I don't need to be force-fed adventure. I found that "The Esau Thriller" kept me wanting to read. I look forward to reading Mr. Rothberg's next book as well.

Finally, a short note on the self-publishing controversy: drop it; it reeks of snobbery. Anyone who knows about publishing knows that the big publishers have specific agendas, and limited budgets. Being published by a major house is more indicative of their willingness to bet on a financial return, and is not meant to be a critical statement an author's work. In a world of blogs, zines, and print-on-demand, the controversy over self-publishing is a dinosaur. Finally it should be noted that "What Color is my Parachute," "The Celestine Prophecy" and even a John Grisham book were all self-published at first.

Received the Esau Swindle about 10 days ago, and couldn't put it down. One of the best mystery novels, I've read in a while. Not a cardboard mystery, but multi-dimensional with real characters. Raquel, Jacob the general and the artist and a man Smith, the defrocked former government agent stand out. Sure would make a good movie thriller. It seems that Gerald Rothberg the author of the Esau Swindle is a new writer. Actually, I purchased an autographed copy on his web site. The book is well worth it. -- Brad Phillips

Will somebody write a definitive review on these two books? There seems to be a raging controversy. I suspect that both Gerald Rothberg's Esau Swindle and Neslon DeMille's Night Fall are excellent reads. Still, before I purchase I'd like to know the pros and cons for these two thrillers.

Thank you.

Enjoyed The Esau Swindle by Gerald Rothberg. It has everything that I had hoped for: Buenos Aires location, the art world, fascinating characters, like Jacob Rose, the NYC art dealer, Raquel, Gingold, a serious Argentine actress and the bad guys -- junta generals and assassins. I don't want to give the plot away, but The Esau Swindle by Gerald Rothberg is highly recommended.

I seem to smell sour grapes from a few of the reviewers of The Esau Swindle. I too purchased the combination offer of Night Fall by Nelson DeMille and Esau Swindle by Gerald Rothberg. I found both books riveting. Esau Swindle has additional elements -- glamour, foreign locale and the art world. Gerald Rothberg dealt with his subject as a master. The author placed us in a world of junta generals, corruption, assassinations and art. My vote is yes to The Esau Swindle. I'm curious for more comments. This is the first time in my memory that a book -- The Esau Swindle has caused so much controversy.

I've never written a review before. Obviously the author of The Esau Swindle has some angry fans and loyal fans. Set in Buenos Aires, The Esau Swindle by Gerald Rothberg deals with art forgery, jealous love, assassination and a complex relationship between twin brothers. It is a fascinating read, rises to a surprising conclusion and highly recommended. I purchased the mystery book recently and enjoyed every spine-chilling page.
-Laurie Stent

Recently I came across The Esau Swindle by Gerald Rothberg. As a concert pianist my time is filled with playing at concert stages or traveling. On a recent trip I pulled out a copy of The Esau Swindle and I found myself swept up in the glamour of the art world, and Argentina. I have performed in Buenos Aires on several occasions and Gerald Rothberg's book brought back many memories of that beautiful city. The Esau Swindle is about art forgery, jealous love and assassination. I found myself totally absorbed in this mystery book. Bravo, Gerald Rothberg.

In my capacity as a lecturer on reading good books, my colleagues asked me to bring to their attention good thrillers. I immediately set out to read Michael Crichton's State of Fear. Dr. Crichton's excellent novels from The Andromeda Strain to Jurassic Park wet our appetites in terms of expertise in science and technology in thrillers. But alas, this can get tiring, when one deals with science and technology all day long. When I saw Henrietta Blum's brilliant essay on The Esau Swindle, I read it straight through. Couldn't put the book down. Gerald Rothberg creates a compelling web of intrigue and secrecy where nothing is what it seems, in the Esau Swindle. And added to this is a compelling romance, mystery, murder, art forgery story all set in Buenos Aires and New York. What a joy to sit back, relax and be swept away with a good thriller. Let me say great thriller.

I have received several e-mails regarding the growing controversy between The Esau Swindle, A Thriller by Gerald Rothberg and The Broker by John Grisham. What makes The Esau Swindle stir its readers? Set against a backdrop of an impending visit to Buenos Aires by the US president, a NYC art dealer arrives to uncover painful truths about his estranged twin's past. Jacob Rose, the art dealer comes to realize that although he and his brother were twins, he knows less about him than a stranger off the street. This realization forces Jacob to make a fateful decision and The Esau Swindle rises to a surprise conclusion. With The Esau Swindle, Mr. Rothberg creates a compelling web of intrigue and secrecy where nothing is what it seems. Truth is often deadlier than the people who seek it. I assume the resemblance between the two books is this point. What is the truth behind the the story in The Broker? I fail to see the connection. Hats off to Gerald Rothberg and The Esau Swindle. You've given us a great new mystery thriller.- Dr. Harlan Muskie