Customer Reviews

The Holland Suggestions

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

 

 

This is Dunnings first effort in the mystery/thriller genre. While interesting at times, it is ultimately just O.K. The ending is a bit weak, and the beginning drags. But, once the hero arrives at the old mining town, it does become fun. If you need a quick read on a long flight or train ride, this is for you. Just don't expect much and you will not be dissapointed.

My fellow reviewers on this page are obviously Dunning fans who are feeling disappointed. It's true that this is not up to the other two -- and later -- Dunning mysteries, but even early Dunning has qualities to recommend it. The author admits the "rawness" of his work in the highly informative forward. But he has nothing for which to apologize. He has delivered a well-plotted thriller that could use a little more in the way of detailed characterization; everything else is a quibble.

Though this is the author's first book it is still a good read however the best part of the book is the forward, written by the author for this new edition. In it he gives some of the most succinct advice for young writers that appears in print. For deep insight into the writing life, the stages of development, and the obstacles to success there is nothing more moving or better written on the market than this. (And after you have read this you still get to read a competent first book that will hold your attention - a first book by the emerging master of the genre who brought the magnificent Booked to Die and Bookman's Wake to us all.)

I read this book because I have become a John Dunning fan. It was obviously written by a not-yet-seasoned writer, but was still a good story. In some places it was more than obvious, in others- totally out-of-the-blue. (i.e It was no surprise that Vivian was the woman in the house on the hill, however it makes no sense that Gould will tell perfect strangers all about the "Caverna del Oro" if he was already enjoying the spoils.) I would still recommend the book, if for no other reason then to see how far Dunning has come in his ability to spin a page-turning tale :) You'll still find enjoyment even in this early attempt at suspense...

If you are such a John Dunning fan that you want to see his early efforts, read this book as research. This book is really not very good. Booked to Die and Bookman's Wake are terrific. As for the Holland Suggestions, well, everyone has to start somewhere. And I'm sure its a better book than I could ever write...

This is Dunnings earliest work that I know of. Written back in the middle 70's from what I understand. Back when hippies and communes must have still been a common site across the country.

I am a massive fan of a few of Dunnings work's. From Two O'clock Eastern War Time to some of his Cliff Janeway novels. And though I know I may get some grief from my fellow reviewers for saying this, but 'the Holland Suggestions' really sucks.

I am a plot guy first of all and a lover of good narration secondly. Both are missing here. While their is a plot here, it is such a convoluted mess that it left me screaming in agony. Dunning has never been about character building or dialog, and this is missing as well. The only thing this book has going for it, is a relentlessness that is sort of admirable. I was literally at the edge of my seat in anticipation on a couple of occasions.

The story mainly is about Jim Ryan. This is a guy I had very little sympathy for. I did not like this person and his self doubt or almost whining attitude. Early on we learn that his wife had left him and their daughter a long time ago. That Ryan was perhaps the best person ever at being hypnotized in studies done while he was in college, and other than that a very ordinary person.

He gets a letter that awakes a long burried hypnotic suggestion from a teacher that had been working on him. He is told of this place that he has to find. He takes a vacation, and goes off in search of it. Along the way he picks up a hitch hiker... OK from this point onwards more and more haphazzard randomness gets piled on top of steaming pile. The odds against any one of these occurring is astronomical and then the author goes about and gives us 10 of them.

Unlike Dunnings later work. The plot structure here is so flawed that it sinks the novel. It has a couple of good spots, but they are barely noticeable in the over all mess.

This is a reprint of an early attempt at writing mysteries. As a fan of John Dunning, I'd read anything he wrote cover-to-cover. Even so before it was reprinted, he should have thrown out the first 1/4 of the book and figured out a different reason for his protagonist to spend the rest of the book in a spell-binding treasure hunt, part of it underground. The author is as good with spelunking as he is with rare books. The last 3/4 of the book is so good, you won't be able to go to bed until you've finished it.

I loved Booked to Die and Bookman's Wake, but couldn't find much to like in this one. It never caught my interest, and the plot line was convoluted and unbelieveable.

Big fans of the Bookman novels, my husband and I were wary of this much earlier work; sure are glad we gave it a try! Dunning evidently cannot write a bad book -- the plot here was fun and different, and as usual with Dunning, the characters are very well drawn. We were riveted, and didn't begin to guess the outcome until very near the end. Well worth reading.

This novel was thrilling, thoughtful and kept me on the edge of my seat. Truly absorbing.