Indecent Proposal [Kindle Edition]

Jack Engelhard (Author)

Book Description

Now on Kindle! Refreshed! Jack Engelhard’s “Indecent Proposal” (first published 1988) remains one of the most famous novels around the world. The novel was translated into more than 22 languages and sold millions of copies from continent to continent, establishing it as an international classic.

Hollywood (in 1993) then turned Engelhard’s high-concept moral dilemma drama into a box office smash. Over $266 million worth of tickets were sold worldwide from a Paramount movie of the same name starring Robert Redford and Demi Moore.

Though Hollywood only skimmed the surface of Engelhard’s masterpiece, the theme is eternal, even biblical – temptation! The plot that has riveted the world’s readers and moviegoers? A destitute couple try their luck in an Atlantic City casino. The wife, Joan, is utterly gorgeous. She attracts the attention of an oil rich sultan who can buy anything he sets his eyes on.

Can he buy people? Can he “buy” Joan? To find out, read this Kindle edition of “Indecent Proposal” that has entertained, provoked and captivated millions to this day.

“Precise, almost clinical language...is this book fun to read? You betcha!” The New York Times

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Arab billionaire Ibrahim Hassan offers Joshua Cantor $1 million if he will allow Hassan to sleep with his beautiful blond wife, Joan. But this ostensibly "indecent proposal" has darker overtones for Cantor, whose parents survived the Holocaust. He's a corporate speech writer with an average salary and he's "tired of being poor." He's also afraid of losing his well-bred wife. Joan has never complained about their financial situation, but now Joshua's whining drives her to consider Hassan's offer. Cantor, of course, is against it; but he's too simplistic in his outlook for a reader to share in his vaguely Faustian plight. In the end, Joshua does emerge as a likable and even memorable character, but along the way, repetitive monologue and frequently trite dialogue bogs down what is not an uninspired idea. Engelhard wrote The Horseman.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

JACK ENGELHARD had a good idea. For his second novel - "The Horsemen" was the first - he would update the always serviceable legend of Faust to get some modern mileage out of it. Mr. Engelhard also created very contemporary players. Joshua Cantor, a Jewish writer and gambler, who makes a bargain with the Devil (a handsome oil-rich billionaire). The struggle between these two embraces a number of primal issues: the sanctity of marriage versus a love of money, the Jew versus significant non-Jews such as shiksas and sheiks, skill versus luck, materialism versus spirituality, Israel versus the Arab countries, the past versus the future, and the religious world versus the secular one.

Like his hero, Mr. Engelhard is a gambler. Can his slim, trim novel carry that much baggage?

The author even italicizes certain abstract concepts before roping them onto the backs of his characters, whom he then places in opposition. For instance, Joshua is a survivor of both the Holocaust and the 1967 Israeli war. Now, however, he is living a quiet life in Philadelphia, married to a beautiful Main Liner named Joan who has it all, sensuality, grace, humor, blond hair, rich parents, nice lingerie. Everything.

Joshua loves Main Lining. To him Joan is "Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe and Lauren Bacall. Joan was more than the American dream...she was America." His only problem is he doesn't have enough money to live in the style he thinks Joan and he deserve. That's why they have to go to Atlantic City so often. Joshua hopes to score a big win that will allow him to quit his crummy job (writing speeches for a corrupt corporation that does business with former Nazis) and live happily and affluently ever after with his golden haired, Bryn Mawr-educated, wide-shouldered, classy wife who deserves the very best.

Enter tall, dark, handsome high roller Ibrahim Hassan - a royal figure from some sandy country - who is betting millions of dollars at a blackjack table cordoned off for his exclusive use in an Atlantic City casino. Hassan, the high roller, sees Joan, the high-typer, and, in devilish fashion, determines to tempt and compromise the happy couple. After a few swift moves, he takes them out to a four-star restaurant and surreptitiously propositions Joan. When she later tells Joshua, he rushes off to confront Hassan, who then offers him a million dollars if he can sleep with Joan for just one night.

In precise, almost clinical language, Mr. Engelhard tracks the changes Joshua and Joan go through after receiving their ungodly offer. Suspicion, jealousy, anger, second-guessing, pain and fear begin to torment them as they struggle with his and hers temptations (his - money, hers - his happiness). It's her body and his soul on the line.

Is this book fun to read? You betcha.

--INDECENT PROPOSAL: The New York Times Book Review, FAUST ON THE BOARDWALK, By Barbara Raskin (March 19, 1989)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 388 KB
• Print Length: 304 pages
• Publisher: Jack Engelhard (May 22, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B006V4NYI4
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #209,320 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 25 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars We're just talking price May 15, 2012

By upfront_reader

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Where to start with this book? There was much to enjoy about it--I liked how the author used the protagonist's heritage and experiences to inform his struggle. It wasn't just man against man, it was history against history. But although I started out understanding and sympathizing with the hero, somewhere along the way, I decided that I hated him. Josh is essentially a weak character who stands up for himself only when it doesn't matter, and doesn't take a stand when it does (when it comes to pimping out his wife, for instance). The wife is game for the idea from the very beginning, claiming that it is only sex, etc., but as I was reading I couldn't help wondering why it never occurred to her that Ibrahim's idea of a night of sex might not be the same as hers. How did she know she could trust him? I suppose that was minor consideration when the husband wanted the money and the wife wanted the experience. Anyway, by the end I found all the characters loathsome and thought they deserved every bad thing that happened to them. With that said, the book is absorbing, and I'm sure it is light years better than the pretty-people-in-trouble movie version. The Kindle edition of the book needs better formatting and has several grammatical and spelling errors sprinkled throughout, but since it was free, I can't complain too much.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This book was fascinating April 28, 2012

By Diane

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I almost didn't download this because the movie was "meh" in my opinion. The book is a hundred times better. The characters are much more complex and sympathetic. Now I'd like to read everything he's written (thanks for making them free on Kindle!).

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Kindle edition Fixed and Corrected...Great Novel! May 16, 2012

By Lois Sack

Format:Paperback

I heard there was a problem with typos and formulating in the Kindel edition of Indecent Proposal by Jack Engelhard, but the new edition is fully corrected and, of course, as stimulating as ever. I read this novel about sex, money and morals when it first came out in paperback and I had to read it again, this time in Kindle. Engelhard's command of dialogue is exceptional! I think I'll read it again.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars This is about the kindle edition, not the story. April 28, 2012

By Carlie byer

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am not writing a review about the story. I am only writing this review to hopefully let the publishers know, or at least warn other readers that there are several spelling, editing, and formatting mistakes that almost made me not want to finish the story. But that's the thing, the story was intriguing enough to make me ignore the mistakes. But I had to come post this review about the editing in the hopes that it will be corrected.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Very different from the movie June 22, 2012

By Book_lover

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

As the title of my review implies, this book is very different from the movie as is often the case. I saw the movie as teenager, and didn't even realize it was based on a book. Typically I read a book before watching the movie. This book really makes you think about the issue of sex for money and delves into psyche of the main character. I like romances and happily ever after, and this book doesn't give you that. However, it does really make you think, and for that reason I'd recommend it.

16 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A thrilling novel, suspense, mistery... all in one June 8, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

"After too many years looking for an answer, a man marries the most beutiful woman in the world, with her, he's got most of the things he's ever wanted in life. Except money"... Josh and Joan, a happily married couple, decided to take a week of and fly to Las Vegas. There, they met Ibraham, an Arab billionaire, which proposed Joan to spend a night with him, in exchange of a million dollars. Joan and Josh felt desperate and empty, they did not know what to do. Finally they both decided to accept the proposal. After that night, Josh and Joan werent the same, everything seemed to go wrong. They decided to separate, and Joan left with Ibraham.Later on, she realizes that the only man she belonged to was Josh,she discoverd how deeply in love she was with him, and returned to Josh. This novel shows how ambition can destroy your life. It taught me that everyone should be happy with what they have, and try to make the best out of it. Who cares if you have all the money in the world, all the cars you've ever wanted if you dont have love.Love is life, and it's free.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars "Indecent Proposal" June 5, 2012

By pmc

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

"Indecent Proposal" draws you in. I did not like the premise of the book, and fully intended to stop reading it after the first chapter. I just couldn't seem to put it down. I still don't agree with the plot line, but it is quite a trip through the psyche. Gives insights that I didn't expect in this venue.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A GEM! March 23, 2013

By David Chinoy

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

As I often do with novels I enjoy, I have now read “Indecent Proposal” several times. For me each reading further reveals the skill with which Jack Engelhard developed the plot, subplots, subtexts, themes and characters. The book isn’t “Love Story” with a twist. It’s much more in tune with novels like “The Postman Always Rings Twice” and “Double Indemnity,” complex and dark. It is comparable to some  of the finest works by such under-appreciated contemporary authors as James Salter (“Light Years”) and John Yates (“Revolutionary Road) as well as the more well-known hard-hitting American authors whose entire oeuvres I have also read (Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Bellow, Updike, Roth, DeLillo, McCarthy, and others).  

Engelhard’s well-crafted plot, exposition and dialogue - as well as the protagonist’s internal monologue - make Josh Kane, Joan Kane and Ibrahim Hassan (the couple and the rich guy in the book) as memorable and fully realized characters as any I have encountered in contemporary literature. Josh is a flawed “hero,” heroic only in battle, driven by an obsession to erase his memories of immigrant childhood poverty. Ibrahim is an Arab prince, bored with his unlimited wealth, a Machiavellian character with a soul as black as his hair and mustache.  Joan is a stunningly-beautiful woman from a wealthy Philadelphia Main Line family who is happy and satisfied with her middle-class life as Josh’s wife, but she finds herself trapped in a world of two macho men with a deep cultural hatred of each other battling for her “love.” She is the conscience of the story, the "truth-teller," fighting to maintain her individuality but recognizing she must sacrifice some of her basic beliefs and risk her marriage to help her husband resolve his obsession with money.... The interaction of these three characters is remarkable, especially the dinner scene, the two scenes of Josh and Ibrahim in his suite, and the many important expository scenes between Josh and Joan.

In the movie it takes David and Diana just one night to accept John’s offer; in the book Josh and Joan are a mature couple with a more complex backstory who struggle to make their decision over several days. The movie screenplay added a character, Josh’s humorous friend and attorney (Oliver Platte), but it did not include a very important character from the book, Josh’s long-time friend Sy Rodrigo, Public Relations Director of the hotel and casino in Atlantic City where Josh hopes to “win the jackpot.”

In the novel Josh has a strong foundation in Jewish culture, history, and ethics, and there are many Biblical references.  I searched the internet for previous “professional” book reviews. Most of them called the story “Faustian.” They missed what I believe is a major theme of the story: not Faust, but a modern-day version of the temptation and seduction of Adam and Eve by the serpent in the Garden of Eden, followed by their banishment from Paradise. It is a classic story of human temptation and obsession, this time for money instead of for wisdom. (p.285: "'A man without a woman is half a man.' We were, all of us, Adam and Eve …") It is the psychological battle of an Arab and a Jew for the soul of a beautiful gentile woman, a “shikse,” and a story about the nature of love, ethics, and personal integrity. The characters are believable, and there are many exciting twists, turns and unexpected consequences for all four them. Those who approach this wonderful book with the understanding of its genre will be well-rewarded whether or not they enjoyed the movie. Read more ›

More About the Author

Novelist Jack Engelhard wrote the international bestseller "Indecent Proposal" that was translated into more than 22 languages and turned into a Paramount motion picture starring Robert Redford and Demi Moore. His latest novel, "The Girls of Cincinnati," a suspenseful love story, is now available in paperback on Amazon (along with five star reviews). Engelhard's themes have been called "powerfully seductive" by The New York Times and his writing style has been acclaimed as "vivid, cool and muscular" by The Philadelphia Inquirer. Writer/critic Michael Foster has cited Engelhard's writing as embracing "the sparseness of Hemingway but the moral intensity of I.B. Singer." An award-winning memoirist and journalist, Engelhard's internationally syndicated commentaries (blogs) can be found on Amazon, his personal website and elsewhere.