The Pinocchio Syndrome [Import] [Paperback]

David Zeman (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 704 pages
• Publisher: Harper Collins (2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0007160097
• ISBN-13: 978-0007160099
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding political thriller, August 8, 2003

By 

Pangloss "soldierblue" (Woodstock, Georgia USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Pinocchio Syndrome: A Novel (Hardcover)

This is one of the best thrillers I have read this year. The story grabs you on the first page and you have to keep reading to see how everything turns out. This book has an intriguing plot and such a frightning concept that you have to wonder if this scenario could really happen. Evil politicians, real life characters and a nail biting pace keeps you up late trying to finish as soon as possible. I like this one and hope to see more from Mr. Zeman.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVE syndromes!, June 27, 2003

By 

Karen Kirsch "blazerlib" (Novi, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Pinocchio Syndrome: A Novel (Hardcover)

After "The Da Vinci Code" and "Angels and Demons", both by Dan Brown, I felt hard-pressed to find another novel that would capture my interest as much. Hooray to Dan Zeman, a first time author. "The Pinocchio Syndrome" was a totally captivating read.
It begins on a cruise ship filled with some unusual shipmates.
Their demise causes severe unrest in the U.S. This sets the stage for lack of confidence in the current governmental leadership as no culprit can be found. Add to that a mysterious fatal contagion that causes paralysis and eventual deformation of hands and feet...wow!...and the country is ready to call for new leaders, fearing terrorist activity.
Just when you think you can predict what is going to happen...NOOOO! I loved this book, especially the flawed reporter. You will never look at "Pin the Tail on the Donkey" in the same light. Trust me!

4.0 out of 5 stars Joint accounting, August 28, 2010

By 

Doreen Appleton (Scottsdale, Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Pinocchio Syndrome: A Novel (Hardcover)

The fact that Steve Rubin personally bought The Pinocchio Syndrome brought major foreign rights, such as $200,00 from the Germans and $150,000 from the Italians.

But Rubin wanted to joint-account two books by Zeman. To those of you who aren't authors, joint-accounting means taking money away from the second book to pay for poor earnings from the first book (using creative accounting, of course). Zeman refused, having read on Page 1 of "How to be an Author," "Never let them joint account you."

So Doubleday settled for one book. Zeman signed a 2-book contract with the British publisher, who insisted on a 2-book deal.

Rubin killed the book by buying zero advertising, while Zeman's agent, Deborah Schneider, allowed Zeman to spend $18,000 on radio advertising.

Doubleday at the time was developing a trade paperback line and a mass market paperback line. They refused The Pinocchio Syndrome for both lines.

As a result of this, Zeman had to cancel the second British book and drop the pseudonym.

The book got a rave review from the Washington Post, which was quite an accomplishment since the story was set in Washington.

Zeman is now writing literary novels, and is still counting the money from the $750,000 in foreign rights earned by the hardcover.