Rummies [Hardcover]

Peter Benchley (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Initially, this new novel by the author of Jaws seems to be the kind of book that nobody writes anymore: an earnest look at the social ill of alcoholism from the perspective of an upper-middle-class suburban WASP. Scott Preston can't make it through his morning commute from New Jersey without stopping in Penn Station for a couple of belts of vodka. Of course, he thinks he has it under control and, of course, he's surprised when his wife, daughter and boss waylay him in his office for an "intervention" in which they tell him how much damage his drinking has done and force him to seek help. "Welcome to the rest of your life," he's told before entering a posh New Mexico rehab clinic. For half its length, Rummies hits every expected mark, taking Scott through an AA-ish recovery program;then Benchley the thriller-writer takes over, as two of the "rummies" plot to expose the clinic's hypocritical, coke-snorting director. Not surprisingly, the novel sends mixed messages about substance abuse therapies, and is often as predictable as a TV movie. But Benchley spikes the familiarity with unexpectedly funny and heartfelt prose; his plot may be muddled, but his writing is vigorous and observant.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

When New York editor Scott Preston needs two double vodkas to start the day, his wife and his boss (threatening loss of marriage and job) ship him off to a rehab center. At the Banner Clinic, rummies and junkies--among them a movie star, a professional athlete, and a mobster--face hard truths and rough treatment, with no expletives deleted. Successful WASP-stereotype Preston is first alienated, then joins in the camaraderie, becomes infatuated with aristocratic addict Priscilla Godfrey, and is drawn into subplots: the mysterious death of a glamorous film star and recent Banner graduate; the abrupt firing of two counselors; and the abuse of Priscilla by clinic-founder Stone Banner, a charismatic ex-cowboy movie star. This is a schizophrenic novel with stereotypical characters, but the Benchley name may create demand. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 6/1/89.
- Michele Leber, Fairfax Cty. P.L., Va.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 257 pages
• Publisher: Random House; 1st edition (September 30, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0394576675
• ISBN-13: 978-0394576671
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,472,168 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!, December 24, 2004

By 

P. Robinson "Relic113" (Calgary) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rummies (Hardcover)

Another great book by the author of "Jaws", "Beast" and the incredibly beautiful "Girl From the Sea of Cortez". This is not about sea monsters, but rather the monster that is alcoholism. Scott Preston doesn't have a problem. Its everyone else that does. It must be a metabolic thing why he is the only one sweating on the bus...It must be the waitresses problem that she is watching to see if he is going to spill his drink... and after the intervention he will agree to get treatment just to shut his family up...and then he will go have a few more... As sad as people can be when they have a drinking problem, Benchley does a great job of making Preston very likeable and unbelievably witty and clever. The reader almost wants him to be able to go have a drink. This book is very lighthearted despite its dark subject matter. Once in rehab, Preston meets a cast of characters that rivals the core group from One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest... And that's when the murder takes place. From there the book increases in suspense and pace. It's amazing how much entertainment Benchley can squeeze into 250 pages - moreover, its amazing that this man is known for monster books and not his precision wit and biting social commentary.
Buy this book - its 12 steps worth taking.

Relic113

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who Knew Rehab Was So Much Fun, June 15, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Rummies (Hardcover)

A High Flying editor in a New York publishing firm is forced into rehab by his family and his boss. Of course Scott isn't really an alcoholic. He just needs two double vodkas to start the day. From the hilarious opening sequence all the way to the delightfully wicked ending, Rummies is a simple story, brilliantly told. While it is impossible to ignore the humor in the story Rummies the plot evolves in such a way that it is also a deeply touching and uplifting story. In Scott Preston, Peter Benchley has created an engaging hero for the masses out of an upper middle class WASP. No easy feat. Intelligent and cynical but vulnerable enough to be easily identified with. Throw in a twisted collection of celebrity junkies, booze sodden actresses and hilarious dropouts not to mention an institutional patriach who may not be all that he seems and you have Rummies. Not often can a book make you laugh out loud, but believe it, this one will.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent read., September 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Rummies (Hardcover)

A realistic description of how an alcoholic, going into a rehab centre as a result of an intervention, views himself and those around him is how this story starts. Instead of a maudling, self pitying story, there is an outside horror going on that gives the "rummy" a chance to do something good for someone else while recovering. A real inspiration. I love this book and would really like to see it made into a movie. It's very funny and touching. I've never laughed out loud so many times when reading a book. It's about time it was re-issued. I've loaned my copy out and lost it many times. I keep getting "new" ones at garage sales. I'd buy a new copy if I could. One of my favorite books.