Savages [Hardcover]

Shirley Conran (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

From the author of Lace comes a spirited survival story undoubtedly destined to become another bestseller. When a group of Nexus executives brings their wives to the South Pacific paradise of Paui, vacation is not on their minds. Having found rare minerals on the island, they are determined to strike a swift deal for mining rights. But in their greedy rush to claim the prize, the men fail to take into account a rapacious general, who takes control of the island in a military coup and brutally executes all of them. Returning from a sail in time to see the massacre, the women escape into the jungle, where they painfullybut a bit too easilylearn survival tricks from the ship's captain. His subsequent death leaves the once shy Annie in charge of the rest: Silvana, a wealthy, distant matron; the athletic, high-strung Patty; outspoken Carey; and Suzy, a sensuous, spoiled child. Although misfortune rains down on the group, opportunity also has a way of magically appearing as these castaways battle jungle, cannibalistic natives and their own frightening desires with a gritty determination that belies their pampered pasts. Conran whips up excitement, tension and, at times, a horror-struck fascination that makes this tall tale an entertaining page-turner. Major ad/promo; Literary Guild main selection; Lorimar TV miniseries; author tour.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

A fast-paced adventure thriller scheduled for a TV mini-series. When the top executives of Nexus mining company are massacred on a South Seas Island, their five spoiled wives are stranded in the jungle with their fishing guide, surrounded by bloodthirsty natives. To survive, they must become as savage as their surroundings. The idea of cannibalism haunts the story from the prologue, where Conran writes of "savoury, mouth-watering steam" rising from a roasting corpse. The story is so intense that it is a pity the writing is only adequate. Where style and character development could have heightened the tension, Conran too often falls back upon cliche and stereotype. In her fictional society all the rich are dishonest, and all women are slightly simpleminded. Public libraries buy for demand. Literary Guild main selection. Elsa Pendleton, M.L.S., Computer Sciences Corp., Ridgecrest, Cal.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Random House Value Publishing (August 15, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517697130
• ISBN-13: 978-0517697139
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,178,519 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LT's review of Savages by Shirley Conran, January 20, 2002

By 

Larry H. Taylor (Sand Diego, CA., USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Savages (Hardcover)

The book is a real page turner if you like adverture and suspense. It takes place on an island off the coase of Australia and puts the reader in an environment of contrasting culture, modern day society clashing with jungle savagery. It brings out how modern people can revert to a savage to survive. On the down side (if there is one), I would like to see how the experiences change the lives of the survivors. There are many stories that could be written from the plots and sub-plots to which Shirley Conran exposes the reader. All in all its a book that will appeal to the feminist or the hard core combat reader. Thanks for the chance to express my views.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I could not put this book down!, January 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Savages: Savages (Paperback)

If you want to read a book that takes you away from your hum-drum life...read 'Savages' by Shirley Conran. Shirley takes the reader on a riveting ride through the unexpected perils of Paui. Shirley write of grotesque moral acts that make the reader ask the big question 'what would I do if I had to go through what the women in the story went through?...could I kill someone?...could I eat someone?...would I attempt cannablism if I was that desperate?" I must addmit that sometimes I wanted to slap some of her female characters for some of the stupid, 'female' things they did. I wanted them to grow up faster and triumph quicker...but the developement of the characters through trial and error made the story so rich and the ending that much more satisfying. I rate books on how disfunctional I become when I read them. I could not put this book down. I give it my disfunctional two thumbs up. Good reading. Thanks Shirley.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunningly realistic!, September 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Savages: Savages (Paperback)

I just finished Savages for the second time. The first time was about ten years ago and my children (now grown) remember me reading exciting parts of the book to them. This time I would have had to read the whole book to them. I work for a company where we are taken on staff trips. I can recognize each chacter in the book and on staff. I love this book and would so enjoy a sequel to it.