Customer Reviews

The Seduction of Peter S.

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

 

 

My name is Jeff Richmond. I'm the kind of guy who goes through libraries asking, "Is this all there is?"

Finding Lawrence Sander's "The Seduction of Peter S" was like picking up the perfect girl in the most average place--a bar, a supermarket, or a library for that matter. Perfect not because of any great or lasting beauty, or any real depth of character, but because I didn't have to pretend to be anyone but who I really am--an average reader who craves an above-average read.

And an above-average read is exactly what this book is. Not Shakespeare, Dostoevsky, or even Hemingway. But a quick-moving, captivating story of one sorry actor's thankless performance to his most devoted audience--himself.

Peter Scuro may not be Broadway's finest, nor its most in-demand actor. But he's "always on," as they say, and with at least enough skill to fool himself, along with a good number of fellow out-of-work actors, into thinking he can turn woman's oldest profession into a new form of theater, reaping not only money and booty, but aesthetic satisfaction as well. The result is mostly comic--but as in all good comedies a certain seriousness grounds the narrative, otherwise as light as an episode of "Frasier."

The prose not only clips along. With sentences chopped up. Into their respective grammatical elements. Providing a certain theatrical effect. (Much better than this.) But also the sentences flow along naturally, wonderfully, from descriptions as sparse yet effective as stage directions to thoughts on life rendered as precise theatrical images and analogies. There are even moments of Joycean epiphany--a certain poetry, I mean--though, granted, "epiphany (very) light."

"Think of God as a clown," Peter says on the first page of the book. "A bridge collapses? Slapstick. A thousand people drown when a boat sinks? A great schtick." Not an exact quote, but you get the gist. Peter's spiritual and ontological views justify his actions; they also are justified through them. In the end, God, or at least poetic justice, has the last laugh.

I could go on and on. And I have. I've read this book twice, that's twice as many times as I ever read this sort of novel--I'm an average reader, yes. OF Shakespeare, Dostoevsky, Hemingway and company. The book is no Classic, but it's a classic, for what it is. A five-star above-average average read.

"The Seduction of Peter S" stood my test of time, however; the encore read was well rewarded and I know I'll read it again. Probably the next time I'm relaxing on a beach somewhere in the mood for the literary equivalent of a summer affair.

I highly recommend this book to any and all readers. The only disappointment is that it made me want to read other books by the author, but it was the ONLY one of Sander's novels I've been able to finish (ie. get past page 3).

I guess I'm looking for a younger type.

Late one afternoon Peter Scuro, a thirty-six year-old out of work actor, hits his favorite Manhattan bar, aptly named the "Loser's Place," after being told by yet another casting director that they're looking for a "younger type." Peter is on his second martini when a woman, covered in mink, wearing dark glasses, hands him fifty dollars and asks him, "your place?" Outside, waiting for a cab, he asks, "Why me?" She answers, "You look reasonably clean." She turns out to be Martha Twombly, late forties, dependent on make-up, hairdresser, and aerobics for her passing looks. Confident, she cruises when "in the mood." Martha and Peter get to know each other a little better, if that is possible, and come up with an outrageous business plan.

They decide to provide a service for bright, successful, wealthy and/or lonely women who are looking for a male company, but not emotional attachments - women who will pay for what they want. Peter and Martha open an exclusive establishment where moneyed women can buy their fantasy, for an hour or so. The idea takes-off and the business becomes successful and expands. Problems arise, including those unique to the business of prostitution.

This is as much a character study as a thriller or mystery. Martha describes Peter perfectly when she tells him, "You are in the flesh game because you like easy money, you enjoy sex, you like women, you like to be on, you like to live by your wits, you can't stand the thought of a regular nine-to-five job - you've got a million motives for doing what you're doing." Yet Peter also seeks intimacy and never expects to come into contact with violence. He strives to become part of the "overworld," of wealth and power - one of the movers and shakers - but doesn't realize how much violence can be involved in achieving his vision of success.

Lawrence Sanders has written a different kind of book with "The Seduction Of Peter S." It is edgey, but is also filled with humor. Some of the vignettes of the male prostitutes and their female tricks are very funny, as are many of the characters and their foibles. One of Sander's premises is that women have achieved equality with men in many areas, so why not in the world's oldest profession - with a role reversal? I found the novel to be extraordinarily entertaining, well written, and one of Sanders' best.
JANA

I have read just about all of Lawrence Sanders' work and just like the rest, i find myself rereading this book. I think his greatest secret to his writing is the way he can be descriptive without being boring. I highly recommend this novel along with the authors other works.

This book was recommended by the online `Book Finder'. This was the first (and most likely the last) Sanders book I've read. I finished this book in four days, it was the last half of the book that took the last three. The first half of this book was awesome, I couldn't put it down. Somewhere in the second half of this book it starts winding down. It becomes rather predictable and monotonous.

This book was given to me by a girl friend because my name happens to be ... Peter S.! Well, you can guess the rest. I was seduced by this book. It contains everything: a good story, the rise & fall of, funny characters and a lot of action. You can read this one over and over again without getting bored. Except when it comes to the description of food & beverages, where Sanders shows off his being a Man of the World a bit too much. Unless of course you prefer an exquisite lunch before sex every time.
The Seduction is not an absolute masterpiece - the ending is way too predictable and the dialogues are contrived at times - but where is the movie? If I were a film director I would have adopted this story long ago. Certfified gold.

You might consider not paying attention to the reviews that pan this gem. Gem's tend to be little so who with a sense of humor who is reasonably well read and reasonably well-experienced in life will carp about the second half of the book being "predictable" ? Rhetorical questions aside, I admit I am not of the attention-deficit nation--I don't need three announcers and live-phone interviews while i'm watching a football game. As a pedestrian non-know it all and imperfect English teacher, I can let the cat out of the bag and for my penny suggest that plot is often over-rated. On the other hand: characterization, a genuine warm hebraic sense of humor (as opposed to the modern irony where everyone is stupid except oneself and his/her circle of the knowing and the mean-spirited) ability with the English language,and implied author-- a.k.a. the personality and writing ability of the author are often under appreciated. This is a witty fine book. Sanders when he wants to can write funny, true and well.

The way that Sanders draws the reader in with this one is extraordinary. I have already read it 4 times, and was amazed at how Peter lost personal control of his hilarious business as it became more and more successful. Never boring!

If you need a quick easy read for a dismal weekend, here's the book for you. No intellect required. An easy read with an easy-flowing storyline. I read until the last page and didn't know it was actually the last page, so don't look for suspense here. My first Sanders book, so I'll try another before I give up.

Molly T, Lucy Bending, Peter S-, and all the other book titles with 1st and last names, were all weird or weirder books written by Sanders

This book was recommended through the Amazon "Book Finder" based on my interest in intrigue/spy, etc. titles. I bought it, but wish I hadn't. I never really understood what the author was trying to tell us about Peter or his situation. Although it's a quick read, I actually forgot to finish it and found it several days later in my study, face down, with about 5 pages left to read. I won't try this author again.