The Bright Spot

By Robert Sydney and Alex Brown

Book Overview

Dashiell Hammett meets speculative fiction in this engaging tale of two thespians who become stars in a conspiracy beyond their control.…When struggling actors Nick and Luella meet, it’s love at act... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553587595
• Release Date: June 2005
• Publisher: Spectra
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.9" x 1.0" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

Truly Underappreciated

Yes, I'm a sucker for noir and especially for Dashiell Hammett, so I'm agape at this hidden gem of a book. I cannot believe the press it didn't get. It's fabulous. Well-crafted, intelligent, wonderful use of language, and fine adaptation of the hardboiled form into the dystopian future without excess of gore, violence or bad language--if you worry about those things--without feeling artifically "sanitized for your protection." Very well-built and executed. What's the big deal: Sydney develops likable and interesting characters who then set out to unwind a plot as freakish and twisty as any Hammett or Chandler pot-boiler with a nicely-built SF hook, rising personal stakes, and a disquieting dystopic slant with a top-spin of modern politics that would be a credit to Dick or Bester if they were writing today. Sydney's language is rich, engaging and rife with subtle tones. Lots of intelligent literary and film references, as well as sly nods to SF traditions, and even a few deft pokes at popular culture. The book is also generally well-paced and engaging throughout, with enough sudden curves to keep the reader hooked almost all the time. What's the downside: The lead-up to the actual ending is a bit of a bore after a pretty good main climax. For the better part of a chapter it reverts to somewhat tedious exposition that doesn't quite manage to transcend the narrative rule of "show, don't tell". The final "twist" ending can be spotted bearing down on the reader from several chapters away. What should be a gut punch is a mere epilogue. Threads are nicely tied up and no untidy ends are left--which is satisfying, but the build up to it is grim and lacks the gloss and panache of the rest of the book. Sydney occassionally gives in to an indulgent streak of clever, or an overly-heavy commentary in allegory he would have been better served to leave behind and the antagonist falls just a hair flat at the end through some mis-timing and rushing on the author's part. For these reasons, only 4 stars, not five, but... I would recommend this book very highly for any fan of the hardboiled/noir school of mysteries--there are multiple threads to unravel in the course of the plot--or for fans of Dick, Bester, Morgan, or M. John Harris, or even Connie Willis in her darker modes. Intelligent, engaging, and surprising--over all a satifying read with some real plot value.

A Delicious Suprise

This book is deeper than you might expect at first. The language is rich and filled with unexpected images and insights. It is a story of humanity, freedom, and unexpected tyrannies. There's not much I can say without running the risk of revealing key plot points. Oh, one thing you should know, the author appears to be Dennis Danvers -- author of several acclaimed novels.