For most of the book, I felt myself a tad dismayed. It didn't seem to be one of his better conceptions. But, happily--I was in error. I was a dope. Only a dope ever doubts William Goldman's competency. Never, ever, 'second-guess' Goldman. The dude is just OUT THERE. He never lets a reader down. Even when he temporarily fell out of favor with Hollywood--he was always a thorough, detail-oriented, and masterful craftsman. Whether screenplay or novel. Dismayed? What was I thinking? There is no way a guy who started out with dramas ('Soldier in the Rain') and screenplays ('Butch Cassidy', 'Harper') then gave us landmark thrillers like 'Marathon Man' is ever going to fumble a plot. He is just too self-respecting and conscientious a writer to offer his audience something sub-par. Still, 'Control' is deceptive at first. It seems a lackluster tale compared to some of his other successes. The story seems to lean very heavily on re-used devices from his earlier works. Slightly-threadbare ideas and some stale characters. The book is also filled with 'Goldman-isms' which he has trotted out many times before.Don't worry. Stick with it. It eventually develops into a really astounding thriller which (yes, I know you won't believe me) combines espionage-intrigue with science fiction. The last few pages will have *anyone* shaking.You can hardly believe what he pulls off here. When you follow a writer for a while, you maybe tend to imagine he will deliver the 'same goods' in the exact same way he always has done for you, before. But not Goldman. He likes to try new approaches. He gets excited by neat ideas, and makes them his own. With 'Control', he goes way, way, out of his home-range...and just when you think he's totally lost the finesse needed to craft a fine thriller... you get slammed with one of the best grand-finales ever found in the genre. Trust Goldman! So simple, so easy a rule to remember. No other American thriller writer is as solid or reliable.Love this author.
Hmmm. It seemed promising, but lacked the overall cohesiveness of Marathon Man and The Princess Bride. It also had none of the urgency of Marathon Man, and for this, I think I can directly fault the multi-character storyline. Eventually, I just wanted to know what was going on to connect these people already! Also, some of the characters seemed like major dead ends. But, I did see the spark that made Marathon Man a phenomenal book and The Princess Bride a classic. So, I suppose this is great to read if you're looking to see how William Goldman's style grows, but that's pretty much it.
What do You think about Control (1982)?
One of the craziest, most mysterious books I have ever read. Up until the last section of the book, you literally have no idea what is going on. It is spellbinding reading, continually introducing new characters with unique stories all their own in a seemingly disjointed narrative that comes slamming together in the last section in a completely unexpected way. I sat stunned in disbelief at what was finally revealed to be the criminal's plot. It was lunatic, completely unbelievable, but enthralling all the same. This is one of those books where you either go with it, or you throw it across the room, and I went with it and was rewarded with one of the most unique and captivating thrillers I've ever come across. William Goldman is a master at playing mind games with his readers, of juggling literary techniques and tricky narrative jogs, and he takes all the stops out for this one. Right up there with Marathon Man and Brothers. It's a shame his thrillers are not recognized in the ranks with other top shelf thriller writers because he outclasses them all.
—Aaron Martz
