Maybe "How To Sell," Clancy Martin's debut novel about the scams of the jewelry trade business and the sleazes who sell within it, never really had a chance. Maybe I was like one of Bobby Clark's customers, only rather than getting duped by off-color diamonds with forged GIA certificates, I was getting duped by over-the-top book reviews that proclaimed "How to Sell" as "mesmerizing," an "inevitable classic," and the work of a "gifted craftsman."I don't know.As an insider's look at rarely-discussed scams and rackets that lurk within the luxury jewelry trade business, the book is a riveting education. If, like me, you find con artists highly intriguing (from afar, of course) or could watch "House of Games" or "The Sting" multiple times, then, yes, there is a certain part of this book you'll love. Having been a fine jeweler for many years, Martin brings great authenticity and grit to his novel, and you feel not only that you're finally behind the curtain but also uncomfortable that Martin may have chalked up a few enemies by revealing the dirty magicians' secrets.That said, Martin is no Raymond Carver (contrary to the testimonies bespeckling the book's pages). The writing gets a little tiresome, the plot gets somewhat threadbare, and the characters, if they ever were interesting, run out of juice. More than once, I found myself patiently waiting for the characters to 'move on' so I could get read about the next jewelry hoax.So, should you read it? I don't know. I read a good review in the NYT so I had this on the backburner to read. OMG, what a mistake. One of the worst books I read in recent memory. The book is set in the Fort Worth, TX in a high fashion jewelry store. The reviews led you to believe that since the author actually work in this business you would get an interesting behind the scenes point of view. That part is the only reason I gave it one star. The story and characters are horrible. Everyone is miserable. The dialog is childish and sophomoric. I was shocked to find out that the author is now a professor of philosophy. I would avoid his classes like the plague.
What do You think about How To Sell (2009)?
Decent summer read but I felt characters lacked some depth.
—Joshua
it wasn't bad, it wasn't good, it was just "meh."
—Lasirenita
