What do You think about No Safe Place (1999)?
I read this book at the same time as I've been watching The West Wing (series 4). It's a US political system crash-course!No Safe Place tracks Kerry Kilcannon as he attempts to win the Democratic candidacy for the upcoming US Presidential Election. Whereas in my opinion The West Wing is more about the issues and process than the people and their personalities, No Safe Place is more about the people. It is the stories of the people that become the issues. Specifically, abortion and gun control. And then ultimately the role of the press and politicians private lives.Richard North Patterson uses numerous extensive flashbacks to explain the people. Initially I was confused, but quickly it became apparent that he was using this writing device. He did the same thing in Silent Witness.He is also more expansive than authors I imagine to be his peers - where Grisham might use 5000 words, RNP uses 10000 and explains things in a lot more detail. Accordingly this book is not a typical "summer read" although I could imagine it as a film.I enjoyed this book. It's well-written, meaty, but not overly complex. This is 2 out of 2 for RNP. I'll keep reading his books!
—Richard Bowen
I started reading this author when our book club read 'Exile' in anticipation of his giving a talk locally. The talk was interesting and I found it helpful that RNP didn't seem to have all of the answers. His writing is a way for the author (as well as his readers) to consider and explore the many sides of the issues facing government within the context of 'a good yarn'. I'm reading the Kerry Kilcannon trilogy out of order, reading 'No Safe Place' second - due basically to lack of availability of the books. I don't think that I'll re-read them and so look for library copies and second-hand versions first. One looses the suspense of the story by reading out the order, but there is such detail that it still leaves much to enjoy.This particular book is the first in the trilogy (followed by Protect and Defend and finally Balance of Power) telling the story of Kerry Kilcannon, a working class boy from Newark,NJ who makes good. The issues in No Safe Place include domestic violence, privacy of public figures and gun control.
—Joan
This is an electrifying novel that follows the American campaign trail of a Kennedy-like candidate for the Presidency of the United States. It treats every real life issue associated with big time presidential politics. It explores sex, scandal, and 1st Amendment reporting issues. The assasination of a brother and the candidates own prior bad acts, follow the main character and threaten to erupt in scandal. In a novel where public image and private conduct collide with explosive impact, the novel grabs you and will not let go. This is a must read for any politically minded and socially conscious citizen.
—London Steverson
