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Read No Safe Place (1999)

No Safe Place (1999)

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3.82 of 5 Votes: 5
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ISBN
0099175320 (ISBN13: 9780099175322)
Language
English
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No Safe Place (1999) - Plot & Excerpts

The main character of this book, Presidential candidate Kerry Kilcannon, is analogous to the high-cheek boned, overly-endowed, wish-fulfillment women one often sees in fantasy novels or risque comics. A JFK by way of Martin Sheen's character in The West Wing, his politics are too incorruptible, honest and unpractical to be believed. It's as if Richard North Patterson threw every idealist trait he could find in him.I'm not necessarily complaining about this, but when one has such an unvarnished character who makes a very unlikely rise from special victims attorney to Senator to Presidential candidate, it makes the rest of the tale unbelievable. Patterson, to his credit, is a good writer and he does ground his characters and almost manages a decent tale. But the story just can't handle all that he tries to deal the white knight: a Kennedy-esque dead brother, a stereotypically amoral political opponent, a haunting dalliance with the reporter covering him and a meditation on women's rights via abortion and abuse. It's just too much even for a 492-page read. The book sails along well, it is well-written and keeps the reader's attention but every time it is about to hit a high note it falls flat on its wish-fulfillment face.The best portions of the novel were not the candidate's run for office, rather his days as a state's attorney in New Jersey as he tries to prosecute an unrepentant wife beater. I would have read a whole book on that, depressing though it would have been, because Patterson is a good writer and its when Kerry Kilcannon seems the most human. I'd recommend this to political junkies (there's so little quality political fiction out there) and liberal idealists who need a tourism read. I will read some more Richard North Patterson at some point, hopefully not on politics.

First of all, I think the book was much too drawn out....a 500 page story that, IMO, could have been captured in about 300 (I found the repetition of his beliefs to be annoying - state them, and move on with the storyline!)Although I found the politics behind the politics interesting enough, the rather liberal bent of the main character (and perhaps the author?) was a bit too much for my particular taste (gun control, affirmative action, social programs....eh.)And, I found it difficult to "get behind" the protagonist as he had an extramarital affair then stooped to the level of his opponents by making the political race a personal one. I'm sure this was written to make him seem more "human", but it left a bitter taste in this readers mouth. I will say, tho, that I enjoy Pattersons writing style; he drew me into the story, and kept the pace brisk, albeit repetitive. For that, I will attempt to read another novel, and give him the benefit of the doubt

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

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