I was quite familiar with Sidney Sheldon's novels since I was in the junior high school. By familiar, I mean I've been knowing his famous name with dozens of bestseller book yet didn't have any interest to even try to read some of his books. Not until my husband eagerly introduced it to me and showed me how he'd been impressed by the Sheldon's novels. So at first, I tried to please him by reading one of the Sheldon's novel he had recommended me, "Tell Me Your Dream". This eventually marks the first novel of Sidney Sheldon I've read. And my impression was beyond what I'd thought before. I thought I was going to get bored reading it. When I went to the first several pages, I felt the plot was too predictable while I undoubtedly admitted that it's very well-written. Though quite predictable in the first chapters, I so much enjoyed the novel until I was addicted and couldn't stop reading it. The story was cleverly maintained, the characters were strongly built, and the end part was quite realistic.In brief, the story is about a woman who suffers from the Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD), a mental disorder results in two or more split identities which then controls the individual's behavior. Because of this syndrome, she has to face a trial for the murders she doesn't commit. The story mentions in detail the trial process, how the defender argues for her, how they struggle for win by assuring the judge, the prosecutor, and more importantly the jury that she is not guilty because of insanity. The novel also narrates how people with MPD is being cured with several therapies and how she has to face her alters, the conflicts inside herself, and how she and her alter egos have to cope with her dark past.In sum, Sidney Sheldon had brought the novel into something brilliant. And I guess he had done some research before, thus from the novel I could get some valuable information about MPD syndrome and the criminal trial process in the State, though the later perhaps wasn't descripted deeply. So I could say that I was as much impressed as my husband, and feel so much confident to read other novels by Sidney Sheldon. :)
This is what happens when you have a brilliant idea but you’re simply a shitty writer. There was no suspense, no plot twist and I really wanted the story to end quickly so I could read my other “precious” books. Second part felt like an alter of John’s Grisham A time to kill… or The firm…..or his other not so cool law-based books. Lately I’ve seen this Korean drama based on lawyers and prosecutors entitled I hear your voice. And the way their attorneys defended the supposed victims was goose-bumpy (?) and heart-wrenching manipulative. David sucked…no he super-sucked. If I ever kill my professors or steal books I’d better sit on the electric chair then have him as my advocate. But obviously the main subject of the book was the MPD Sidney so charmingly wrote about. Yup, sarcasm there. The third part somehow made me give this book another star. But if Prof Nardi hears this kind of fucked up therapy used for curing alter egos, I surely won’t pass my pharmacology exam. And somebody should teach the translator how number is spelled. Numer – Numur. Thank you!
What do You think about Tell Me Your Dreams (1999)?
This psychological thriller kept me poised on the edge of my seat, turning the pages frantically, while I grappled to solve the mystery that lies at its core. I loved Sheldon’s fast-paced plot and racy writing style in this novel, which, based on real cases, really hooked me in from the first page. My favourite character has to be David – the young attorney who finds himself somewhat reluctantly responsible for representing the defendant in what becomes one of the most bizarre trials of the century. Although first published in 1998, some of the books facets at first glance appear dated, however the strong story, which raises issues over mental health and the law, still holds with a more contemporary audience.Read more here...The Never-Ending Library is run by HarperCollins Publishers Ltd employees about the HarperCollins Publishers Ltd books that we have read and love.
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2015 Reading Challenge: #41 Libro de un autor nunca leído Primer libro que leo de este señor y me gustó mucho. Al principio era un estilo el psicoanalista pero después cambia de rumbo y me sorprendió porque pude conocer más sobre el tema judicial; planeo leer otras obras suyas.
—Paula
Ashley Patterson is a brainy and gorgeous "computer whiz" with a cushy job at a fast-growing start-up computer graphics company in Silicon Valley. She is lonely, shy, and lives a life that is unfulfilling to her. She is also absolutely convinced that someone is stalking her. Toni Prescott and Alette Peters are both co-workers of Ashley's, however the similarities end there. Toni is a saucy, British vixen with a penchant for Internet dating and dancing at discotheques. 'La bella Italiana' Alette is an aspiring artist who prefers quiet, dreamy weekends spent in the arms of handsome painters. Reminiscent of high school, Toni and Alette do their best to keep Ashley out of their cool clique, but find it extremely difficult after a string of murders irrevocably binds their lives together. Toni, Alette and Ashley know virtually nothing about each other until all three women are inexplicably linked into a murder investigation that will lead to one of the most bizarre trials of the century.This book is a work of fiction, but is based on several actual cases. I really enjoyed this book and found it to be an interesting read. I was definitely hooked by the plot and wanted to discover what happened next. The book was laden with such realistic details that I learned plenty of information about certain subjects that I never knew. I give this book an A+! and am eager to read more books by Sidney Sheldon in the future.
—Mary
