My least favorite part of this book was the title. Seriously. The Plan? How gay is that? Fortunately, it wasn't my first Cannell to read - even though it was his first to write. I read King Con firstly, and found I liked the author quite a bit. Other than the title, this book wasn't half bad.For his first endeavor into novelism, (you like that word?) Cannell did a good job planning this one out - because it's obvious there was a lot of planning involved here. To keep up with stories as large-scale and kinetic as his, you really have to plan everything out really well. Keep maps and notes and records of everything... I can't imagine writing something as grandiose as one of his stories. Somehow he manages to pull it off though, every time.This book was about some gangsters' plans to get someone elected president for their own benefit, taxes, oil, whatever - I don't really remember. Probably a ludicrous plotline, but it's a fun read. I'm never quite sure how me manages to make his stories happen, and they're so wildly improbable - but he does. And as long as he does, he'll stay on top of my favorite authors list.
After seeing Cannell speak, I was interested to read one of his books; it was okay: interesting plot but really slangy. I don't need to read any more of his books.
What do You think about The Plan (1996)?
Eh...My friend (who started me reading Cannell) told me that this was his best book, and got me really excited to read it. My expectations were very high at the beginning, especially having recently finished King Con (also by Cannell, and a really good read). For me, it was just somewhat unoriginal. How many tv shows/movies/books have done the "mob financing politicians" angle? I found myself wanting to get to the end, and not because I wanted to see what happened - but so that I could get it off my currently-reading list. I think the deal for me is that there were no "likeable" characters - Ryan and Lucinda, perhaps, but that was manufactured. I'm just not a big fan of the seedy underworld, I suppose. So overall, I give the The Plan a score of 74.
—Justin Mahaffie
