Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: 10 Lb. Penalty by Dick Francis ISBN: 0-515-12347-1 Publisher: Jove Pubns Pub. Date: October, 1998 Format: Mass Market Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.22 (46 reviews)
Rating: 2
Summary: I didn't care who won.
Comment: Dick Francis is one of my favourite writers - but this is NOT one of his best. He has a typical Francis hero - underestimated, honourable, tenacious - the only difference this time being that this hero, Benedict, is a teenager in the shadow of an energetic, charismatic father, George Juliard.
When writing one of his books Francis often decides to explore a particular profession or occupation- for example film direction in "Wild Horses" or aviation in "Rat Race".
In "10lb Penalty" he tackles politics,and Benedict's father is standing for parliament. I was looking forward to seeing whether Francis got the details right about elections and campaigning.
He was fairly accurate with his details, but he didn't convey the flavour of campaigning- to political activists, elections can be just as exciting as the Grand National, but you wouldn't guess that from this book.
What bothered me more was that I didn't really care who won the election. George Juliard is just too flawless to be interesting. Although politics are supposed to be his whole life, we never get a clue as to what his beliefs are. In fact we don't even get told which party he belongs to - although he almost certainly is a Conservative , and his main opponent Paul Bethune probably a Liberal Democrat.
Actually, the Bethune family are more interesting that the Juliards. The unfaithful but witty husband, the wife who hates being dragged into politics and the grunting teenager sons make up a more realistic political family .
Oh yes, there's a murder plot. But it wasn't very believable.
Rating: 5
Summary: My first Dick Francis book to read, definitely not my last!
Comment: A few days ago my father told me that I should try out "10 lb. Penalty", saying that I might like it. And I surely did enjoy it! Totally hooked, I finished the book in about three days, each page an excitement and pleasure to read.
Here's the main plot: Young soon-to-be eighteen-year-old Benedict Juliar's hopes of becoming a steeplechase jockey are all dashed when he is fired for reason he can't understand. But things become clear as he realizes the whole idea was his father's. George Juliard is a businessman battling a Dorset by-election for a street level entry into politics. And he now needs his son to help him in his campaign. Benedict has no choice and agrees. Unfortunately, things get bad as many strange and dangerous incidents occur. Can Benedict protect his father from a mysterious attacker?
Dick Francis has a style all his own, with a plot which is believable and realistic. But one of the best things I liked about "10 lb. Penalty" is the wonderful array of characters. Each individual has his or her own personality, flaws, and characteristics put on paper so well that you can't help but feel that you know each person. There's characters like Benedict Juliard, George Juliard, Orinda Nagle, Mervyn Teck, Polly, A. L. Wyvern, Usher Rudd, and others. In the story also there is a quality of humor to it, making me chuckle at times. But still this book is ONLY for older people, NOT for younger children, due to language and innuendos.
Most of the reviewers have given less than 5 stars for this book, saying it was very different and not as good as Dick Francis' other books. I cannot agree or disagree with that since this is my first book of his to read and I think 5 stars is very much indeed accurate. I'm now also reading "To the Hilt" which I'm finding VERY interesting and exciting to read!
Rating: 3
Summary: A bit of a change....
Comment: This novel is tangentially about horses, and it is a mystery, but I think it is also an attempt by Francis to try something a little bit different. It is a coming-of-age novel, with a promising by very young hero, and it also has some elements of the long tradition of the British comedy of manners.
While it will nver be in my top ten percent of Francis' novels, it has a sunniness and good cheer that makes it a good light read.
 |
Title: Decider by Dick Francis ISBN: 0515116173 Publisher: Jove Pubns Pub. Date: April, 1995 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
 |
Title: Wild Horses by Dick Francis ISBN: 0515117234 Publisher: Jove Pubns Pub. Date: October, 1995 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
 |
Title: To the Hilt by Dick Francis ISBN: 0515121487 Publisher: Jove Pubns Pub. Date: October, 1997 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
 |
Title: Field of Thirteen by Dick Francis ISBN: 0515126098 Publisher: Jove Pubns Pub. Date: October, 1999 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
 |
Title: For Kicks by Dick Francis ISBN: 0515123862 Publisher: Jove Pubns Pub. Date: November, 1998 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
