Charade

• Publisher:   Zondervan
• Number Of Pages:   304
• Publication Date:   2005-04-01
• ISBN-10 / ASIN:   0310247020
• ISBN-13 / EAN:   9780310247029

Computer program designer, Oliver Benson, decides to completely change his appearance in order take revenge on the two people in his life who used to mean the most to him--his wife and his manager--because they destroyed his life. Will Oliver learn what real love is before it's too late? Or will his wife and manager discover his identity and end his life for good?

CHARADE By Gilbert Morris Review by Laura V. Hilton Price $12.99
Ollie Benson is a computer video repairman who loves to invent computer programs in his spare time. At the urging of a friend, he sends his latest program in to a company and, to his surprise, they want to buy it! Suddenly, Ollie is rich beyond belief and everyone wants to be his friend. Even as they are repulsed by his obesity, they are drawn by his wealth. Ollie is an innocent and not sure how to take his new-found popularity. He watches people and, if they seem repulsed by his hideous appearance, he stays away. But his agent, Dane, convinces him that he must move to California, and there Ollie finds love. Or so it seems. When the two people Ollie most trusts betray him, Ollie develops and carries out the most elaborate plan for revenge. It is truly spectacular, and leaves no room for error. Can Ollie carry it off? Or is it possible something or Someone will change his mind? I didn't want to like CHARADE. It just didn't sound like a very good book: an obese, computer geek hero suddenly thrust into the world of the rich and famous. Still, I picked it up and couldn't put it down. I read CHARADE through in one sitting. Ollie is real. He's lovable. He's the guy next door. I figured out where the story was going early on, but even so, it wasn't disappointing. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, especially once Ollie learned to stop reacting to other people's opinions and focus instead on his own individuality. That is when it really became interesting. Fantastic book. My only complaints were that some of the events seemed unrealistic and that the Californians Ollie came into contact with seemed very fascinated with all things Confederate. $12.99. 304 pages.

This reminds me of one of my favorite books, The Count of Monte Cristo. The protagonist is duped in a scheme and plots revenge. You'll have to read this page-turner to find out if he goes through with it or not.

I enjoyed Morris' 3-mystery "Cat" series and decided to try another book by him.
I quickly became involved with Ollie, the main character and his troubles as a fat man in a world that values thinness. The pivotal event in his life was poignant and horrifying. The clear parallels with "The Count of Monte Cristo" made the story even more intriguing and it was fun to watch the transformation of Ollie from a sweet introvert into a vengeful charmer. An exciting and satisfying conclusion ended this enjoyable book.
Apparently, Gilbert Morris is a prolific author in many, many genres. I'd like to read more of this kind from him.

Story is about a very obese young man faced with societies rejections, lack of love, his struggle to confront his situation, and the pitfalls along the way. His few "friends" add to his difficulties until fate and a kindly "loner" set him on a corrective course. Book grabs you from the very beginning and is hard to put down. Highly recommended for adults young and old, of both sexes.

I never really connected with the characters. It seemed to me this was a hastily written book, and unlike other Morris books I've read, I found several obvious mistakes. Plus Morris repeated lines several times, as if each time he was writing it for the first time. I thought the ending was trite and quick, and what promised to be exciting, the whole revenge thing, was pretty much summed up in a few chapters. Sometimes books are subtly witnessing, but this one turned into a sermon! Not his best.

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