My Favorite Reads: A Simple Plan by Scott Smith
by Jenners • 07/09/2009 • 4 Stars, Contemporary, Fiction, Mystery/Thriller, S Authors, S Titles • 20 Comments
My Favorite Reads is hosted byAlyce at At Home With Books.
The idea is to write about some favorite books
that you read before you started blogging!
A Simple Plan
by Scott Smith
Two brothers find $4 million in the cockpit of a downed plane. The pilot is dead. No one is looking for the money. To keep it, all they have to do is wait.
It all sounded so simple…
But from the moment their plan is set in motion, Hank Mitchell’s well-ordered life spins out of control, sending him on a downward spiral of deceit, treachery, and blackmail–total chaos leading to the unthinkable. A Simple Plan plunges you into the world of a seemingly rational man whose descent into the darker aspects of human nature will chill you to the bone. A masterpiece of psychological suspense, it will leave you wondering just how far you would go to hold onto a dream.
What I Say
This book is one of those where you start it and then have to stay up to finish it to find out what happens. If you want to explore the idea of how money can corrupt, this book lays it out for you in stark, simple writing that grabs you by the collar and never lets you go. It reads like a movie (and, in fact, it was made into a movie starting Bill Paxton and Billy Bob Thornton). Although the ending is a bit on the unbelievable side, I didn’t mind. You won’t feel good about people after reading this book, but you will be exhausted and thoroughly satisfied. A gripping but depressing read.
Yes, I read it. Creepy book. What drove the plot in "A Simple Plan" was all the poor choices the characters made. Each time they had a chance to do the right thing (even if it was the wrong thing), they took the choice that inevitably led to their downfall.
Have you read Scott Smith's next book — The Ruins? Not nearly as good … more of a horror/fantasy approach but the guy is a gifted writer.
This book made my palms sweat while I was reading it. It's a true page-turner.
I started this book several years ago, and then it got so uncomfortable for me —the brother being such a jerk and pulling the protagonist deeper into the abyss —I just couldn't finish it. It's still in my pile of books to read, but I keep putting it at the bottom.
I love the movie A Simple Plan. I never did get around to reading the book. I probably should!
I saw the film before I knew about the writer. It was an interesting look at what greed can do to otherwise decent people. I've since read Smith's The Ruins, which was terrific in a horrible kind of way, so I can believe this book would be good too.
I think my husband saw this movie. I like your review and will add this one to my list. Psychological suspense novels really do hold on to your attention and push you to keep turning the page.
huh, how did I miss the movie? sounds like a good book.
I've wanted to read this since I read The Ruins. Glad to hear you enjoyed it.
I watched the movie (and found it depressing), but I didn't realize it was based on a book.
Oh and pop by my blog — I've given you an award.
I could use a read like that.
Yes! Yes! Yes! This one is "compulsively readable." I remember enjoying both the book and the movie. Good choice!
I haven't read this but I read The Ruins which is also by him. It also read like a movie, so much so that by the time I got half way through I was pretty irritated because it seemed more like he wanted to write a screenplay than a book. There were also some other issues with the book that just made it awful for me! Sounds like this is better.
Here's mine:
http://storytimewithtonya.blogspot.com/2009/07/my-favorite-reads-someplace-to-be.html
It's a good movie – worth renting!
I haven't heard of the book or the movie, but they sound interesting. Thanks for the recommendation.
–Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
That does sound like a good one and an interesting topic to explore.
Nice, thorough review. I don't know if I'm ready for an exhausting, "depressing" read right now. But I will add it to my list because you make it sound compelling.
I never saw the movie and didn't now it was based on a book. I didn't want to see the movie but I think I would like the same story in book form.
I will have to look for this one at the library. Here's my Post
This sounds like a good one! I love your description of the book as gripping and depressing. I'll have to save this one for when I'm in a cynical mood.
I'll be posting mine soon.