The Emperor of Ocean Park

A decent storyline and plausible characters but way to long and repetitive. This book could easily have been condensed in half without reducing the value. I found myself not really listening especially the 2 middle parts and in hindsight it might have been better to get the abridged version.

This is a curious book - it's not really a thriller as the plot is too thin and there's little action. But then it's not really a literary novel either, which is what it seems to have pretensions to be. As others have commented, the narrator evinces littles sympathy. In fact, none of the characters does. A more self-centred, obnoxious bunch you'd be hard-pressed to find. Where the book works best is in the description of a troubled marriage and the narrator's relationship with his three-year-old son, but this has precious little to do with driving the plot along. There's some good writing scattered throughout the book, but there is way too much padding and pointless meanderings. The abridged version is almost certainly a better bet - this is one title that could be cut to a third of its length without harm.

it is interesting to see the wide spread of opinions about this book. people seem to love it or hate it, and I am firmly in the first camp. Yes, the book is long, but what a fascinating world the author presents. I was thoroughly engrossed and grew fond of the protagonist despite (or perhaps because of) his foibles. Can't wait to read the author's second book.

Do not waste a book credit or even 37 cents on this audio book. The plot has some interest at times, but, goodness it goes on forever along tangents that are incomprehensible. The author wrote some wretched dialog and I'm still trying to figure out why the law professor husband didn't just sue and divorce his adulterous wife. Character development was non existent. I never did listen to the end and I don't even care.

At first I liked this book because the narrator was so unlikeable - smug, self-centered, clueless - and yet because of his obvious weakenesses I identified with him. And it is so rare to see an unlikeable narrator in genre fiction. But as the book went on and on, the narrator's ponitification (his presentation of pet peeves as dire warnings of social decay) wore me out. Ultimately, what could have been an enjoyable and informative read, became an apologia for self-serving and passive melancholy.

Reading The Emperor of Ocean park is an exercise in endurance. It is a very long listen by any standard (26 hours!) which is made even longer by a plot that develops at glacial speed and the flat personality of the main character. The descriptions of places and characters are unnecessarily belabored. There are very few "aha!" moments for the reader. The final scenes (the final hour or so) pick up a little steam, start flowing a little better and holding your attention a little more, but the ending was, in my opinion, disappointing.

If you are interested in gaining a view into the "glittery lives of Ivy League professors, etc. etc." (paraphrasing from the publisher's description), perhaps this would be an interesting read -- but it may feel more like homework.

If you are looking for complex characters, a suspenseful plot that leaves you hanging and eagerly waiting for the next chapter, and a shocking finale... look elsewhere.

The Emperor of Ocean Park is an excellent book, both suspenseful and rich in characters. The narrator does an outstanding job, as well. I would highly recommend this audiobook.

I am amazed at the range of love vs. hate of this book. I liked it. Having read all of John Grisham's novels I was looking for a similar type story and ran across this book. I read it when it was first released in paperback and was so excited when it came to audible. I will not kid you, it is very lengthy the paperback is just over 650 pages (unlike Mr. Grisham's style). But I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it! There is an academic feel that i greatly enjoyed with the main character being a professor of law. It felt like I wasn't just reading fluff but rather like I might actually be learning about law and the tension still felt between the darker and paler nations. The tale Mr. Carter waves is so in-depth and rich. I was amazed by the little details he gave to the places and people. I could smell Uncle Jack's illness, I could hear Bently's "dare you," and feel Tal's tortured wonderings about his wife's fidelity. I also thought the strategic game of chess was a great way to lead the reader through the plot and unto the end. So if you are looking for a good long book of intrigue and complexity give this one a listen.

Stephen L. Carter expertly weaves together this suspenseful, riveting story of a lawyer seeking the truth about his father's death. Feeding tiny bits of information here and there, and raising questions that are to be answered later, he holds your attention throughout the book, making it excruciating to have to hit the "stop" button. For once I wish my commute, during which I listen to this great book, was much, much longer!

Everything about this was awful. From plot to character development to the poor reading. The reader had a hard time giving voice to different characters. Too many were stereotypical sounding with out regard to race, education, life experience, etc. I was very disappointed to say the least. I stuck it out to the end because I always like to finish what I've started to read.