The Gate House by Nelson DeMille Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Gate House
Book Review: An excellent sequel to a perfect novel
Summary: 4 Stars
I just read both these novels. In terms of prose, originality, and pacing, The Gate House is not as good as the Gold Coast as most sequels to a perfect novel are. In Gate House, DeMille is forced to recreate plot points from the first book which were important but somewhat redundant and slowed down the narrative. Having said that, I think The Gate House is still an excellent novel. It is stronger climactically than The Gold Coast and has a more satisfying ending. Whereas the Gold Coast with its overarching sensuality dealt with themes of seduction, betrayal and ruin of a couple who are undoubtedly in love, The Gate House is a story of repentance, forgiveness, and redemption of its two central characters: hotshot lawyer John Sutter and his heiress wife Susan Stanhope Sutter of famed Stanhope Hall. In The Gold Coast, Susan Sutter is caught under the spell of the charismatic and manipulative Mafia Don, Frank Bellarosa, with whom she has a torrid and obsessive sexual affair culminating with her killing him in a scorned rage. The betrayal of his trust by the woman he loves, a woman who readers see, actually loves him, causes John Sutter to divorce her and escape the pain by sailing around the world, eventually settling in London. As an aside, Susan Sutter actually reminds me of Brenner's seductive and ball-busting love interest, Susan Weber, in Up Country. Coincidence?
Now, ten years later, The Gate House opens with the return of John Sutter to Stanhope Hall to take care of the estate of a dying former servant. The story lays bare John Sutter's continuing angst over Susan's betrayal as he returns to his former home, angry, hurting, but still hopelessly in love. It takes a while for these two to meet and the reader is left anxiously waiting to find out in what shape or form the confrontation would take. When they finally meet, we find a still bitchy, haughty, in denial, partially crazy, a bit mellowed, and truly remorseful Susan Sutter who desperately seems to want to get him back, risking her entire fifty million inheritance in the process. John Sutter forgives her and they get back together though John takes advantage of every opportunity to remind her of the hurt she had caused him and everyone around her. Based on Susan' responses, forced admissions, and actions, we get the impression that she has suffered more than he did in the ten years he had been missing, especially as she was left to face the shame, the guilt and the realization that she had lost everything because of her actions. She seems to be trying to set things right by recreating their lives to the way it had been before the disastrous affair happened to the point that their old guest house home had been restored to its original pre-divorce form up to Sutter's old office, the framed photographs of John's parents and the original bottle of Dewar whiskey he left when they separated. Weird, weird, weird. In a way, the novel is more of a character analysis of Susan Sutter's persona as seen through John Sutter eyes who is sometimes an accurate and sometimes unreliable narrator. There were times when he got the "analysis" totally wrong relative to Susan's words or actions. Having said that, the narrative filled most of the gaps DeMille left us at the end of the Gold Coast. What is missing perhaps is Susan Sutter explaining the reason why she did it in the first place--lots of psychological stuff could have been presented here that the reader would've enjoyed--and an acknowledgement in John Sutter's part (a man who has perfected the art of putting his head in the sand) on his role in the matter and why he let her do it, for there were ample warnings in The Gold Coast of the affair and instances when Susan Sutter was practically begging him for them to leave for a long vacation (before it is too late) or go sailing to get away and patch things up. In other words, relationships are a two-way street. Anyway, the reconciliation bliss of the star-crossed lovers is interrupted by Don Anthony Bellarosa's desire to seek revenge on Susan (for killing his father) and Susan's father's threat to disinherit her of fifty million dollars and that of the trusts of her children. In summary, a very enjoyable read that fills in the gaps left by The Gold Coast. I would be interested in a third sequel dealing with their sailing trip around the world filled with dangers and possibly another seduction (of John Sutter this time), in some dangerous foreign land.
Book Review: Annoyed
Summary: 1 Stars
I just finished this book. I had read the Gold Coast and was excited about a sequel. Well, what a disappointment! It has the distinction of being the most annoying read ever for me. Page after page was a rehash of the first book, down to the actual quotes of the characters. I even became tired of the sexy lead character's humor...but something kept me reading, thinking that perhaps I would be surprised with an exciting finish. But no, the situation they got into was so stupid.
Just to restore my faith in DeMille, I plan to reread Wild Fire.
Book Review: Another Great Effort
Summary: 5 Stars
OK, I know we were all spoiled by John Sutter's coy/caustic personality as created by Nelson DeMille in the original Gold Coast, but I think the other reviewers have been far too hard on the newly released sequel, The Gate House. Although I will agree that John Sutter's endless comments on anything and everything do get a bit repetitious and repugnant in this effort, but given that he is not a detective ala other DeMille books, the means for developing a story around a divorced middle aged grumpy old man who is broke and homeless needs something for which he can develop a story, yes? Afterall, just how exciting can DeMille make a well-to-do family that has already had more excitement and adventure than most shall ever know during the first book of Gold Coast! Given what was available to DeMille, I think he made the absolute most of what was obviously a difficult effort, why else did DeMille wait for fifteen years to write it?--also needing obvious persuasion and pushing from his family and friends to do so, as DeMille himself acknowledges. Given that, I think this was another winner from DeMille, and I for one already miss sitting down in the evening to read more of what may be happening with John and Lady Stanhope Sutter. For myself, I'm rooting for another sequel--maybe a new adventure as John and Susan travel the world.Book Review: Another disappointed DeMille fan..
Summary: 1 Stars
I wish I had read these reviews before wasting my time on this new, long awaited novel. I was disappointed too, in WildFire (2007) and thought that this would be DeMille's come-back novel. I have read all of his novels and REALLY miss the likes of "May Day", "The General's Daughter", or "Night Fall". Most of his stories are the best I have ever read... and until last year, he never let me down. Even if you are a big fan of "The Gold Coast" don't waste your time on this one.Book Review: Awesome!
Summary: 5 Stars
I loved "The Gold Coast" and I never thought "The Gate House" would be as good...I was wrong; this one is ever better! The story is exciting and suspensful and John Sutter is hilarious!