Master of the Game
Genre: Mystery, drama, thriller
Author: Sidney Sheldon
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
“Business is a game, played for fantastic stakes, and you’re in competition with experts. If you want to win, you have to learn to be a master of the game”
I always knew how big an author Sidney Sheldon was. But as a teen, I was not supposed to read his books. You know… Because of the adult content. So like any other good teenager, I read his books in secrecy. And this book was my first act of reading-stealth (I know that’s not a real term. But you know what I’m saying, right?). In short, if I were Ginny Weasley, this book would be Tom Riddle’s Diary that opened a Chamber of Secrets into Sidney Sheldon’s World.
Master of the Game is a book about passion, business and family drama of the highest esteem. A story that talks of four generations of the McGregor/Blackwell family that dealt with diamond trading. Jamie McGregor, a diamond prospector, goes to South Africa on a quest for diamonds and rises to power after a few feuds and with the help of a few friends. The family that built its own empire is now headed by Kate Blackwell, a nineteen-year-old teenager. The story further continues to tell her rise and fall and how that affects the lives of everyone around her. The focus shifts to her granddaughters – Eve and Alexandra Blackwell, who are a typical pair of twins with opposite personalities yet powerful in their own ways. How they deal with their differences, achieve their ambitions and live up to their grandmother’s legacy forms the rest of the story.
Kate Blackwell is easily one of the most powerful female characters I have come across. And for the time when I read this book, I was entirely astonished to find her more influential rather than evil or over-ambitious. Her truth is something that is too much for us to take. Her manipulative nature aided by her intelligence may seem annoying at times, but the fact that she made her way into the male-dominant field and established her reign is such a big Wow-factor that one cannot be ignorant to. Another character similar to hers yet so different, would make it clear what you feel towards Kate.
A man’s story from rags to riches, the establishment of his business, his struggles and challenges, how his wrongs are righted and his rights are rewarded, how he earns enmity and forges alliances are stories that we have come across in various books, movies and shows. The reason why this stood out for me is:
➖ The dynamics in the fast-moving story
➖ The definition of characters by their actions
➖ The time at which I read this book – I picked this book to take my mind off something bad I was going through back then. It didn’t just do the needed, but also gave me motivation in an unusual way
➖ The knowledge of the time at which it was published – 1982. I am from India and I know for a fact that back then (and for the next decade too) many characters like Kate Blackwell would have been perceived as bad women with an over-ambitious attitude who needs to be "taught a lesson" and "put in place". Thankfully, times have changed, and I believe Sidney Sheldon’s characters would have played a role (even if the tiniest part) in bringing about and warming people up to the change
This book will always be one of my favorites. I recommend you pick this up and let me know if you also felt motivated in an odd way.
Beautiful review 😍
ReplyDeleteI remember reading this in my teens. It was a growing up phase and life was all about reading big books, famous authors. I just recall that it was a lineage of money and power. Thanks for refreshing my memory, am certianly going to read it again now.
ReplyDeleteI have always loved Sidney Shelodon, read them long back in college. The Master Of The Game, is one of his best novels.
ReplyDeleteSidney Sheldon was a huge part of growing up. Dad loved his novels so he got them home and after he was through with them it was my turn to enjoy the novels. I loved each of his novels that I read with 'Bloodline' being the first of his novels. After that there was no looking back....
ReplyDeleteI love sidney sheldon very much. I have read 3 of his books and is fasinated by his writing style. Have you read stranger in the mirror?
ReplyDeleteHey Sreeja hope you will not call me mad if I say that so far till date I have not read a single piece of Sidney Sheldon. Yes, its true. I heard a lot about the author and his books but somehow nothing kicked me to pick any as of now. but after reading your review I think I should give it a try. Thanks for the recommendation
ReplyDeleteMaster of the Game is a captivating masterpiece! Sidney Sheldon's storytelling prowess shines through, weaving an intricate tale of power, wealth, and family secrets. A must-read!
ReplyDeleteSidney Shelton is one d my favourite authors the master of the game is one of his best books
ReplyDeleteYour review is amazing and on point
I have been Sydney Sheldon addict for the longest time in college. I have read almost all of her books. Love the various angles that she get into
ReplyDelete