THE RACE by Richard North Patterson
We are in the middle of the political season so what better for our reading entertainment than a political novel. Richard North Patterson has provided us with an excellent one titled THE RACE. One of the biggest surprises about the book is that it concerns the race to be the Republican nominee for the office of the Presidency. Usually books of this sort focus on a battle between the parties and not those within them. In this novel there are three aspirants for the Republican ticket and we get to view how the infighting affects them all.
The central character in the book is Corey Grace. He is a Senator, decorated war hero, and moderate on such issues as gay marriage and abortion. But he is also divorced, and alienated from his only child, Kara. Plus he gets involved in a romantic relationship with a Hollywood superstar named Lexie Hart. Lexie is a black actress from South Carolina and this does not it well with some of Corey's supporters.
Corey's opposition includes Bob Christy who is a full-fledged Southern preacher who feels God is on his side. Then there is Rob Marotta, a dedicated family man who uses his wife and children for every photo op possible. He is also the most determined to get the nomination. Whatever he has to do, whatever pact he has to make; Rob is willing to do it for the ultimate reward.
Patterson's book paints a picture of a country hungry for reform but still split over abortion, gay rights and religion. These issues are placed under the magnifying glass of his words and dissected in every way possible. Better yet, there is no one viewpoint that is held up as absolutely right. It is basically up to the reader to make his/her own decisions. Patterson just brilliantly raises the issues.
Some political novels get bogged down in the technicalities of the politics being offered but THE RACE never does this. It escapes that trap by always focusing on the people and not the issues per se. Corey, Bob Christy and Rob are all fully dimensional characters and each has his moment in the sun.
In many ways Patterson's novel brings to mind the political novels of Allen Drury that were so popular in the fifties. His books also combined the personal with the political. And like ADVICE AND CONSENT, THE RACE would make a great movie.
Whether you are interested in politics or not, you will still get pleasure and enlightenment from reading THE RACE. It will hold your interest and it will make you think. With so much hanging in the balance this political year that is an important factor in choosing this book to read.
The race is on in real life. Learn more from reading THE RACE with all its issues and strategies. It might just help you form a political opinion that will come in handy.
THE RACE is published by Henry Holt. It contains 339 pages and sells for $26.00.