Lessons From a Master, Reading Patterson

Saturn’s Moon Helene in Color
Image Credit: NASA/JPL/SSI; Color Composite: Daniel Machácek

More Is Less

I picked up a copy of James Patterson’s  Honeymoon, because I needed something to read and there was an abandoned copy of the book just lying around my place to stay. In fact, this was the only book available for leisure reading, but still after perusing the back cover and opening credits, I started at the beginning of the book, a rather bloody and gruesome prologue. Patterson’s opening did nothing to dissuade me from the belief that prologue’s are a complete waste of an author’s time and effort.  Then I began the book, hoping I might gain a few helpful insights as to why Paterson is so popular.

James Patterson

James Patterson was born in Newburgh, New York in 1947. His first novel, The Thomas Berryman Number, was published in 1976 and since that time he has put out an incredible 77 novels. Though some of his works have been co-published, he is currently the best selling author in the world, a position he has held for the last three years. In 1996 Paterson quit his advertising job to write full time.

Many of his novels feature a fictional character named, Alex Cross, a forensic psychologist, who does consulting work for the U.S Government and private clients. However, the book that I chose to read did not feature the psychologist, plus it was co-written by Howard Houghan, a fact which is barely mentioned on the cover of the actual paperback copy.

Easy Opening

Although I am only about 20 pages into the story, I am very impressed by Patterson austere use of language and how quickly he draws the reader into the story through sharp dialogue, simple prose and vivid imagery. Simply put I am looking forward to continued reading with Honeymoon. Need I say more.