Overload: A Novel

by Arthur Hailey

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385021046
• Release Date: December 1978
• Publisher: Doubleday
• Length: 402 Pages
• Weight: 1.22 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Not dated but VISIONARY!!

When Arthur Hailey passed away I had read most of his novels due to my love of the film Airport. I fully expected on his passing to have his many bestsellers reissued. The publishers blew it. The man combines a remarkable ability to show expertise in each field (this one being electricity supply) that remains relevant in 2007 with a humanistic, socially progressive eye on the people who work and interact with the world of the novel. Look at his use of a quadrapeligic who tragically depends on the power grid in this book or look at the black people in New Orlean's "HOTEL" who still, in the wake of Katrina struggle for equality. Arthur Hailey is not dated but visionary!

Excellent!

I'd like to give it 5 stars but it wasn't quite there. So few books are-- even the ones I see given 5 stars. In this case my reason was the first half of the book. It had trouble picking up steam. The first couple pages were slow. And then it took off! From there, the story varied--up and down in excitement, in energy level, until, in the second half Hailey maintained his emotional intensity through to the end. The book was predictive of things that had not yet happened and seemed unlikely but since publication have happened--like rolling blackouts. And things that probably will, like issuance of a gold-backed "New Dollar." The hotel scene was very exciting. I found the parapalegic thing interesting and different. The main character far outdoes James Bond in the women department--without really trying. The book's greatest drawback is this: Hailey does not always "deliver" as well as I would like. By "delivery" I mean the technical writing aspect of having something really blow up--showing it from three camera angles; having the villain get his or her just rewards in a way that is emotionally satisfying--after asking the reader to work through a long build up. It's the payoff for all the suspense. And though Overload delivers here in places, they aren't sustained as long as I would like. I want more emotional satisfaction. I want the AHHHHHHH! Morally overall, Overload is very good, though it contains an unfortunate smidge of altruism and mysticism. I'm guessing Hailey is Jewish. Leaving those aspects out would have improved the book. In total Overload was excellent. It should still be in print. There are so few of its kind: books about business with strong technical aspects--though here too he could have used a bit more extension and detail--though not all the way to say, Clancy. I liked it. I would read another Hailey.

Overload: Exciting to read!

I think "Overload" by Arthur Hailey shows the main difficulties in providing a big state reliable with electricity.The story which not only reports the technical aspects of this awkward topic plays in California. The responsible persons who have to organize the running off in the power station are not only stressed of their demanding job.Familiar problems make their work more difficult than ever before. The storys about citizens who are suffering from their fate, not getting the needed energy to survive, complete the dramatical tellings of Arthur Hailey.The only point I want to criticize is the often conspicuous constructed action in the story which remembers in some ways on cheap novels you get in supermarkets.

still relevant

This book is now 20 years old. For anyone living in California, it seems ironic that this book can touch on so many of the problems facing California now. It almost seems as if it were written yesterday. I find it strange that the author could have gotten this much information at a time when none of us gave a thought to where our power was coming from. Does this mean that the power shortages, gas shortages, etc. were know then but never brought to the attention fo the public? This a work of fiction and is still a good read.

Fascinating....

Amongst the thousands books that I have read, Overload would rank as one amongst the top. The character of Nim Goldman if potrayed as a man of character and intergrity but with very human weaknesses.If you can put yourself in Nim Goldman's shoes, you will come across complex situations and drama that will be a test your very being and assumptions. There is a deep plot, and many sub plots that will keep one spellbound. One amongst the most memorable scenes in the book is the encounter of Nim Goldman making love to a quadraplegic. This makes one think, of the moral and ethical dilemma that Nim has to face. The question you should ask your self is what would you do in such a situation.? (Why should making love to a quadraplegic be wrong.? Or should it be considered odd.?) This and other situations in the book make you to confront your own sense of morality. It is a dramatic and a touching book, only fault is the building of the plot is a bit slow, but worth it.