Henry's List of Wrongs - Softcover

Shepherd, John Scott

Softcover

ISBN 10: 074346625X ISBN 13: 9780743466257

Publisher: Gallery Books, 2003

Synopsis

Henry Chase is every woman's worst nightmare. Nicknamed "The Assassin" by his Wall Street brethren, he'll lie, seduce, betray, manipulate--whatever it takes--to stay on top, in the boardroom and the bedroom. There's not a speck of humanity left in his steely soul until one night when his conscience catches him by surprise and demands a reckoning. With the help of a mysterious young woman, Henry confesses to a list--a list of the lives he has ruined in the pursuit of power and riches. Prodded by his newly found alter ego, Henry embarks on a road trip of redemption--he sets out to make it right for those in his past, and maybe for himself in the future. For anyone who ever wondered just what makes a man tick, HENRY'S LIST OF WRONGS exposes the inner workings of the male mind, its carefully hidden motivations, desires, and fears. A story with humor, romance, and sting, it might even make you confront your own list of regrets.

About this title

Review:

An entertaining account of a corporate shark's search for redemption, John Scott Shepherd's first novel, Henry's List of Wrongs, has the virtues of snappy dialogue, quick plot shifts, and readability. Henry Chase, known to business friends and foes as The Assassin, has molded his life in response to the cruelty of his prom date, the beautiful, wealthy Elizabeth Waring, who crowned their perfect evening by rejecting his love. Ten years later, when his abs and his heart are both hard as steel, Henry returns to his hometown to rub Elizabeth's bad decision in her face. Instead, he learns something that forces him to reconsider every move he's made since that night and to take account of the damage he's caused. Shepherd is an accomplished screenwriter (Life, or Something Like It), and while his novel is enjoyable light reading, it's hard not to picture it as a movie (screen rights have already been sold). Emotions are painted broadly: the highs are a little bright and tangy, the lows darker and more ominous than in life. The plot twists often seem calculated: artificial obstructions are thrown in front of Henry like tacks on the road. And after a whip-smart opening reminiscent of David Foster Wallace, Shepherd's prose remains limber but undistinctive. --Regina Marler

About the Author:

Author/screenwriter John Scott Shepherd, a native Clevelander and a deeply disturbed Browns fanatic, now lives in Southern California with his wife Susan and children Natalie, Jack, and Cooper.

About this edition

• Publisher: Gallery Books
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 074346625X
• ISBN 13: 9780743466257
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 304