A Deadly Shade of Gold (Travis McGee Mysteries)
by John D. MacDonald
List Price:
Our Price: $3.70
You Save: $4.29 (54%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions
Book Summary Information
Author: John D. MacDonaldEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1996-02-20
ISBN: 0449224422
Number of pages: 448
Publisher: Fawcett
Book Reviews of A Deadly Shade of Gold (Travis McGee Mysteries)
Book Review: THE Definitive Travis McGee Novel
Summary: 5 Stars
It's curious to read some of the other opinions written about this incredible yarn. Obviously most other reviewers enjoy MacDonald and the McGee series. But the concerns posited by others represent some of the nuance and fabric of MacDonald's genius which yield his works of fiction, and the McGee series in particular, for what they are: GREAT LITERATURE. I believe MacDonald is the best novelist of the twentieth century.
The Deep Blue Goodbye, the first of the series, is typical of the first efforts of genius. The next books leading up to Gold are shorter stories with less convoluted, though quite satisfying story lines. Gold is my favorite (along with The Green Ripper for totally different reasons) because of its detailed and deeply diverse story line.
As in the entire McGee series Trav is narrating the adventure from his first person perspective with wit, self-certain insight and all-knowing and sometimes humble introspection. Yet overlaying his views is his basic flaw; the 60's existential man's man. Travis believes in himself, his abilities and the basic correctness of his philosophy for living. He lives and dies by them and they serve him well personally, though the dying always rubs off on those around him.
In one book he states he is 'wary of all earnestness'. That is a theme of his early and mid years. Later in the series he becomes more open to examinng his shortcomings, his mortality and wonders about his own self-serving motives in a way that suggests change is ultimately on the way, if he lives that long. His buddy Meyer is instrumental in moving Trav toward a more realistic and longer view of living and reality. The story of Travis ends aptly in the Lonely Silver Rain with real change unavoidable and much life still looming ahead. Of course at this point we lost the genius that was MacDonald in his early death, and left the real McGee fans to speculate about Travis' future.
But Gold is the story where Travis peaks in his physical strength and intellectual ingenuity. He is bullet proof and invisible when necessary. He is the great savior of shattered women, and deftly justifies himself in that role (as he does throghout the series, and is never adequately called on that self-delusion except by Jean in Silver Rain). In Gold the woman in need of saving is Nora. Of course like all the true "keepers", (which are legion in Travis' life), her lifespan is shortened tragically though Travis justifies his inocence in her fluke death.
As usual Travis makes his recovery of the treasure in an incomplete way at a cost that leaves him pondering the worth of the project. But also as usual his lack of insight into things other than the tangibilities of having life his own way cause depression and regret but no sense of repentance, loving more the dance to the drum-beat of his personal demon's rhythm. His belief only in the here and now and his professed agnosticisms help him justify the real mess his lifestyle and actions inflict upon him and his numerous true loves one book at a time. The result is periodic self-medication for his bouts with depression in alcohol overuse and intentional whoredoggery; the ying and yang of his beach bum life choice.
One of the fascinating aspects of Gold and the early books is the dialog in the vernacular of the era of the early 60s. MacDonald did us a great service in preserving the way people really talked in those days. Just as Shakespeare wrote in the language of his time, so did MacDonald. This is a strength of the series, seeing the changing American zeitgeist as Trav adventures through the early 60s to mid 80s.
One last interesting point of Gold (and there are many more; a lengthy dissertation could be written on the joys and convolutions of this brilliant novel) is the perspective we get of Travis' flawed yet upflappable morality. In the prologue chapters of Gold we learn that Sam and Nora were the real deal; for Travis a picture of what a life-mate connection should be. Trav's honey at the time was one Nikki, with whom he tried to immitate the passion and potential permanence that he saw in Sam and Nora's relationship. Later in Mexico Trav finds that he is heading the same way with Nora, and indeed she was a keeper. But Travis' fatal flaw (always fatal to the keepers) rears it's ugly head. Of course to Travis it is just the on-going poker game of life, playing the hands he is dealt and sometimes overbetting a hand he should have folded. But to Trav life just never stops being poker. And as in all games of chance, eventually the good run runs out.
Read this book. I do about once a year. I never tire of the brilliant mystery, the heart-racing action, the incredible characters, the just-like-you-are-there sense of place. Gold is the perfect vacation read at the beach or the book to study and understand the philosophy that lead us to the culture clash we see even today in 2004.
Summary of A Deadly Shade of Gold (Travis McGee Mysteries)
Here's another bestselling novel featuring P.I. Travis McGee. According to Publishers Weekly, 20th Century Fox, "with an outlay of six figures, has cleared the way for Ruben/Robinson Productions to launch their own Travis McGee series." And according to Larry King's USA Today column, Harrison Ford has said, "I am interested in doing Travis McGee, the great detective character. Previously published.Literature & Fiction Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Most talked about in Literature & Fiction Books
Little Womenby Louisa May Alcott
Scribner; Published: 1986-06-30; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.49
Price in other shops:
The Killing Groundby JACK HIGGINS
HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS LTD; Published: 2007; Hardcover; Book
Saving Fish from Drowningby Amy Tan
4th Estate; Published: 2005; Paperback; Book
Life Expectancyby Dean Koontz
Harpercollins Pb; Published: 2005-08-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.00
Constant Princessby Philippa Gregory
Touchstone/Simon & Schuster; Published: 2005; Hardcover; Book
Wolf of the Plains (Conqueror, Book 1)by Conn Iggulden
Harper; Published: 2007; Paperback; Book
Saharaby Clive Cussler
Harper Collins Pb; Published: 2005-03-21; Paperback; Book
Perelandra (Cosmic Trilogy)by C. S. Lewis
Voyager; Published: 2005-11; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.94
Price in other shops:
The Lord Of The Rings: Part 2 The Two Towersby J. R. R. Tolkien
Harper Collins Publishers; Published: 2001; Paperback; Book
Red Marsby Kim Stanley Robinson
Trafalgar Square; Published: 2001-06; Paperback; Book
Similar Books and other products
Dress Her in Indigo (Travis Mcgee)by John D. MacDonald
Fawcett; Published: 1996-03-09; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.01
Price in other shops:
Pale Gray for Guilt (Travis McGee Mysteries)by John D. MacDonald
Fawcett Crest; Published: 1995-10; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.16
Price in other shops:
Girl in the Plain Brown Wrapper (Travis McGee Mysteries)by John D. MacDonald
Fawcett; Published: 1996-03-09; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.13
Price in other shops:
One Fearful Yellow Eye (A Travis McGee Novel)by John D. MacDonald
Fawcett Crest; Published: 1995-10-26; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.88
Price in other shops:
Darker Than Amber (Travis McGee Mysteries)by John D. MacDonald
Fawcett; Published: 1996-02-27; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.95
Price in other shops:
Bright Orange for the Shroudby John D. MacDonald
Fawcett; Published: 1996-02-28; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.90
Price in other shops:
Quick Red Fox (Travis McGee, No. 4)by John D. MacDonald
Fawcett; Published: 1995-06-27; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.36
Price in other shops:
The Deep Blue Good-byby John D. MacDonald
Fawcett; Published: 1995-05-31; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.16
Price in other shops:
Nightmare in Pink (Travis McGee, No. 2)by John D. MacDonald
Fawcett; Published: 1995-12-30; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.92
Price in other shops:
A Purple Place for Dying (Travis McGee, No. 3)by John D. MacDonald
Fawcett; Published: 1995-05-27; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.91
Price in other shops: