Review by nina soledad -- The Prize by Geoffrey M Cooper
Posted: 28 Dec 2018, 08:14
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Prize" by Geoffrey M Cooper.]
4 out of 4 stars
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Written by Geoffrey M. Cooper, The Prize narrates the story of Pam Weller, an assistant professor in a well-known research institute, slowly working her way to earn a permanent position through her research in Alzheimer’s and in finding a possible cure for the disease.
As the story unfolds, Pam faced different challenges that she needs to contend with. Being a junior member of the institute, she has limited resources for her project and her position is in limbo if her research fails to produce a favorable result soon. Rather than heed the advice to embark on an easier project, she and her team persevered on their research. Eventually, Pam’s research group succeeded in discovering a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.
While Pam is starting to gain recognition in her field, a plot to sabotage the result of her research is underway. Harboring a resentful feeling towards Pam, Holly Singer, one of her research assistants, conspired with Eric Prescott to discredit her study.
Prescott’s character was introduced earlier in the story. Based on the first chapter, he was described as a prominent figure in the field of neuroscience and like Pam, he devoted his time studying the disease to find a possible cure for it. Although he is a recipient of numerous awards, the Nobel Prize remains to be an elusive feat for him. Among his professional peers, Prescott carefully built a false front in dealing with Pam’s success. While he assumed a seemingly supportive facade, he nonetheless took up a deceitful relationship with Holly. Together, they connived to steal Pam’s result and destroy her career and reputation. Before long, Pam is terminated from the institute and is about to face a criminal case for scientific fraud. Prescott, on the other hand, is about to publish a paper that would probably earn him the coveted Nobel Prize award.
As Pam’s career crumbles, Prescott and Holly’s relationship starts to turn sour. Soon after, Holly was found dead and Pam gets blamed for her former assistant’s demise. With things falling apart, how would Pam get through various obstacles thrown in her way? Who would help her expose the truth? And what are the things she would be willing to do to clear her name and reputation?
A page-turner, the author successfully created a gripping story that would keep the reader interested and eager to find out what would happen next to the protagonist. As I flipped through the pages, I felt the protagonist’s misery as she confronts the limitations of her position, the uncertainty of her tenure, and the pressure to prove the worthiness of her research.
The author likewise clearly described the setting, as well as the scientific procedures mentioned in the story. One would be able to feel the power and influence that a person in authority exudes through the depiction of his opulent workplace. In describing the experiments and the laboratory, the author gave a vivid picture of how the researchers conducted the different scientific processes and the details of the work set-up.
I also liked that the dates were indicated at the start of each chapter. Presented in a chronological manner, the reader would be able to see which events happened at the same time and the progress of the characters’ actions.
An epilogue was included to tie up the loose ends of the story. However, I somehow felt that the conclusion of the story was done abruptly and I would like to see the antagonist’s reaction in the end.
Except for a small number of errors, the book seems to be well-written and professionally edited.
Overall, I am rating this book 4 out of 4 stars. In spite of the rushed ending, I still enjoyed reading it. I would recommend this to readers who like medical thrillers. However, for more sensitive readers, they may perhaps find the detailed description of the experiments a little disgusting.
******
The Prize
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
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4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Written by Geoffrey M. Cooper, The Prize narrates the story of Pam Weller, an assistant professor in a well-known research institute, slowly working her way to earn a permanent position through her research in Alzheimer’s and in finding a possible cure for the disease.
As the story unfolds, Pam faced different challenges that she needs to contend with. Being a junior member of the institute, she has limited resources for her project and her position is in limbo if her research fails to produce a favorable result soon. Rather than heed the advice to embark on an easier project, she and her team persevered on their research. Eventually, Pam’s research group succeeded in discovering a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.
While Pam is starting to gain recognition in her field, a plot to sabotage the result of her research is underway. Harboring a resentful feeling towards Pam, Holly Singer, one of her research assistants, conspired with Eric Prescott to discredit her study.
Prescott’s character was introduced earlier in the story. Based on the first chapter, he was described as a prominent figure in the field of neuroscience and like Pam, he devoted his time studying the disease to find a possible cure for it. Although he is a recipient of numerous awards, the Nobel Prize remains to be an elusive feat for him. Among his professional peers, Prescott carefully built a false front in dealing with Pam’s success. While he assumed a seemingly supportive facade, he nonetheless took up a deceitful relationship with Holly. Together, they connived to steal Pam’s result and destroy her career and reputation. Before long, Pam is terminated from the institute and is about to face a criminal case for scientific fraud. Prescott, on the other hand, is about to publish a paper that would probably earn him the coveted Nobel Prize award.
As Pam’s career crumbles, Prescott and Holly’s relationship starts to turn sour. Soon after, Holly was found dead and Pam gets blamed for her former assistant’s demise. With things falling apart, how would Pam get through various obstacles thrown in her way? Who would help her expose the truth? And what are the things she would be willing to do to clear her name and reputation?
A page-turner, the author successfully created a gripping story that would keep the reader interested and eager to find out what would happen next to the protagonist. As I flipped through the pages, I felt the protagonist’s misery as she confronts the limitations of her position, the uncertainty of her tenure, and the pressure to prove the worthiness of her research.
The author likewise clearly described the setting, as well as the scientific procedures mentioned in the story. One would be able to feel the power and influence that a person in authority exudes through the depiction of his opulent workplace. In describing the experiments and the laboratory, the author gave a vivid picture of how the researchers conducted the different scientific processes and the details of the work set-up.
I also liked that the dates were indicated at the start of each chapter. Presented in a chronological manner, the reader would be able to see which events happened at the same time and the progress of the characters’ actions.
An epilogue was included to tie up the loose ends of the story. However, I somehow felt that the conclusion of the story was done abruptly and I would like to see the antagonist’s reaction in the end.
Except for a small number of errors, the book seems to be well-written and professionally edited.
Overall, I am rating this book 4 out of 4 stars. In spite of the rushed ending, I still enjoyed reading it. I would recommend this to readers who like medical thrillers. However, for more sensitive readers, they may perhaps find the detailed description of the experiments a little disgusting.
******
The Prize
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Like nina soledad's review? Post a comment saying so!