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Obbedienza
"C'è stato un omicidio. Be', non esattamente. Diciamo che si tratta di un omicidio che potrebbe accadere in futuro." Strano inizio per una lezione di logica. Eppure, è così che il professor Williams si rivolge agli studenti dell'università di Winchester, nell'Indiana, il primo giorno di corsoNessuno dei ragazzi ha mai visto prima quel docente; la sua foto non compare neppure su Internet. Con voce pacata ma decisa, il professore continua a enunciare il compito assegnato alla classe: data una serie di indizi, nel giro di sei settimane (corrispondenti all'effettiva durata del corso) gli studenti dovranno ritrovare una ragazza scomparsa, di nome Polly, e il suo rapitore; in caso contrario, lei verrà uccisaDapprima, gli studenti sono tanto intrigati dall'enigma quanto intimiditi dalla figura ambigua del professore. Ma, addentrandosi nel misterioso caso, cominciano a chiedersi se la storia di Polly sia davvero un esercizio di logica, volto a insegnare loro tecniche di ragionamento particolari, o se si tratti piuttosto di qualcosa di più sinistro e pericolosoAnche perché il confine tra dimensione accademica e mondo reale si fa man mano più indistinto: la storia di Polly assomiglia fin troppo a quella di una ragazza sparita anni prima, e personaggi in teoria confinati nella finzione cominciano a emergere in carne e ossa dalla realtà. Forse, gli studenti non sono altro che pedine in un gioco architettato dal professor Williams. Forse, è la loro stessa vita a dover essere messa in salvo.
333 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
38 people are currently reading
1541 people want to read
About the author
Will Lavender
5 books118 followersWill Lavender is the author of the novel OBEDIENCE, which was translated into fourteen languages and was a New York Times bestseller in 2008.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 479 reviews
February 1, 2014
Blargh! Why did I waste my time? I couldn't stop reading because I thought the author was going to redeem his crap characters, needlessly labyrinthine plot, and blah writing by blowing my mind with a great ending. He didn't. I got to the end, then I threw the book across the room.
This book would have actually been better if it ended mid-sentence 30 pages sooner (but not by much). I could elaborate on all the other reasons why it sucked, but I've wasted enough time already.
I can't believe I'm 31. And it's already June. Jesus.
This book would have actually been better if it ended mid-sentence 30 pages sooner (but not by much). I could elaborate on all the other reasons why it sucked, but I've wasted enough time already.
I can't believe I'm 31. And it's already June. Jesus.
March 2, 2008
It's not a good book, but it is a page-turner. Despite the weak writing and implausible set-up, I kept reading because I wanted to know how it would end. I think it's kind of like porn: you eventually get the resolution you're looking for but it's really just not that satisfying. Though I suppose it'll do in a pinch.
March 1, 2020
3,25 sterren - Nederlandse paperback 🌹🌹🌹
November 17, 2008
I really, really, really wanted to like this book. I like philosophy, I like psychology, I like murder mysteries; a + b + c should equal fantastic. And I did, and it did, for most of it.
But Obedience was much cooler in theory than what actually transpired: some of it was confusing, some of it was broken plot threads, sometimes it meandered around this way when it really ought not to have, and ultimately is just so unfeasible a premise that even though I read all the way through I did feel somewhat cheated by its conclusion. The book jacket certainly talks a good game. Overall, one to get from the library, but not one to buy for the bookshelf.
But Obedience was much cooler in theory than what actually transpired: some of it was confusing, some of it was broken plot threads, sometimes it meandered around this way when it really ought not to have, and ultimately is just so unfeasible a premise that even though I read all the way through I did feel somewhat cheated by its conclusion. The book jacket certainly talks a good game. Overall, one to get from the library, but not one to buy for the bookshelf.
October 11, 2008
Was this book a page-turner with a strong premise?
Yes.
Was this book poorly written, poorly executed, and poorly edited?
Yes, yes, and yes.
Was I glad that I borrowed it from the library instead of spending any of my money?
Most definitely.
There were a few things that kept this from the realms of One-star Hell, but it just wasn't entertaining enough to merit a higher rating.
This review captures my feelings so perfectly, that I'm jealous I didn't write it.
Yes.
Was this book poorly written, poorly executed, and poorly edited?
Yes, yes, and yes.
Was I glad that I borrowed it from the library instead of spending any of my money?
Most definitely.
There were a few things that kept this from the realms of One-star Hell, but it just wasn't entertaining enough to merit a higher rating.
This review captures my feelings so perfectly, that I'm jealous I didn't write it.
May 26, 2019
🇺🇸 USA: Indiana
Se scoprite la chiave di questo thriller prima dell’ultimo capitolo, siete dei geni.
Così recita la didascalia sulla copertina.
Evidentemente sono un genio mediocre, perché a dir la verità una mezza idea che fosse una sorta di rappresentazione me l’ero fatta... di fatto ci sono andata vicino.
La traccia induce in tentazione, intriga, alletta e spinge alla lettura, ma... Spesso c’è un ma, ed anche questa volta non manca.
La storia è insolita, fin dalle prime pagine fa intravedere un giallo diverso, con alte possibilità di sviluppo; se non che ad un certo punto si realizza che c’è troppa carne al fuoco, personaggi e situazioni risultano solo abbozzati e concorrono unicamente a rendere la narrazione affastellata, intricata e in alcuni casi addirittura noiosa, se non assurda. Solo verso la fine, quando tutto sembra delinearsi e concludersi, la storia acquista un lieve spessore e i tempi si accorciano; ma tutto sommato neanche il colpo di scena finale riesce a riscattarla completamente.
Tre stelle per eccesso, perché in fondo l’idea iniziale mi è piaciuta e la ricerca della soluzione ha tenuto desta la mia attenzione.
🌎 LdM - USA 🇺🇸 Indiana
🔠 RC 2019 - Alphabet Titoli = O
🤔 RC 2019 - Esimio sconosciuto
🌎 USA 🇺🇸 Indiana
📚 Biblioteca
Se scoprite la chiave di questo thriller prima dell’ultimo capitolo, siete dei geni.
Così recita la didascalia sulla copertina.
Evidentemente sono un genio mediocre, perché a dir la verità una mezza idea che fosse una sorta di rappresentazione me l’ero fatta... di fatto ci sono andata vicino.
La traccia induce in tentazione, intriga, alletta e spinge alla lettura, ma... Spesso c’è un ma, ed anche questa volta non manca.
La storia è insolita, fin dalle prime pagine fa intravedere un giallo diverso, con alte possibilità di sviluppo; se non che ad un certo punto si realizza che c’è troppa carne al fuoco, personaggi e situazioni risultano solo abbozzati e concorrono unicamente a rendere la narrazione affastellata, intricata e in alcuni casi addirittura noiosa, se non assurda. Solo verso la fine, quando tutto sembra delinearsi e concludersi, la storia acquista un lieve spessore e i tempi si accorciano; ma tutto sommato neanche il colpo di scena finale riesce a riscattarla completamente.
Tre stelle per eccesso, perché in fondo l’idea iniziale mi è piaciuta e la ricerca della soluzione ha tenuto desta la mia attenzione.
🌎 LdM - USA 🇺🇸 Indiana
🔠 RC 2019 - Alphabet Titoli = O
🤔 RC 2019 - Esimio sconosciuto
🌎 USA 🇺🇸 Indiana
📚 Biblioteca
March 5, 2008
Ugh! One of those mysteries where the culprit was no one that you could have guessed. I hate it when all the clues are red herrings and nothing adds up in the end! Plus the flat characters didn't help the convoluted plot. Pity, because the premise had great promise...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2015
Li boas opiniões acerca deste livro o que me levou a criar grandes expectativa. Foi uma desilusão! Não há ligação credível entre as situações e as personagens. Não desisti porque é criado um certo suspense e queria saber como ia acabar, mas depois não acontece nada de jeito.
June 3, 2022
3 sterren - Nederlandse paperback
In het boek volgen filosofie studenten een cursus Logica en Redenering. In deze cursus krijgen zij een raadsel omtrent de verdwijning van een meisje voorgelegd. De melding van de docent Williams tijdens de eerste bijeenkomst is, dat zij het raadsel tot een goed einde moeten brengen, anders wordt het meisje vermoord. De drie studenten Mary, Brian en Dennis raken geïntrigeerd door het raadsel en bundelen hun krachten in de zoektocht naar de waarheid. Ze raken er steeds meer van overtuigd dat het raadsel zeer dicht bij de waarheid ligt.
Het boek begint veelbelovend met het uiteenzetten van het raadsel tijdens de cursus. Ik houd van raadsels, dus zat gelijk helemaal in het verhaal. Ergens halverwege wordt het boek een beetje langdradig en mist het de actie van het begin van het boek. Ik merkte dat ik tijdens het lezen afdwaalde en het verhaal me minder boeide. Naar het einde van het boek toe, wordt het weer spannend met daadwerkelijke actie, De uiteindelijke uitkomst van de raadsel is misschien een beetje vergezocht maar alles is mogelijk toch?
In het boek volgen filosofie studenten een cursus Logica en Redenering. In deze cursus krijgen zij een raadsel omtrent de verdwijning van een meisje voorgelegd. De melding van de docent Williams tijdens de eerste bijeenkomst is, dat zij het raadsel tot een goed einde moeten brengen, anders wordt het meisje vermoord. De drie studenten Mary, Brian en Dennis raken geïntrigeerd door het raadsel en bundelen hun krachten in de zoektocht naar de waarheid. Ze raken er steeds meer van overtuigd dat het raadsel zeer dicht bij de waarheid ligt.
Het boek begint veelbelovend met het uiteenzetten van het raadsel tijdens de cursus. Ik houd van raadsels, dus zat gelijk helemaal in het verhaal. Ergens halverwege wordt het boek een beetje langdradig en mist het de actie van het begin van het boek. Ik merkte dat ik tijdens het lezen afdwaalde en het verhaal me minder boeide. Naar het einde van het boek toe, wordt het weer spannend met daadwerkelijke actie, De uiteindelijke uitkomst van de raadsel is misschien een beetje vergezocht maar alles is mogelijk toch?
February 5, 2009
***SPOILERS AT THE END OF REVIEW***
I would give this book more stars if I could. And please excuse the profanity, but I don't know how else to describe this book except as a world class mind fu*&, and I loved every moment of it. I am going to have to read it again as well, I'm afraid that in my rush to devour this book I may have missed something.
I have spent a good deal of the last ten years of my life in and out of academia, and having said that, even had I put on my most devilish and devious academic hat I could have never solved this puzzle. But I certainly had a good time trying.
I agree with some of the other reviews that the characters in the story are not that well developed, but I disagree with the idea that they needed to be. They are 'everyman' or better yet, ever Vanilla undergraduate student at any university in any college town in the U.S., and that, I believe is by design. I didn't need them to be well thought out and detailed; it's not a character study, it's a plot book.
So, I would warn that if you are looking for a character study, this is not your book. If you're looking for a crazy psychological mind F***, this is your book.
I may have to put Paul Auster's City of Glass on my to read list now as well. I do feel like I'm missing something from this book for not having a background with that particular book.
***SPOILERS****
As mentioned before, I have spent a bit of time in high ed in the last few years and I just have to say, that Human Subjects Review would NEVER let a professor get away with an experiment like this. But, would the ruse of solving a crime about to occur be a GREAT teaching tool for a logic class? Would have been way better than the logic and reasoning class I took as an undergrad.
I would give this book more stars if I could. And please excuse the profanity, but I don't know how else to describe this book except as a world class mind fu*&, and I loved every moment of it. I am going to have to read it again as well, I'm afraid that in my rush to devour this book I may have missed something.
I have spent a good deal of the last ten years of my life in and out of academia, and having said that, even had I put on my most devilish and devious academic hat I could have never solved this puzzle. But I certainly had a good time trying.
I agree with some of the other reviews that the characters in the story are not that well developed, but I disagree with the idea that they needed to be. They are 'everyman' or better yet, ever Vanilla undergraduate student at any university in any college town in the U.S., and that, I believe is by design. I didn't need them to be well thought out and detailed; it's not a character study, it's a plot book.
So, I would warn that if you are looking for a character study, this is not your book. If you're looking for a crazy psychological mind F***, this is your book.
I may have to put Paul Auster's City of Glass on my to read list now as well. I do feel like I'm missing something from this book for not having a background with that particular book.
***SPOILERS****
As mentioned before, I have spent a bit of time in high ed in the last few years and I just have to say, that Human Subjects Review would NEVER let a professor get away with an experiment like this. But, would the ruse of solving a crime about to occur be a GREAT teaching tool for a logic class? Would have been way better than the logic and reasoning class I took as an undergrad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2011
If you want to read a highly unusual, provocative, and hard to figure out mystery, put "Obedience" on your list.
This is the story of several college students who are taking a course called "Logic and Reasoning 204". Not only is the course unusual but Professor Williams, who teaches the course, is unusual in himself. Professor Williams does not fit the mold of a college professor in his dress, his lifestyle, or his thinking. The first day of class he walks in and tells his students that they are to find a hypothetical missing girl called "Polly". The class will be given a number of clues and that if after the six week course if they have not found her, she will be murdered. After saying this he leaves the classroom, leaving the students to wonder about the problem and the course.
Professor Williams begins to e-mail the students information about Polly, her friends, and he habits. Several of the students become very intrigued with the problem and set out to solve the mystery. They find that the clues lead them to look at their own lives and the lives of the people around them that are connected to the University. They are also confronted with looking at the problem, the clues, and their life, and trying to determine what may be real and what may not be real.
This "experiment" comes to a frightful conclusion with all the participants present, an unforeseen death, and a changing life experience for all those involved.
This is not a mystery that uses fast action, car chases, gun battles, and femme fatales to excite the reader; however, you will find yourself immersed in the lives of these people and the outcome.
This is the story of several college students who are taking a course called "Logic and Reasoning 204". Not only is the course unusual but Professor Williams, who teaches the course, is unusual in himself. Professor Williams does not fit the mold of a college professor in his dress, his lifestyle, or his thinking. The first day of class he walks in and tells his students that they are to find a hypothetical missing girl called "Polly". The class will be given a number of clues and that if after the six week course if they have not found her, she will be murdered. After saying this he leaves the classroom, leaving the students to wonder about the problem and the course.
Professor Williams begins to e-mail the students information about Polly, her friends, and he habits. Several of the students become very intrigued with the problem and set out to solve the mystery. They find that the clues lead them to look at their own lives and the lives of the people around them that are connected to the University. They are also confronted with looking at the problem, the clues, and their life, and trying to determine what may be real and what may not be real.
This "experiment" comes to a frightful conclusion with all the participants present, an unforeseen death, and a changing life experience for all those involved.
This is not a mystery that uses fast action, car chases, gun battles, and femme fatales to excite the reader; however, you will find yourself immersed in the lives of these people and the outcome.
January 18, 2010
I wasted a week on this book, that is for sure! Everything about it was great, until the last 50 pages when all the questions were answered.
This is a thriller set on a college campus, specifically in a Logic and Reasoning class. Professor Williams opens his 6 week class by informing the class that if they don't find a girl named Polly by the end of the 6 weeks, she will die. It sounds super exciting, and I can't put the book down.
As the book unfolds the class seems to find clues to this mystery everywhere they go. They also find that the mystery they are working on parallels in a mystery of Deanna Ward, a girl that disappeared a few counties over years ago, and was never found. The students think that they have walked into not just a game, but something much more sinister.
The ending is ridiculous. I was actually angry that after all this build up and suspense I am left with this unbelievable ending. I suggest passing on this book. While the bulk of it is very engaging, the way it ends and how the questions are wrapped out falls short of the mark. Its like the author, Will Lavendar worked really hard on the entire book and then at the end just gave up and threw in an ending that didn't make a lot of sense
This is a thriller set on a college campus, specifically in a Logic and Reasoning class. Professor Williams opens his 6 week class by informing the class that if they don't find a girl named Polly by the end of the 6 weeks, she will die. It sounds super exciting, and I can't put the book down.
As the book unfolds the class seems to find clues to this mystery everywhere they go. They also find that the mystery they are working on parallels in a mystery of Deanna Ward, a girl that disappeared a few counties over years ago, and was never found. The students think that they have walked into not just a game, but something much more sinister.
The ending is ridiculous. I was actually angry that after all this build up and suspense I am left with this unbelievable ending. I suggest passing on this book. While the bulk of it is very engaging, the way it ends and how the questions are wrapped out falls short of the mark. Its like the author, Will Lavendar worked really hard on the entire book and then at the end just gave up and threw in an ending that didn't make a lot of sense
May 6, 2008
It amazes me that this book received great reviews. Not only were the characters lame, uninteresting and down-right unrealistic, the book failed to capture the essence of a great mystery: it had a really implausible ending. Without giving away much of the plot, this book, while centered on a classic psychology experiment, did not do Milgram's research justice. Milgram's obedience study showed, among other things, that humans are less obedient to authority when they have human contact with their victims. Far fewer individuals went "all the way" when they had to physically punish them. This contradicts the hypothesis that we care more about a hypothetical individual than a real human being. Also, it has been shown in conformity research by Solomon Asch that even one dissenter can render groupthink (and with it authority) moot.
Because much of the contact with their authority was virtual and not human, it is hard to fathom that a professor can inspire students to do what the author wrote in this book.
Because much of the contact with their authority was virtual and not human, it is hard to fathom that a professor can inspire students to do what the author wrote in this book.
May 28, 2009
To repeat what many reviewers have already said, This is a page turner but not in a good way. The premise was promising. Professor in a logic class gives an hypothetical dilemma that the students must resolve. Yet the dilemma may not be so hypothetical. Soon the students are obsessed in the assignment to the point that both their life and their sanity are at risk. I kept reading as every twist and turn was presented despite the weak writing and one dimensional characters. Yet the twist and turns became so ridiculous and illogical that, by the middle of the novel, I was no longer reading it in pleasure but because I was determined to not waste another evening on this damn book! I guessed the ending about half way through but I was still determined to read it because I couldn't believe that any writer would actually use such a stupid resolution! By the time I got to the ending, I was ready for a ludicrous ending and that is exactly what I received. If I could sue to get my evening back, I would.
February 12, 2021
Verschillende eindscenario's in mijn hoofd gehad. Maar dit plot? Nooit. Fantastisch!
Het ganse verhaal is vaak onsamenhangend en bizar, maar het einde blaast je (net niet letterlijk) omver.
Je hebt wel de moed nodig om je doorheen het verhaal te ploeteren, met vaak het terugbladeren naar hoofdstukken als gevolg.
Nota's maken (zelf een beetje detective spelen) is aangewezen, het is bovendien plezant om zelf mee te denken.
Een pageturner? Absoluut!
Goed geschreven? Minder. Er zijn schrijvers die meer met dit verhaal hadden gekund.
Fijn boek om te lezen wanneer je de zware thrillers even links wilt laten liggen.
Het ganse verhaal is vaak onsamenhangend en bizar, maar het einde blaast je (net niet letterlijk) omver.
Je hebt wel de moed nodig om je doorheen het verhaal te ploeteren, met vaak het terugbladeren naar hoofdstukken als gevolg.
Nota's maken (zelf een beetje detective spelen) is aangewezen, het is bovendien plezant om zelf mee te denken.
Een pageturner? Absoluut!
Goed geschreven? Minder. Er zijn schrijvers die meer met dit verhaal hadden gekund.
Fijn boek om te lezen wanneer je de zware thrillers even links wilt laten liggen.
Read
February 27, 2009This book was recommended to me on the premise that I would NEVER figure out the ending. The plot sounded interesting - college kids enroll in a logic class where they discover they are to solve the disappearance of a hypothetical victim or else she will (hypothetically) be killed. Maybe I took too many psych classes, but I thought the ending was very obvious. However, the book is well-written and a fast read. I enjoyed it very much even with mild disappointment about the ending.
Read
February 4, 2010GAHH!!! I can't rate this book. I just can't do it. It was such a page-turner, and I was totally sucked into all the twists and turns in the plot. And then! - then! - the ending! - gah! - completely! - enraged me! Enraged, I tell ya!
So yeah, it's a quick and entertaining read. But the resolution of the plot is possibly the most dissatisfying ever, in the history of all books ever written in the history of the universe. Not that I'm prone to exaggeration or anything.
So yeah, it's a quick and entertaining read. But the resolution of the plot is possibly the most dissatisfying ever, in the history of all books ever written in the history of the universe. Not that I'm prone to exaggeration or anything.
September 14, 2010
Creep-tastic. I know a lot of people really hate this book. I enjoyed it, though. I let myself get sucked in... to the point where I had to stop reading until my husband came back into the room because I had totally creeped myself out.
Avoid if you're easily disappointed by things. You know who you are.
Avoid if you're easily disappointed by things. You know who you are.
Read
March 19, 2008gave it the 100-page test: if I hit page 100 and still don't give a hoot about the book, adios. Next!
June 27, 2024
Starts out as a page turner and ends up as a let down. Plot twist is completely unrealistic and feels like a cop-out after the build up of the book.
May 24, 2024
Het is een boek dat je moeilijk wegvkan leggen als er aan bent begonnen.
Ik vind hem geen 4 sterwaard, maar eigenlijk wel meer dan 3. Jammer dat je geen 3,5 kunt geven.
Ik vind hem geen 4 sterwaard, maar eigenlijk wel meer dan 3. Jammer dat je geen 3,5 kunt geven.
July 20, 2011
I purchased this book from the library for $1 for one reason: the synopsis at the back of the cover intrigued me. It starts with a new fall term at Winchester University, where students enrolled in "Logic and Reason 204" are presented with an interesting class syllabus: Solve a hypothetical crime of a kidnapped girl named Polly before the end of the six week term, or she will die.
What is not interesting about that??
Sadly, after finishing the book in about 3 days, there are plenty reasons as to why it becomes NOT interesting!
The book starts off great and is written in typical “page-turner” fashion.
The enigmatic, and often described as “creepy” professor of the class, Professor Williams, drops off weekly clues via email regarding this hypothetical crime.
He introduces a host of prime suspects, including the violent boyfriend, the protective father, the older “father figure” friend who is secretly in love with her, etc…
Three main students in particular, become strangely engrossed in this “fictional” crime project: Mary, Brian, and Dennis, especially after certain “clues” seem to make their way into their REAL lives. They become almost obsessed with this project, and seem convinced that there must be a link between this hypothetical project, and a real true crime event that happened to kidnapped girl named Deanna Ward. They pursue this link outside the boundaries of a Logic and Reason course, and even drive across cities and states to verify and correlate clues. Along the way, Lavender (the author), sprinkles red herrings into each instance, making the characters doubt what is still “real” and what is fiction.
Not that I want to waste any more time blabbing about the point of this story, but basically by the end of it, it is revealed that the whole thing was a HOAX, a set-up!
And to make matters worse, the entire premise of this 300+ page novel was for a PhD student’s dissertation experiment!! The characters, Mary and Brian are Elizabeth Orman’s prime subjects. (Elizabeth is also the wife of the Dean of the University.) She wants to prove her “thesis” that humans will go to great lengths to care about hypothetical human beings, and even hires an actor to play Professor Williams.
She seduces Dennis, and sleeps with him, so that she can use him as a pawn in her master ploy to fool his classmates, Mary and Brian. Her faculty advisor, Troy Hardings, even has a role in this ridiculous experiment, posing as Professor Williams’ cryptic assistant, and sends threatening emails to Brian and Mary as they start to unravel the “crime”.
OMG, as I am typing this, I am starting to realize how stupid this book really is!!!
Basically, the book tries (very poorly) to create a fictitious psychological thriller based upon Stanley Milgram’s famous “obedience” experiments. While I give Lavender credit for attempting to inject some originally into this genre by stimulating discussion about morality, ethics, etc…the ending of this story is ridiculous and a huge waste of time!
Elizabeth Orman finally draws Mary into the university at the “climax” of the story, and finally announces to her that the entire course and the search for a real victim, Deanna Ward was a complete fabrication. (Mary, by the way, is a typical horror story female victim…stupidly walking into dangerous situations, weak, gullible, and overly compassionate, which makes her the perfect subject for this ludicrous experiment.)
She, of course, has an emotional connection to the other subject in the story, Brian, who is still reeling from the suicide of his brother. He digs up the gun his brother killed himself with (which Brian had buried after his death), and takes it with him as Elizabeth and her cast of outlandish characters confront Mary.
Brian enters the university classroom, where this drama is taking place, and sees the fake Professor Williams (an actor) holding Mary firmly by the arm.
Brian overacts, and shoots Williams to death.
That’s it. Period. End of story.
What a horrible ending and not the best way to spend my weekend!
I mean, honestly….where are the authors who do NOT insult a reader’s intelligence????
Oh, and then at the end there is a weird epilogue about Dean Orman being an original experimenter of Stanley Milgram’s obedience experiment.
Yes, I understand Lavender is trying to inject some profound meaning into his first novel, but it was a complete miss for me.
I guess I can’t return a book I purchased from the library for $1?????
Probably best all round for everyone though…keep it out of circulation… HAHAHA!
What is not interesting about that??
Sadly, after finishing the book in about 3 days, there are plenty reasons as to why it becomes NOT interesting!
The book starts off great and is written in typical “page-turner” fashion.
The enigmatic, and often described as “creepy” professor of the class, Professor Williams, drops off weekly clues via email regarding this hypothetical crime.
He introduces a host of prime suspects, including the violent boyfriend, the protective father, the older “father figure” friend who is secretly in love with her, etc…
Three main students in particular, become strangely engrossed in this “fictional” crime project: Mary, Brian, and Dennis, especially after certain “clues” seem to make their way into their REAL lives. They become almost obsessed with this project, and seem convinced that there must be a link between this hypothetical project, and a real true crime event that happened to kidnapped girl named Deanna Ward. They pursue this link outside the boundaries of a Logic and Reason course, and even drive across cities and states to verify and correlate clues. Along the way, Lavender (the author), sprinkles red herrings into each instance, making the characters doubt what is still “real” and what is fiction.
Not that I want to waste any more time blabbing about the point of this story, but basically by the end of it, it is revealed that the whole thing was a HOAX, a set-up!
And to make matters worse, the entire premise of this 300+ page novel was for a PhD student’s dissertation experiment!! The characters, Mary and Brian are Elizabeth Orman’s prime subjects. (Elizabeth is also the wife of the Dean of the University.) She wants to prove her “thesis” that humans will go to great lengths to care about hypothetical human beings, and even hires an actor to play Professor Williams.
She seduces Dennis, and sleeps with him, so that she can use him as a pawn in her master ploy to fool his classmates, Mary and Brian. Her faculty advisor, Troy Hardings, even has a role in this ridiculous experiment, posing as Professor Williams’ cryptic assistant, and sends threatening emails to Brian and Mary as they start to unravel the “crime”.
OMG, as I am typing this, I am starting to realize how stupid this book really is!!!
Basically, the book tries (very poorly) to create a fictitious psychological thriller based upon Stanley Milgram’s famous “obedience” experiments. While I give Lavender credit for attempting to inject some originally into this genre by stimulating discussion about morality, ethics, etc…the ending of this story is ridiculous and a huge waste of time!
Elizabeth Orman finally draws Mary into the university at the “climax” of the story, and finally announces to her that the entire course and the search for a real victim, Deanna Ward was a complete fabrication. (Mary, by the way, is a typical horror story female victim…stupidly walking into dangerous situations, weak, gullible, and overly compassionate, which makes her the perfect subject for this ludicrous experiment.)
She, of course, has an emotional connection to the other subject in the story, Brian, who is still reeling from the suicide of his brother. He digs up the gun his brother killed himself with (which Brian had buried after his death), and takes it with him as Elizabeth and her cast of outlandish characters confront Mary.
Brian enters the university classroom, where this drama is taking place, and sees the fake Professor Williams (an actor) holding Mary firmly by the arm.
Brian overacts, and shoots Williams to death.
That’s it. Period. End of story.
What a horrible ending and not the best way to spend my weekend!
I mean, honestly….where are the authors who do NOT insult a reader’s intelligence????
Oh, and then at the end there is a weird epilogue about Dean Orman being an original experimenter of Stanley Milgram’s obedience experiment.
Yes, I understand Lavender is trying to inject some profound meaning into his first novel, but it was a complete miss for me.
I guess I can’t return a book I purchased from the library for $1?????
Probably best all round for everyone though…keep it out of circulation… HAHAHA!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2025
This could’ve been so good! The premise was interesting, but the more it progressed and the more I realized where it was going, the more I wanted it to end.
March 16, 2024
Enough to keep you hooked, not enough to arouse much excitement
February 7, 2016
Alguns estudantes universitários inscrevem-se na cadeira de Lógica onde o professor Williams era, até agora, um autêntico fantasma no campus. Ninguém o conhece, ninguém sabe como ele é e quem o conhece não quer falar dele.
A aula inicia-se com a atribuição de uma tarefa, a de resolver o mistério por trás do desaparecimento de uma rapariga, a Polly, até ao final do período. Os alunos têm seis semanas para descobrir o que aconteceu a Polly e onde ela está, para evitar que Polly seja assassinada. Para isso o professor vai dando pistas no final de cada aula.
Até aqui nada de muito extraordinário ou invulgar. Mas quando os alunos começam a analisar as provas que Williams lhes envia e vêem que tudo se passa na sua universidade com pessoas que conhecem, o caso muda de figura. Williams começa a brincar com fogo quando usa a vida dos seus alunos para a criação das suas pistas, ou serão pequenas e subtis ameaças?
Os primeiros capítulos foram de um avançar lento em que me perguntava "onde é que isto me leva?" Mas eis que chego à página 166 e literalmente o meu queixo cai! A partir daqui foi-me impossível largar o livro, na ânsia de chegar ao final que tanto queria saber, mas que começava a temer.
Tenho uma "imagem" perfeita para descrever este livro: uma calma mortífera antes de iniciar a terrível tempestade. Porque o resto do livro é mesmo isto, uma autêntica tempestade em que tudo é questionável, nada nem ninguém é de confiar, tudo o que parece de certeza que não é,... Há que ler bem o início deste livro para podermos perceber o desenlace. Eu mesma tive por vezes de reler algumas páginas que ficaram para trás para apenas poder desabafar "Pois é claro! Onde é que estava com a cabeça?"
Não é um livro para se ler nos momentos em que estamos mais ocupados ou sem grande tempo para nos dedicarmos à leitura. Este é um livro que exige tudo de nós; o máximo que as nossas células cinzentas (agora lembrei-me do Poirot) conseguem alcançar. Isto é a consequência de um livro labiríntico que está muito bem escrito permitindo a identificação do leitor com a trama - estavam as personagens a sofrer psicologicamente, e eu a acompanhá-las. Mas esta tortura psicológica que leva as personagens ao limite terá consequências inimagináveis.
A aula inicia-se com a atribuição de uma tarefa, a de resolver o mistério por trás do desaparecimento de uma rapariga, a Polly, até ao final do período. Os alunos têm seis semanas para descobrir o que aconteceu a Polly e onde ela está, para evitar que Polly seja assassinada. Para isso o professor vai dando pistas no final de cada aula.
Até aqui nada de muito extraordinário ou invulgar. Mas quando os alunos começam a analisar as provas que Williams lhes envia e vêem que tudo se passa na sua universidade com pessoas que conhecem, o caso muda de figura. Williams começa a brincar com fogo quando usa a vida dos seus alunos para a criação das suas pistas, ou serão pequenas e subtis ameaças?
Os primeiros capítulos foram de um avançar lento em que me perguntava "onde é que isto me leva?" Mas eis que chego à página 166 e literalmente o meu queixo cai! A partir daqui foi-me impossível largar o livro, na ânsia de chegar ao final que tanto queria saber, mas que começava a temer.
Tenho uma "imagem" perfeita para descrever este livro: uma calma mortífera antes de iniciar a terrível tempestade. Porque o resto do livro é mesmo isto, uma autêntica tempestade em que tudo é questionável, nada nem ninguém é de confiar, tudo o que parece de certeza que não é,... Há que ler bem o início deste livro para podermos perceber o desenlace. Eu mesma tive por vezes de reler algumas páginas que ficaram para trás para apenas poder desabafar "Pois é claro! Onde é que estava com a cabeça?"
Não é um livro para se ler nos momentos em que estamos mais ocupados ou sem grande tempo para nos dedicarmos à leitura. Este é um livro que exige tudo de nós; o máximo que as nossas células cinzentas (agora lembrei-me do Poirot) conseguem alcançar. Isto é a consequência de um livro labiríntico que está muito bem escrito permitindo a identificação do leitor com a trama - estavam as personagens a sofrer psicologicamente, e eu a acompanhá-las. Mas esta tortura psicológica que leva as personagens ao limite terá consequências inimagináveis.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2011
I'm really interested to see what others thought of this one, but I always make a point of trying not to read anyone else's reviews before writing my own (just so that it doesn't affect my immediate thoughts/opinions/reactions). I do see that it got a rather low user rating avg (I consider anything below 3.4 or so to be on the low side), but I'm going to give it higher props than that. Throughout the first half of the book, I was LOVING it, and totally feeling a 5-star rating! But because it strated dragging a bit around 3/4 of the way through, and because of a slightly disappointing ending, I give it a 4. Which still means I thought it was very good! - just not quite perfect. It was kind of hard to keep up with everything that was going on at times, and like the main characters, I was getting a little frustrated with the search for clear answers. And then the ending kind of fizzled instead of popped; it was interesting, but it lacked excitement, IMO, and parts of it didn't seem entirely realistic.
On the plus side, I really love mystery/thrillers that take place on college campuses, and the atmosphere and settings in this one were great. The story grabs you from the first page and pulls you right in. It starts off on the first day of 'Logic and Reasoning 204' and follows it throughout the entire 6-week semester. The students have just one assignment: Figure out what happened to a missing girl named Polly and find her before the semester is over, or she will be murdered. That's all I'm gonna tell ya!
On the plus side, I really love mystery/thrillers that take place on college campuses, and the atmosphere and settings in this one were great. The story grabs you from the first page and pulls you right in. It starts off on the first day of 'Logic and Reasoning 204' and follows it throughout the entire 6-week semester. The students have just one assignment: Figure out what happened to a missing girl named Polly and find her before the semester is over, or she will be murdered. That's all I'm gonna tell ya!
March 5, 2009
I'm glad I read this because it was fast, relatively mindless, and a great break from the hectic week I had - something to read late at night. That said, the writing is extremely irritating if you're a stickler about quality. If one more person had "collapsed in disbelief" or "bit their lip" or had blathering internal monologue or that sort of thing, I was going to throw it. The author is an MBA, so i kinda expected more. But in all fairness, I had these same concerns about Twilight, and that made millions regardless of my review, so go ahead and read this one!
It definitely keeps you going and, that said, the plot sucker punches you at the end. For being high concept, it just wasn't set up *that well* and the characters weren't as well-developed as I wanted. I felt like the publishing house changed his ending -when you read, you'll see what I mean. It would make for a great movie, and when a book person says that, well, you know what that means.
That said, I did give it 3 stars, and here's why: a fantastic premise and for giving me a page-turner- I haven't had one of those in a while. It made me crave reading more suspense/mystery novels, just not this one.
It definitely keeps you going and, that said, the plot sucker punches you at the end. For being high concept, it just wasn't set up *that well* and the characters weren't as well-developed as I wanted. I felt like the publishing house changed his ending -when you read, you'll see what I mean. It would make for a great movie, and when a book person says that, well, you know what that means.
That said, I did give it 3 stars, and here's why: a fantastic premise and for giving me a page-turner- I haven't had one of those in a while. It made me crave reading more suspense/mystery novels, just not this one.
March 17, 2010
A book review by Patty Magyar
Obedience by Will Lavender
This book totally absorbed me…the premise is sort of unusual and the writing is done in such a way as to pop you right inside this classroom.
It was a realistic sort of chiller/thriller with a terrific surprise ending.
I personally love mysteries…any kind of really terrific absorbing mystery and Obedience had many key items that keep my attention in a book of this kind…ok…the premise is a college philosophy class with a colorful interesting and totally off professor. Everything about his style of teaching is sort of questionable. His premise for this class is that a girl has disappeared and the class has 6 weeks to find her or else she dies. With that proclamation he ends the class and the action begins.
You really get to know the characters, and you really do get caught up in the chase, and you really are surprised by the ending…
This is a great book…one that is highly recommended by me…
Obedience by Will Lavender
This book totally absorbed me…the premise is sort of unusual and the writing is done in such a way as to pop you right inside this classroom.
It was a realistic sort of chiller/thriller with a terrific surprise ending.
I personally love mysteries…any kind of really terrific absorbing mystery and Obedience had many key items that keep my attention in a book of this kind…ok…the premise is a college philosophy class with a colorful interesting and totally off professor. Everything about his style of teaching is sort of questionable. His premise for this class is that a girl has disappeared and the class has 6 weeks to find her or else she dies. With that proclamation he ends the class and the action begins.
You really get to know the characters, and you really do get caught up in the chase, and you really are surprised by the ending…
This is a great book…one that is highly recommended by me…
November 23, 2012
I so wanted this book to live up to its potential. It began like it might be a mix of The Secret History and an adult The Westing Game, two of my all time favorites, but the puzzle aspects of the mystery were confusing, often non-sensical and, in some cases, created several of those plot holes you just can't ignore. The final twist was interesting, but was a bit too late, a too minor to save the entire thing. That said, it WAS a page turner, and Lavender definitely has some skills...it's just that I wanted more-good puzzle mysteries are incredibly difficult, I'm sure.
July 19, 2009
Reading Obedience is similar to walking through a fun house full of distorting mirrors and churning floors. The premise is a simple one. Professor Williams presents his logic class with a single assignment: to prevent a murder that will otherwise happen when the course ends. As the students begin to ponder the clues that Williams doles out piecemeal, they grow increasingly uncomfortable with the strangeness of the scenario, and little by little, their abilities to maintain a grasp on reality begin to shred. A few of the students become obsessed, and it is their experiences that form the nucleus of this complicated, sinuous mystery.
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