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Ocean's 11
Ex-convict Danny Ocean and his team of talented con men come up with an ingenious scheme to rip off three of Las Vegas's biggest casinos, but his seductive ex-wife could turn the plan upside down. Original. (Novelization of the new film, releasing Winter 2001, written by Steve Carpenter & Ted Griffin, directed by Steven Soderbergh, starring George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, & Don Cheadle) (General Fiction)
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 1, 2022
So unterhaltsam und spannend wie der Film.
January 31, 2026
This is my first time reading a book written by Dewey Gram. I love the Ocean's 11 movie, so I was excited to read the book!
Ocean's 11 is rated PG-13 for language and thematic elements (i.e. Las Vegas shenanigans). Note: the book contains more foul language than its movie counterpart, making the film a cleaner story in comparison.
The 2001 Ocean's 11 film moves at such a quick pace. The book is slower, and I could follow along easier. The book gives character thoughts, location, time, and details where the reader feels more knowledgeable about events. There are slight differences from the book to the movie. The book contains additional scenes. The dramatic countdown to Yen's oxygen was more suspenseful in the book.
The story is told in three parts:
● Chapters 1-9: Danny and Rusty form the Ocean's 11 team
● Chapters 9-22: Two weeks to prepare the plan to rob three casinos: the Bellagio, the Mirage, and the MGM (over 160 million in cash/ around 13 million take home pay for each player)
● Chapters 22- 32: the execution of the plan
"It was a simple goal: a pot of gold. But a pot big enough to buy a rainbow for each one of them" (pg. 115).
I love the character connections: the "reading mind" moments, catching clues, meaningful pauses, deadpan humor, the Cantonese to English dialogue (Rusty and Yen), camaraderie between partners, a conversation with a single look. Danny and Rusty seem so in-sync with each other.
"That was what made a good con: the ability to morph when the chips were down" (pg. 57).
I like the character descriptions:
● Danny Ocean on pg. 2: "good-looking man in the early prime of life... large, dark eyes- the kind of dark eyes women liked to look deep into..." (George Clooney)
● Tess Ocean on pg. 114: "A stunning woman... elegantly dressed, doe-brown eyes, beautiful big smile- a knockout" (Julia Roberts)
● Rusty Ryan on pg. 21: "a good-looking guy... he had a smile that would make you believe in friendship." (Brad Pitt)
● Linus Caldwell on pg. 62: "a handsome, dark eyed, rather preppy-appearing young man who... might have been mistaken for a Chicago law student" (Matt Damon)
"Never underestimate the master" (pg. 16).
A few questions as a reader:
● Why did Linus go on the trip to retrieve the pinch at Cal Tech if he was told just to stay in the van? (pg. 146)
● Am I to believe that Danny was originally going to play the character of Sheldon Wills, Nevada Gaming Commission? And if I am to believe that... what would Linus' job had been on game day? (pg. 158).
● Virgil "forgot" his keycard. Turk is right next to him. Wouldn't the security officer then ask for Turk's card instead? (pg. 187).
● Saul was able to... or rather, pretend to have a full-fledged cardiac arrest to the point where he appears dead. Really? (pg. 194).
● I feel like Yen should have exited the cash cart during the power outage, not after. (pg. 206).
➜ I have a few other questions... but my head would hurt if I really tried to understand every exact detail of this elaborate plan!
"It was a work of genius" (pg. 68).
Is the Book "Ocean's 11" better than the Movie version?
Find out on my Blog Series titled Book Vs Movie:
👉 https://www.sunshinerodgers.com/movie...
Ocean's 11 is rated PG-13 for language and thematic elements (i.e. Las Vegas shenanigans). Note: the book contains more foul language than its movie counterpart, making the film a cleaner story in comparison.
The 2001 Ocean's 11 film moves at such a quick pace. The book is slower, and I could follow along easier. The book gives character thoughts, location, time, and details where the reader feels more knowledgeable about events. There are slight differences from the book to the movie. The book contains additional scenes. The dramatic countdown to Yen's oxygen was more suspenseful in the book.
The story is told in three parts:
● Chapters 1-9: Danny and Rusty form the Ocean's 11 team
● Chapters 9-22: Two weeks to prepare the plan to rob three casinos: the Bellagio, the Mirage, and the MGM (over 160 million in cash/ around 13 million take home pay for each player)
● Chapters 22- 32: the execution of the plan
"It was a simple goal: a pot of gold. But a pot big enough to buy a rainbow for each one of them" (pg. 115).
I love the character connections: the "reading mind" moments, catching clues, meaningful pauses, deadpan humor, the Cantonese to English dialogue (Rusty and Yen), camaraderie between partners, a conversation with a single look. Danny and Rusty seem so in-sync with each other.
"That was what made a good con: the ability to morph when the chips were down" (pg. 57).
I like the character descriptions:
● Danny Ocean on pg. 2: "good-looking man in the early prime of life... large, dark eyes- the kind of dark eyes women liked to look deep into..." (George Clooney)
● Tess Ocean on pg. 114: "A stunning woman... elegantly dressed, doe-brown eyes, beautiful big smile- a knockout" (Julia Roberts)
● Rusty Ryan on pg. 21: "a good-looking guy... he had a smile that would make you believe in friendship." (Brad Pitt)
● Linus Caldwell on pg. 62: "a handsome, dark eyed, rather preppy-appearing young man who... might have been mistaken for a Chicago law student" (Matt Damon)
"Never underestimate the master" (pg. 16).
A few questions as a reader:
● Why did Linus go on the trip to retrieve the pinch at Cal Tech if he was told just to stay in the van? (pg. 146)
● Am I to believe that Danny was originally going to play the character of Sheldon Wills, Nevada Gaming Commission? And if I am to believe that... what would Linus' job had been on game day? (pg. 158).
● Virgil "forgot" his keycard. Turk is right next to him. Wouldn't the security officer then ask for Turk's card instead? (pg. 187).
● Saul was able to... or rather, pretend to have a full-fledged cardiac arrest to the point where he appears dead. Really? (pg. 194).
● I feel like Yen should have exited the cash cart during the power outage, not after. (pg. 206).
➜ I have a few other questions... but my head would hurt if I really tried to understand every exact detail of this elaborate plan!
"It was a work of genius" (pg. 68).
Is the Book "Ocean's 11" better than the Movie version?
Find out on my Blog Series titled Book Vs Movie:
👉 https://www.sunshinerodgers.com/movie...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2018
Read before the movie. It was quite Ok, but I still stick to the wonderful film.
Read
May 26, 2020This book kept me interested and wanting to hear more inconstantly, I loved it from the massive heists just to the charterers. This book is about a few people who decided to plan a heist. I wish I could tell you more but the book is just so good you'll have to read it yourself. I would recommend this book to anyone upwards of there teens and that enjoy criminal books or just anyone who's interested in this book it's truly amazing.
December 27, 2010
Has anyone ever successfully robbed a casino? Many wonder the different options one can take in illegally stealing from a bank vault similar to those of nuclear silos. But only one man, Daniel Ocean, has the exact plan and courage to take on such a task. Ocean, a top hit man criminal type is at it again right after he gets out of jail. His target: 3 five-star casinos located in downtown Las Vegas.
This edition of the fabulous 70's classic integrates modern technology with Ocean's (and his men) plot to overtake Terry Benedict for messing him over and stealing his woman. If you have not yet seen the movie, then this book is just for you.
Be ready, however, to experience great jumps as the story hops around different scenes and explains most but not all the details. You will have to figure the rest out yourself.
If you liked the movie, this book is literally just the script written in paragraph form. It adds a bit more of an insight of the characters, and is still generally entertaining. If you're a die-hard fan (like myself) of the series, you'll like this book.
More of Purplycookie’s Reviews @: http://www.goodreads.com/purplycookie
Book Details:
Title Ocean's 11
Author Dewey Gram
Reviewed By Purplycookie
This edition of the fabulous 70's classic integrates modern technology with Ocean's (and his men) plot to overtake Terry Benedict for messing him over and stealing his woman. If you have not yet seen the movie, then this book is just for you.
Be ready, however, to experience great jumps as the story hops around different scenes and explains most but not all the details. You will have to figure the rest out yourself.
If you liked the movie, this book is literally just the script written in paragraph form. It adds a bit more of an insight of the characters, and is still generally entertaining. If you're a die-hard fan (like myself) of the series, you'll like this book.
More of Purplycookie’s Reviews @: http://www.goodreads.com/purplycookie
Book Details:
Title Ocean's 11
Author Dewey Gram
Reviewed By Purplycookie
February 22, 2020
It's difficult to turn a movie into a book. It's usually the other way around, and when this is the case, the book is usually better than the movie.
August 1, 2015
Low quality chewing gum. Written in a fast cut screen way, this would have been better as a graphic novel. The story is fine: it's a heist, with a bunch of specialists. You have to wonder why guys like this (always guys, never gals) appear to be only able to make money illegally - perhaps it pays better? If so, it's an indictment of how society treats its experts. Aha, because 'fiction'.
Anyway.
Coincidences abound: people get hurt, but only for that scene. After the scene, they might screw their eyes up, but it does not prevent them doing acrobatics or improbable jumps. Gadgets abound: the 'spider' to hijack the video feed is a clever idea; the remote control driving is interesting; the fast costume changes, the 'make it look like I was there all along', the various slight of hands.... Part of me felt there wasn't time for the various things to happen, but 'because fiction' allows time, and disbelief, to be suspended.
Why two stars? Because it felt like the movie, not like a book: this is a short story writ long, in large font with wide spacing. One dimensional characters (except for Ocean). Deus ex machina inserts to make your eyebrows stand above your forehead. More 'guess what's than a six year old telling a tall tale.
Anyway.
Coincidences abound: people get hurt, but only for that scene. After the scene, they might screw their eyes up, but it does not prevent them doing acrobatics or improbable jumps. Gadgets abound: the 'spider' to hijack the video feed is a clever idea; the remote control driving is interesting; the fast costume changes, the 'make it look like I was there all along', the various slight of hands.... Part of me felt there wasn't time for the various things to happen, but 'because fiction' allows time, and disbelief, to be suspended.
Why two stars? Because it felt like the movie, not like a book: this is a short story writ long, in large font with wide spacing. One dimensional characters (except for Ocean). Deus ex machina inserts to make your eyebrows stand above your forehead. More 'guess what's than a six year old telling a tall tale.
January 2, 2008
Book is based on the screenplay and is basically a scene for scene write up of the updated movie. That said, if you liked the movie or the subject matter (vegas/casino related) you'll enjoy it. Very fast read.
May 10, 2012
Characters-3.5
Storyline/Plot-5
Writing-3
Overall- 3.8
I got this book because I'm a huge fan of the movie.
For me the movie is a lot better. I think the characters are more developed and you get a better sense of them. Of course I love the storyline.
Storyline/Plot-5
Writing-3
Overall- 3.8
I got this book because I'm a huge fan of the movie.
For me the movie is a lot better. I think the characters are more developed and you get a better sense of them. Of course I love the storyline.
March 6, 2018
If you like the movie, you will like this book. If you have not seen the movie and are into witty heist stories, this is worth a read. The only perk of the movie over the book were the high intensity movie scenes were anti-climatic in writing.
July 18, 2019
Exactly like the movie because it's a novel based on the screenplay. So doesn't matter if you watch the movie first. The book doesn't give descriptions of the charters, because they are Julia Roberts, George Clooney, Brad Pitt etc.
March 28, 2008
Kannte den Film schon und hab ihn sehr gemocht. Das Buch dazu war ebenso interessant. Alles wußte ich ja doch nicht mehr und so wurde es nicht langweilig. Schnell gelesen ist das Buch zudem auch.
April 6, 2018
Love con artist type reads and this one does not disappoint, the ending in the old Rat Pack original was pretty funny
March 10, 2017
I prefer the movie.
June 7, 2017
BEST MYSTERY/ACTION BOOK EVER. LOVED IT.
August 25, 2017
The movie is way better.
Read
January 21, 2021In this action packed thriller, it takes you through the journey of two friends ( Danny Ocean and Rusty Ryan) who plan a mischievous heist to rob $150 million from Terry Benedict, who is a big time casino owner In Las Vegas. Danny Ocean seeked Vengeance on Benedict because he had been associated with Ocean's ex-lover (Tess). Risk taking, Explosions, and shoot outs, this tale will leave you on the edge of your seat and wanting more. Dewey Gram really made the life of a gangster in the 1960s come to life, capturing the good and bad in people, who are from different ends of the wealth spectrum.
Gram allows you to fully visualise the story he is trying to portray, and with that it brings you into the minds of the characters which allows you to feel all of their sneaky, and snakish thoughts. If you are a lover of The Hunter , then you will be thrilled with this action filled masterpiece.
January 22, 2023
Great Movie for thief
September 19, 2023
Dewey can bring it, but Dewey didn't bring it. Somebody had Dewey on a tight leash. Pearls (Dewey) before swine (Warner Bros.)
Read the novelization of Sneakers instead.
Read the novelization of Sneakers instead.
April 1, 2015
In Las Vegas,Nevada, the usual people coming from all over are far from usual. But they all come looking for a good time and getting lucky from casinos. Anyone can win big but sometimes there are other means than gambling to do it, even though it is still gambling. Wouldn't you say robbing a casino is a gamble.
In Danny Ocean's case robbing a casino isn't a gamble but another job. Even if he doesn't even care about the money. He really just wants to get revenge. I love the plot of this book and the way it is written. I like it so much because I can relate to the way Danny and Rusty talk to each other and the way they talk to other people. If you have that one friend that you can tell what they are going to do before they do it then you can understand their relationship.
Maybe a little scattered from scene to scene the author does change the image in your head very frequently, has if to always keep you focused and in tuned to the planning and execution. Though not such a long story it really is full of lots of action and interaction between characters, which is probably why I loved reading it every second. If any of this sounds interesting to you or like your cup of tea, then I would definitely read it as soon as possible.
In Danny Ocean's case robbing a casino isn't a gamble but another job. Even if he doesn't even care about the money. He really just wants to get revenge. I love the plot of this book and the way it is written. I like it so much because I can relate to the way Danny and Rusty talk to each other and the way they talk to other people. If you have that one friend that you can tell what they are going to do before they do it then you can understand their relationship.
Maybe a little scattered from scene to scene the author does change the image in your head very frequently, has if to always keep you focused and in tuned to the planning and execution. Though not such a long story it really is full of lots of action and interaction between characters, which is probably why I loved reading it every second. If any of this sounds interesting to you or like your cup of tea, then I would definitely read it as soon as possible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2016
Ik hou van de Ocean's 11, Ocean's 12 en Ocean's 13 films! Dit boek was net zo leuk als de film en ik vind het jammer dat er de laatste twee niet in boek vorm zijn geschreven.
July 21, 2007
Really captures teh spirit and humor of the movie, though it doesn't add much. Still a fun read.
Read
April 9, 2009i saw the movie :P
April 12, 2017
Honestly, just watch the movie. This is a play for play account of the film, which would take less time to watch. A few noticeable spelling mistakes and weak character building, combined with a helpless trophy wife as the only female character, makes this a lukewarm adventure story at best.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews