Prizes: A Novel

by Erich Segal

"SURPRISINGLY FUN . . . The heroic trio lead strenuous lives, ER-style, all with an eye for the Nobel Prize."--Kirkus ReviewsNow from the bestselling author of Love Story and Doctors comes a powerful and moving saga of three extraordinary individuals as they compete for the ultimate the Nobel Prize. Erich Segal takes us inside the research labs and clinics, the homes and hearts, of the world's most elite doctors and scientists--two men and one woman--whose genius, dedication, and passion cannot always win for them the love and recognition they so desperately seek. Loyalty and betrayal, disappointment and loss, scandal and secrets--all will play roles in the personal and professional lives of these gifted scientists who hold the key to life and death for so many. And through it all the Nobel Prize beckons with its seductive promise. Two will be selected for this highest honor; one of them will not live to receive it. Yet all will discover the enduring that life has many prizes to offer, and many come to us in the most unexpected ways. . . . "COMPELLING . . . It is reward in itself to follow the chronicle of three trailblazing scientists, each out to better the world while conquering his own personal demons."--West Coast Review of BooksA MAIN SELECTION OF THE LITERARY GUILD(c)

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Drama, Contemporary, Indonesian Literature, Thriller, Russia

625 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 7, 1995

About the author

Erich Wolf Segal was an American author, screenwriter, and educator. He was best-known for writing the novel Love Story, a bestseller, and writing the motion picture of the same name, which was a major hit.

Reviews

[Minty McBunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Doctors is one of my top 10 favorite books of all time, I could probably recite most of it from memory. When I was cleaning out my bookshelves recently, I came across this book next to Doctors and couldn't remember much about it, so I decided to read it again.

It's not as good as Doctors, but about on the same level as The Class, and better than some of Segal's other books. It's soapy fun set in the world of high science, As always, Segal creates memorable characters, clear-cut good guys and bad guys, and passionate showdowns between the two. I decided to keep it, and I got rid over over 200 other books, so I guess that's as good a recommendation as I can give.

[Richa Bhattarai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, the juxtaposition of characters and the fight to the finish. The tale of the precocious child egged on by an overambitious father, the rift between the siblings, it stays with me.

[Irwan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the Indonesian translation a long time ago. I was really fascinated with physics and natural sciences. So the topic of the novel - competitions among researchers to get a Nobel Prize - was very attractive. I had to take a peek on the life of geniuses of different ages. I remember how an obsessed father pushed his daughter so hard to learn physics since he found out how talented she was. They then led a life which was not so normal. There are two other characters told separately.
At that time I learned the stress, joy, struggle, tears and normal feelings experienced by the not so normal people. At that time I still romanticized the idea of being a scientist as someone who hold the key (or trying to find one) of the mysteries in life.

[Liz B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really smart people--doctors, a geneticist, and a physicist--vie for the Nobel Prize. Meanwhile, life happens, with a lot of stilted dialogue.

I remember loving Erich Segal in high school. I wonder if he's gotten lazy or if he's always written this way. It felt like a Reader's Digest Condensed Books version...he had three big stories going and he didn't seem to want to spend too much time on any of them. While I was reading, I was constantly conscious of Segal as narrator, as if he were telling the story of something that happened--as opposed to feeling as if I were inside the story.

So why did I finish it? Well, I wanted to know which of them would win the Nobel Prize, naturally. That's why it got 2 stars...I was inspired to finish despite impressive levels of mediocrity.

[Marta E C R · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has been sitting on my shelves for at least 10, if not 15-20 years, waiting for me to read it. Perhaps I would have liked it better had I read it closer to its publication, when the science was not outdated. The treatment of the personal stories often verged on soap opera quality, which I did not particularly like. But there were parts of it I did enjoy, and it wasn't a bad way to spend some time reading. I'm giving it a 2.7 and rounding up to 3 stars.

[Mick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Typical novel of erich segal using parallel narratives of different protagonists. Enjoyable read.

[Raneem ABDULAZEEZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it for many reason, it is inspiring and motivating for believing in owr dreams and working hard for them. Then, it proved that the parent is not the one who gave birth to you, but most importantly the one who raised and supported you and devoted their time for you to be who you are. Furthermore, it is so lovely that losing what one might think the life only love proved to be that one can always have a soulmate (more than once).

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

My grandma recommended this book. Was I skeptical about a drama about scientists trying to win the Nobel Prize? Yes. Was the story corny and the dialogue stilted? Absolutely. Was the science hysterically outdated and occasionally sci-fi? Uh-huh. Did I find the novel absolutely irresistible? Yes - I could not stop reading it!

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A reread.

I kind of wish the whole book was about Isa - I'm not that interested in Sandy, and I know that I'm supposed to like Adam for being a good guy, but even though it's presented in the nicest possible way and the wife is presented as a total shrew, he still totally cheated on his wife.

[Andrea Miškocová · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nebolo to zlé, akurát, že tu na mňa bolo až priveľa príbehov, ktoré sa spojili až na konci. Chýbala mi tu Segalova ľahkosť s akou dokáže vykúzliť divy, no ak máte radi príbehy z lekárskeho prostredia, tak kľudne choďte do toho. :)

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by 'Prizes', having shelved the book in my collection for a while but always passing it over for something newer or more of a thriller. Segal's 'Doctors' was a book I read over 30 years ago as a teenager working at a hospital, and it must have been good enough for me to choose 'Prizes' years later, though I don't remember the specifics of 'Doctors' other than that they are likely completely independent works. In 'Prizes', Segal tells the stories of 3 genius scientists in their quest to win a Nobel Prize, each with a fascinating story that led them to their breakthroughs. Sandy Raven is a Hollywood producer's son, looking to make a name for himself outside the Sidney Raven shadow, but with one eye still behind what, or more importantly, who. he left behind in Hollywood. Isabel is a child prodigy, nurtured by her scientist father until her knowledge far exceeds even his, but simultaneously suppressed by Dad to explore any of her other passions and torn between her love for him and science and a desire to grow beyond what he can provide. Adam is a junior scientist mentored by his idol, Max, well on his way to a Nobel Prize of his own, but when Max's life is cut short, Adam is left with giant shoes to fill and takes it upon himself to dedicate himself to Max's most private but important line of research in hope of making Max and his widow, Liesl, proud.
Because the book was published in 1995, the groundbreaking research projects undertaken by each scientist that are figments of the author's imagination don't seem so far from the reality of things we see in the science world today, decades later. It's not a bad thing, just something to keep in context, that the problems at the heart of the research may very well have been solved in the past 30 years, or have taken a direction that makes Segal's scientists' lines of thinking incorrect. I loved the personal backstories that wound themselves into the parts about science and made the 3 protagonists human and relatable.

[Eva 'Nomad' · Rating 4 out of 5]

Да препрочета “Награди” на Ерих Сийгъл си беше един вид носталгично преживяване. Към края на 90-те някой я беше дал назаем на родителите ми и историите на тримата учени, всеки със собствен трънлив път към успеха и евентуално Нобеловата награда, бяха наистина запленяващи за мен.

Изабел - дете-гений, чийто баща, нереализирал се физик, се е вкопчил в нея и чрез нея се опитва да компенсира за собствените си неудачи.

Санди - генетик, болезнено срамежлив, с тен като оризова каша, от момче безнадеждно влюбен в ослепителната си съученичка Рошел, години наред се бори за нейното внимание.

Адам - обещаващ имунолог, отрано загубил ментора си, и посветил кариерата си на издирването на тихия убиец, причиняващ серийни спонтанни аборти при пациентките му.

Главите са сравнително кратки и проследяват историята на всеки от героите в продължение на няколко години. Борбите, неуморния труд, колебанията, предателствата, всичко, което съпътства една научна кариера. “Награди” е книга за жертвите, които трябва да се направят заради успеха, за грешките, за болката, която неволно причиняваме на близките си и за жестоките иронии на съдбата.

[Paulina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pierwszy raz czytałam taką książkę jak ta. W końcu mogłam obserwować jak bohaterowie dorastają, starzeją się i zmieniają.
Razem z nimi szłam przez życie. Potykając się i podnosząc, żeby iść dalej przed siebie.
Nie będę ukrywać, że na początku ciężko było mi wbić się w styl autora i oswoić się z dużą ilością bohaterów i naukowego słownictwa. Przez co początek mnie męczył, ale im dalej tym lepiej i nawet nie wiem kiedy, stałam się częścią tego wszystkiego i byłam w stanie poczuć, to co bohaterowie.
A wiecie co najbardziej urzekło mnie w tej książce?
Że była to zwykła historia o (nie)zwykłych ludziach, których się lubiło albo nie. Ale czy tak nie jest właśnie w życiu? Że nie każdego da się polubić?
W końcu nie znajdziecie tutaj idealnych bohaterów, bo są tylko ludźmi, którzy popełniają błędy.
Właśnie to było piękne.
Książka porusza też naprawdę wiele ważnych tematów takich jak zdrada, rozwód, strata bliskiej osoby, a to tylko czubek góry lodowej, bo historia ma do zaoferowania znacznie więcej!
Przede wszystkim pokazuje nam, że pomimo przeciwności losu da się ułożyć sobie życie na nowo.

[Mary Lou · Rating 3 out of 5]

The professional and personal lives of three scientists whose stories come together somewhat at the end, "Prizes" is really little more than a soap opera starring brainy academics, and way too many people with daddy issues. Throw in an ambitious Hollywood starlet, a hunky tennis pro, and a Washington power broker, and, well... it really does sound ridiculous, doesn't it? Yet somehow it works well enough for a "guilty pleasure" weekend escape.

[Jim Bostjancic · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy fast, succinct reads.

Similar and superior to "The Prize"by Irving Wallace which seemed like an endurance test.
Like in "Class," author Erich Segal explores emotional lives of accomplished individuals, this time in medical research.

Some of his books have been made in decent movies as well.

[Mabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A reminder that even the world's most remarkable physicians, scientists, and Nobel Prize winners are just humans, all needing to love and be loved for who they are.
A great read from one of my favorite writers.

[Shari Blakey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read several of Erich Segal's books years ago but this one had been sitting on my shelf unread so I rectified that. It was interesting, worth reading, but a bit slow. I did learn some science and medical information and more about the nomination and selection process for the Nobel Prize.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny. Heart-wrenching. Outstanding work.

[Iqbal Dista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow plot but great story overall. Erich Segal is the legend among the greatest storyteller.

[Janet · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't like it at all. Just read 40 pages.

[Grace Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a perfect read!!..It was very captivating.It was a very complicated bundle of tales said in the simplest most lovable way!!

[Geetha Godwin]

Eric Segal has been my all time favorite.

[Daphnar · Rating 2 out of 5]

The race for the nobel prize - geeky scientists with difficult home lives.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved all the science the author wrote about AND the wonderful characters and simultaneous story plots.

[Banaja Sethi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome story

[Dori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is still a feelgood novel. Typical 80s-90s style and storylines.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An old bk from my shelf- intriguing story about 3 brilliant people competing for the coveted Nobel prize and how they all started and ended on their quest for greatness

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like all of his books, this one was excellent. I often get distracted when reading, but this book grabbed my attention and kept me reading until I finished it.

[Idea Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring. Too many characters, none of them I was able to care about. Giving this up early because life is too short to waste on a bad book.

[Asia · Rating 3 out of 5]

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