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Control
Details the terrifying course of events that occurs as, one by one, suddenly and inexplicably, happy, successful, and apparently normal people lose control
352 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1982
11 people are currently reading
354 people want to read
About the author
William Goldman
89 books2,669 followersGoldman grew up in a Jewish family in Highland Park, Illinois, a Chicago suburb, and obtained a BA degree at Oberlin College in 1952 and an MA degree at Columbia University in 1956.His brother was the late James Goldman, author and playwright.
William Goldman had published five novels and had three plays produced on Broadway before he began to write screenplays. Several of his novels he later used as the foundation for his screenplays.
In the 1980s he wrote a series of memoirs looking at his professional life on Broadway and in Hollywood (in one of these he famously remarked that "Nobody knows anything"). He then returned to writing novels. He then adapted his novel The Princess Bride to the screen, which marked his re-entry into screenwriting.
Goldman won two Academy Awards: an Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and an Academy Award for Writing Adapted Screenplay for All the President's Men. He also won two Edgar Awards, from the Mystery Writers of America, for Best Motion Picture Screenplay: for Harper in 1967, and for Magic (adapted from his own 1976 novel) in 1979.
Goldman died in New York City on November 16, 2018, due to complications from colon cancer and pneumonia. He was eighty-seven years old.
William Goldman had published five novels and had three plays produced on Broadway before he began to write screenplays. Several of his novels he later used as the foundation for his screenplays.
In the 1980s he wrote a series of memoirs looking at his professional life on Broadway and in Hollywood (in one of these he famously remarked that "Nobody knows anything"). He then returned to writing novels. He then adapted his novel The Princess Bride to the screen, which marked his re-entry into screenwriting.
Goldman won two Academy Awards: an Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and an Academy Award for Writing Adapted Screenplay for All the President's Men. He also won two Edgar Awards, from the Mystery Writers of America, for Best Motion Picture Screenplay: for Harper in 1967, and for Magic (adapted from his own 1976 novel) in 1979.
Goldman died in New York City on November 16, 2018, due to complications from colon cancer and pneumonia. He was eighty-seven years old.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 22, 2015
For most of the book, I felt myself a tad dismayed. It didn't seem to be one of his better conceptions. But, happily--I was in error. I was a dope. Only a dope ever doubts William Goldman's competency. Never, ever, 'second-guess' Goldman. The dude is just OUT THERE. He never lets a reader down. Even when he temporarily fell out of favor with Hollywood--he was always a thorough, detail-oriented, and masterful craftsman. Whether screenplay or novel. Dismayed? What was I thinking? There is no way a guy who started out with dramas ('Soldier in the Rain') and screenplays ('Butch Cassidy', 'Harper') then gave us landmark thrillers like 'Marathon Man' is ever going to fumble a plot. He is just too self-respecting and conscientious a writer to offer his audience something sub-par.
Still, 'Control' is deceptive at first. It seems a lackluster tale compared to some of his other successes. The story seems to lean very heavily on re-used devices from his earlier works. Slightly-threadbare ideas and some stale characters. The book is also filled with 'Goldman-isms' which he has trotted out many times before.
Don't worry. Stick with it. It eventually develops into a really astounding thriller which (yes, I know you won't believe me) combines espionage-intrigue with science fiction. The last few pages will have *anyone* shaking.
You can hardly believe what he pulls off here. When you follow a writer for a while, you maybe tend to imagine he will deliver the 'same goods' in the exact same way he always has done for you, before. But not Goldman. He likes to try new approaches. He gets excited by neat ideas, and makes them his own.
With 'Control', he goes way, way, out of his home-range...and just when you think he's totally lost the finesse needed to craft a fine thriller... you get slammed with one of the best grand-finales ever found in the genre. Trust Goldman! So simple, so easy a rule to remember. No other American thriller writer is as solid or reliable.
Love this author.
Still, 'Control' is deceptive at first. It seems a lackluster tale compared to some of his other successes. The story seems to lean very heavily on re-used devices from his earlier works. Slightly-threadbare ideas and some stale characters. The book is also filled with 'Goldman-isms' which he has trotted out many times before.
Don't worry. Stick with it. It eventually develops into a really astounding thriller which (yes, I know you won't believe me) combines espionage-intrigue with science fiction. The last few pages will have *anyone* shaking.
You can hardly believe what he pulls off here. When you follow a writer for a while, you maybe tend to imagine he will deliver the 'same goods' in the exact same way he always has done for you, before. But not Goldman. He likes to try new approaches. He gets excited by neat ideas, and makes them his own.
With 'Control', he goes way, way, out of his home-range...and just when you think he's totally lost the finesse needed to craft a fine thriller... you get slammed with one of the best grand-finales ever found in the genre. Trust Goldman! So simple, so easy a rule to remember. No other American thriller writer is as solid or reliable.
Love this author.
March 11, 2010
I don't know how many times I've read this over the years. I think it's a masterpiece. Too bad it's out of print.
December 5, 2012
One of the craziest, most mysterious books I have ever read. Up until the last section of the book, you literally have no idea what is going on. It is spellbinding reading, continually introducing new characters with unique stories all their own in a seemingly disjointed narrative that comes slamming together in the last section in a completely unexpected way. I sat stunned in disbelief at what was finally revealed to be the criminal's plot. It was lunatic, completely unbelievable, but enthralling all the same. This is one of those books where you either go with it, or you throw it across the room, and I went with it and was rewarded with one of the most unique and captivating thrillers I've ever come across. William Goldman is a master at playing mind games with his readers, of juggling literary techniques and tricky narrative jogs, and he takes all the stops out for this one. Right up there with Marathon Man and Brothers. It's a shame his thrillers are not recognized in the ranks with other top shelf thriller writers because he outclasses them all.
October 1, 2024
The reviews on here burned me!
Paranormal thriller from 1982. No, the reveal will not bend your mind, let alone redeem the preceding chapters.
It’s not the most detestable book, it’s just really forgettable and half-assed. A lot of pedestrian detail, cutesy exchanges, stalling and digressions, all of it somehow both boring and rushed. Too rushed to give the premise verisimilitude. Marathon Man was hasty too, but still exciting, and finally great. This was just a waste of time—of precious hours that could’ve been spent reading something good. Thanks for nothing, Goodreads reviewers. Hopefully this will help others avoid the same mistake.
Incidentally, among his other works, I’d forgotten Goldman wrote the scripts to All The President’s Men, Stepford Wives, and Misery. Not too shabby!
——
Allusions:
* Emanuel Swedenborg—18th c. Swede who once minutely described a fire taking place hundreds of miles away, extinguishing three doors from his house, all of which was confirmed when news reached town days later. Immanuel Kant, otherwise skeptical of Swedenborg’s mysticism, wrote that the story was verified by several reliable witnesses.
*ABC paid a seer $50k to predict hit TV shows.
*John Wayne 1956 movie called The Conqueror, which was filmed downwind of a nuclear test site and is said to have eventually killed scores. It ranks as one of the worst films of all time to boot
*Edgar Cayce, American clairvoyant.
Paranormal thriller from 1982. No, the reveal will not bend your mind, let alone redeem the preceding chapters.
It’s not the most detestable book, it’s just really forgettable and half-assed. A lot of pedestrian detail, cutesy exchanges, stalling and digressions, all of it somehow both boring and rushed. Too rushed to give the premise verisimilitude. Marathon Man was hasty too, but still exciting, and finally great. This was just a waste of time—of precious hours that could’ve been spent reading something good. Thanks for nothing, Goodreads reviewers. Hopefully this will help others avoid the same mistake.
Incidentally, among his other works, I’d forgotten Goldman wrote the scripts to All The President’s Men, Stepford Wives, and Misery. Not too shabby!
——
Allusions:
* Emanuel Swedenborg—18th c. Swede who once minutely described a fire taking place hundreds of miles away, extinguishing three doors from his house, all of which was confirmed when news reached town days later. Immanuel Kant, otherwise skeptical of Swedenborg’s mysticism, wrote that the story was verified by several reliable witnesses.
*ABC paid a seer $50k to predict hit TV shows.
*John Wayne 1956 movie called The Conqueror, which was filmed downwind of a nuclear test site and is said to have eventually killed scores. It ranks as one of the worst films of all time to boot
*Edgar Cayce, American clairvoyant.
July 15, 2025
You’ve got a bag over your head for most of this novel. A couple of eye holes poked out. You’re confused, it smells a little funny in here but the few glimpses you get of outside are odd and compelling.
Then that bag gets ripped off.
And holy mother of god does the nail biting tension drive you up the wall.
I never know what to expect with these Goldman novels but I have come to learn no matter what the odd plot seems to be, it’s always going to be a meticulously crafted thriller/mystery/drama in every way.
10/10 recommend for a twisty, character rich, conspiracy driven thriller.
Then that bag gets ripped off.
And holy mother of god does the nail biting tension drive you up the wall.
I never know what to expect with these Goldman novels but I have come to learn no matter what the odd plot seems to be, it’s always going to be a meticulously crafted thriller/mystery/drama in every way.
10/10 recommend for a twisty, character rich, conspiracy driven thriller.
February 7, 2021
3.5*
I wasn't sure how I felt about this book for the first 2/3rds of it, especially not with the liberal use of racial slurs. This has very little of Goldman's snappy banter, though the beer tasting scene in "The Capture if Billy Boy" was hilariously done and I think might be one of my favourite "buddy cop" scenes of all time. They characters generally don't have any particular depth of character - especially not the bad guys - and other than the Eric/Haggerty scenes, none of them are especially interesting.
By the final third of the book though, everything comes together with a surprising cohesion, and it makes the previous two-thirds work much better, making the read absolutely worth it.
I wasn't sure how I felt about this book for the first 2/3rds of it, especially not with the liberal use of racial slurs. This has very little of Goldman's snappy banter, though the beer tasting scene in "The Capture if Billy Boy" was hilariously done and I think might be one of my favourite "buddy cop" scenes of all time. They characters generally don't have any particular depth of character - especially not the bad guys - and other than the Eric/Haggerty scenes, none of them are especially interesting.
By the final third of the book though, everything comes together with a surprising cohesion, and it makes the previous two-thirds work much better, making the read absolutely worth it.
March 11, 2018
An absolute mind-bender of a book, with more twists than a Grand Prix circuit. Loved it! This is the reason Goldman is my favourite author.
February 21, 2019
Excellent, tightly written thriller with an original concept and wonderfully drawn characters. Loved this!
August 16, 2020
Read in 1982. A fun thriller that combines time travel and mind control.
March 30, 2025
I enjoyed the set-up chapters and was compelled to keep turning pages. Goldman had me wondering what the hell was going on. However, the plot became absurd to me as it began to involve a secret government program and even Russians toward the end. The fight/chase scenes were too long for my taste. As a prolific screenwriter, Goldman was envisioning this to be developed into a film but a cheesy 80's film never got made. This was kind of fun but also felt like a waste of time if that makes sense.
July 7, 2023
I love this book. It's not my favorite book of all time, but its the novel I most wish I had written.
November 26, 2024
Had its moments for sure
February 6, 2010
I read Goldman's Magic many years ago and was enthralled. Further, I've found Goldman's film scripts to be extraordinarily good. This particular volume, however, felt both contrived and plodding. I forced myself to get to the end (skimming much of the last 100 or so pages), and I found the ending to be sufficient but nothing more, as if the author simply wanted to get rid of the manuscript at any cost.
The single significant plot twist, which I won't reveal here, occurs nearly 2/3 of the way into the book, by which time one is so bogged down in the near-irrelevant character development that one may not get that far. When the twist is revealed, it is handled reasonably well, until two things occur that bring the book to an intellectual halt. The first is a famous science fiction conundrum, which I cannot dwell upon further without providing spoilers; I will say that the author ignores it entirely, or at least his characters do, and it creates deep disappointment in the reader. The second is a prolonged and pointless climax that in truth resolves nothing to any satisfying degree. The entire thing could have been made better either with one further twist (which was set up, but never used), or being shortened by a good 5,000 words.
The book feels like an over-padded screenplay that couldn't be filmed, as certain visual clues would be much more a spoiler than anything I've hinted at here. Goldman is usually exceptionally good when writing either screenplay or novel, so I'm not entirely sure what went wrong here. Few of us have perfect records in anything (even Perry Mason lost one case -- technically). Let's focus on the good stuff and carry on.
The single significant plot twist, which I won't reveal here, occurs nearly 2/3 of the way into the book, by which time one is so bogged down in the near-irrelevant character development that one may not get that far. When the twist is revealed, it is handled reasonably well, until two things occur that bring the book to an intellectual halt. The first is a famous science fiction conundrum, which I cannot dwell upon further without providing spoilers; I will say that the author ignores it entirely, or at least his characters do, and it creates deep disappointment in the reader. The second is a prolonged and pointless climax that in truth resolves nothing to any satisfying degree. The entire thing could have been made better either with one further twist (which was set up, but never used), or being shortened by a good 5,000 words.
The book feels like an over-padded screenplay that couldn't be filmed, as certain visual clues would be much more a spoiler than anything I've hinted at here. Goldman is usually exceptionally good when writing either screenplay or novel, so I'm not entirely sure what went wrong here. Few of us have perfect records in anything (even Perry Mason lost one case -- technically). Let's focus on the good stuff and carry on.
April 18, 2016
1st Read: August 30, 1997 - September 20, 1997
After reading the 305 pages in the book over the course of three weeks, all memory of it is lost! Judging from the reviews on this book, people have rated from one star to five stars; the majority of them being between two and four stars.
I missed out on the hype of what this story was about and gave it one star. If I had it in my possession, I'd attempt another go at it, as second courses are almost always better than the first time with nearly everything in life. Much like a round of nine holes on the golf course!
December 14, 2010
Hmmm. It seemed promising, but lacked the overall cohesiveness of Marathon Man and The Princess Bride. It also had none of the urgency of Marathon Man, and for this, I think I can directly fault the multi-character storyline. Eventually, I just wanted to know what was going on to connect these people already! Also, some of the characters seemed like major dead ends. But, I did see the spark that made Marathon Man a phenomenal book and The Princess Bride a classic. So, I suppose this is great to read if you're looking to see how William Goldman's style grows, but that's pretty much it.
July 12, 2013
I chose to read this book because I really really like The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure but hadn't heard of any of his other books. I knew this one was set more in the present time, but I still was expecting something humorous or otherwise lighthearted, rather than a thriller, so I was disappointed.
August 21, 2008
I read this book a long time ago. I'm not even sure it's in print but I really loved William Goldman's mystery books. I think he is one of the best writers of this genre. If I'm recalling correctly, the chapters are short and easy to read. The story is told from several different characters point of view and they are all really intense. It is so wierd to be in their heads. The anticipation of the climax is amazing and the ending is satisfying.
March 18, 2009
I found myself very interested in the characters in this book (and I liked the twist that unfolded). However, I was more than half-way through it before I learned of anything connecting them. This wouldn't be so bad, but I have to say I wasn't terribly satisfied with the plot. I kept expecting more and never got it. The end came too abruptly, I thought perhaps the book that was missing pages.
I heard good things about this so I must be missing something. I would be glad to be corrected.
I heard good things about this so I must be missing something. I would be glad to be corrected.
January 16, 2013
I picked this up at a library sale because I so love Goldman's The Princess Bride and I figured it was time to see how he handled the thriller genre. I was satisfied! It's is not a literary tour de force, but it does a good job with suspense, intensity, and enough twists to keep this reader surprised at several points. It's a quick read, and recommended for fans of thrillers that read like action films.
July 26, 2014
Goldman is 4 for 4, as far as I'm concerned (Marathon Man, The Princess Bride, Brothers). Will definitely be reading the rest of his work soon!
August 16, 2016
William Goldman may be (probably is) my favorite author in regards to style and diction, and though this might not be my favorite of his works, this novel is certainly worth picking up. The storyline is a bit out there, but Goldman pulls it off with his trademark wit and deftness. Also, the 'realness' of the last paragraph hits like a ton of bricks.
4 stars
July 14, 2009
Well written, interesting, but didn't leave me craving more.
April 15, 2011
Strange book, Very disjointed. When I finished it I was not really sure what I had read. I would not recommend this book.
October 2, 2012
I loved this book! At first I wondered where it was going - but I loved all the characters so much that it kept me reading on and I'm glad I did.
October 11, 2017
Normal people losing control is the premise of this book. I read this a loooong time ago and I'm not even sure if I still own this book but if I do I'm definitely reading it again.
December 30, 2015
There are a lot of ideas happening in this book. Lots and lots.
July 31, 2016
"People you love, and sadness. What else is there."
Genuinely one of the best books I have ever read. Real hard-right turn in genres at the halfway point that I haven't seen before.
Genuinely one of the best books I have ever read. Real hard-right turn in genres at the halfway point that I haven't seen before.
January 16, 2017
Slow start, some confusion, but big pay off in the end.
June 13, 2013
Loved it. Will read it again. Recommend it to others.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews