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Silver Dollar
The author of The Thomas Crown Affair presents this engaging story of a small town girl’s five decade big city life and quest for loves, some intended and some not. From her risky round the world trip on a dare first date through her chance encounters with “consultants” for the Department of State, in a life of multiple relationships, new and old, you live with our Betsy this story of her life and loves.
104 pages, Hardcover
Published February 23, 2017
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 5, 2017
A great read!
Author Alan Trustman is the writer of the famous screenplays The Thomas Crown Affair (I loved this movie!) and Bullitt, among others, so I was excited to read his novella Silver Dollar. It didn’t disappoint.
Silver Dollar reads a little like a screenplay, because there is excitement from the start like the opening of a great movie, and Trustman is a master at writing dialogue. The main character Betsy is new to the big city of New York, and trying to make her way in the world when she meets up with some friends for dinner. The handsome guy she is with—and barely knows—invites her on a whirlwind tour of the world and she accepts.
What follows is the life of Betsy, from her twenties through her seventies. We meet her loves, see her losses, climb with her in her career, and watch the unfolding of several decades of living.
What then, is the intrigue behind the chronicling of a life? It’s the way Trustman does it. The book is like eavesdropping on a friend. The story kept me turning pages, and even the topics of conversation are interesting, about books, movies and politics. And of course, there’s romance.
“Oh, no! You’re not silver, love of my life. You’re not silver. You’re gold. Pure gold.”
It’s a great read. When you put the book down, you’ll pick it right back up again, wanting to know what happens to Betsy next!
Author Alan Trustman is the writer of the famous screenplays The Thomas Crown Affair (I loved this movie!) and Bullitt, among others, so I was excited to read his novella Silver Dollar. It didn’t disappoint.
Silver Dollar reads a little like a screenplay, because there is excitement from the start like the opening of a great movie, and Trustman is a master at writing dialogue. The main character Betsy is new to the big city of New York, and trying to make her way in the world when she meets up with some friends for dinner. The handsome guy she is with—and barely knows—invites her on a whirlwind tour of the world and she accepts.
What follows is the life of Betsy, from her twenties through her seventies. We meet her loves, see her losses, climb with her in her career, and watch the unfolding of several decades of living.
What then, is the intrigue behind the chronicling of a life? It’s the way Trustman does it. The book is like eavesdropping on a friend. The story kept me turning pages, and even the topics of conversation are interesting, about books, movies and politics. And of course, there’s romance.
“Oh, no! You’re not silver, love of my life. You’re not silver. You’re gold. Pure gold.”
It’s a great read. When you put the book down, you’ll pick it right back up again, wanting to know what happens to Betsy next!
February 19, 2021
I chose to read this book after receiving a free copy from the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.
Betsy is a strong woman whose life is chronicled in Silver Dollar. The book is interesting, and it’s easy to see that the author is used to writing screenplays. There aren’t all of the emotions that are found in most novels, but interestingly, it was still a good read. I’m thinking maybe because he doesn’t give you time to pause. It’s nonstop, one relationship after another in which she finds true love and a whirlwind romance among other things.
This is a quick and easy read that I finished in one evening, and I definitely recommend it.
Betsy is a strong woman whose life is chronicled in Silver Dollar. The book is interesting, and it’s easy to see that the author is used to writing screenplays. There aren’t all of the emotions that are found in most novels, but interestingly, it was still a good read. I’m thinking maybe because he doesn’t give you time to pause. It’s nonstop, one relationship after another in which she finds true love and a whirlwind romance among other things.
This is a quick and easy read that I finished in one evening, and I definitely recommend it.
July 16, 2017
‘They got exactly the forty-two days, and she was in the hospital with him, holding his hand, at his last moment.’
Perhaps one of the best known and honored writers of today, Alan Trustman comes to his gift of creating fine stories having graduated first in his class at Phillips Exeter and magna cum laude at Harvard and Harvard Law School. He was the youngest partner at the Boston law firm Nutter, McClennen and Fish, and the youngest ever to retire eight years later – to move into the field for which he is most celebrated – film writing – penning The Thomas Crown Affair, Bullitt, The Next Man, They Call Me Mr. Tibbs and Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans. He retired from the Board of World Jai-Alai after taking it public and thereafter traded currencies and precious metals through banks in Geneva. Alan has seen and experienced the world about which he writes and we are fortunate now to have a fine novella SILVER DOLLAR to restore the thrills of his abilities as a writer.
Having gained recognition through his various forms of the male psyche, Alan now enters the very current pre-occupation with women’s rights and equality and carves out a story of one incredible female figure, a story that no matter its brevity gives us insight into the manner women (at least this female character) rides the rocky road of life.
As the story begins Alan thrusts us in medias res with the concept of his novel – ‘They kissed good-bye at JFK, and he was gone and she never saw him again. Not once. Not even a phone call. She saw his name in the papers twice, once at a Lincoln Center event and once about some problem with the S.E.C. Otherwise nothing. Betsy thought about him from time to time as her life went on, a good life, a rich, full one, good not perfect, but no complaints. Two jobs, two husbands, one divorce, the second died, one son with each husband, then a widow with two boys, both boys off to college, alone again, the empty nest syndrome, old age, decent health but not enough to do, too many friends getting sick and dying.‘ Distillation par excellence.
The plot summary – ‘A small town girl’s five decade big city life and quest for loves, some intended and some not. From her risky round the world trip on a dare first date through her chance encounters with “consultants” for the Department of State, in a life of multiple relationships, new and old, you live with our Betsy this story of her life and loves.’
There are so many seeds for other novels planted in this terrains but that is one aspect of Alan’s Writing that makes him unique: offer enough teasers to stimulate the reader’s imagination (or memory!) and move along. Brilliant little book!
Perhaps one of the best known and honored writers of today, Alan Trustman comes to his gift of creating fine stories having graduated first in his class at Phillips Exeter and magna cum laude at Harvard and Harvard Law School. He was the youngest partner at the Boston law firm Nutter, McClennen and Fish, and the youngest ever to retire eight years later – to move into the field for which he is most celebrated – film writing – penning The Thomas Crown Affair, Bullitt, The Next Man, They Call Me Mr. Tibbs and Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans. He retired from the Board of World Jai-Alai after taking it public and thereafter traded currencies and precious metals through banks in Geneva. Alan has seen and experienced the world about which he writes and we are fortunate now to have a fine novella SILVER DOLLAR to restore the thrills of his abilities as a writer.
Having gained recognition through his various forms of the male psyche, Alan now enters the very current pre-occupation with women’s rights and equality and carves out a story of one incredible female figure, a story that no matter its brevity gives us insight into the manner women (at least this female character) rides the rocky road of life.
As the story begins Alan thrusts us in medias res with the concept of his novel – ‘They kissed good-bye at JFK, and he was gone and she never saw him again. Not once. Not even a phone call. She saw his name in the papers twice, once at a Lincoln Center event and once about some problem with the S.E.C. Otherwise nothing. Betsy thought about him from time to time as her life went on, a good life, a rich, full one, good not perfect, but no complaints. Two jobs, two husbands, one divorce, the second died, one son with each husband, then a widow with two boys, both boys off to college, alone again, the empty nest syndrome, old age, decent health but not enough to do, too many friends getting sick and dying.‘ Distillation par excellence.
The plot summary – ‘A small town girl’s five decade big city life and quest for loves, some intended and some not. From her risky round the world trip on a dare first date through her chance encounters with “consultants” for the Department of State, in a life of multiple relationships, new and old, you live with our Betsy this story of her life and loves.’
There are so many seeds for other novels planted in this terrains but that is one aspect of Alan’s Writing that makes him unique: offer enough teasers to stimulate the reader’s imagination (or memory!) and move along. Brilliant little book!
September 2, 2017
After reading the swiftly moving, emotion packed novella “Silver Dollar,” this reviewer has begun to seriously wonder if there is anything that the multi-talented author Alan Trustman cannot do.
Trustman is best known for his well-lknown screenplays, “The Thomas Crown Affair,” “Bullitt,” and “They Call Me Mr. Tibbs,” after graduating magna cum laude from Harvard University and Harvard Law School, and then a distinguished eight year career in the law (and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.) And now Trustman turns his attention to writing fiction, with an ambitious and highly entertaining novella, “Silver Dollar.”
Not one to shrink from challenges, Trustman penned this impressive 104 page novella from the perspective of the opposite sex. This work of fiction is the life story of an intriguing woman know to us only as Betsy. “Silver Dollar” is a quick read without the superfluousness of many novella’s. It follows Betsey through some 70 years of life, stopping to observe Trustman’s lead character as she experiences the major milestones and mile markers along the way. Unlike his previous literary work and screenplays, this novella is full of beautiful sentences, finely woven sentences and exquisite narrative.
Trustman begins this deeply drawn personality profile with a date on a rainy night in New York City between Betsy and a man who will shadow her throughout the rest of her days, showing up periodicall, but always at a distance. This first date simply sets the table and shows us Betsy’s modus operandi. In what seems like a New York minute Betsey and her man are off on a wild excursion that ends as quickly as it began.
“Silver Dollar” takes us to precious places in Betsy’s remarkable existence. Trustman, through his protagonist, is concerned with women’s rights, the challenges of trying to hold a career while bringing up a family and the other responsibilities that women face daily. That this male author is able to write so well about the opposite sex, is extraordinary and thrilling. At turns throughout Betsy experiences loneliness, sexuality, careerism, and making her life a great adventure, something we would be all served well to strive for.
Trustman is best known for his well-lknown screenplays, “The Thomas Crown Affair,” “Bullitt,” and “They Call Me Mr. Tibbs,” after graduating magna cum laude from Harvard University and Harvard Law School, and then a distinguished eight year career in the law (and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.) And now Trustman turns his attention to writing fiction, with an ambitious and highly entertaining novella, “Silver Dollar.”
Not one to shrink from challenges, Trustman penned this impressive 104 page novella from the perspective of the opposite sex. This work of fiction is the life story of an intriguing woman know to us only as Betsy. “Silver Dollar” is a quick read without the superfluousness of many novella’s. It follows Betsey through some 70 years of life, stopping to observe Trustman’s lead character as she experiences the major milestones and mile markers along the way. Unlike his previous literary work and screenplays, this novella is full of beautiful sentences, finely woven sentences and exquisite narrative.
Trustman begins this deeply drawn personality profile with a date on a rainy night in New York City between Betsy and a man who will shadow her throughout the rest of her days, showing up periodicall, but always at a distance. This first date simply sets the table and shows us Betsy’s modus operandi. In what seems like a New York minute Betsey and her man are off on a wild excursion that ends as quickly as it began.
“Silver Dollar” takes us to precious places in Betsy’s remarkable existence. Trustman, through his protagonist, is concerned with women’s rights, the challenges of trying to hold a career while bringing up a family and the other responsibilities that women face daily. That this male author is able to write so well about the opposite sex, is extraordinary and thrilling. At turns throughout Betsy experiences loneliness, sexuality, careerism, and making her life a great adventure, something we would be all served well to strive for.
January 23, 2018
I read this novella before looking up the author. So now I know that he is responsible for the brilliant screenplays of “Bullit” and “The Thomas Crown Affair” among many others. I don't dispute Alan Trustman's golden touch with screenplays, but I can't pretend that I found this novella all that enjoyable.
The writing style is pared down to the point that I cruised through the initial chapters, waiting for some clarity and a little coherence. The story is told by an indifferent, detached, omniscient narrator, who can't be bothered to describe anyone. The heroine, Betsy, apparently had a very colourful and adventurous life, but it is all thrown at the reader in such a jumble that I found it hard to connect with any of it. Characterization is sketchy, or non-existent, and everyone speaks in the same way. Why do they all, male or female, call Betsy “sweetheart”? Is it a New York thing? The dialogue is the best part of this story, and even that sounds truncated, as though we are only getting to hear half of what is being said. Most people I know don't communicate in monosyllabic utterances.
Even the various personal tragedies interrupting Betsy's glamorous, privileged life did not reach me on any emotional level. Also the unrealistic aspects stretched my belief: in between relationships, Betsy is pursued by so many desirable, wealthy men that she has to keep a list of them; and, at 70, she easily learns to ski without ever falling down, whilst being showered with expensive jewellery by the most good-looking man in Aspen. After a narrative that often skips five years at a time, the microscopically described terrorist plot at the eleventh hour made zero sense and could not rescue a very dry offering. To paraphrase the dialogue style: “What? Where? Why?”
The advanced reader's version I received seemed unedited, judging by the surprising amount of typos and inconsistencies. The literary equivalent of a thin strip of raw fish on a lettuce leaf with a question-mark-shaped swirl of dressing, this concoction left me cold and unfulfilled.
The writing style is pared down to the point that I cruised through the initial chapters, waiting for some clarity and a little coherence. The story is told by an indifferent, detached, omniscient narrator, who can't be bothered to describe anyone. The heroine, Betsy, apparently had a very colourful and adventurous life, but it is all thrown at the reader in such a jumble that I found it hard to connect with any of it. Characterization is sketchy, or non-existent, and everyone speaks in the same way. Why do they all, male or female, call Betsy “sweetheart”? Is it a New York thing? The dialogue is the best part of this story, and even that sounds truncated, as though we are only getting to hear half of what is being said. Most people I know don't communicate in monosyllabic utterances.
Even the various personal tragedies interrupting Betsy's glamorous, privileged life did not reach me on any emotional level. Also the unrealistic aspects stretched my belief: in between relationships, Betsy is pursued by so many desirable, wealthy men that she has to keep a list of them; and, at 70, she easily learns to ski without ever falling down, whilst being showered with expensive jewellery by the most good-looking man in Aspen. After a narrative that often skips five years at a time, the microscopically described terrorist plot at the eleventh hour made zero sense and could not rescue a very dry offering. To paraphrase the dialogue style: “What? Where? Why?”
The advanced reader's version I received seemed unedited, judging by the surprising amount of typos and inconsistencies. The literary equivalent of a thin strip of raw fish on a lettuce leaf with a question-mark-shaped swirl of dressing, this concoction left me cold and unfulfilled.
January 23, 2018
I read this novella before looking up the author. So now I know that he is responsible for the brilliant screenplays of “Bullit” and “The Thomas Crown Affair” among many others. I don't dispute Alan Trustman's golden touch with screenplays, but I can't pretend that I found this novella all that enjoyable.
The writing style is pared down to the point that I cruised through the initial chapters, waiting for some clarity and a little coherence. The story is told by an indifferent, detached, omniscient narrator, who can't be bothered to describe anyone. The heroine, Betsy, apparently had a very colourful and adventurous life, but it is all thrown at the reader in such a jumble that I found it hard to connect with any of it. Characterization is sketchy, or non-existent, and everyone speaks in the same way. Why do they all, male or female, call Betsy “sweetheart”? Is it a New York thing? The dialogue is the best part of this story, and even that sounds truncated, as though we are only getting to hear half of what is being said. Most people I know don't communicate in monosyllabic utterances.
Even the various personal tragedies interrupting Betsy's glamorous, privileged life did not reach me on any emotional level. Also the unrealistic aspects stretched my belief: in between relationships, Betsy is pursued by so many desirable, wealthy men that she has to keep a list of them; and, at 70, she easily learns to ski without ever falling down, whilst being showered with expensive jewellery by the most good-looking man in Aspen. After a narrative that often skips five years at a time, the microscopically described terrorist plot at the eleventh hour made zero sense and could not rescue a very dry offering. To paraphrase the dialogue style: “What? Where? Why?”
The version I received seemed unedited, judging by the surprising amount of typos and inconsistencies. The literary equivalent of a thin strip of raw fish on a lettuce leaf with a question-mark-shaped swirl of dressing, this concoction left me cold and unfulfilled.
The writing style is pared down to the point that I cruised through the initial chapters, waiting for some clarity and a little coherence. The story is told by an indifferent, detached, omniscient narrator, who can't be bothered to describe anyone. The heroine, Betsy, apparently had a very colourful and adventurous life, but it is all thrown at the reader in such a jumble that I found it hard to connect with any of it. Characterization is sketchy, or non-existent, and everyone speaks in the same way. Why do they all, male or female, call Betsy “sweetheart”? Is it a New York thing? The dialogue is the best part of this story, and even that sounds truncated, as though we are only getting to hear half of what is being said. Most people I know don't communicate in monosyllabic utterances.
Even the various personal tragedies interrupting Betsy's glamorous, privileged life did not reach me on any emotional level. Also the unrealistic aspects stretched my belief: in between relationships, Betsy is pursued by so many desirable, wealthy men that she has to keep a list of them; and, at 70, she easily learns to ski without ever falling down, whilst being showered with expensive jewellery by the most good-looking man in Aspen. After a narrative that often skips five years at a time, the microscopically described terrorist plot at the eleventh hour made zero sense and could not rescue a very dry offering. To paraphrase the dialogue style: “What? Where? Why?”
The version I received seemed unedited, judging by the surprising amount of typos and inconsistencies. The literary equivalent of a thin strip of raw fish on a lettuce leaf with a question-mark-shaped swirl of dressing, this concoction left me cold and unfulfilled.
October 9, 2017
Betsy is a woman that lives in New York City and she lives fast, going through several quality men without actually being promiscuous. She has two children, one of which was not fathered by the man considered to be the father. Both of the children are successful and she keeps her secret. The book opens when Betsy is young and ends when she is around seventy.
The reader is introduced to the speedy way that Betsy lives her life on the first pages. After meeting a man named Joel on a blind date set up by her friends Dean and Mari, Betsy takes Joel up on his suggestion that they take a cab to JFK airport and fly around the world. A short time into their journey Joel and Betsy are sharing a room and when they returned to JFK they parted and Betsy never saw or heard from Joel until roughly thirty years later when Joel has only a few weeks to live.
The interpersonal relationships that Betsy has with her men and female friends keep your interest, but the spy and terrorist aspects of the plot come close to destroying the book. At the end, Betsy’s current male companion helps thwart a major, multi-pronged terrorist plot against the crowd at a football game. This attempt to interject some suspense fails to do that and comes across as artificial. While it is true that the threat of terrorism is a major modern thought, it is not a reasonable addition to many plots.
The reader is introduced to the speedy way that Betsy lives her life on the first pages. After meeting a man named Joel on a blind date set up by her friends Dean and Mari, Betsy takes Joel up on his suggestion that they take a cab to JFK airport and fly around the world. A short time into their journey Joel and Betsy are sharing a room and when they returned to JFK they parted and Betsy never saw or heard from Joel until roughly thirty years later when Joel has only a few weeks to live.
The interpersonal relationships that Betsy has with her men and female friends keep your interest, but the spy and terrorist aspects of the plot come close to destroying the book. At the end, Betsy’s current male companion helps thwart a major, multi-pronged terrorist plot against the crowd at a football game. This attempt to interject some suspense fails to do that and comes across as artificial. While it is true that the threat of terrorism is a major modern thought, it is not a reasonable addition to many plots.
July 18, 2017
Betsy discovers that life can change at the flip of a coin.
Is this story your dream?
A young Betsy, new to New York accepts a date because she is alone, on the rebound, and he has been introduced to her by her only friends in the city. Their foursome is at a Greek restaurant, where a flippant remark sends them on an impulsive whirlwind world tour, but when the plane finally lands at JFK, everything changes. And we begin our journey along the rollercoaster which is Betsy’s life, a myriad of emotions, and dashing, yet mysterious men.
An intelligent career woman, romantic, sexy, yet sometimes lonely, Betsy, despite having husbands, children, and a busy lifestyle, finds herself exposed to the same day to day tasks, worries and anguish ‘ordinary’ women do, and deals with them as best she can, undaunted, hopeful and spirited even into her 70’s. The person who said ‘Life begins at 50,’ obviously hadn’t met Betsy.
This is an irresistible story, completely absorbing, and very enjoyable to read. The reader is able to enjoy complete escapism, and at the turn of every page wonder, what will happen next, and what will the future hold.
Is this story your dream?
A young Betsy, new to New York accepts a date because she is alone, on the rebound, and he has been introduced to her by her only friends in the city. Their foursome is at a Greek restaurant, where a flippant remark sends them on an impulsive whirlwind world tour, but when the plane finally lands at JFK, everything changes. And we begin our journey along the rollercoaster which is Betsy’s life, a myriad of emotions, and dashing, yet mysterious men.
An intelligent career woman, romantic, sexy, yet sometimes lonely, Betsy, despite having husbands, children, and a busy lifestyle, finds herself exposed to the same day to day tasks, worries and anguish ‘ordinary’ women do, and deals with them as best she can, undaunted, hopeful and spirited even into her 70’s. The person who said ‘Life begins at 50,’ obviously hadn’t met Betsy.
This is an irresistible story, completely absorbing, and very enjoyable to read. The reader is able to enjoy complete escapism, and at the turn of every page wonder, what will happen next, and what will the future hold.
October 12, 2017
Silver Dollar by Alan Trustman
Really enjoyed the first book I read the other day by this author and look forward to more.
Totally out of their minds when they just board the plane and make it a 42 day around the world. Wow what a trip.
Joel is now dying and he wants her to be there for him and they try to make it to day 42 as their trip was.
Story goes back in time to when she had roommates and things aren't going just right and she takes off to find her own place with help from her other friends who she goes back to over the years from time to time.
As she advances at work she's able to afford her own place and takes up with L who travels a lot but they get along great.
Loved all the connections made through meeting others and helping one another out.
Relationships, career choices and life are all so fascinating as the years go by.
Like links to mystery of a disappearance til he's discovered and there's so much involved: skiing, restaurants, cannons and immigration.
Lots of action, adventure, romance and political views.
Love how the book got it's name. Can't wait to read more from this author.
Received a review copy via publicist and this is my honest review.
Really enjoyed the first book I read the other day by this author and look forward to more.
Totally out of their minds when they just board the plane and make it a 42 day around the world. Wow what a trip.
Joel is now dying and he wants her to be there for him and they try to make it to day 42 as their trip was.
Story goes back in time to when she had roommates and things aren't going just right and she takes off to find her own place with help from her other friends who she goes back to over the years from time to time.
As she advances at work she's able to afford her own place and takes up with L who travels a lot but they get along great.
Loved all the connections made through meeting others and helping one another out.
Relationships, career choices and life are all so fascinating as the years go by.
Like links to mystery of a disappearance til he's discovered and there's so much involved: skiing, restaurants, cannons and immigration.
Lots of action, adventure, romance and political views.
Love how the book got it's name. Can't wait to read more from this author.
Received a review copy via publicist and this is my honest review.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews