"A summer sizzle book, the antics of 20th century rich and famous"

THE ZIG: Summer is the time for a money/sex/power novel to sizzle along with in the sun. This is an "incredible story of careful social/political history and historical figures, bigger-than-life fictional characters . . . *and the best sex you have ever read.*"

And the gauntlet was dropped!

The many flashbacks and forwards made this story tough to get into -- and then the author kills off Gar by page 17! What was he thinking? But amazingly enough, persistence proved the story held together until the very end.

Zig Zag is an appropriate title, as many of the 71 chapters (!) take place in a different section of time. We zig-zag through time, from 1917 thru 1975, covering the history of the characters and their families up and back, plus the antics of famous-name figures (movie stars, Capone mafia gangsters, Onassis and other oil magnates, Joe Kennedy when he was nothing but a common bootlegger, etc.) who are dropped in to add authenticity. Lots of action, intrigue, big-time business dealings. And sex, later in the book.

The hero is a man named Gar Grey, and he is every man's dream: rich, (and by rich I mean buy-an-island rich) powerful, rich, spellbinding to all women, rich, virile past virility, surrounded by tall, long-legged, perfect beauty/nymphomaniacs who will sleep with him whenever offered the chance.

He grew up poor, built his own success (of COURSE he's a control freak!) and became a rich and powerful lawyer. He wheels and deals with all sorts of wealthy but shady characters, his ruthless character just begging to be double-crossed. A staggering oil discovery in the Middle East catapults him to the center of the jet set of business and politics, and into the arms of gorgeous women. What a man, what a life!

I found myself wondering if the many interesting historical aspects were all true, and how much had been embellished. Was Garbo really a lesbian, or was that speculation? Much of the book reads like an insider's version of what really went on during those years, giving it that tell-all quality; still, I found myself glazing over with the Mideast oil stuff.

But once the story gets going, it has that epic quality to it, and it would be no surprise if it did indeed become a bestseller. Fabulous twist in the story at the end, too, which redeems the sometimes pointless direction of Gar's life. Great summer reading fare, certainly recommended for that.

THE ZAG: Despite being powerful, rich, handsome, slightly angst-ridden over the control thing (no, no . . . he's "vulnerable", see?), and more virile than a sartyr, Gar had no real appeal for me. There is no emotional depth to him, no shred of kindness or humanity, no personal sense of loyalty or honor, and he seems devoid of the ability to honestly love any woman. He is, to be sure, what many men wish to be; he is, to be sure, the type of man I would avoid like the plague.

The Best Sex I've Ever Read? Not quite. (Well, maybe for guys it is.) Emotionally detached or bordering on the credible is how I would describe it. Gar, in his early 50s, can get off five times in a row, in the space of an hour, without Viagra or tantric training. And the women can get off every five minutes, thirteen times in a row. Perhaps Mr. Miller just wants us know how much better sex is for the rich, powerful and beautiful people.

Reviewed by Dana Dietrick
Posted May 15, 2002