’’Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ’’press on’’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.’’
~Calvin Coolidge
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What is it that causes certain ordinary mortals to rise to the heights of success, while others remain lingering behind in the realms of normality? What is that force that drives and guides them to the pinnacles of their careers? According to Calvin Coolidge, it is persistence and determination which allow one to reach the peak of the mountain that we call ’’success’’. But what is it really like once you reach the height of the peak? This is the story of Erich Segal’s Prizes...
Meet the Characters...
Sandy Raven: A brilliant scientist with a serious deficiency in the confidence department, Sandy is betrayed by his coveted mentor and the woman that he has always adored. And yet he treads on, seeking the Nobel Prize for his works...only to realize that maybe are other prizes to be sought in life.
Adam Coopersmith: A devoted and intelligent physician, Adam lives his life in hopes of completing the project left unfinished by the death of his beloved mentor. Along the way, he sacrifices his marriage and family, seeking the prizes which are closest to his heart. And when finally his research is complete and he has found true love once again, a cruel twist of fate threatens to keep him from receiving the ultimate prize.
Isabel da Costa: A child prodigy, Isabel spends her early life in pursuit of the prizes that her father wants for her, witnessing the destruction of her family along the way. When suddenly she realizes that he childhood has passed her by, she begins to reach in another direction, for love and happiness. Just when she is to be blessed with the most coveted prize of all, she is faced with a truth that threatens every relationship she has ever known.
The Theme...
Prizes is a story that everyone can identify with. The monster within, pushing you to do better, to achieve more, and to want more. The force which guides you, and sometimes even pushes you, towards the peak of success. But sometimes the top of the mountain can be cold and lonely. Looking down from the top, those that you’ve left behind are nothing but barely visible memories. And sometimes, once you’ve reached the top, the cruel wind pushes you off, and you plummet quickly towards the bottom, and the branch of happiness remains just out of your grasp. This is the story of Prizes. Success is a long hard road, and we all spend our lives in pursuit of certain things, but are the prizes we seek the right ones?
My Humble Opinion...
Erich Segal is one of my favorite authors. I treasure each and every one of his books for his ability to bring his characters to life and close to your heart. All of his stories are very real and sometimes grip with issues that are not always easy to address. And Prizes is no exception.
This is a story that I could relate to, and no doubt that you will as well. For we each spend most of our lives, struggling to do what is expected of us and become successful’’, often forgetting the things that truly bring us joy. For the ’’prizes’’ which we seek, may not bring us as much joy as the things which we often overlook.