The Dark Fields by Alan Glynn
The Dark Fields is the thriller upon which the film Limitless (2011), starring Bradley Cooper, was based. And I say that the film was based upon, rather than adapted from, the book because, although you will be able to recognise one in the other for their similarities, the film did not follow the plot of the book strictly. Whether you prefer the book or the screen adaptation is, of course, entirely up to you.
The main character, Eddie Spinola, is a bit of an underachiever and fairly down on himself. He has a failed marriage behind him, a history with drugs and doesn't have the healthiest diet. After running into somebody from his past he begins using a drug called MDT-48, an experimental drug that benefits its user with enhanced cognitive abilities and has his brain functioning with perfect efficiency.
From here, Eddie goes on to use his new found intelligence, clarity and motivation to overcome many of the little obstacles his lifestyle has put before him. Then he goes further and amasses a small fortune for himself through trading stocks. However, the drug does not come without its side effects and before too long they make themselves apparent in the form of blackouts. As we progress through the novel we find that the side effects, and the effects of withdrawal from the drug, can be very dangerous for all concerned which leads to the protagonist asking himself some very searching questions.
The themes covered in the novel include drug use, mental health/well being, relationships and the corporate world (in particular, the world of trading). This thriller has plenty of action and suspense to keep the reader interested but it also asks questions.
At the heart of this novel is a theme that is as relevant today as it ever has been and is ever likely to be - people's desire for a quick fix. It can be what makes the drug user use, or the drinker drink or the protagonist use a drug that switches on his brain. Even though it is killing him.
The quick fix, a miraculous transformation, is appealing to the best of us (just think about all those diet books that promise the best results in just weeks!), but they rarely work as well we hope. Much better the route that asks a bit more from us. Of course, we don't want the main characters in our novels to learn these questions too easily - our books would be rather dull! We have them live out these struggles so that we might not have too, yet still learn the lessons those experiences give.
So, yeah. Beware of those that promise the quick fix!
The themes covered in the novel include drug use, mental health/well being, relationships and the corporate world (in particular, the world of trading). This thriller has plenty of action and suspense to keep the reader interested but it also asks questions.
At the heart of this novel is a theme that is as relevant today as it ever has been and is ever likely to be - people's desire for a quick fix. It can be what makes the drug user use, or the drinker drink or the protagonist use a drug that switches on his brain. Even though it is killing him.
The quick fix, a miraculous transformation, is appealing to the best of us (just think about all those diet books that promise the best results in just weeks!), but they rarely work as well we hope. Much better the route that asks a bit more from us. Of course, we don't want the main characters in our novels to learn these questions too easily - our books would be rather dull! We have them live out these struggles so that we might not have too, yet still learn the lessons those experiences give.
So, yeah. Beware of those that promise the quick fix!