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Abel Baker Charley
There is nothing unusual about Jared Baker -- until a sudden, tragic accident sets something inside of him free. With the destruction of everything he loves comes the birth of terrifying and irresistible impulses, as two hidden selves arise out of the darkest corners of his personality, each one as volatile as dynamite ... and twice as deadly. Behavioral scientist Marcus Sonnenberg knows what has happened to Jared Baker. Under the guise of aid, he intends to bend Jared to his will, to use the newborn "gifts" of a confused, frightened man for Sonnenberg's own ends. But there are other powerful covert forces determined to get their hands on this devastating human "weapon." And now Jared Baker must run for his life from organized criminals, government assassins ... and from what he, himself, has become.
448 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
7 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
John R. Maxim
21 books44 followersJohn R. Maxim was born in Greenwich Village, NYC, educated at NY Jesuit Schools (Xavier and Fordham) played all the street sports and most team sports.
Comes from a family of cops and a few Feds. After school, took up flying, skydiving and dirt-track stock car racing until the Military decided it could do without him. Then went into marketing and advertising. Several awards. Rose to Senior VP at major New York Advertising agencies. Work involved a great deal of international travel. Major hobby back then was sailing.
Always wanted to write, however, and, one night on the bar car, decided to give it a year, succeed or fail. Sold first novel at age 41. Wrote 12 more plus one non-fiction, averaging a year and a half each. Translated into ten languages. Several were optioned for film or TV. Still waiting.
Took up skiing. Many trips to Switzerland and Colorado. With the kids gone, sold our Connecticut house and moved to Hilton Head Island with his beautiful wife, Christine, herself a champion sailor.
Comes from a family of cops and a few Feds. After school, took up flying, skydiving and dirt-track stock car racing until the Military decided it could do without him. Then went into marketing and advertising. Several awards. Rose to Senior VP at major New York Advertising agencies. Work involved a great deal of international travel. Major hobby back then was sailing.
Always wanted to write, however, and, one night on the bar car, decided to give it a year, succeed or fail. Sold first novel at age 41. Wrote 12 more plus one non-fiction, averaging a year and a half each. Translated into ten languages. Several were optioned for film or TV. Still waiting.
Took up skiing. Many trips to Switzerland and Colorado. With the kids gone, sold our Connecticut house and moved to Hilton Head Island with his beautiful wife, Christine, herself a champion sailor.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 26, 2010
W Rating : B-
Maxim is an excellent writer. Yet, it seems that no one has ever heard of Maxim, let alone read one of his books. He is unknown not due the “man” or the society-that-only-reads-Nicholas Sparks novels. He is good not because of his lack of: writing skills, punctuation, characters, setting, plot, and general “who cares.” Maxim is good reading gentlepeople. For those who do not know, John R. Maxim is a writer of “spy” novels that have very little do to with spying. Describing side or niche genres is difficult when dealing with those truly good authors who have the ability to flow between genres. Maxim’s main characters are/were spies, so he writes “spy” novels. Maxim has an ability to write good simple, yet complex plots with interesting and real characters that actually make you care enough to keep reading. Go pick up a Maxim book and read it.
Abel Baker Charlie is a good novel pretty consistent with the style of Maxim. I have been realizing lately that Maxim has a very strong resemblance to Trevanian in plots and stories. They are all different but if you had a shelf of books with Trevanian all together then you would possibly consider putting Maxim next to him.
Let’s try starting the review again perhaps with less side subject… A.B.C. is about a man, Baker, who has multiple personalities, kind of. It really isn’t that but it is but it isn’t but it is but it isn’t, so you will just have to read that much for what it is worth. It is the point of the story somewhat… well, it is definitely the catalyst of the story. You know what!? Done with this review.
Here:
Characters : Good, solid characters with plenty of “oomph” to allow the reader to believe in them. Heroes and villains all believable and interesting.
Plot : Exciting and fast paced. Not dull and boring throughout. Twist was a “duh” but that is ok. Not that integral to the story. Let’s see…
Setting : peachy.
Gimmick : Enjoyable. Multiple personality but not but is but not. This is bueno.
So, read this book. Read Maxim. You like spies? You like characters? You like Maxim.
But, if you are fan of absolute shit… die.
Maxim is an excellent writer. Yet, it seems that no one has ever heard of Maxim, let alone read one of his books. He is unknown not due the “man” or the society-that-only-reads-Nicholas Sparks novels. He is good not because of his lack of: writing skills, punctuation, characters, setting, plot, and general “who cares.” Maxim is good reading gentlepeople. For those who do not know, John R. Maxim is a writer of “spy” novels that have very little do to with spying. Describing side or niche genres is difficult when dealing with those truly good authors who have the ability to flow between genres. Maxim’s main characters are/were spies, so he writes “spy” novels. Maxim has an ability to write good simple, yet complex plots with interesting and real characters that actually make you care enough to keep reading. Go pick up a Maxim book and read it.
Abel Baker Charlie is a good novel pretty consistent with the style of Maxim. I have been realizing lately that Maxim has a very strong resemblance to Trevanian in plots and stories. They are all different but if you had a shelf of books with Trevanian all together then you would possibly consider putting Maxim next to him.
Let’s try starting the review again perhaps with less side subject… A.B.C. is about a man, Baker, who has multiple personalities, kind of. It really isn’t that but it is but it isn’t but it is but it isn’t, so you will just have to read that much for what it is worth. It is the point of the story somewhat… well, it is definitely the catalyst of the story. You know what!? Done with this review.
Here:
Characters : Good, solid characters with plenty of “oomph” to allow the reader to believe in them. Heroes and villains all believable and interesting.
Plot : Exciting and fast paced. Not dull and boring throughout. Twist was a “duh” but that is ok. Not that integral to the story. Let’s see…
Setting : peachy.
Gimmick : Enjoyable. Multiple personality but not but is but not. This is bueno.
So, read this book. Read Maxim. You like spies? You like characters? You like Maxim.
But, if you are fan of absolute shit… die.
February 16, 2015
An intriguing, weird little novel looking at disparate parts of the human personality - here named Abel and Charley (Baker is the person housing them) - with hints that they are housed in the left and right lobes of the brain. His depiction of the total human predator called Abel reminds me of Matt Damon's portrayal of Jason Bourne in three films: the entire capacity for aggression in a human being unleashed with no restraints or inhibitions to hold it back.
There are some interesting characters and relationship dynamics, but the plot is kind of muddy and I felt the ending didn't live up to the apocalyptic promise of the first part of the book. Nevertheless this is one I will be rereading.
There are some interesting characters and relationship dynamics, but the plot is kind of muddy and I felt the ending didn't live up to the apocalyptic promise of the first part of the book. Nevertheless this is one I will be rereading.
February 2, 2010
I actually read this for the first time in the late 80s, not too long after it came out. The concept behind it stuck with me and I went to find it again 15 years later. The second reading when I was older showed me flaws, particularly in the writing, that I hadn't noticed as a young teen. But I still found the idea behind the story very intriguing. The idea of a split self, of darker parts in each us, ready to come out.
February 4, 2026
For a summary this book is about: Jared Baker, a man who leads a normal happy suburban life with his wife and daughter, Tina. Then through a twisted turn of events when the mother and daughter are outside playing frisbee with their family dog the mother is killed, the daughter crippled, and later even the family dog gets killed. This brings out 2 alter personalities of Jared ... Abel is the one that gets superhuman strength and metholidacally takes care of his assailants and as has no love for anyone and the other is Charlie who is the opposite and an extremely sensitive side. Looks like Jared aka "Baker" is going to go to jail for his retailiation but suddenly help comes from someone he does not know - this person is behavioral scientist Marcus Sonnenberg - who seems to have worked with quite a few other people that have completely changed their lives. And then you add in the Mafia and CIA and it is a riveting read!
It sounds a bit confusing and at first I was ... in fact it was my desire to figure out this puzzle that kept me reading along and once I got it - I was truly intrigued and wondering how the characters were going to play out. I have to say the ending surprised me! LOL! And I had a great appreciation for it. I wish the author had written more novels than he did!
It sounds a bit confusing and at first I was ... in fact it was my desire to figure out this puzzle that kept me reading along and once I got it - I was truly intrigued and wondering how the characters were going to play out. I have to say the ending surprised me! LOL! And I had a great appreciation for it. I wish the author had written more novels than he did!
February 27, 2018
If you like beasts .....This is a novel about a person who finds himself in a mind altered state, super excitingly written and I always hoped there would be a second one to this, i still think of it after reading it over 20 years ago. Would be also hell of a movie.
If you want to be entertained read it, i highly recommend it, easy to read and it won't leave you.
If you want to be entertained read it, i highly recommend it, easy to read and it won't leave you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2018
Have read all the Bannerman books. this one is different,and I enjoyed it very much.Great characters,and good plot.
April 5, 2023
Remarkable
This is definitely a page turner and a second plus more read. This has now become a favorite of mine. Kept me on my toes and my mind going.
This is definitely a page turner and a second plus more read. This has now become a favorite of mine. Kept me on my toes and my mind going.
July 19, 2011
I read (and re-read) this book a long time ago and sold it at a book store when I was strapped for cash, what a mistake! There have been a hundred times when I wanted to read it again only to remember that for 50¢ I sold perhaps one of my favourite all time books which is now quite hard to find, although I know I could purchase it on-line.
If you find a copy of it but it and read it, it is very well written despite the very confusing premise. He manages to really work out those details!
If you find a copy of it but it and read it, it is very well written despite the very confusing premise. He manages to really work out those details!
September 7, 2009
OK; Author revisits multiple personalities and focuses on a man who can call on his violent and mind-reading alter egos.
October 8, 2010
I really loved this book, but I read it when I was about 16 or 17, so no telling if it's worth anything or not!
Want to read
September 26, 2013Hubby recommended
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews