"La grande bouffe when one company wants to takes over another in an unfriendly takeover."

First time novelist Erika Barr's book ACQUISITION OF POWER is a titillating melange of an unfriendly corporate takeover, adultery, murder, a child born out of an adulterous affair, deviant sex, lesbianism, drugs, blackmail, communication with the spiritual, and whatever else the author can think of that will keep her readers stimulated and excited.

Wow it is like, as the French say, "La grande bouffe.!" (Incidentally, our author also likes to sprinkle in French expressions.)

The underlying theme of all of these exploits and one that is constantly repeated throughout the book is that "greed is good."

Barr's inspiration probably finds its roots in her working experiences with a Fortune 500 company as a developer of high-tech solutions that were used to support corporate mergers and acquisitions.

I am not quite sure how much of her own first hand knowledge Barr had experienced pertaining to the subject matter of unfriendly takeovers. There is mention in the "Acknowledgments" that she did seek out insight from others into how mergers play out. However, I would have to admit, there is nothing to replace being present in the boardrooms and watching the drama.

The central theme of the story revolves around two chief executive officers, one of whom is faced with the unwanted takeover of his telecommunications company by the other. As the story unfolds we learn of the unsavoury behaviour of these two CEO'S as well as their assistants, who strongly believe, "greed is good."

To a limited degree the author maintains interest in her tale by pandering to our voyeuristic tendencies. However, unfortunately, the weak dialogue of the characters does not enhance their believability. Elements that perfectly describe or typify characters and scenes are lacking. In other words, there is an absence of the quintessential that is necessary if you want to create credible protagonists and scenes.

Notwithstanding all of the above comments, I would have to admit that Barr shows great promise as a good storyteller with a very vivid imagination. Once she masters her craft, she will be an author to be on the lookout for.

Reviewed by Norman Goldman
Posted November 13, 2002

Summary

Unveil the Corporate Underworld: Ruthless Backstabbing, Sexcapades, Power Plays, Incompetent Executives, Sycophantic Employees... Telecommunications mogul Dean MacNamara manipulates Wall Street analysts into supporting his hostile takeover bid for EPIK. Only one obstacle remains: James Atherton. But Atherton is distracted just when his company needs him most. Lucy, Atherton's alcoholic wife, trapped by her own excesses, hides a threatening secret. Gillian, his European mistress, follows a dangerous, but ambitious agenda. MacNamara, Atherton's nemesis, is a formidable and unpredictable opponent. His dark mind games position players in twisted scenarios along a trail of greed, blackmail, sex, and murder. From Manhattan's Silicon Alley to Connecticut, California, London, and Paris, join this thriller as the rivals fight for ultimate control in Acquisition of Power.