A lawyer and a businessman who have been lifelong enemies face off at the climax of a trial, months after the lawyer saves the life of the businessman’s best friend. When the lawyer cross-examines his rival, the results are shocking.
Sam Benson and Scott Ferguson’s lives were markedly different. Sam’s grandparents were Holocaust survivors, while his father runs the family grocery store. Scott’s grandfather was a bootlegger who chased Ziegfeld girls, while his father is a charitable multi-millionaire.
Sam always had a strong moral compass, while Scott lived for the moment. The boys butted heads frequently. After Scott disparaged Sam on prom night, Scott killed a man during a drag race. His father paid the only witness to forget what he saw.
Sam was goal-oriented, and became a successful litigator. After Scott surprisingly befriended and protected his gay roommate at Princeton, he was expelled for giving the roommate cocaine. Scott then reluctantly went to work for the insurance company that his grandfather founded, but became a star by refusing to pay for any major claim.
Sam has a case against Scott’s insurance company that races to trial. Scott’s persona then changes dramatically. His wife and children have a calming effect on him. Scott’s father’s many charitable activities cause Scott to worry about his own legacy, and his concerns are magnified by his father’s near-fatal heart attack. Sam wins a dramatic trial that forces an insurance company to pay for cancer treatment that saves Scott’s best friend’s life.
When Sam cross-examines Scott at trial, Scott’s testimony is extraordinary. Even the judge says, “I’ve never seen anything remotely like that.” After Scott’s testimony creates a dramatic firestorm, Sam and Scott meet for a warm dinner as the book ends.
The book explores the complexity of relationships and rivalries, and considers numerous ethical issues, as Sam and Scott face a series of daunting challenges. The book tells a fascinating story that will make intelligent readers think about life’s difficulties, and how they get resolved.
Exceptional Reviews for Separate Paths
Reviewed by:
K.C. Finn
Review Rating:
5 Stars – Congratulations on your 5-star review! Get your free 5-star seal!
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
Separate Paths is a work of fiction in the interpersonal drama, emotive fiction, and slice-of-life genres. Penned by author David L. Elkind, this engaging tale tells the joint story of Sam Benson and Scott Ferguson, lifelong rivals from the same city but vastly different backgrounds. Sam, with a Holocaust-survivor grandfather and a dedicated father, is a diligent student who becomes a successful lawyer. Scott, whose grandfather was a bootlegger and father a billionaire philanthropist, leads a troubled youth but eventually rises in the insurance industry. Their rivalry culminates in a trial where Sam cross-examines Scott. In a surprising twist, Scott reveals his company’s unethical practices, leading to a transformative moment and a newfound understanding between the two.
Author David L. Elkind offers a compelling exploration of the nuanced dynamics between two very different men shaped by their disparate backgrounds and choices. The contrast between Sam’s principled path and Scott’s tumultuous journey is brilliantly paced and juxtaposed at just the right moments of dramatic tension to show how unpredictable life can truly be. Sam’s dedication to justice is an ongoing theme that strengthens our connection to him as the story progresses, allowing us to understand what makes him tick. Scott’s transformation, influenced by his family and the ethical dilemmas he faces, was both surprising and touching, offering a strong emotive contrast that inspires us to root for his courage and tenacity. The book masterfully intertwines humor and warmth with serious ethical considerations in a confident narrative style, making it an intellectually stimulating and emotionally rewarding read that surprises, but also satisfies and leaves no stone unturned in these two extraordinary lives. Overall, Separate Paths ultimately left me reflecting on the complexity of relationships and I would not hesitate to recommend it to fans of intense and well-penned drama.
*****
Post by Robert Atunda » Yesterday, 02:56
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of “Separate Paths” by David L. Elkind.]
4 out of 5 stars
“Separate Paths” is a riveting legal drama that intricately weaves the personal and professional lives of two contrasting characters, Sam Benson and Scott Ferguson. The book is a profound exploration of the ethical dilemmas faced in the legal profession and the enduring impact of personal choices on one’s legacy.
At its core, the narrative delves into the lives of Sam, a lawyer with a strong sense of justice and integrity, and Scott, an insurance executive whose career is built on a foundation of aggressive claim denial strategies. Their stories are set against the backdrop of a high-stakes environmental insurance claim trial, where the past and present collide, forcing each character to confront their inner demons and moral compass.
The book excels in character development, with Sam and Scott portrayed as multifaceted individuals shaped by their family histories and personal experiences. Sam’s meticulous preparation for the PowerGrid case and his pro bono work for a friend in need highlight his commitment to justice, while Scott’s transformation from a hardline insurance executive to an advocate for ethical practices showcases personal growth and redemption.
The legal proceedings in the book are detailed and authentic, offering readers an insider’s view of the strategies, negotiations, and courtroom dynamics. The cross-examination scenes, in particular, are masterfully written, creating tension and drama that keep the reader engrossed. The ethical questions raised throughout the trial—about the insurance industry’s responsibility and the role of personal integrity in professional life—are thought-provoking and timely.
One of the book’s strengths is its ability to maintain a balance between legal jargon and accessibility. The author manages to explain complex legal concepts in a way that is understandable to readers without a legal background, while still engaging those familiar with the field. This makes “Separate Paths” an excellent read for both legal enthusiasts and general readers interested in a good story.
The pacing of the book is deliberate, with the author taking time to develop the plot and characters. While some readers might find the buildup to the trial slow, the payoff is a deeply satisfying resolution that feels earned and realistic. The courtroom victory and the subsequent changes in the characters’ lives are portrayed with a sense of authenticity that speaks to the book’s meticulous research and professional editing.
However, the book is not without its drawbacks. The complexity of the legal procedures and the depth of the character studies might not appeal to readers looking for a quick or light read. Additionally, the intense rivalry and high-stakes situations could be stressful for some, and the pacing might feel slow to those accustomed to fast-paced thrillers.
Despite these minor criticisms, “Separate Paths” is a compelling read that offers a unique blend of legal intrigue and character-driven narrative. The book’s exploration of themes such as integrity, redemption, and the power of truth resonates with readers and leaves a lasting impression. The book is also exceptionally well-edited, with no grammatical errors or typos.
In conclusion, “Separate Paths” is a well-crafted novel that deserves a solid 4 out of 5 stars. I recommend this book for readers who appreciate a thoughtfully plotted legal drama filled with ethical quandaries and rich character arcs. The book’s professional editing and attention to detail make it a standout in its genre, and its exploration of the human condition through the lens of the legal world is both enlightening and entertaining. Whether you’re a seasoned legal professional or a casual reader, “Separate Paths” is a journey worth taking.
*****
Donovan’s Literary Recommended Reading
Separate Paths
David Elkind
Separate Paths is a novel about a fluctuating friendship that experiences sea changes over the years as two men who clash during youth find their lives unexpectedly intersected again as adults.
Almost forty, Sam Benson has experienced success in legal circles as a plaintiffs’ attorney. Scott Ferguson is a witness for defense team in a case that reintroduces and joins them. The battle evolves not only in legal circles, but on the court of past experience and personal revelation as the two men revolve around one another like boxers in a ring.
Affected by life and disparate experiences, each has changed in unexpected ways, departing from their pasts in a manner that would seem unlikely to bring them back together in adulthood.
Life has a way of throwing curve balls. Such is the encounter that creates a nuclear-sized clash between the men as each comes to realize that Scott’s defeat of Sam decades earlier is only a portent of the current forces that will both divide and connect them as adults.
David Elkind crafts a thought-provoking exploration of relationships that evolve, change, and come back together in unexpected ways. His portrait of friendships tested by accidents, romances, and new roles in life affected by “assholes” and evolution makes for an engrossing story of connections and transition points that mark not just two lives, but the circles that surround them.
Elkind is particularly adept at creating contrasts between personalities, experiences, choices that stem from inner convictions and life influences, and the circumstances of chance that buffet engrained convictions, judgments, and ideals of duty.
Centered by a trial that becomes a flashpoint for broader community inspection and debate of values and choices, the winners in this story are as unexpected as the new paths they evolve towards better options.
Libraries and readers that choose Separate Paths will find its thought-provoking journey worthy not just of reading and contemplation, but book club debate and involvement over themes as diverse as friendship, adversity, and ethical conundrums that call upon each character to step up in unfamiliar and unexpected ways.
Its heady form of ethical and social inspection, grounded in legal and personal conundrums, presents a thought-provoking series of encounters and moments that readers won’t easily forget.
Dave's Site 
Leave a comment