Beating the System

Book Review: Bringing Down the House

I thought I'd try something different today... meaning I'm planning on not talking about movies (for once, right?). I recently had the chance to read a book truly for myself. While I admit I did enjoy re-reading Pride and Prejudice and really loved The Great Gatsby, these books were assignments, and, as such, not as enjoyable as a book I picked for myself and decided to read for fun. With a bit of time finally on my hands the other day, I selected a book that had been on my "list" and my shelf for quite some time, a work of non-fiction entitled Bringing Down the House by author Ben Mezrich .

This book, a New York Times Bestseller, was the inspiration for the Columbia Pictures film 21, released in 2008 (Okay, I guess I will still be talking about movies). Roughly speaking, the book and film tell the story of the M.I.T. Blackjack team - particularly one student, Kevin Lewis - who learned to "beat" the game of blackjack using card counting techniques, thus winning millions from Vegas and other Casinos around the country. Interestingly, card counting is not strictly illegal... as long as you are not using machines or tampering with the casino's equipment, you're merely using your brain to enhance your chances of winning. However, this is not to say the casinos are going to be particularly thrilled if they catch you at it; quite the contrary. The book continually reinforces the message that if they catch you, you're basically toast.

The book was very refreshing for me, not only because I hadn't read something for myself in a while, but because it had been a while since I'd read a fast-paced and non-fiction book like this one. In fact, the last one I can remember was the novel that inspired Catch Me If You Can, by the real Frank Abagnale. The narrative style of the story is very interesting; it's written from the first person P.O.V. of the author, yet it tells Kevin's story from a nearly omniscient perspective. In addition to the straightforward storytelling of the events, Mezrich also interrupts the almost fiction-like narrative with depictions of scenes from the interviews he did as research for the novel, describing in detail the hooker named April he met in a smoky Vegas club, the solitary technology and security designer for Vegas casinos, and the ex-Blackjack club member Jill, still going for a few rounds of cards before the meeting.

As I had seen the movie when it first came out, the typical experience of book-then-movie that is often disappointing was somewhat reversed. Instead, I was simply left noting the differences, non-judmentally. This was refreshing also; I'm sick of trying to keep myself from asking "how dare they change ___?" or "why'd they leave out ___?" For those of you who may have seen the movie, there are a few things to keep an eye out for. First, the casting in the movie was, honestly, despicable - especially since it was based on not only a book but a real-life story. Almost all the members on the blackjack team are asian, part of the typical genius M.I.T. student body. While I absolutely adore Jim Sturgess (Gaaaaaahhhh, *drool* <--Clicky) and have nothing against Kate Bosworth, it's amazing that only one asian actor made it into the film. As for plot, there are two major deviations. The wonderfully acted and murky Cole Williams (yay Lawrence Fishburn!) basically doesn't exist in the book. While there is a similar character, a man who works for a PI firm employed by casinos to catch cheaters and card counters, he has a much smaller role and the reader learns very little about him. He's more of a presence that the main characters feel and one whom they know little about. Second, all that kitschy Hollywood romance between Bosworth and Sturgess, as well as the big climactic finale (which I only vaguely remember now - someone fools someone else and walks away with millions?), that isn't really in the book either. In plain ol' English, the book is more real - there's no climax right at the 1:45 minute mark... we merely get a snapshot of these people's incredible lives and experiences. In all, I really enjoyed this book. It's a fun and fast read. While I felt confused by the flashy card counting in the movie, I actually learned a lot about it... and while I wouldn't be prepared to try it in a casino any time soon, I definitely feel like I understand the principle. If Catch Me If You Can, Rain Man, Good Will Hunting, Ocean's 11, or the film 21 itself floated your boat, I'd say you'd enjoy this book too. It's an amazing story - and all true!

P.S. I also reviewed this on Sazze.com, here. Similar thoughts, but slightly different!

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