Master of the Game (novel)
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Founder | Sidney Sheldon |
| Products | Novel |
Master of the Game is a 1982 novel by Sidney Sheldon that chronicles the saga of the fictional McGregor/Blackwell family across four generations. This highly praised thriller held the top position on The New York Times Best Seller list for four consecutive weeks and was later adapted into a television miniseries in 1984.
On August 4, 2009, William Morrow and Company published a sequel titled Sidney Sheldon's Mistress of the Game, authored by Tilly Bagshawe.
Publication history
Since its initial release, Master of the Game has been translated into multiple languages and reissued numerous times. The first edition appeared in 1982 through William Morrow & Co., followed by four reprints in 1983: by HarperCollins in January, Thorndike Pr. in June, a paperback version from Warner Books in August, and later that year by Pan Books in December. The novel saw another reprint by Warner Books in 1988 and was included in a 1993 omnibus edition published by Diamond Books, an imprint under HarperCollins Publishers, which also featured Sheldon's bestsellers Bloodline and Rage of Angels. The most recent printing was released in April 2005 by HarperCollins Ltd.
An abridged audiobook version was issued on cassette in 1988 by Dove Books on Tape, with narration by Roddy McDowall. In 2009, Phoenix Books produced an unabridged CD audiobook narrated by Shannon Engemann. Since 2016, digital editions have been available for download on platforms such as Audible and iTunes.
Plot
Kate Blackwell, the formidable matriarch of the Blackwell family and leader of the international conglomerate Kruger-Brent Int., marks her 90th birthday. Reflecting on her past achievements, she remains unwilling to relinquish control until a worthy successor is prepared. The narrative unfolds over four generations, emphasizing Kate’s relentless commitment to expanding her business empire.
Jamie McGregor, Kate’s father, departs Scotland during the 1860s to seek prosperity in Klipdrift, South Africa’s diamond industry. After being deceived by merchant Salomon van der Merwe, Jamie collaborates with van der Merwe’s servant Banda to steal millions worth of diamonds. Adopting a new identity upon his return, Jamie seduces Margaret van der Merwe as an act of vengeance and leverages his amassed wealth to dominate the local bank, ultimately bankrupting van der Merwe and driving him to suicide. To maintain proximity to their son Jamie Jr., Jamie marries Margaret. Amid civil unrest, Banda abducts Kate while Jamie Jr. is left for dead; this trauma causes Jamie to suffer a stroke, leaving Margaret and David Blackwell to manage Kruger-Brent. Captured during the Boer War, Kate vows never to feel powerless again.
Growing up with fierce determination, Kate becomes fixated on David Blackwell, her mother’s business associate. After completing business school, she returns to discover David engaged elsewhere but manipulates circumstances to end his engagement; they then marry. During World War I, Kate persuades Kruger-Brent to enter arms manufacturing despite David’s objections. His death in a mining accident at the company leaves Kate widowed with their son Tony.
Under Kate’s direction, Kruger-Brent evolves into a global powerhouse; however, her exacting demands estrange Tony. He pursues an art career in France but abandons it after Kate sabotages his reputation by bribing an art critic. Upon returning to the family firm, Tony uncovers that his French girlfriend Dominique was used as a spy by Kate and severs ties with her. Capitalizing on Tony’s bitterness, Kate orchestrates his marriage to Marianne Hoffman to acquire the Hoffman electronics empire and secure heirs. Marianne dies giving birth to twins Eve and Alexandra; devastated by Kate’s manipulations and Tony’s deteriorating mental state leads to his institutionalization.
Eve exhibits manipulative and antagonistic behavior toward her sister Alexandra, who is gentle and trusting. Initially designated as heir apparent by Kate, Eve is disinherited after her true nature is revealed. Eve aligns with George Mellis, another disinherited heir; they conspire for George to wed Alexandra and murder her so Eve can regain control of Kruger-Brent. When George abuses Eve after marrying Alexandra, she kills him herself. The family physician Keith Webster uncovers these events and blackmails Eve into marriage; despite this arrangement, Eve openly engages in infidelity. Later, Keith disfigures Eve during cosmetic surgery, increasing her dependence on him—an outcome Kate considers deserved punishment. Alexandra marries Peter Templeton, George’s psychiatrist; they have a son named Robert.
In the present day, Robert is an eight-year-old piano prodigy. Kate attempts to influence his future plans but faces resistance from Peter and Alexandra, who insist Robert will chart his own course rather than inherit leadership of Kruger-Brent. Ultimately conceding, Kate offers to introduce Robert to a renowned musician as she once did for Tony’s artistic ambitions.
Reception
Master of the Game entered The New York Times Best Seller list at position nine, eventually holding the top spot for four weeks and the second place for eight weeks, with a total presence on the list lasting 38 weeks. It ranked as the fourth highest-selling novel in the United States in 1982 and was chosen as a Main Selection by The Literary Guild.
The novel received acclaim for its engaging narrative and ease of reading. The New York Review of Books described it as "irresistibly readable," while Publishers Weekly referred to it as an "absorbing and captivating family saga." The Los Angeles Times praised Sidney Sheldon as "a master... at crafting potboilers," though it remarked on the limited portrayal of sexual content. Conversely, The New York Times emphasized the book’s exploration of a variety of mature themes. Regional publications like the Worcester Sunday Telegram acknowledged Sheldon as "the master of the game" in producing bestsellers, and USA Today commended him as "a master storyteller operating at peak performance." European critics, including those from the London Review of Books, depicted the main character, Kate Blackwell, as a classic example of a role model archetype.
The Los Angeles Times summarized the novel as a compilation of loosely interlinked stories, whereas the London Review of Books suggested that its structure lends itself well to cinematic adaptation.
Adaptations
In the United States, a television miniseries based on the novel was broadcast in three parts starting February 19, 1984. The cast included Dyan Cannon portraying Kate Blackwell, Harry Hamlin as Tony Blackwell, and Ian Charleson in the role of Jamie McGregor, among others. This production was a collaboration between CBS Television and Rosemont Productions International Ltd., earning an Emmy Award nomination for "Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition for a Limited Series or a Special" for its initial episode. The miniseries was later made available on DVD on May 4, 2009, and subsequently aired on BBC One in the United Kingdom beginning September 2.
Additionally, the story was adapted into a radio drama titled Oyunun Kuralı (the Rule of the Game), featuring Tomris Oğuzalp as Kate and Cahit Şaher portraying Tony.