The Prize (published in 1962) - written by Irving Wallace

Irving Wallace was born in Chicago, to Jewish parents, Bessie and Alexander Wallace Who had Emigrated from Russia. He completed his studies in California and started out as a journalist at a tender age of 15. He studied creative writing at the Williams Institute in Berkley and from the mid-30s he worked as a free-lance correspondent. In 1941 he married Sylvia Kahn; they had two children. Irving Wallace served in the air force during world war two and later collaborated in several movies as a writer. His first book 'Sins of Peter Fleming' did not attract much attention. But his second book influenced by the Kinsey report was a best seller. He has been a prolific churner of best sellers and his books have been adapted as major movies.
The Prize published in 1962 presents the lives of six Nobel laureates who receive the most coveted prize in the history of man kind i.e the Nobel prize. All six of them receive the all important telegram and their past and intertwining lives changes their world all together, for ever. This book was adapted in to a book by Paul Newman which was not much of a success as the novel.



The six characters whose pioneering works get them the Nobel prize reach Stockholm with their loved ones and the demons from the past. Max Stratman, an venerable physicist has battled the Nazi camps and death of loved ones. He retains his humanity and is very concerned for his niece Emily who has secrets of her own. She battles terrifying memories about the concentration camps and have problems in trust and building relationships.
The Marceau's are the husband and wife duo whose work gets them the prize in chemistry. They have been partners in life as well as in the lab. But the husband's infidelity has developed cracks in their marriage and the wife gets her revenge by cozying up with a lab assistant. Will their seemingly perfect union survive?
Andrew Craig in the major character who wins it for literature. It is said that Andrew's life was a fantasy of Wallace's. But Andrew's literary graph has plummeted with his wife's accident. He feels guilty her death and drowns his sorrow in alcohol and women. His sister in law takes care of him and tries to have a relationship, but does she succeed in her manipulations? Andrew has various sexual conquests in Stockholm and his love for Emily redeems him.
Doctor John Garrett, the winner for medicine has to share it with Carlo Farelli, his arch rival who completely eclipses him in the press. John with his reclusive ways is overshadowed by Farelli and is seethes with jealousy. But his compassion and skills win him the last round and he combines forces with his arch rival to save a life.
It is said that Wallace took 15 years to pen this book and it is worth the effort. You get the golden nuggets of information about the Nobel Prize winners and the intrigue and processes by which the selection is done. Just go for the book, it worth time and money.