The Plot by Jean Hanff KorelitzMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Jake is a young novelist whose first novel was an astounding success. Since then he's published another novel which was not as well received. He is working part-time in Vermont teaching writing to students in an MFA program, where he meets Evan, a smug and pretentious student who claims to have an idea for a book sure to be a huge success.
Fast forward three years. Jake is still struggling to write and has started working as a freelance editor for other writers. He remembers Evan's boasts, looks for his published book only to discover that he died soon after the MFA program. Predictably Jake takes the broad story line, writes the book, and publishes it to huge success. (I don't think this is too much of a spoiler -- it's included in the book blurb.)
What follows is an incredible ride for the reader, following Jake in his successes and failures, including the haunting emails and letters from the supposed real author. This is a fast-paced, page-turning thriller, with plot twists and turns throughout. We get a look inside at both the publishing industry and the life of an author. It's also a 'book within a book' because chapters of the book written by Jake are interspersed throughout.
This is the second time that I've read this book; this time it was for one of my book clubs (discussion tonight!). Once again I'm giving it five stars and highly recommend it to anyone interested in books, authors, publishing, and wonderful suspenseful thrillers! It will keep you glued to the pages until the very end!
Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.
View all my reviews
