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ablotial's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fast, enjoyable read. I needed something light and entertaining and this book delivered. But it was also more intelligent than I was expecting. Ok sure, there were drawings of old ladies masturbating and pranks where 76 pizzas were delivered and stereotypical characters out the wazoo, it was all in good fun. But also, there were some very profound pieces of writing and some damn good writing advice, if you ask me.
One thing I find is that books about writing often annoy the piss out of me. Because they're like "oh there's this AMAZING writer" and then they make the mistake of showing a sample. And it's usually mediocre at best. And I'm like ugh, no. But in this book, the good writing was .. well, good! And there were examples of bad writing that were bad! And there were poems and stories with twists that I didn't catch and was in the dumb part of the class and the students who "got it" were explaining it to ME in addition to the rest of the class and when I finally "got it" I was like OMG THAT IS SO COOL. And arguing over the authors intent... somehow way cooler in this book than it was when I was in high school doing the same thing. I want to be in Amy's writing class!
And then the mystery. At first "The Sniper" was ... malicious but harmless. Nasty comments on people's work. That was fascinating to me. And the process of trying to guess who it was by comparing writing samples. I sort of figured it would end up being
Anyway. Probably not for everyone, but I really enjoyed it and I recommend it to anyone who has been in a creative writing class. It'll stay on my shelves.
One thing I find is that books about writing often annoy the piss out of me. Because they're like "oh there's this AMAZING writer" and then they make the mistake of showing a sample. And it's usually mediocre at best. And I'm like ugh, no. But in this book, the good writing was .. well, good! And there were examples of bad writing that were bad! And there were poems and stories with twists that I didn't catch and was in the dumb part of the class and the students who "got it" were explaining it to ME in addition to the rest of the class and when I finally "got it" I was like OMG THAT IS SO COOL. And arguing over the authors intent... somehow way cooler in this book than it was when I was in high school doing the same thing. I want to be in Amy's writing class!
And then the mystery. At first "The Sniper" was ... malicious but harmless. Nasty comments on people's work. That was fascinating to me. And the process of trying to guess who it was by comparing writing samples. I sort of figured it would end up being
Spoiler
one of the "throwaway" characters who didn't add much to the story up to that point. That would have been the easy way out. But no, this author was better than that. Although looking back I don't recall a *single* clue that would have pointed me at the actual person... which maybe was the clue I should have been looking for since it's a book. Also because they talked about exactly that with one of the student books, being too obvious with the clues. Meh.Anyway. Probably not for everyone, but I really enjoyed it and I recommend it to anyone who has been in a creative writing class. It'll stay on my shelves.
allie_jewett's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
readingwithhippos's review against another edition
4.0
This book is utterly unique, in that it manages to be humorous, literary, sinister, suspenseful, and totally wacky, all at once. I've never read anything quite like it, and I can't wait to read more of Willett's work.
Amy Gallup is an aging writer whose success came too soon. She published her first book at age twenty-two, and hasn't written a word for publication or otherwise in years. Instead, she teaches a writing workshop one night a week, an extension course at the local college. An introvert who craves solitude but still feels pricks of loneliness, Amy's main company is her beloved but crotchety basset hound, Alphonse. As an introvert myself, I found Amy's compulsive desire for solitude and horror at being touched by acquaintances endearing.
Her latest group of would-be writers quickly proves to be very different than past classes. At first Amy thinks she can categorize her pupils into the usual, predictable categories, but then an anonymous prankster starts wreaking havoc on everyone. A cryptic late-night phone call, an obscenity-laden critique of a short story, a pornographic sketch of an elderly female classmate, seventy-six personal pan pizzas delivered to the home of another student...and then, someone turns up dead at the bottom of a cliff.
Clearly, Amy is dealing with much more than just a prankster, and she's terrified of how the perpetrator's antics might continue to escalate. The police are no help at all, citing jurisdictional issues and relegating Amy to the “hysterical old woman” category. So Amy and the class decide to take the case into their own hands and find out who among them is “The Sniper,” by doing what they've done since the first week of class—analyzing the writing.
Now that I've written all that plot summary, I'm pretty sure I haven't done justice to Willett's work. Yes, the premise is interesting, and the character development thorough and satisfying. What I haven't been able to capture here is the razor wit that Willett employs throughout. I couldn't believe how funny even the most macabre scenes could be, without descending into slapstick. Willett doesn't ever settle for a cheap laugh. The humor is subtle, sly, tasteful. And here I am, flapping my gums. Apparently I'm not feeling like much of a salesman today.
Bottom line: Ignore my inadequate ramblings, and read this book.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
Amy Gallup is an aging writer whose success came too soon. She published her first book at age twenty-two, and hasn't written a word for publication or otherwise in years. Instead, she teaches a writing workshop one night a week, an extension course at the local college. An introvert who craves solitude but still feels pricks of loneliness, Amy's main company is her beloved but crotchety basset hound, Alphonse. As an introvert myself, I found Amy's compulsive desire for solitude and horror at being touched by acquaintances endearing.
Her latest group of would-be writers quickly proves to be very different than past classes. At first Amy thinks she can categorize her pupils into the usual, predictable categories, but then an anonymous prankster starts wreaking havoc on everyone. A cryptic late-night phone call, an obscenity-laden critique of a short story, a pornographic sketch of an elderly female classmate, seventy-six personal pan pizzas delivered to the home of another student...and then, someone turns up dead at the bottom of a cliff.
Clearly, Amy is dealing with much more than just a prankster, and she's terrified of how the perpetrator's antics might continue to escalate. The police are no help at all, citing jurisdictional issues and relegating Amy to the “hysterical old woman” category. So Amy and the class decide to take the case into their own hands and find out who among them is “The Sniper,” by doing what they've done since the first week of class—analyzing the writing.
Now that I've written all that plot summary, I'm pretty sure I haven't done justice to Willett's work. Yes, the premise is interesting, and the character development thorough and satisfying. What I haven't been able to capture here is the razor wit that Willett employs throughout. I couldn't believe how funny even the most macabre scenes could be, without descending into slapstick. Willett doesn't ever settle for a cheap laugh. The humor is subtle, sly, tasteful. And here I am, flapping my gums. Apparently I'm not feeling like much of a salesman today.
Bottom line: Ignore my inadequate ramblings, and read this book.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
c_rewie6's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
bxermom's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I think it was cleverly written. It had a variety of characters that made me laugh out loud. I was surprised by the ending. I definitely think I will check out more of Willets books.
trueblue28's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
celib120's review against another edition
3.0
Liked:
- focus on the characters for the first half before the murder happened, to know the characters without impending doom looming
- MC, Amy, got one on one time with characters
- the mystery of Amy's backstory is revealed in snippets throughout the story before it is revealed completely in the end
- the writing lessons in the story
- the small stories that the characters would write
Disliked:
- ending sequence somewhat confusing
- certain actions moments are rushed
- (Personal Problem) Forgot which characters are which
- characters very nonchalant with the death of classmates and the possibility that they are in the presents of the murder
- wish for a more decryption of clues from the characters
- focus on the characters for the first half before the murder happened, to know the characters without impending doom looming
- MC, Amy, got one on one time with characters
- the mystery of Amy's backstory is revealed in snippets throughout the story before it is revealed completely in the end
- the writing lessons in the story
- the small stories that the characters would write
Disliked:
- ending sequence somewhat confusing
- certain actions moments are rushed
- (Personal Problem) Forgot which characters are which
- characters very nonchalant with the death of classmates and the possibility that they are in the presents of the murder
- wish for a more decryption of clues from the characters
slherbel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
gracenow's review against another edition
4.0
Second reading of this book, after having just read the new one, Amy Among the Serial Killers, which was just great. It was good to know a bit more about Amy and Carla, the two main characters in this book, that had been revealed in the new book in the series. Excellent mystery, I did not guess the 'bad guy' before the person was revealed. The author used some clever ways to move the story forward including diary entries from the 'bad guy,' and excerpts from short stories done by the students in the class. Thoroughly enjoyed it.