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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
This book was as juicy as "The Talented Mr. Ripley" -- with stolen identities and blackmail threats. I once again loved the behind-the-scenes views of the literary world. In this novel, a one-time bestselling author has not been able to reach that same level of success with his follow-up work, and is instead meandering about in a second-rate writing program. He steals the idea ("the plot") of a student's work and goes on to great success and acclaim, until he receives anonymous messages from someone who knows the truth. I really enjoyed the book-within-the-book and the parallels between fiction and truth. And although I figured out the twist ending before the grand reveal, this book definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. (Side note: This author also wrote the novel upon which the HBO series "The Undoing" was based.)
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked it while I didn't like it. He felt whinny and annoying. Yet I appreciated the end far more than I should. Of course, the character I disliked the least was the one I should have disliked the most.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have very conflicted feelings about this book. For the first 2/3, I was bored— I disliked our narrator, I disliked what he was doing, and I disliked the people surrounding him. The climax had me enraptured, grinning as I put the pieces together. However, once Anna launched into her villain monologue, I felt like it was incredibly cartoony. If it had been an internal dialogue, it could’ve flowed better, but it felt very “mwahaha you’ve wronged me and this is why I did this and this is my evil plan.” 2.5 stars; didn’t love it, didn’t loathe it.