Synopsis: Aspiring writer Ian Minot toils in a New York City diner, enraged because he can't get published. His jealousy is pushed to the edge because he suspects the bestselling memoir about drug addiction and being in a gang by no-talent Blade Markham is a fake. Then Ian's Romanian girlfriend, Anya Petrescu, easily finds a publisher for her short stories. Ian becomes the latest author to be embroiled in a headline-making literary scam when he can't resist a scheme in which he passes off another man's novel about a valuable manuscript as his own memoir. The consummate con game takes a deadly turn after Ian realizes he doesn't understand the ramifications of his book nor does he control his emerging career. Part Bright Lights, Big City, part The Grifters, this delicious satire of the literary world is peppered with slang so trendy a glossary is included.
Why did I pick it up?: An editor friend recommended it as a must-read for anyone remotely involved or interested with book publishing.
Favorite Line: "This book was brilliant, Templen said, so raw and so true; when he read one of Blade Markham's prison scenes, he practically palahniuked all over his desk."
Likes: I loved how the story and characters evolved, the book is broken up into three sections: Fact, Fiction and Memoir. A few of the twists I foresaw but not until a few pages before the main character does. I laughed out loud at the glossary of terms in the back. Most of which are authors names turned into nouns and verbs. Even the ones I was unfamiliar with were easy to figure out within the context.
Complaints: The book may not be as entertaining as it was for me to someone with no prior knowledge of the publishing process but it would still be a worthwhile read nonetheless.
Recommendation: It's a fast-paced, entertaining book and only 250 pages. I definitely recommend it to anyone but particularly to bookies.
Next Week: The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
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