Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

Jacob Finch Bonner was once a promising young novelist with a respectably published first book. Today, he’s teaching in a third-rate MFA program and struggling to maintain what’s left of his self-respect; he hasn’t written—let alone published—anything decent in years. When Evan Parker, his most arrogant student, announces he doesn’t need Jake’s help because the plot of his book in progress is a sure thing, Jake is prepared to dismiss the boast as typical amateur narcissism. But then . . . he hears the plot.

Jake returns to the downward trajectory of his own career and braces himself for the supernova publication of Evan Parker’s first novel: but it never comes. When he discovers that his former student has died, presumably without ever completing his book, Jake does what any self-respecting writer would do with a story like that—a story that absolutely needs to be told.

In a few short years, all of Evan Parker’s predictions have come true, but Jake is the author enjoying the wave. He is wealthy, famous, praised and read all over the world. But at the height of his glorious new life, an e-mail arrives, the first salvo in a terrifying, anonymous campaign: You are a thief, it says.

As Jake struggles to understand his antagonist and hide the truth from his readers and his publishers, he begins to learn more about his late student, and what he discovers both amazes and terrifies him. Who was Evan Parker, and how did he get the idea for his “sure thing� of a novel? What is the real story behind the plot, and who stole it from whom?

Vicki and I plan to start today!

Up to PART THREE/Ch. 8 22%

Jacob Finch Bonner: (view spoiler)[What on earth is wrong with this guy? lol OMG I seriously do not like him but I wonder if I will change my mind. He is terrible. Imagine having him as your teacher? He hatesEvan for one reason only! He's totally jealous of what he believes will be a best seller. He's obviously going to plagiarize the book! (hide spoiler)]

Evan Parker: (view spoiler)[I would like to know more about him and perhaps we will as the story continues. (hide spoiler)]

One aspect I like about the book is (view spoiler)[ the fact that Jake is a "teacher" and it resonates with me in that way, BUT definitely not in the way of how he teaches. I hope that changes along the way. (hide spoiler)]

Up to Ch. 17/48%

Talented Thomas (view spoiler)[I am clueless. I wonder if it's someone he actually knows and maybe Thomas isn't Thomas at all. I know if I were Jake, I'd be freaking out for sure and looking over my shoulder. Nothing like knowing something is about to catch up to you and a major like like plagiarizing an entire book....I don't envy Jake! (hide spoiler)]

CRIB (view spoiler)[I'm not sure how I feel about the inclusion of this. I think it's a novel idea to include the script but I don't know the purpose for doing that yet. Hmmm...but I find the plot interesting. That being said, just HOW is it so unique that it's never been done? Either I'm missing something or it's yet to be revealed. The only thing I can think of is that the book is about Evan himself. (hide spoiler)]

Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ (view spoiler)[How exciting to see that in a book! But she has used a lot of allusions! I generally love them, especially in books like 11/22/63 because they're so historical and from "my time" but some of the ones she's used in this book I feel were just thrown in. I don't know. Just how I feel. (hide spoiler)]

Through Chapter 8

Bonner (view spoiler)[ I think he's made to hate. I mean, his whole commentary was just as pretentious and awful as Evan Parker/Parker Evan's but he just kept it in his head while smiling! He was just as entitled and gross as the budding writer (hide spoiler)]

Evan Parker(view spoiler)[ wow, he died shortly after giving the plot to him! I can't believe Bonner is actually going to steal it

and I have to be honest, what is this amazing plot?! lol

I loved hearing about the ways he tried to earn money! I liked the on-line guiding/editing. Interesting how he said published world had changed and now you're expected to deliver something pretty much publishable.

I also liked he was running that writers retreat. But if Evan Parker/Parker Evan was already dead, who is the guy yelling at him? Just a guy that looks like him?? (hide spoiler)]

The Plot (view spoiler)[ Okay, so far we know the mom has dubious employment - psychic and dirty talk - both hotline work

we know the daughter was very smart - or at least VERY driven - to get out of town and get to college

we know from Chapter 8 that there is a murder? And it sounds like the mom killed the daughter? Did I get that right?
Yikes, this doesn't sound like "an amazing best seller" just from the plot. I hope we learn more! (hide spoiler)]

I have to be honest, I wasn't excited to read this one but I'm really liking it so far!

ha! I love that Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ was mentioned in there too!! lol I'd be so lost without Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ!

YES! (view spoiler)[It definitely gave the impression that the mother killed her daughter. And your comments are spot on as always. (hide spoiler)]

I also asked how (view spoiler)[the plot was so amazing and unique, but I didn't ask it until my next set of comments. (hide spoiler)]

Trisha wrote: "ha! I love that Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ was mentioned in there too!! lol I'd be so lost without Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ!"

You and me both! I'm so glad I discovered it when I did! Do you realize that we've been friends on GR since 2012? 11 years already!

Up to PART FOUR/Ch. 25/74% and the plot thickens.

(view spoiler)[Nothing earth-shaking really since we already knew pretty much that the mother killed her daughter.

I felt bad for Anna...I'd freak out too if some looney toon had my address and was sending threatening letters. I see why Jake wanted to conceal it all from her, but I think he should've told her so she'd be less shocked and scared by the letter she got. (hide spoiler)]

Finished

(view spoiler)[I suspected Anna in PART FOUR for some reason. I don't know. I was thinking she might really be the niece, but I wasn't expecting the mother. I was confused though when we knew she killed her daughter and then Jake went looking for the daughter. But then she was dead after all.

I am baffled...why on earth didn't Jake take off? Did I miss something? Nobody would just sit there and take a bunch of pills like he did. (hide spoiler)]

Overall I really enjoyed this one.