Jean Hanf Kroelitz wrote You Should Have Known, which became a TV series called The Undoing, starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant. That book and the TV show were unique, and powerful and I was impressed by Korelitz’s writing and character development. So when people began talking about her new book called The Plot, and how it was one of the most anticipated books for this summer, I was excited too.

The Plot centers around a down and out author named Jacob Finch Bonner, who after writing his first novel, has never been able to live up to its promise. After struggling to deliver a second novel, which barely sold and unable to finish any subsequent novels, he now earns a living as a “writer in residence” at residency programs for aspiring writers. It is a rather soul destroying turn of events for someone who seemed to hold so much potential.

During one writer’s-in-residence program, Bonner meets a young writer, Evan Parker, who is supremely confident, almost arrogant, about his novel. Parker claims to have such a unique plot no one will ever guess it and believes that he will go on to make millions off the book and any movie deals from it. Bonner, a bit jaded by his own experience tries to temper Parker’s’ expectations and makes suggestions and gives advice after reading a short excerpt from Parker’s book. At some point during the program, Parker reveals the basic outline of the plot and Bonner, much to his chagrin, sees the potential for it to be a huge best seller.

Years pass, and Bonner has become even more stuck and unproductive. He still thinks about Parker and his book, but has never seen anything to indicate it has been published. On a whim he investigates online and finds that Evan Parker died some years earlier without ever publishing the novel. So Bonner decides that he will use the plot, without using any of the names, locations or setting that he had seen from the small excerpt he had read of Parker’s work. After all, using a plot line is not plagiarism; everyone uses plots from other sources.

Bonner’s novel is of course, a huge success and he goes on tours and book signings and meets wonderful people who love his work and even finds love in the process. But there is always a small voice that says it is too good to last, and that all of his success will come crashing down in a moment. Then one day he gets an email which says, “You are a thief,” and suddenly his worst fears become a reality. Now Bonner must find out who is behind the email and why they want to destroy his life.

Maybe it was because I read this just after reading a John Le Carré novel with his impeccable plot and gorgeous writing or maybe it was because I was expecting too much after all the hype about it’s release in the media, but I was very disappointed with this book. It wasn’t until the last 20 pages, that I felt the book had redeemed itself enough to be able to recommend it. I think it was because I saw through the plot too soon. I also felt that there was too much focus on Bonner’s struggles to write. Regardless of how good a plot line you have, if you don’t have the ability to write, or develop characters, or create tension and draw the reader in, a book will not sell.

On the other hand, Korelitz has given us a twisty, engaging book about the struggles of being a writer, and the pitfalls in trying to take the easy way out, even when you are plagued with writer’s block. If you don’t guess the plot too soon, it should be an exciting beach read!

Brenda’s Rating *** (3 Out of 5 Stars)

Recommend this Book to: Sharon and Marian

Book Study Worthy? Yes

Read in library ebook format.