Audiobook, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller

The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz

Jonetta | Blue Mood Café

Jacob (Jake) Finch Bonner is a writer and published novelist whose first book reached critical acclaim but not the commercial success he’d dreamed about. His second book didn’t reach the level of the first and so he began teaching in an MFA program at Vermont’s Ripley College that even he knew wasn’t highly regarded. Jake was also struggling the past few years to find inspiration for his next book when one of his students, an arrogant and narcissistic young man named Evan Parker, declares he doesn’t need his or anyone’s help because the plot of his book is so compelling, it will become an immediate bestseller on its own. Evan won’t share more than a couple of pages with Jake but it’s enough that he becomes highly intrigued with the beginnings of the plot.

A few years later, another student with Evan’s personality traits triggers Jake’s memory and he searches to see if that much touted story ever got published. When he discovers that Evan died a few weeks after he left Ripley, Jake ultimately convinces himself that he can pursue writing the story himself. It does become that predicted commercial and financial success and Jake’s name is right up there with the well known authors of the day. But as he’s enjoying all that comes with fame and critical acclaim, he receives the first of many messages to come from an anonymous sender called “Talented Tom” who simply states, “you are a thief.” Jake’s private search sends him on a journey into Evan Parker’s past that produces astonishing results.

Let me first warn you that this story requires your patience as it takes some time to develop but there is a payoff for your efforts. When it finally takes a turn to the point where it’s hard to stop reading (or in my case, listening), the foundation that was created provides that insight into the characters you’ll need to keep up. To make matters more interesting, the story transitions between Jake’s present day movements and excerpts of his book. Those transitions were well crafted as they become more meaningful as Jake delves deeper into Evan’s life. But the most compelling aspect of the story is the question it raises about the ownership of an idea. Jake had only a fragment of Evan’s story premise but was it enough to be considered a theft of someone else’s story? You’ll be left to decide that for yourself.

I listened to the story and it took me a moment to adjust to the narrator because he was so low key. But, after a bit I realized he was just being Jake who consumes most of the beginning of the book and he did that very well. When other characters emerged, there was quite a distinction. I’m really glad I chose to listen versus read because he helped build the excitement and intrigue, especially that twisty ending. I also have to admit to having guessed the surprise revelation but not the ending. I enjoyed this slow burn novel with the provocative proposition about what constitutes theft in the writing arena. You’ll have to consider decide for yourself. And, the journey to get there was delicious.

Book Info

  • Release Date: May 11, 2021
  • Narrator: Kirby Heyborne
  • Audio Length: 10 hours, 43 minutes
  • Publisher: Macmillan Audio

 

 

 

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm 

 

(Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)

Published by Jonetta | Blue Mood Café

24 thoughts on “The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz”

  1. Pingback: 2021 Audiobook Challenge – Blue Mood Café

    1. I’ve come to appreciate slow burns if they’re done well…and I can get them on audio. I have much more patience and view that plodding beginning as having a purpose so I look for it. It made a difference here because otherwise I may not have understood why Jake chose to keep searching!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. That’s such an insightful response and one I totally relate to. I honestly didn’t do audio before last year (felt like I didn’t have the patience for them and narrators were too hit or miss) but now I can fully really appreciate what they offer to the nuance of a story!

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

  8. I have seen this book around, and have been caught by the premise. Yours is the first review I’ve read, so I apprec The warning it’s a slow burn. It really does sound sooo good 😌

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. I’m glad this one was a solid read for you & it sounds like the reading experience on audiobook was quite different on ebook! I don’t listen to many thrillers on audio because I get impatient and want to tear through to find out the revelation, but with a slow burn like this one, I can see how it would work well.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I was forewarned about the slow beginning, which audio handles well for me, so I was well positioned to explore the why of it. While I love listening to thrillers, I thought this would be more thoughtful (actually, I was surprised about the suspense aspect) and waited for the audio version for that reason.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  10. Pingback: Links I’ve Enjoyed This Week – 09/05/2021 #WeeklyRoundUpPost 🔗📆 🔗 #SecretLibraryBookBlog – Secret Library Book Blog
  12. Pingback: 2021 Audiobook Challenge Update – Blue Mood Café
  13. Pingback: Saturdays at the Café – Blue Mood Café

Leave a reply to nickimags @ Secret Library Book Blog Cancel reply