The Plot Customer Reviews

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audiobook for review!

I flew through this. The story was compelling, the mystery was enchanting, and the writing was as lyrical as Korelitz has Jake describe Evan's writing in the beginning. I do wish the voices had been a little more distinct, however, from the story of Jake and The Plot, to the story within the story, of Jake's novel, Crib, to even the first few pages we get to read of Evan's version of the novel in the beginning. The style was incredibly similar, and if it hadn't been for the chapter titles where readers are literally TOLD these are pages from Jake's novel within the book, I wouldn't have been able to tell the difference.

The story is as unique as any mystery/thriller I've ever read. The meta-factor definitely helped with the originality, and it was a refreshing take on the genre. Do I think the plot (the actual story that starts all the drama, not this book, The Plot) is the best thing since sliced bread; as remarkable as Jake seems to think when Evan describes it to him in his office, guaranteed bestseller and sure to be picked up by Hollywood? No. Did I see the big bad coming from about 50% in? Yes. Was the ending pretty expositional and slightly eye-roll worthy? Yes. Can I think of better way to have ended the book instead? Well, no. So.

All in all, a quick thriller that, while it didn't really keep me guessing, definitely kept me engaged, if for no other reason than I enjoyed Korelitz writing and Jake's character. I will definitely be checking out some of Jean Hanff Korelitz other books, and am grateful to have received this eARC!

Not a terrible book. It kept me entertained even though half way through the story I guessed where the story was heading ….and I was right. I’ve read better and also read worse.

Really enjoyable and unique

Picking up The Plot by @jeanhanff I thought I knew what the story was going to be about and honestly was worried if I was going to enjoy it. In the synopsis we learn that Jacob Finch Bonner is a teacher in an MFA program who hears his student’s plot idea for a book and who later steals it and writes it himself when he learns the student has passed away without writing it. The last line of the synopsis says “‘What is the real story behind the plot, and who stole it from whom?”

I was not expecting to get hooked so early on and be wanting to pick up this book at every opportunity. While I guessed part of the twist early on from a very minor mention of something mundane, I was still turning the pages quickly to learn more.

I loved the way the author didn’t feel the need to linger on any one time period for too long, realizing that the reader could make some inferences into the time periods not covered. This characteristic kept the plot moving perfectly.

Jake’s character felt authentic and changed appropriately through the different stages of his life story. It showed in small details like carrying his clothing in two plastic bags to the college where he would be delivering the 3 week program as an MFA teacher who hadn’t put out anything worthy in a while to the more egotistical persona associated with fame coming up with lines to make himself sound modest.

Having portions of Jake’s novel embedded within the story was a unique and satisfying format to deliver this great story.

This is my first book I’ve read by this author but it won’t be my last. Her previous novel You Should Have Known was made into a Netflix series called The Undoing starring Nicole Kidman, Hugh Grant and Donald Sutherland. I binge watched that series and loved it not knowing it was based on a book.

Thank you to @celadonbooks for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. The Plot publishes May 11, 2021.