Rating: 
Summary: Fear and Loathing in the Hamptons
Review: "Lit Life" or Lit Lite? That's the question that pops to mind after finishing this pseudo roman a clef.Its formula is simple: take the last half-century of American lit, New York division only, and wrap it around the theme of an artist's struggle between the demands of art and the temptations of commerce. "Lit Life" would make a great party game, along the lines of the one played in the book, in which the first line of a novel is quoted and the players must come up with the book and author. Is Bret Easton Ellis or Jay McInery closer to Kyle Clayton, the brat pack hotshot who's eight years past the blazing success of his debut novel, now infested with writer's block and an adoration of alcohol, on the outs with his friends, his co-writers and his agent? Then there are his potential mentors: the elderly "writer's writer" -- meaning critical favorite but no sales -- Richard Whitehurst, whose last book, in the works for ten years, bombed (let's see, reclusive yet respected and depressive, that's William Gaddis, and the decade-long book that bombed could be "The Tunnel," by William Gass); and Arthur Trebelaine, the popular writer with the Hemingwayesque reputation (Herman Wouk? Mario Puzo? How about Irwin Shaw? Discuss.) When Kyle's latest escapade made him persona non grata in Manhatten, he accepts Richard's invitation to spend the summer with him at his house on Long Island. There, he finds himself rejuvinated enough to resume writing, but he's also plunged into Whitehurst's crippled family, consisting of his estranged and attractive younger wife, the drug-addicted wild daughter who blames daddy for everything bad that's happened to her (Elizabeth Wurzel! Just kidding.). Kyle also finds himself becoming the rope in a tug-of-war between Richard and Arthur, whose close friendship is unraveling rapidly under the stress of jealousy, envy, paranoia and fear. Don't expect to find sympathetic characters; the three writers are sometimes charming, but all monsters in different ways, and their self-absorption makes me want to hit them with a clue stick. But if you're interested in the tribulations and paranoias of the writing life, "Lit Life" offers a stress-free, sometimes amusing voyage, sort of like the "Pirates of the Carribbean" ride at Disneyland: see the old-fashioned agent dunking pickles into his coffee at a deli meeting with a writer; see the rapacioius publisher threatening to sue to get Kyle's advance back; see the combination of back-biting and brown-nosing that goes on at a PEN party. Some of the story lines don't make sense. Would "The Paris Review" really favor a profile of Trebelaine over Whitehurst? And what did Chevy Chase do to Wenzel that earned him an extended cameo as a buffoon during a charity softball game on the Hamptons that co-starred Martha Stuart, Billy Joel and coach John Grisham? Wenzel displays a wonderful skill at crafting satirical barbs and effortless prose, which writers know takes a lot of work to achieve. "Lit Life" is a slightly pre-chewed chunk of summer fiction that can be read and digested before the weekend's over.
Rating: 
Summary: Wow!
Review: After reading the glowing New York Times review of this book, I went to the local bookstore and picked this one up--and loved it! It's the perfect summer read for smart people in that it's literary but also a tad on the trashy side at times. This is a page turner that reads like the best kind of movie, one that you take seriously but you also gasp and laugh as the plot progresses. One scene between the older writer, Richard Whitehurst, and his daughter, Kerry, will have you gasping!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful, delivers on all counts
Review: As the novel begins, it seems you're in for comic satire, as young writer Kyle Clayton wakes up from a night of debauchery. And the book delivers plenty of behind-the-scenes laughs over what the book business is all about today. But the book quickly starts to deliver a much greater literary impact. Its greatest strength is its characters. They're not mere stereotypes or rip-offs of famous types -- Jay MacInerny, John Cheever, Candace Bushnell -- they become full-fledged characters with their own quirks and flaws. Wenzel does have a breezy style, but he can also be quite the stylist. There's a section in the head of the wife of the John-Cheever type -- her name is Meryl -- that is lyrical. The books is a very funny send-up of the way the American obsession with celebrity has overtaken the book business, but themes that transcend that business are also explored -- older men's search for proteges, young men's search for mentors, the attempts of self-absorbed fathers and rebellious daughters to connect, to name a few. There are some very poignant statements here about the limitations others' views of us put on our lives. The characters are likable -- even when they behave despicably -- because they're all so trapped by the public images they feel obligated to fulfill. I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Lit lite (but tasty!)
Review: For the first few pages, I thought this was going to be another one of those annoying, angst-filled novels about some over-educated hipster. However, "Lit Life" surprised me by being a little more insightful and poignant than I originally perceived. Surprising too, was the ending, which I expected to be far more pat. This is a breezy little novel that took me a few short hours to read, but I did read it pretty much straight through because I found it quite engaging. The main characters are full and well-developed, and their respective plights absorbing. I particularly enjoyed the insiders' view of the publishing industry--it appears to be a scary place, one that I will not likely visit during my lifetime as a struggling writer.
Rating:
Summary: Engrossing Page Turning Dramady
Review: From the introduction on through this book keeps your attention. A great story of comedy with heartfelt drama and sadness. A mix of a little of everyhing. Great potential for a movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Not up to the Reviews
Review: I bought this book based on the review in People Magazine, which just raved about this book. I found it hard to read, a VERY slow read. I found myself making me finish this book. Was reviewed to be 'hilarious', and I found it to be boring and 'longwinded' I wouldn't choose to buy this book again.
Rating:
Summary: Not up to the Reviews
Review: I bought this book based on the review in People Magazine, which just raved about this book. I found it hard to read, a VERY slow read. I found myself making me finish this book. Was reviewed to be 'hilarious', and I found it to be boring and 'longwinded' I wouldn't choose to buy this book again.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining way to spend an afternoon!
Review: I enjoyed this book. I sat down this morning at 10a.m. and at 5pm, I finished the last page feeling that I'd got my money's worth on the purchase price. Given that I don't feel that way with every new book that I read, I'd say that alone affords it a couple of stars. Wenzel has done a good job of describing the writer's life, presented a cast of characters which stand on their own as interesting, a fun to read story that yes, mixes Cheever and Bret Easten Ellis/Jay McInerney in a fun to read story about publishing, New York, celebrity, dysfunctional families, and the pleasures of making a fool out of yourself at a party of stuffed-shirts. Not only do I recommend this book....I'd buy his next one.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent writing by young Author
Review: I first saw Lit Life recommended in GQ for summer reading. Seeing that it took place in NYC and the Hamptons and the hero was a young man that crossed the line of bon vivant over to right out drunk, I could not resist. Started the book on a Sunday by the pool, finished that evening at 3 AM …. meaning I could not put the book down. Wenzel’s magic with the characters gave me a roller coaster ride of emotions. I wasn’t sure if I liked or despised Kyle. You wanted to appreciate Richard for always trying so hard and for sticking to his guns, but it was very easy to get frustrated with his inability to live in the real world. The rest of the characters were so complex that when they did something that you would immediately hate them for; they made you think twice and put yourself in their shoes. Mixing the glamour of wealth with modern day NY, Wenzel brings you into world the East Coast literary scene. It’s F.Scott Fitzgerald meets Candice Bushnell (in a good way). It’s just great easy to read writing. The kind of book you can read on the beach with distractions and then back at home in solitude. On it’s day of release Wenzel’s book gets a glowing review from the NY Times, looks like the critics like him, now will the public turn him a into a success? I hope so because I can’t wait to read his next novel.
Rating:
Summary: WOW... the best book I've read in months!
Review: I have to admit, I got my hands on a galley first and read it in one day on the beach and later that evening. I couldn't put it down! I usually start and never finish a book... but the momentum of the story is fast paced, dynamic and full of characters you will either love or loathe, sometimes both. They reminded me of people I've read about, and some are cameos from real celebs (Chevy Chase makes a real ass of himself!)... Wenzel is somewhere between Wolfe, Hemingway, Russo and B.E.Ellis. It's fun but still feels like you read literature. I just got my hardcover and am going to read it again. I CAN'T WAIT!
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