Rating: 
Summary: lite reading
Review: I liked it and so will all thosewho are entertained by the anticsof writers in their private lives
Rating: 
Summary: Cyle Klayton my new hero
Review: I love this book! It has two writers wrestling their literary demons in the Hamptons which makes it really fun and beautiful. The characters qualities are very likeable, in that if you look to heroes who don't sell out on their art or craft, they are true people to look up to. Especially in a time when everybody is so commercial. I'm a writer and it really inspired me. There are moments of dramatic highs that have you gasping and humor that has you howling. What reviews haven't mentioned is the incredible family drama that unfolds in very intense, sad and beautiful ways. One of the most literary yet readable novels I've ever read.
Rating: 
Summary: Diving in the Shallow End
Review: I'll be up front: this book was not what I was hoping for. I'd read in the descriptions that it was about two writers at different points in their lives spending together. I naively thought that meant they would form some sort of bond and learn about WRITING and life from each other. That never really materialized. Instead, "Lit Life" is a "satire" that demonstrates all that is wrong with the publishing industry; it is a book more concerned with dishing dirt than building an effective, meaningful story. In a world where sleaze sells, "Lit Life" is there with all the sleaze a modern reader could ask for. Drugs, drinking, sex, affairs, and ultimately a suicide; this book is like a literary soap opera."Lit Life"'s main conundrum is that either you can be a great artist with no recognition like Richard Whitehurst or popular, rich, and not talented like Richard's nemesis Arthur. These two spend a summer trying to bend young, troubled author Kyle Clayton to their point of view. There is no real middle ground if you believe "Lit Life"; you're either one or the other. You can't be a wealthy and talented writer, can you? Unfortunately I don't know enough famous writers to answer that question, but I don't believe that for a moment. As a writer hoping to get published someday, I CAN'T believe that. Overall, my problem with "Lit Life" is that Wenzel glosses over important moments of the story. For example, readers never even see Richard invite Kyle to stay with him. Nor do readers see much of Richard and Kyle together during the summer; everything that Kyle learns from Richard is told second-hand instead of actually witnessed by the reader. Take Wenzel's word for it, Kyle was really influenced by Richard. Wait, wasn't that the whole crux of the story? Wasn't that THE story? So maybe it's just me, but I think we might want to flesh that out a little more than a couple paragraphs here and there. No, instead let's talk about another party, that's really what this story is about--parties. Enough of my ranting. If you're in the publishing industry then I suggest you read this book; this "satire" will probably be right up your alley. Or if you want some light airplane reading and want to believe that all writers are either toiling futilely or selling their souls to Hollywood, then "Lit Life" has you covered. For those few who want a book more interested in developing a story than dishing gossip, move on to something else. Was this review helpful to you? Nope. Was it helpful to me? You betcha.
Rating:
Summary: Diving in the Shallow End
Review: I'll be up front: this book was not what I was hoping for. I'd read in the descriptions that it was about two writers at different points in their lives spending together. I naively thought that meant they would form some sort of bond and learn about WRITING and life from each other. That never really materialized. Instead, "Lit Life" is a "satire" that demonstrates all that is wrong with the publishing industry; it is a book more concerned with dishing dirt than building an effective, meaningful story. In a world where sleaze sells, "Lit Life" is there with all the sleaze a modern reader could ask for. Drugs, drinking, sex, affairs, and ultimately a suicide; this book is like a literary soap opera. "Lit Life"'s main conundrum is that either you can be a great artist with no recognition like Richard Whitehurst or popular, rich, and not talented like Richard's nemesis Arthur. These two spend a summer trying to bend young, troubled author Kyle Clayton to their point of view. There is no real middle ground if you believe "Lit Life"; you're either one or the other. You can't be a wealthy and talented writer, can you? Unfortunately I don't know enough famous writers to answer that question, but I don't believe that for a moment. As a writer hoping to get published someday, I CAN'T believe that. Overall, my problem with "Lit Life" is that Wenzel glosses over important moments of the story. For example, readers never even see Richard invite Kyle to stay with him. Nor do readers see much of Richard and Kyle together during the summer; everything that Kyle learns from Richard is told second-hand instead of actually witnessed by the reader. Take Wenzel's word for it, Kyle was really influenced by Richard. Wait, wasn't that the whole crux of the story? Wasn't that THE story? So maybe it's just me, but I think we might want to flesh that out a little more than a couple paragraphs here and there. No, instead let's talk about another party, that's really what this story is about--parties. Enough of my ranting. If you're in the publishing industry then I suggest you read this book; this "satire" will probably be right up your alley. Or if you want some light airplane reading and want to believe that all writers are either toiling futilely or selling their souls to Hollywood, then "Lit Life" has you covered. For those few who want a book more interested in developing a story than dishing gossip, move on to something else. Was this review helpful to you? Nope. Was it helpful to me? You betcha.
Rating:
Summary: Spend a Summer with Writers in NY for $12
Review: I'm no literary guru or genius, but I know what I like when I see it, and I like this book -- a lot. Without sounding as if I'm saying that the story is plain, this book is proof that sometimes the way a story is told is more important than the story itself. Sure, the tale of the two major writer-characters is interesting, but without Wenzel's extraordinary character development, it might not be satisfying enough; Wenzel's efforts in this regard left me feeling not only that I knew the characters very well, but also that I had summered with them in the Hamptons. And what colorful characters they are! You may not uncover the meaning of life, but you will have a good time -- and isn't that what it's all about? If you've ever even contemplated writing a novel, or if you have a love affair as many of us do with all things New York (City and Hamptons, that is), then this book will give you pleasure. Well done, Mr. Wenzel!
Rating:
Summary: A great beach read with some real literary guts!
Review: Kurt Wenzel's debut novel is a smashing success. Where is all the buzz? So much is written and spoken about lesser works with this one book having some real moxie. It is both an easy read and an expose on writers and writing. Wenzel makes you laugh and cry about the whole publishing world. The struggle is over writing the Great Novel versus something that can put food on your table (or booze in your belly!) His characters allow him great lattitude in terms of plot but it is essentially their personas on which the novel is predicated. Comparisons are sure to follow (and curse) this budding author. Wolfe, McInerney, Ellis, even a less sophisticated Fitzgerald. Lets just allow Wenzel to be Wenzel and just hope that he keeps on writing, however irreverently!
Rating:
Summary: A great beach read with some real literary guts!
Review: Kurt Wenzel's debut novel is a smashing success. Where is all the buzz? So much is written and spoken about lesser works with this one book having some real moxie. It is both an easy read and an expose on writers and writing. Wenzel makes you laugh and cry about the whole publishing world. The struggle is over writing the Great Novel versus something that can put food on your table (or booze in your belly!) His characters allow him great lattitude in terms of plot but it is essentially their personas on which the novel is predicated. Comparisons are sure to follow (and curse) this budding author. Wolfe, McInerney, Ellis, even a less sophisticated Fitzgerald. Lets just allow Wenzel to be Wenzel and just hope that he keeps on writing, however irreverently!
Rating:
Summary: Funny, sad first novel on lives of New York writers
Review: Lit Life is Kurt Wenzel first novel, and is centered on three characters: Kyle Clayton, whose first novel was a huge success, but has written nothing else for years; Richard Whitehurst, who is called America's most underrated writer, having failed to achieve success despite a lifetime of hard work and respectable reviews; and Whitehurst's wife Meryl, who after decades of marriage to Whitehurst sees their relationship dying as a result of the writer's failure to achieve the success he has dreamed of. Clayton and Whitehurst could not seem more different -- Clayton has spent the years since his first novel getting drunk and chasing women, while Whitehurst has shown an almost monkish dedication to his work, to the point that he is alienated from his wife and daughter. However, the differences between the two result in a relationship. Clayton has long admired Whitehurst's work, and Whitehurst admires Clayton's work and envies his fame. By the time the two meet, that fame has gone sour -- Clayton finds himself listed in an article in New York magazine as one of the 100 most obnoxious New Yorkers. Whitehurst persuades Clayton to spend the summer with him in the Hamptons, and this intrusion into Whitehurst's settled life has consequences that no one could have expected. This description of the plot makes the book sound like grim reading. It is not. Clayton's escapades at throughout the book, as he gets drunk, behaves (at times) badly, and ponders the possibility of agreeing to product placement in his next book are all very funny. The last idea is not as fanciful as it sounds; a noted British novelist agreed to such a deal (I don't know if Wenzel anticipated it or not). While Wenzel has some interesting things to say about the life of a writer, he does so in a way that has broad appeal -- this is not a navel-gazing book. And Wenzel is quick to see the humor in his other charactes as well. The book is best described as a satire. Wenzel is a highly skilled writer. He moves the vantage point of the novel from Clayton, to Whitehurst, and to Meryl to show how the characters view themselves and each other. This is an effective way to flesh a character out. And Wenzel handles his three main characters well -- none of them are stereotypes. The book moves smoothly from comedy to tragedy, with an very effective ending. I look forward to Wenzel's next book.
Rating:
Summary: Funny, sad first novel on lives of New York writers
Review: Lit Life is Kurt Wenzel first novel, and is centered on three characters: Kyle Clayton, whose first novel was a huge success, but has written nothing else for years; Richard Whitehurst, who is called America's most underrated writer, having failed to achieve success despite a lifetime of hard work and respectable reviews; and Whitehurst's wife Meryl, who after decades of marriage to Whitehurst sees their relationship dying as a result of the writer's failure to achieve the success he has dreamed of. Clayton and Whitehurst could not seem more different -- Clayton has spent the years since his first novel getting drunk and chasing women, while Whitehurst has shown an almost monkish dedication to his work, to the point that he is alienated from his wife and daughter. However, the differences between the two result in a relationship. Clayton has long admired Whitehurst's work, and Whitehurst admires Clayton's work and envies his fame. By the time the two meet, that fame has gone sour -- Clayton finds himself listed in an article in New York magazine as one of the 100 most obnoxious New Yorkers. Whitehurst persuades Clayton to spend the summer with him in the Hamptons, and this intrusion into Whitehurst's settled life has consequences that no one could have expected. This description of the plot makes the book sound like grim reading. It is not. Clayton's escapades at throughout the book, as he gets drunk, behaves (at times) badly, and ponders the possibility of agreeing to product placement in his next book are all very funny. The last idea is not as fanciful as it sounds; a noted British novelist agreed to such a deal (I don't know if Wenzel anticipated it or not). While Wenzel has some interesting things to say about the life of a writer, he does so in a way that has broad appeal -- this is not a navel-gazing book. And Wenzel is quick to see the humor in his other charactes as well. The book is best described as a satire. Wenzel is a highly skilled writer. He moves the vantage point of the novel from Clayton, to Whitehurst, and to Meryl to show how the characters view themselves and each other. This is an effective way to flesh a character out. And Wenzel handles his three main characters well -- none of them are stereotypes. The book moves smoothly from comedy to tragedy, with an very effective ending. I look forward to Wenzel's next book.
Rating:
Summary: The main character(s) must be likable
Review: The 1st time novelist is no doubt a master wordsman. The story flows freely, and his descriptive ability is Hemingway-esqe. But the problem lies in having essentially two main characters - both of whom are not very likable. And certain aspects of the story are just too unbelievable for such a competent writer.
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