** NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! ** The Tonight Show Summer Reads Winner ** A New York Times Notable Book of 2021 **Insanely readable. —Stephen KingHailed as breathtakingly suspenseful, Jean Hanff Korelitz’s The Plot is a propulsive read about a story too good not to steal, and the writer who steals it.Jacob Finch Bonner was once a promising young novelist with a respectably published first book. Today, he’s teaching in a third-rate MFA program and struggling to maintain what’s left of his self-respect; he hasn’t written—let alone published—anything decent in years. When Evan Parker, his most arrogant student, announces he doesn’t need Jake’s help because the plot of his book in progress is a sure thing, Jake is prepared to dismiss the boast as typical amateur narcissism. But then . . . he hears the plot.Jake returns to the downward trajectory of his own career and braces himself for the supernova publication of Evan Parker’s first novel: but it never comes. When he discovers that his former student has died, presumably without ever completing his book, Jake does what any self-respecting writer would do with a story like that—a story that absolutely needs to be told.In a few short years, all of Evan Parker’s predictions have come true, but Jake is the author enjoying the wave. He is wealthy, famous, praised and read all over the world. But at the height of his glorious new life, an e-mail arrives, the first salvo in a terrifying, anonymous campaign: You are a thief, it says.As Jake struggles to understand his antagonist and hide the truth from his readers and his publishers, he begins to learn more about his late student, and what he discovers both amazes and terrifies him. Who was Evan Parker, and how did he get the idea for his “sure thing” of a novel? What is the real story behind the plot, and who stole it from whom?
The Plot: A Novel, written by Jean Hanff Korelitz, delves into the intricate world of book publishing, exploring the complex relationship between authors, editors, and the industry's power dynamics. At the center of the story is Jacob Finch Bonner, an ambitious young writer whose debut novel, A Place for Us, captivates readers and critics alike, propelling him to literary stardom. However, the success comes with a dark secret: Jacob did not write the novel but rather stole it from his former student, a struggling writer named Evan Parker.
As the novel progresses, Jacob's guilt and paranoia escalate, while Evan's determination to reclaim his stolen work intensifies. The narrative unfolds through alternating perspectives, allowing readers to witness the unraveling of Jacob's carefully constructed life as the truth threatens to destroy everything he has built. Korelitz masterfully weaves a gripping tale that delves into the morality of authorship, the ethics of the publishing industry, and the consequences of one's actions.
The Plot is a captivating exploration of the creative process, the complexities of the literary world, and the moral dilemmas faced by those who seek success at any cost. Korelitz's skillful storytelling and insightful commentary on the publishing industry make this novel a compelling read for book lovers and anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes machinations of the literary world.
