Customer Reviews

Lit Life: A Novel

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"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.

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!

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.

then literature has a red-headed step child in Lit Life! Personally, I do not think humor and great writing are mutally exclusive and this author obviously agrees. If you like your fiction full of complex characters, sharp description, pithy dialogue, wry observations, thrilling conflict and smart remarks all sewn together in organic and elegant prose--well, then, buy this book. Right away. You won't be sorry.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!