The Columnist (Paperback)

~ (Author) "In the spirit of a Bildungsroman, I may as well begin in the fall of 1957, when I was eighteen and enrolled at Darleigh College..." (more)
Key Phrases: Aileen Frugtsaft, New Terrain, White House (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Frank's debut is a curious blend of ribald, tongue-in-cheek narrative and political tell-all that winds up evoking an odd sense of nostalgia for a bygone era. Former President Bush remarks to pompous, amoral columnist Brandon Sladder that he ought to write a memoir and so Sladder does. Now in his 60s, Sladder has left a trail of sources, lovers, wives and erstwhile colleagues in his wake while climbing to the top of the newspaper heap. His adventures start in his hometown of Buffalo, where he gets his father fired from his job as an insurance salesman by using confidential information from his father's files to break a big story, then capitalizes on his newspaper boss's indiscretion to blackmail his way up the ranks. When the paper is sold, Sladder moves to Washington, D.C., where, before writing for a political magazine and then a major daily, he uses a prostitute to get dirt on local elected officials. Later, it's on to the world of TV and roundtable reporter shows, but the unctuous Sladder's personal life is a mess a merry-go-round of affairs, marriage for money and ill-advised alliances with the constants being his relentless ambition and a remarkable ability to justify his own heinous behavior. Frank's smooth, fast-moving and often hilarious prose makes this a quick read, although much of the humor is dark, and the repulsive narrator makes the journey a bit thorny. The political material is enlightening and well delivered, as Sladder reveals the way things work within the Beltway in the postwar era. The result is a witty, racy and fast-moving novel that remains compelling despite its odious protagonist. Agent, Tina Bennett. (June)Forecast: Frank's current job as a New Yorker senior editor will help generate buzz, as will speculation as to which (if any) real columnist his narrator might be based on.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

The innocuous, limp title is the single failure of this searingly satiric portrait of the hyperactive Washington, DC, news scene. Frank, onetime staff member of the Washington Post and its defunct rival, the Washington Star, and currently a senior editor for The New Yorker, has etched with acidic precision the story of Brandon Sladder, a mock maven who latched onto a journalism career with a bit of handy blackmail. Over a period of 40 years or so, this blot trashes two wives, two children, and a multitude of colleagues yet is never perceived as the one rotten apple spoiling the bushel. With pious quotes from Bartlett's, he whines about the trials of his successful life and claims as his confidante any famous person who ever shared an elevator with him. This book will surely be a hit in all the news capitals as insiders try to identify the true names masked behind the socialites, politicos, and other characters. Frank's mudslinging hits a media truth or two, but he plays it for laughs, and so will savvy readers in most public libraries. Barbara Conaty, Library of Congress
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Harvest Books; 1 edition (June 5, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0156011980
• ISBN-13: 978-0156011983
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #817,228 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars MEET THE PRESS, December 11, 2001

By	James E. Carroll (Cape Cod, Massachusetts, United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Columnist (Hardcover)

Every once in a while you find a book like The Columnist that is more than just a story. Staged as the tell it all autobiography of a Washington syndicated columnist at the nadir of his career, this short novel is both a parable of misguided egos and misplaced values and also a satire of high profile journalism. The rags to riches story of Brandon Sladder, the consummate Washington journalist is told with a reflective message. In its pages, we learn the story of a widely syndicated newspaper columnist who rose from humble beginnings as a city reporter in Buffalo to become the confidant of Presidents and senators; the most sought after dinner guest at Georgetown dinner parties; the witty and engaging TV panelist beamed into millions of American homes every week; and the inquisitive and challenging intellect in love with the power of ideas. But hold on, there is a price to be paid for such fame. In his private life, Sladder is the last to know husband; the estranged son; the forgotten friend; the distant father; and a generally dislikeable figure.

In this well written volume, author Jeffrey Franks examines the less than noble connection between politics and the press. We learn why politicians cultivate members of the press; why political positions often gain momentum with the voters because of a favorable news editor or just a photo opportunity given to a reporter. You will ask yourself whether you are a "source" or a "friend " to a reporter. Author Franks does a fine job of satirizing the fourth estate and its elite ranks. "As my column became more popular, so did I, and I found myself drawn deeper into the social life of Washington. All at once I knew everyone (occasionally I even sensed a small stir when I entered a room)..." These are the thoughts of the novel's main character on the occasion of his 29th birthday; who else could fit into a room with him given the size of that ego?

As I read this book, which at times has some very dark and disturbing passages particularly involving the daughter of the main character, I had to put it down. I can appreciate satire and cynicism with the best of them, but some of the author's attempts to skewer go too far astray to be effective parody. Washingtonians will gobble up this book looking to find some veiled reference to themselves; "journalists" (who will purchase this book but never admit owning it) will sneer at the parody. When you're finished reading this one, you'll shake your head glad that you didn't make Mr. Sladder's acquaintance.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I wish I had written this book., August 21, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Columnist (Hardcover)

Frankly, I am writing this review in the hope that the author, Jeffrey Frank, checks these reviews out from time to time. I know I would if I were clever enough to have written this novel. I loved every minute of it. Three members of our family read it and passed it on to one another because we were so amused by this annoying, self-serving, so-full-of-himself columnist. Even the index is a hoot. Thank you, Mr. Frank, for such great entertainment. I will never again watch the Sunday morning "talking heads" without being reminded of Brandon Sladder.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars absolutely fabulous, May 23, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Columnist (Hardcover)

I loved this book and raced through it in two short sittings. Hilarious and wistful at the same time, Frank has near perfect pitch. Frank has E.L. Doctorow's gift for story-telling (the writing in The Columnist reminded me at times of Billy Bathgate) and Theodore Dreiser's talent for writing about raw ambition. Frank's day job as an editor at the New Yorker shines through - there is not a wasted word here. Enjoy.