Customer Reviews

sex.lies.murder.fame.: A Novel

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

First I'd like say I believe Lolita Files to be wonderful writer but I just finished sex.lies.murder.fame (three days worth of forced reading) and am still scratching my heading and muttering to myself "this can't be the same author who wrote Scenes from a Sistah and Getting to the Good Part"?

sex.lies.murder.fame started out slow and ended on the same note. The main characters, Beryl Unger and Penn Hamilton are both mental cases, one who should have stayed under a doctor's care and the other a genius who doesn't realize he has a problem. Oh yea, I did pick up two things from this novel which I researched:

1. Narcolepsy (a chronic neurological disorder caused by the brain's inability to regulate sleep-wake cycles normally) for which there is not cure but is treatable through the use of specific drugs; and

2. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a neurobiological disorder defined by recurrent, unwelcome thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behavior (compulsions) that OCD sufferers feel driven to perform.

sex.lies.murder.fame was the most boring novel I've read in some time. The only reason I finished sex.lies.murder.fame is because this is "Lolita Files", her novels are fabulous but not this time. sex.lies.murder.fame does not live up to Ms. Files' past novels in no shape or form and now I'm not sure if I'll ever chance another of this author's works, at least not in hardcover.

I'm sitting here wondering what to do with this novel, I can't give it to anyone I know as they'll probably end up beating me across the head with it and I hate throwing out novels as they are precious to me but I may have to make an exception this time cause this novel is not worth taking up space in my residence.

I would love to have said I should have waited for the paperback release but it wouldn't make me feel any better, I would have just waited a whole year and still end up scratching my head in wonder.

This book was very disappointing. This was the first time I ever bought a book from an author I didn't know anything about and I'll never do it again. I started to return the book when I first got it because it had a slow start but I forced myself to read it. I don't know if this author meant to sound cruel or mean but she did. The characters were so unbelievable, I couldn't picture them in my mind. There was so much unimportant fluff in this book, it was crazy. At the end of the book, I just started skipping over the drawn out parts, which were many. I don't think I really know the ending but I wasted enough time on it.

I am so disappointed with this book! I have been trying to read it for two weeks, and I'm only on page 20. I find the beginning so boring, it puts me to sleep. I can't follow the characters, I can't follow the language(tone)... Maybe I will pick it back up when I don't have anything else to read.

I am one of the few, it would seem, that enjoyed this book. First I must say that I normally do not Lolita Files' (with the exception of "Child of God" which I thought was brilliant!! A++). I grew tired of the sister girl themed books a long time ago. But this one (like Child of God)I could not believe that she had written. There was the usual stuff...sex and betrayal...but there was also subplots that I enjoyed immensely. I thought this book was very creative and an easy read, although there were a few things that I would have liked to change or see.

If you need a brief narrative of what the novel is about....Meet Penn Hamilton(handsome and sexy - I think there was a reference to him supposedly resembling Brad Pitt in the book; and intelligent-apparently he has an IQ of 210) who should by all accounts be a success, but hasn't found the right person to promote his book. Enters Beryl, a narcoleptic, obsessive compulsive individual who dresses nicely, but apparently is nothing to look at. You guessed it, they secretly become a couple...she wants to live her fantasy in real life, and he wants his book published. Not only did she promote the book, but Apple/IPOD, Starbucks, and other large entities (including a rap artist) bidding for the newly discovered Penn, and they didn't even know what the book was about. You guessed it, there are a series of twists and turns in a book filled with secrets and surprises. There are several interesting characters and a lot of character building. Now, this is the problem that I had with the book, I thought that there was a lot of ground work in the beginning that wasn't necessary. All the good stuff was in the end...and some of that could have been explained more. I thought the relationship between Penn and his best friend Mercury should have been discussed more, especially at the end.

One thing that I loved about the novel was that the character that you were suppose to hate (Penn), you didn't. His complexities and nuances became endearing qualities...or at least you definately didn't hate him, and in a way you understood him. His background is interesting (parents, musical prodigy..etc).

But what I enjoyed the most at the end was the way Files left it to your imagination if Penn is up to his murderous ways once again, and if he is...who will protect him now.

A friend told me about Sex.Lies.Murder.Fame.Sorry I bought this one. I had a hard time finishing it.What a boring read. I like Ms. Files novels, but this was not her stye.Almost like someone else wrote this. This will not be a book club book.

I am a big fan of Lolita Files work but this novel stunned me into dissapointment. It was extrememly hard to get through and I only finished it to see if the ending would be highlite of the book. The character development went on forever and she seem to repeat herself a lot in this book. I'm all for my favororite authors to veer off to another stlye of writing but this is just strange and I hope I never have to read a book like this from Miss Files ever again. Please bring back Misty and Reese or even a story like Child of God would be better.

I thought the theme of the book was interesting, but the book had too much going on. It had too many characters and the plot was EXTREMELY far out there. The graphic nature of Penn's behavior is sickening. I read another reviewer say that she understood why he was so cruel. I would have to disagree. There is no justification for him being such an arrogant maniac. Also with the technological advances of forensics today wouldn't the police be able to track him down ? The language was a challenge which I liked, but I would not recommend this a read for those who want a "light" read. Too heavy for me :|

"Sex. Lies. Murder. Fame." is Lolita Files sixth book and she has written a book that mainstream readers might not be hesitate enough to pick up. Lolita Files' writing style really reaches out to you and leads you along the journey of a story that's full of the drama, the sex, the lies, the Life we might all dream of living and love to read about.

Yes, It starts out slow (as many others has said here), introducing you to the key players on their likes, dislikes, annoyances, schemes, plots, secrets, greed and their quirks. This story picks up about 1/3 of the way into the book with full force. Each character is described with so much depth and precision you either love them, feel sorry for them, hate them, envy them or want to be them!, but I wouldn't go that far.

This book consist of Beryl Unger, who's an editor you need if you want to be a best selling author. Sharlyn Tate, her only friend, and is the best selling author of romance novels and who is also neglected by her husband. And of course Penn Hamilton, who is young, handsome, a brilliant writer, just looking for a break and fame. I fully agree with one reviewer who stated "was it necessary to keep repeating over and over how unattractive Beryl was" - that I felt was definitely insensitive, but I guess this is the world we live in fiction or nonfiction.

If you are looking for something challenging as well as entertaining, then you will find what you are looking for here. Lolita Files has created a great story line, a juicy plot and an addictive read. She has shown us so many different parts of herself as a writer and this recent book prove it.

I was a bit leary about this book based on the other reviews I had read. This was my first time reading a book by Lolita Files. I didn't quite know what to expect. I must admit, I was not let down! This book is a very well developed story, a page turner, a jaw dropper and a tad bit funny, to say the least. Anyone reading this book must give it a chance to develop, it is well worth it. Ms. Files is brilliant and obviously diverse in her craft. I can't wait to talk about it with my fellow book club members.

Set amid the backdrop of New York City's impervious and highly competitive literary world, a disinherited, struggling writer, Penn Hamilton, plots his course to stardom. Born with dastardly good looks and a genius I.Q., Penn seduces the top editor in the business, Beryl Unger. Beryl is a homely, narcoleptic, obsessive-compulsive workaholic who instantly falls for Penn's charms and his manuscript. The spin-doctors are engaged and Penn, as much as his novel, is an overnight sensation. The money, power, respect, and women ensue. When Beryl discovers that Penn has another lover and threatens to expose him and ruin his budding career, Penn ends the charade by committing a heinous crime.

This novel is a dark comedy, filled with cynicism and wit, and a touch of satire surrounding literary figures (editors, agents, etc.) and concepts (Wagner's Gesamtkunstwerk). Files offers a credible plot behind the evolution of Penn's ascent as an artist and embodiment of himself as a "brand" spanning all genres - music, fashion, literature, cinema, even legal scandals - the total package. He becomes an infamous, opportunistic, conniving, heartless protagonist - and yet, he is still fairly likeable. Files keeps the novel fresh and hip. Through Penn, the reader hangs with the "in crowd" and meets modern icons in today's entertainment arena.

If readers are adventurous enough to veer away from the "Reesy and Misty" novels and are patient enough to appreciate the rather lengthy passages dedicated to character development, the underlying ripples of black humor, and the clever infusion of actual literary works and personalities, I think File's fans may appreciate this book as an enriched departure from her traditional `girlfriend' type of novels.

Reviewed by Phyllis
APOOO BookClub