Jacob Finch Bonner had one heart’s desire, to be a successful writer. To live the life of letters, like John Updike or Philip Roth, with all the recognition, accolades, and lifestyle. After a moderately successful first novel, Jacob quickly drops into obscurity with novels two, three, and four. He must take more personally demeaning positions to make a living, leaving his beloved NYC, teaching fiction writing at a lowly 3-week writing program in upstate New York, the Ripley College seminar for wannabes without a prayer. Here he meets the cocky, obnoxious Evan Parker, a student in his seminar for fiction novel writing, who informs him that his novel idea is so surefire, so perfect, it simply cannot fail. He has little need of this seminar apart from the credential in his bio. After much verbal sparring, Parker shares his amazing plot with Bonner during their first and only student-teacher conference. Sadly for Bonner, it is indeed all Parker claims. After the seminar completes, and for a couple more years, Bonner continues to spiral downward until he has a chance meeting with another writer who reminds him of Parker. Spurred on by the memory jog, he Googles Parker, only to learn of his demise—death by drug overdose just weeks after their seminar. Bonner now wrestles with a moral dilemma—with no sign that Parker successfully wrote and published his novel, should the most amazing plot die with its author? Or could Bonner, or indeed must Bonner, render the idea into life and deliver this novel to the reading world? And so begins the hilarious, wonderfully written novel by Korelitz.

There is so much to delight in here— Korelitz’s overall mildly snarky tone, the judicious name dropping, and first, Jacob’s inner moral wrangling over whether to write the novel, then his turmoil over the results. For a few months into his novel’s successful release, he receives an email via his website, “You are a thief.” Clearly someone knows the plot idea wasn’t his, and starts letting him know what the consequences will be for his action. While Bonner is enjoying all the perks of success, he receives more threatening and intrusive messages. After meeting a radio producer in Washington state, whom he goes on to romance and marry (all due to her persistent, sweet campaigning), he wrestles alone with this onslaught. I don’t wish to impart any more of this terrific story—suffice to say it is satisfying and expertly delivered right to the page-turning resolution.

Interspersed throughout the book are excerpts of the novel, entitled Crib, which serve as clues to track the poisoned pen perpetrator. I recommend this novel very highly. For my time, it is the best of the summer, thus far.