Reviews

Famous by Blake Crouch

ataffaro's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

dharaiter's review

3.0

Frankly, I'll read anything by Blake Crouch. I actually have, most of his books. Famous is one of his earlier works and you will know that just by reading the first chapter.

The plot, although not unique, kept me curious the whole time. It was unpredictable. And, man, can Crouch get into the skin of the human psyche and create disturbing characters. Lance was vulnerable and terrifying both at the same time and he didn't show either of those sides.

I had trouble with the editing of the book. Blake's writing, as usual, was flowy and smooth, but there were places where I thought the grammar was confusing, and there were typos. It basically seemed like a rough draft. The book also needed closure. It was very abrupt. It seemed like the last act was missing.

It's a 3.5-star book for me.

nptausch's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

antonlouisgreen's review against another edition

4.0

This was a very entertaining book. The main character is pitiful, yet very likable. Simultaneously funny, and a little bit sad. The edition of the book that I had had an interview for the last 25%, so when it ended, I was very caught off guard, expecting another quarter of the book. I can’t decide if the ending was smart or rushed/lazy, but I think I liked it. Regardless, it was very enjoyable the whole way through.

maudeheiser's review against another edition

3.0

Eh. I really liked the premise but the story fell a little flat for me.

amynbell's review against another edition

2.0

I guess there's a reason this isn't a popular Blake Crouch book. It could have easily just been a short story. A loser who lives in his parents' basement looks like a celebrity and wants to know how it would feel to be a somebody. When he loses his job, he decides to pretend to be the celebrity, eventually taking it to the degree you expect.

I had a hard time wanting to pick up the book to finish because the story wasn't all that interesting, and the main character was loathsome.

martyfried's review

3.0

This was a little bit of a chore to read for the first half. It was a bit boring, but I think what really made it hard was that the guy was unlikable and crazy. The ending did nothing to change my opinion there, but if nothing else, at least it went pretty fast.

There was enough humor to keep it interesting, although it was pretty dry. About all I got out of the book other than entertainment was that in Hollywood, looks seem to be really important.

blackcatkai's review against another edition

3.0

This is kind of a weird book with great writing. The end is kind of sudden, but it seems right for the character. Though I do find myself really wanting to know what happens with a few characters/events, but they're not what this story was ever really about.

thebookborrower's review against another edition

3.0

I was expecting some sort of great reveal. Never happened. This book was great and the idea was brilliant, but the way it was executed, with there not even being a third act and having a hella confusing ending, it made me dislike the book even more.

the_graylien's review

5.0

I've got a cold and I really don't feel like writing a review for this book, but I'm going to to tell you that it's like "The Catcher in the Rye", but with a disturbed man who seeks to masquerade as a movie star who he happens to look exactly like... and it's damned awesome.