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leasummer's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting mystery about a book that changes the lives of most of the people in the story. About a book within a book, the question of who the audience for a book is and some exploration about the psyche of a writer. The writing was good and it was a quick and easy read. Hard to put down as most mysteries are.
I do think that it's not a book "for the ages" as there are numerous pop culture references that won't be long lasting and will detract from the book in a decade or two.
I do think that it's not a book "for the ages" as there are numerous pop culture references that won't be long lasting and will detract from the book in a decade or two.
kimberussell's review against another edition
2.0
In The Salinger Contract, author Adam Langer writes about a fictional version of himself who has a strange friendship with an Connor Joyce, an author of a series of mystery/adventure novels who gets himself in trouble.
The plot idea is great! An extremely rich book collector contacts popular authors and pays them handsomely to write a book for him. Only one copy of the book will be produced, nobody outside the collector's house will read it, and the author can't tell anyone else what's happening. Connor Joyce, idiot of the highest caliber, breaks the agreement.
The narration from fake-Langer distracted from the story. We'd have a chapter of action, and then fake-Langer would interject to say something insipid like how it was still raining or how he'd have to get home soon because of the children.
Fake-Langer is also a very unpleasant narrator. He hates where he lives, to the point where he and his wife write a hate-blog mocking and slamming everyone in their sleepy Indiana college town. He tosses massive amounts of disdain toward entire genres of books, book bloggers, women in general (honestly, almost every female mentioned has negative adjectives attached to her) and giant book stores.
I would have loved this book twice as much it was written exclusively from Connor's point of view. Then we would have also avoided the awkward conversations between Connor and fake-Langer. Connor talks to fake-Langer as if he were either a five-year-old boy or a dog, with lots of "buddy" and "pal."
The twists were pretty implausible. The book goes on and on about how Connor writes very well-researched mystery books. So to have him try and dispose of something in a really basic and stupid way -- why? Why?
I'm truly amazed by the high ratings on Goodreads. I paid for this one as part of the Book Riot Quarterly box, which is probably why I'm more critical than the "I got this for freeeeeeeee!!!11" crowd.
The plot idea is great! An extremely rich book collector contacts popular authors and pays them handsomely to write a book for him. Only one copy of the book will be produced, nobody outside the collector's house will read it, and the author can't tell anyone else what's happening. Connor Joyce, idiot of the highest caliber, breaks the agreement.
The narration from fake-Langer distracted from the story. We'd have a chapter of action, and then fake-Langer would interject to say something insipid like how it was still raining or how he'd have to get home soon because of the children.
Fake-Langer is also a very unpleasant narrator. He hates where he lives, to the point where he and his wife write a hate-blog mocking and slamming everyone in their sleepy Indiana college town. He tosses massive amounts of disdain toward entire genres of books, book bloggers, women in general (honestly, almost every female mentioned has negative adjectives attached to her) and giant book stores.
I would have loved this book twice as much it was written exclusively from Connor's point of view. Then we would have also avoided the awkward conversations between Connor and fake-Langer. Connor talks to fake-Langer as if he were either a five-year-old boy or a dog, with lots of "buddy" and "pal."
The twists were pretty implausible. The book goes on and on about how Connor writes very well-researched mystery books. So to have him try and dispose of something in a really basic and stupid way -- why? Why?
I'm truly amazed by the high ratings on Goodreads. I paid for this one as part of the Book Riot Quarterly box, which is probably why I'm more critical than the "I got this for freeeeeeeee!!!11" crowd.
vegantrav's review against another edition
5.0
The Salinger Contract is an absolute delight. I enjoyed reading this book more than any other book I've read this year. It's a mystery featuring writers writing about writing and writing about the perfect crime with a few teaspoons of metafiction thrown in to give it just the right bite.
It's not necessarily the best book I've read this year, nor is it a novel of enduring literary value, nor is it filled with great philosophical insight or psychological drama. It's just a fabulous story--and a story exceedingly well told.
The Salinger Contract is perfect for reading while curling up on the couch on a cold winter's day, while lying in bed on a rainy morning, or while enjoying the sun on the beach on a lazy summer afternoon. It's even great (as was the case for me today) for reading while you're sitting at your desk at work. Wherever and whenever your read it, The Salinger Contract will not disappoint you.
It's not necessarily the best book I've read this year, nor is it a novel of enduring literary value, nor is it filled with great philosophical insight or psychological drama. It's just a fabulous story--and a story exceedingly well told.
The Salinger Contract is perfect for reading while curling up on the couch on a cold winter's day, while lying in bed on a rainy morning, or while enjoying the sun on the beach on a lazy summer afternoon. It's even great (as was the case for me today) for reading while you're sitting at your desk at work. Wherever and whenever your read it, The Salinger Contract will not disappoint you.
inkyfingerspgs's review against another edition
5.0
I received a copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
I have a soft spot for books about books, so I suppose I was halfway to loving this book before I even started it. The Salinger Contract starts out pretty exciting and Langer does not just maintain that initial excitement, he builds upon it throughout the book. There was really not a dull moment, not even when the narrator (who is not really the main character) goes on about his own personal life/struggles.
In fact, Langer makes clever use of the narrator to remove the reader from forming a direct relationship with Connor Joyce, the writer that the main action of the novel centers on. By doing so, he allows the reader to waver back and forth between trust and disbelief of the story that Joyce tells, as the narrator does.
I usually find thrillers pretty predictable, but I was pleasantly surprised by the (multiple) twists in this novel. Even the twists that perhaps I should have seen coming, I did not. For those "whoa" moments, I credit Langer's clever crafting of his plot and the emphasis (or lack thereof) on certain details.
I tore through this book in three sittings. I would (and I will) recommend it highly!
I have a soft spot for books about books, so I suppose I was halfway to loving this book before I even started it. The Salinger Contract starts out pretty exciting and Langer does not just maintain that initial excitement, he builds upon it throughout the book. There was really not a dull moment, not even when the narrator (who is not really the main character) goes on about his own personal life/struggles.
In fact, Langer makes clever use of the narrator to remove the reader from forming a direct relationship with Connor Joyce, the writer that the main action of the novel centers on. By doing so, he allows the reader to waver back and forth between trust and disbelief of the story that Joyce tells, as the narrator does.
I usually find thrillers pretty predictable, but I was pleasantly surprised by the (multiple) twists in this novel. Even the twists that perhaps I should have seen coming, I did not. For those "whoa" moments, I credit Langer's clever crafting of his plot and the emphasis (or lack thereof) on certain details.
I tore through this book in three sittings. I would (and I will) recommend it highly!
carlylottsofbookz's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun, thrilling book that I got as a part of my Book Riot Quarterly subscription. (It's true, happiness is books and bookish things!)
This is a modern thriller about writers and the publishing world--so it was interesting to me on so many levels! Characters find themselves in compromising book relationships...and are forced to decide who they are.
It was just a fun, playful read. So glad I picked it up!
This is a modern thriller about writers and the publishing world--so it was interesting to me on so many levels! Characters find themselves in compromising book relationships...and are forced to decide who they are.
It was just a fun, playful read. So glad I picked it up!
tmleblanc's review against another edition
3.0
The whole time I was reading The Salinger Contract I kept wondering if it was real. There were real places and real people. Could the story, as far-fetched as it seemed at times, actually be real? Could Dex Dunford be real? Could HE be the reason Salinger and Harper Lee are solitary authors who only published one novel (well, until recently for Ms. Lee)? Adam Langer’s book will have you asking questions like this and pondering the real personalities versus media personalities of some well-known authors.
I throughly enjoyed this mysterious author adventure. The novel explores what it takes to write a novel, why an author writes and what constitutes as a true audience. Is it just a couple a of people or the masses?
I enjoyed the nods to famous authors, many of whom I have not read, but recognized as being giants in the industry. Langer, our storyteller, has chosen the names of Ramona and Beatrice for his children. I couldn’t help but smile thinking of my childhood days reading Ramona the Pest. Connor’s son is named Atticus and with the repeated references to Harper Lee, I’m sure it’s no coincidence that name was chosen.
For me, beyond the thoughts about what inspires an author to write and why do they write in the first place, I enjoyed the pacing of the book the most. It followed Connor and his increasingly bizarre and frantic behavior as he shared his story with Langer. As the novel progressed, and the story picked up and became more dangerous, I found it increasingly more difficult to put the book down. When I got to the end, it was hard to believe it was done. But all the loose ends were tied off with just an air of further mystery.
This review was originally posted on Second Run Reviews
I throughly enjoyed this mysterious author adventure. The novel explores what it takes to write a novel, why an author writes and what constitutes as a true audience. Is it just a couple a of people or the masses?
I enjoyed the nods to famous authors, many of whom I have not read, but recognized as being giants in the industry. Langer, our storyteller, has chosen the names of Ramona and Beatrice for his children. I couldn’t help but smile thinking of my childhood days reading Ramona the Pest. Connor’s son is named Atticus and with the repeated references to Harper Lee, I’m sure it’s no coincidence that name was chosen.
For me, beyond the thoughts about what inspires an author to write and why do they write in the first place, I enjoyed the pacing of the book the most. It followed Connor and his increasingly bizarre and frantic behavior as he shared his story with Langer. As the novel progressed, and the story picked up and became more dangerous, I found it increasingly more difficult to put the book down. When I got to the end, it was hard to believe it was done. But all the loose ends were tied off with just an air of further mystery.
This review was originally posted on Second Run Reviews
awin82's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't think this was a very good book. There were some interesting twists and turns - just enough to keep me reading. Given the Boston Globe's rave review, I would say I found this a disappointing read.
halfcentreader's review against another edition
3.0
Definitely a new idea for a novel. I was intrigued throughout and pleasantly surprised by the aha! moment at the end. I liked how we (the readers) are sort of duped by Langer (the character) into believing he was a good guy because he had a family that he was busy raising. But he was just your run of the mill SOB.