Perfectly Famous

…this book could sure use an editor, preferably one with a brain.

Blurbs from other published authors dot the front cover of this book. How?

“Perfectly Famous” is a vacuous, meandering maze of a book that purports to be a thriller, employing neither thrills nor plot to keep it even halfway afloat. It sinks even further when its slim allotment of stock characters stumble their way into the chapters, wondering what they and their two-dimensional lives could possibly be doing in this turkey. Well, I can give a rough outline: Famous author Ward DeFleur, who is a psychological mess, is in a kick-off reading for her most recent book tour. Two of the last people at the book signing are Bree Bennet and her best friend Maggie Something-or-Another. Ward comforts Bree, who is recently divorced. Later that evening, Ward’s daughter disappears, is found close to death after being beaten in a warehouse, and the next day, dies.

Six months later, Bree vows to find Ward, who dramatically disappeared from public view after these tragic circumstances. Bree has decided to write Ward’s story. Subsequently, Bree manically and obsessively roots out everything she can about Ward, at the expense of her fifteen-year-old daughter, who is clearly suffering from her parents’ divorce (drinking, ignoring her curfew, cutting school, doing drugs). Somehow, Bree and her husband don’t put their daughter in a therapist’s care, or even devote much time to her, instead, both working and leaving her with neighbors or schoolmates.

Bree spends much of the novel discovering post-divorce dating. We cut to Ward’s story, where Ward lives with her stepmother, rediscovering high-school friendships. Bree searches for Ward. Ward reconnects with an old boyfriend. Bree can’t find Ward, but sure finds boyfriends. Ward does stuff. Bree ignores her daughter. Ward doesn’t have a daughter.

This novel DRAGS. I couldn’t really figure out the point of the novel. There’s no tension; there’s no point. What I DID discover, and this is of serious consequence pointing to both the author’s casual negligence and indifference on the part of her editor’s, is a criminal social prejudice on the part of the author. The only reason I finished this novel was to see if I could find ANY REDEEMING QUALITY in a character who was NOT white, rich, well-heeled, or educated at an ivy.

I did not find it. And I’m going to be honest, this is a terrible attribute, even in what is supposed to be a fun summer read. Prejudice matters, and I realize that this may seem a highly critical analysis out of left field for a bland and (let’s face it) not very good novel, but at a time of unbelievable economic inequality and rising social tensions, it matters when rich white authors who LIVE in affluent white enclaves thoughtlessly put out mass market garbage that reinforces thoughtless stereotypes. A receptionist is described as “a slovenly, middle-aged woman with frizzy black hair, ruddy skin and…yellowing teeth,” who is naturally rude to Bree upon first encounter (and later on, the same woman is reading US Weekly, because naturally, she wouldn’t read anything intellectual, would she?).

The lunch lady at the school is hefty, swears, and uses words and phrases like “ya mean,” “gonna”, and Bree primly queries why Sandy doesn’t question the Powers-that-Be over the food budget (I guess people in Bree’s Fairfield County don’t want to pay enough taxes for healthy school lunches. God forbid any of the PARENTS bring up this troubling trend themselves).

Further along, Bree’s mousy, unattractive friend from years ago is also a clumsy, embarrassing, tone-deaf, Kermit-the-Frog voice dupe–but, as it turns out, currently useful for Bree. So useful, that Bree sets up a quick meeting with her as a means to get into her Manhattan building, and afterward, sneaks into another office (so not a TOTAL loss, then). It also figures that the only one in Ward’s group of high school friends with more than two children (four! the horror!) is a stumbling alcoholic with an unhappy marriage.

Ava, Spanish daughter of a landscaper, wears shabby sneakers, and shakes Bree’s hand with a limp grip. Despite the fact that another character describes her later as being “smart”, the dispiriting quality to these visuals is a reminder that this description from a woman of privilege just reeks of derision.

Skip this endless pile of offensive stereotypes. For that matter, the plot isn’t very good, either. I have no idea where the ending leaves the reader, since there’s a bizarre twist that comes out of nowhere. It reminds me of stories that I used to write with my friends when I was young. We used to pass along a piece of paper with a sentence on it, and we had to write a continuation of a story, using the sentence written on the paper. When we didn’t know what to write, we’d pen down the awesome line, “…and then s/he died.” On a really exciting day, we’d get that excellent novelette several times in a row! That’s pretty much what’s left of this book when all is said and done: nonsense. Was there a plot? And: who cares?

So…this book showed promise, but didnt deliver.

The first 25% consists of phone conversations that provide readers with exposition and context, but little action takes place.

The middle is engaging, and then its as if the authors deadline loomed and a conclusion was rushed and thrown together abruptly. Whats meant to be unexpected simply doesnt make sense. The time lapse and the lack of clear motive left too many questions unanswered, even for a thriller.

I could be more specific, but I wont for the sake of spoiling the plot for potential readers.

I found this title on a list of anticipated thrillers. After purchasing the kindle edition and audiobook add-on, Im left very disappointed. 🙁

I thought it was very boring, predictable story. It finally got exciting at 85% of the book,. Too late. Maybe read another one of your novels because I like your style of writing. Too bad this one was slow and the characters were not likeable.

I enjoyed this read. It was suspenseful, but without keeping you on the edge of your seat. Ill definitely check out other books by this author.

I loved this book. There were a ton of twists and turns and it always kept you guessing. The ending was amazing! I never saw it coming! Definitely a must read. I will be purchasing more from this author.

Galaxyaudiobook Member Benefit

- Able to comment

- List watched audiobooks

- List favorite audiobooks

- Bookmark will only available for Galaxyaudiobook member