The Art of the Steal: When Fiction Becomes Too Real
We’ve all had that moment. You know the one—where a brilliant idea strikes like lightning and you think, “This is it. This is the story that’s going to make me famous.” But what if that eureka moment comes… and then goes? What if your million-dollar idea slips through your fingers, only to end up in someone else’s hands? And worse yet, what if they run with it all the way to the bestseller lists?
This is the deliciously twisted premise at the heart of Jean Hanff Korelitz’s latest psychological thriller, The Plot. Part literary satire, part edge-of-your-seat suspense, this novel peels back the layers of the writing world to reveal the desperation, jealousy, and moral gymnastics that can lurk beneath the surface of literary success.
Korelitz, known for novels like You Should Have Known (adapted as HBO’s The Undoing) and Admission, brings her sharp wit and keen eye for human frailty to bear on the cutthroat world of publishing. The result is a propulsive read that will have you questioning the nature of creativity, ownership, and the sometimes blurry line between inspiration and theft.
A Writer’s Worst Nightmare (Or Secret Fantasy?)
At the center of this literary maelstrom is Jacob Finch Bonner, a once-promising novelist whose star has faded faster than cheap ink on pulp paper. Now relegated to teaching at a third-rate MFA program, Jake is a walking cliché of writerly failure—until he encounters Evan Parker, an arrogant student with a plot so good it’s “a sure thing.”
When Evan dies before writing his masterpiece, Jake does what any struggling writer might be tempted to do—he steals the idea. And wouldn’t you know it, the damn thing works. Suddenly, Jake is living the dream—bestselling lists, talk show appearances, film deals. He’s become the literary darling he always imagined he could be.
But we all know what they say about things that seem too good to be true…
The tension ratchets up when Jake receives an ominous email: “You are a thief.” What follows is a nerve-wracking game of cat and mouse as Jake tries to protect his newfound success while uncovering the identity of his tormentor. Is it someone from his past? A jealous fellow writer? Or something far more sinister?
Korelitz expertly builds the suspense, layering on revelations and red herrings that keep the reader guessing until the very end. But The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz is more than just a well-crafted thriller. It’s a meditation on the nature of storytelling itself.
The Write Stuff: Craft and Commentary
One of the joys of The Plot is how Jean Hanff Korelitz skewers the world of writing and publishing. From the sad-sack creative writing instructor to the cutthroat New York literary scene, she nails the details with pitch-perfect precision. Anyone who’s ever attended a writing workshop or dreamed of seeing their name on a book jacket will find plenty to chuckle (or wince) at here.
Take this gem of writerly wisdom Jake dispenses to his students:
“I don’t think ideas, even great ideas, are all that hard to come by. When people ask me where I get my ideas, my answer is that there are a hundred novels in every day’s issue of The New York Times, and we recycle the paper or use it to line the birdcage.”
It’s the kind of pseudo-profound statement that sounds good in a classroom but falls apart under scrutiny—much like Jake himself.
Korelitz has a field day with the various “types” one encounters in the literary world. There’s the washed-up writer coasting on past glory, the entitled trust fund poet, the thriller author churning out cookie-cutter plots. Each character feels drawn from life, adding texture and authenticity to the novel’s backdrop.
But it’s not all satire and in-jokes. Korelitz also grapples with serious questions about the creative process. Where do ideas really come from? Can a story truly belong to anyone? And in a world where “write what you know” is gospel, what are the ethical implications of appropriating someone else’s life experiences for your art?
A Plot Worthy of the Title
Of course, all the clever commentary in the world wouldn’t matter if the story itself didn’t hold up. Fortunately, Korelitz delivers a twisty, turn-y plot that lives up to the novel’s name.
The pacing is relentless, with each chapter ending on a cliffhanger that practically forces you to keep reading. Korelitz expertly doles out information, revealing just enough to keep you hooked while holding back the biggest surprises for maximum impact.
I found myself constantly second-guessing my theories about the mysterious emailer’s identity. Just when I thought I had it figured out, Korelitz would throw in a new wrinkle that sent me back to square one. It’s the kind of book that begs to be discussed, dissected, and debated with fellow readers.
The novel’s structure is particularly clever, weaving together multiple timelines and perspectives. We get glimpses of Jake’s past, his rise to fame, and the events of the present day. Interspersed throughout are excerpts from “Crib,” the stolen novel that catapulted Jake to stardom. These sections serve both to build suspense (what is this amazing plot that’s caused so much trouble?) and to comment on the broader themes of the novel.
Character Study: The Man Behind the Theft
At the heart of The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz is Jake himself—a fascinatingly flawed protagonist who’s hard to root for but impossible to look away from. Korelitz does an excellent job of making him simultaneously sympathetic and frustrating.
We understand Jake’s desperation, his feelings of inadequacy, his burning desire to reclaim his spot in the literary limelight. But we also see his self-delusion, his moral weakness, his willingness to justify his actions. He’s the kind of character who makes bad choices for understandable reasons, and watching the consequences of those choices unfold is utterly engrossing.
Jake’s journey forces us to question how far we might go if presented with a similar temptation. It’s easy to say we’d never steal someone else’s work, but Korelitz makes the slippery slope of rationalization feel all too plausible.
The supporting cast is equally well-drawn, from Jake’s no-nonsense agent to the eclectic group of writers he encounters. I was particularly intrigued by Anna, Jake’s love interest, who enters the story later but becomes a pivotal figure. Korelitz gives her depth and agency, avoiding the pitfall of making her a mere plot device.
Style and Substance: Korelitz’s Prose
Korelitz’s writing style is crisp and propulsive, perfectly suited to the thriller genre while still maintaining literary flair. She has a knack for snappy dialogue and evocative description. Take this passage, describing Jake’s feelings of inadequacy:
“He was a deck attendant on the Titanic, moving the chairs around with fifteen ungifted prose writers while somehow persuading them that additional work would help them improve. He was a majordomo at an old hotel in upstate New York, pretending that the ‘guest-writers’ upstairs were no different than the Yaddo fellows an hour to the north.”
The metaphors are biting and effective, painting a vivid picture of Jake’s self-loathing and desperation. Korelitz also excels at creating a sense of place, whether it’s the shabby charm of a low-residency MFA program or the glittering façade of literary New York.
My one quibble with the writing is that occasionally the “insider baseball” of the publishing world can feel a bit heavy-handed. There are moments where the commentary on the state of modern literature threatens to overshadow the actual story. But these are minor speedbumps in an otherwise smooth and engaging read.
Thematic Resonance: More Than Just a Thriller
While The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz works perfectly well as a page-turning suspense novel, it’s the deeper themes that elevate it to something truly special. Korelitz uses the framework of her thriller to explore weighty questions about art, ethics, and the nature of success.
The novel grapples with the idea of authenticity in art. In a world where “everything’s been done before,” is true originality even possible? Or are we all just remixing and recombining existing ideas? Jake’s theft of Evan’s plot brings these questions into sharp focus, forcing us to consider where we draw the line between inspiration and plagiarism.
There’s also a fascinating exploration of imposter syndrome and the psychology of success. Even as Jake achieves everything he’s ever wanted, he’s wracked with guilt and paranoia. The novel suggests that perhaps the fear of being “found out” is universal, even among those who come by their accomplishments honestly.
Korelitz also touches on timely issues like cancel culture and the court of public opinion. The threat of exposure hangs over Jake like the sword of Damocles, raising questions about redemption, forgiveness, and whether one mistake should define a person’s entire life.
The Verdict: A Story You Won’t Want to Put Down
The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz is that rare literary thriller that manages to be both immensely readable and genuinely thought-provoking. Korelitz has crafted a novel that works on multiple levels – as a gripping suspense tale, a sharp-eyed satire of the publishing world, and a nuanced examination of creativity and ethics.
While it may not be for everyone (readers looking for a straightforward mystery might find the literary musings frustrating), those willing to engage with the novel’s deeper questions will find a richly rewarding experience. It’s the kind of book that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the final page, prompting discussions and debates with fellow readers.
In a meta twist worthy of the novel itself, I find myself wondering: Is it ethical to borrow Jean Hanff Korelitz’s plot to tell you about The Plot? But I suppose that’s the point. In a world where stories are currency, we’re all borrowing, adapting, and remixing. The real art lies in what we bring to the tale—our unique voice, our personal experiences, our individual perspective.
And Jean Hanff Korelitz has brought something truly special to The Plot. It’s a novel that will entertain you, challenge you, and maybe even make you look at your own creative endeavors in a new light. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself guarding your best ideas a little more closely after reading it. I can’t wait for the next book, The Sequel, in the series.
After all, you never know who might be listening… and what they might do with what they hear.
