Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful, delivers on all counts
Review: As the novel begins, it seems you're in for comic satire, as young writer Kyle Clayton wakes up from a night of debauchery. And the book delivers plenty of behind-the-scenes laughs over what the book business is all about today. But the book quickly starts to deliver a much greater literary impact. Its greatest strength is its characters. They're not mere stereotypes or rip-offs of famous types -- Jay MacInerny, John Cheever, Candace Bushnell -- they become full-fledged characters with their own quirks and flaws. Wenzel does have a breezy style, but he can also be quite the stylist. There's a section in the head of the wife of the John-Cheever type -- her name is Meryl -- that is lyrical. The books is a very funny send-up of the way the American obsession with celebrity has overtaken the book business, but themes that transcend that business are also explored -- older men's search for proteges, young men's search for mentors, the attempts of self-absorbed fathers and rebellious daughters to connect, to name a few. There are some very poignant statements here about the limitations others' views of us put on our lives. The characters are likable -- even when they behave despicably -- because they're all so trapped by the public images they feel obligated to fulfill. I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Lit lite (but tasty!)
Review: For the first few pages, I thought this was going to be another one of those annoying, angst-filled novels about some over-educated hipster. However, "Lit Life" surprised me by being a little more insightful and poignant than I originally perceived. Surprising too, was the ending, which I expected to be far more pat.This is a breezy little novel that took me a few short hours to read, but I did read it pretty much straight through because I found it quite engaging. The main characters are full and well-developed, and their respective plights absorbing. I particularly enjoyed the insiders' view of the publishing industry--it appears to be a scary place, one that I will not likely visit during my lifetime as a struggling writer.
Rating:
Summary: Engrossing Page Turning Dramady
Review: From the introduction on through this book keeps your attention. A great story of comedy with heartfelt drama and sadness. A mix of a little of everyhing. Great potential for a movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Not up to the Reviews
Review: I bought this book based on the review in People Magazine, which just raved about this book. I found it hard to read, a VERY slow read. I found myself making me finish this book. Was reviewed to be 'hilarious', and I found it to be boring and 'longwinded' I wouldn't choose to buy this book again.
Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining way to spend an afternoon!
Review: I enjoyed this book. I sat down this morning at 10a.m. and at 5pm, I finished the last page feeling that I'd got my money's worth on the purchase price. Given that I don't feel that way with every new book that I read, I'd say that alone affords it a couple of stars. Wenzel has done a good job of describing the writer's life, presented a cast of characters which stand on their own as interesting, a fun to read story that yes, mixes Cheever and Bret Easten Ellis/Jay McInerney in a fun to read story about publishing, New York, celebrity, dysfunctional families, and the pleasures of making a fool out of yourself at a party of stuffed-shirts. Not only do I recommend this book....I'd buy his next one.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent writing by young Author
Review: I first saw Lit Life recommended in GQ for summer reading. Seeing that it took place in NYC and the Hamptons and the hero was a young man that crossed the line of bon vivant over to right out drunk, I could not resist. Started the book on a Sunday by the pool, finished that evening at 3 AM …. meaning I could not put the book down. Wenzel’s magic with the characters gave me a roller coaster ride of emotions. I wasn’t sure if I liked or despised Kyle. You wanted to appreciate Richard for always trying so hard and for sticking to his guns, but it was very easy to get frustrated with his inability to live in the real world. The rest of the characters were so complex that when they did something that you would immediately hate them for; they made you think twice and put yourself in their shoes. Mixing the glamour of wealth with modern day NY, Wenzel brings you into world the East Coast literary scene. It’s F.Scott Fitzgerald meets Candice Bushnell (in a good way). It’s just great easy to read writing. The kind of book you can read on the beach with distractions and then back at home in solitude. On it’s day of release Wenzel’s book gets a glowing review from the NY Times, looks like the critics like him, now will the public turn him a into a success? I hope so because I can’t wait to read his next novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Diving in the Shallow End
Review: I'll be up front: this book was not what I was hoping for. I'd read in the descriptions that it was about two writers at different points in their lives spending together. I naively thought that meant they would form some sort of bond and learn about WRITING and life from each other. That never really materialized. Instead, "Lit Life" is a "satire" that demonstrates all that is wrong with the publishing industry; it is a book more concerned with dishing dirt than building an effective, meaningful story. In a world where sleaze sells, "Lit Life" is there with all the sleaze a modern reader could ask for. Drugs, drinking, sex, affairs, and ultimately a suicide; this book is like a literary soap opera. "Lit Life"'s main conundrum is that either you can be a great artist with no recognition like Richard Whitehurst or popular, rich, and not talented like Richard's nemesis Arthur. These two spend a summer trying to bend young, troubled author Kyle Clayton to their point of view. There is no real middle ground if you believe "Lit Life"; you're either one or the other. You can't be a wealthy and talented writer, can you? Unfortunately I don't know enough famous writers to answer that question, but I don't believe that for a moment. As a writer hoping to get published someday, I CAN'T believe that. Overall, my problem with "Lit Life" is that Wenzel glosses over important moments of the story. For example, readers never even see Richard invite Kyle to stay with him. Nor do readers see much of Richard and Kyle together during the summer; everything that Kyle learns from Richard is told second-hand instead of actually witnessed by the reader. Take Wenzel's word for it, Kyle was really influenced by Richard. Wait, wasn't that the whole crux of the story? Wasn't that THE story? So maybe it's just me, but I think we might want to flesh that out a little more than a couple paragraphs here and there. No, instead let's talk about another party, that's really what this story is about--parties. Enough of my ranting. If you're in the publishing industry then I suggest you read this book; this "satire" will probably be right up your alley. Or if you want some light airplane reading and want to believe that all writers are either toiling futilely or selling their souls to Hollywood, then "Lit Life" has you covered. For those few who want a book more interested in developing a story than dishing gossip, move on to something else. Was this review helpful to you? Nope. Was it helpful to me? You betcha.
Rating:
Summary: Spend a Summer with Writers in NY for $12
Review: I'm no literary guru or genius, but I know what I like when I see it, and I like this book -- a lot. Without sounding as if I'm saying that the story is plain, this book is proof that sometimes the way a story is told is more important than the story itself. Sure, the tale of the two major writer-characters is interesting, but without Wenzel's extraordinary character development, it might not be satisfying enough; Wenzel's efforts in this regard left me feeling not only that I knew the characters very well, but also that I had summered with them in the Hamptons. And what colorful characters they are! You may not uncover the meaning of life, but you will have a good time -- and isn't that what it's all about? If you've ever even contemplated writing a novel, or if you have a love affair as many of us do with all things New York (City and Hamptons, that is), then this book will give you pleasure. Well done, Mr. Wenzel!
Rating:
Summary: A great beach read with some real literary guts!
Review: Kurt Wenzel's debut novel is a smashing success. Where is all the buzz? So much is written and spoken about lesser works with this one book having some real moxie. It is both an easy read and an expose on writers and writing. Wenzel makes you laugh and cry about the whole publishing world. The struggle is over writing the Great Novel versus something that can put food on your table (or booze in your belly!) His characters allow him great lattitude in terms of plot but it is essentially their personas on which the novel is predicated. Comparisons are sure to follow (and curse) this budding author. Wolfe, McInerney, Ellis, even a less sophisticated Fitzgerald. Lets just allow Wenzel to be Wenzel and just hope that he keeps on writing, however irreverently!
Rating:
Summary: A great beach read with some real literary guts!
Review: Kurt Wenzel's debut novel is a smashing success. Where is all the buzz? So much is written and spoken about lesser works with this one book having some real moxie. It is both an easy read and an expose on writers and writing. Wenzel makes you laugh and cry about the whole publishing world. The struggle is over writing the Great Novel versus something that can put food on your table (or booze in your belly!) His characters allow him great lattitude in terms of plot but it is essentially their personas on which the novel is predicated. Comparisons are sure to follow (and curse) this budding author. Wolfe, McInerney, Ellis, even a less sophisticated Fitzgerald. Lets just allow Wenzel to be Wenzel and just hope that he keeps on writing, however irreverently!
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