Rating: 
Summary: A Funny Look at the Publishing World
Review: I don't usually read "mysteries", I prefer novels about people's inner feelings and relationships; so this was a switch for me (or so I thought). The book is a well written, funny look at the publishing world, and I was delighted to feel like I did know the inner life of the book's protaganist. Although he gets himself caught in quite a few "white lies," I understood his motivation and grew to really like him. This book has a lot of surprise twists and was enjoyable to read. I recommend it highly.
Rating: 
Summary: Some Candy Talking
Review: You've got this black box, right, and the box is so black that it doesn't reflect light - it ABSORBS it. Your fingers find the catch (because the box has a catch like a musical box) and you lift the lid to see a tray of chocolates (the last thing you were expecting to see). Your reaction is funny. Normally, when presented with a box of chocolates, you look for the slip of paper telling you what is what. On this occasion, you don't: you reach straight for the blood-black heart (shaped like the organ, not the Valentine's card) in the centre of the tray. It's in your fingers. It's in your mouth. You never tasted chocolate quite like this. It is the perfect chocolate. Rich and - almost European-ly dark. As you chew (because you do chew - this is sublime - you would not want to just crunch and swallow - you want to savour this), you wonder who could design such a perfect confection.I'm here to tell you who: John Colapinto. It goes a little like this. There's a guy who has always wanted to be a writer (who has always thought of himself - inside - as a writer). It's just that life (in the form of women and drinking and going out) gets in the way of actually filling the old page with words. It won't always be like this, he tells himself. He will write. He just needs to get some life experience first. That is what he tells himself. Until his room mate goes ahead and writes the novel he always intended to write himself. Not only that. The hero of his room mate's novel. Well. It's him. His room mate has written a novel about HIM. At which point, you ask yourself as series of (quickly answered) questions: what if that room mate were to accidentally die? What if a certain person assumed the author's identity and went on to reap the success and financial embellishments he had always dreamed about? What if the guy got everything he had always wanted, only to find out that somebody else knew his room mate was writing a novel about him . . . ? The dark confection in the centre of the box gets melted down and added to the kind of chilli only insane people would eat. You eat it all down after that. You eat it all down, but you eat it fast (like you devour all good thrillers fast, because the story keeps the pages turning): you know afterwards you'll regret it (because you cannot help but wonder if this is glittering eye candy, story over character, all that), but you don't stop and you can't help yourself. You're compelled to find out what happens next. It's a brilliant mechanical invention. You thrill at how it has all been put together. You know that the chocolate and the chilli is bad for you, but you just can't help yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Page-turning, psychological thriller and more
Review: I loved John Colapinto's non-fiction As Nature Made Him: The Girl Who Was Raised as a Boy, so I was intrigued when his new novel appeared on the shelf. I loved getting into the mind of the protagonist, a writer, who ends up, through a rather strange series of circumstances with an acclaimed best-seller. This will keep you awake in the wee hours to read as much as possible as quickly as possible.
Rating:
Summary: Best Book I've Read All Summer!
Review: I can't remember the last time I had such a good time reading a book! I laughed out loud as I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the next turn of events. A definite page turner! I cannot wait for his next book. I hope it is as funny and exciting as this one!
Rating:
Summary: pretty good
Review: I liked this book a lot. The plot moves quickly, and the author gets you involved right away. I also, however, just read Lit Life by Kurt Wenzel, another book about the life of authors and literary types, and I have to say that I preferred Mr. Wenzel's book to this one. So if you're going to spend your money on a hardcover, I'd go with Wenzel. But this is good too!
Rating: 
Summary: Not good
Review: I have to disagree with everyone on this one. It is a clever idea, but it relies too much on coincidence to drive the narrative, and Colapinto doesn't have the chops of someone like, say, a young Paul Auster, to make you not notice. The female characters are appalingly underdeveloped, and there's also a tendency to unnecessarily namedrop and overexplain that becomes quite frustrating.
Rating:
Summary: Astounding Debut Novel!
Review: Journalist John Colapinto's first forray into the world of fiction writing proves that the old adage, "patience is an admirable virtue", has more than a slight ring of truth to it. Having spent over a decade fine-tuning his manuscript, Colapinto debuts with what I think is the best novel I've read in some time. The author takes what is an essentially simple plot premise and magically brings it to life with rich, complex characters, headlined by the protagonist and first person narrator, Cal Cunningham, timely plot twists, and poetic prose. Artfully weaving gripping suspense with deliciously wicked satire is no small task for even the most skilled writer. John Colapinto has pulled it off with the skill of a literary veteran. Do yourself a favor and indulge into About The Author. You won't be disappointed!
Rating:
Summary: If I Could Give It 6 Stars I Would . . . .
Review: 'About The Author' is a riveting thriller about a wannabe writer (Cal), his roommate (Stewart) and a one night stand (Lesley). Cal discovers a manuscript, authored by Stewart after the roommate is killed in a bike accident. The manuscript is a biographical fictional piece on Cal's life. Cal supplied the material for the novel while he and Stewart lived together. Cal is desperate to be published yet he's unable to set pen to paper in pursuit of his creative passion. Feeling cheated that the novel was written using personal material he provided, Cal seeks a form of literary retribution by having Stewart's novel published under his name. During the publication process, Cal discovers that Stewart sent a copy of the manuscript to his former girlfriend (Janet) prior to his death. In an effort to cover up his literary thievery, Cal locates the girlfriend with the intention of convincing her that the manuscript was written by him, and stolen by Stewart. Janet and Cal are immediately attracted to one another and eventually marry. The novel, 'Almost Like Suicide' becomes a national best seller and Cal is bestowed the literary fame and publicity worthy of a successful debut novelist. Life couldn't be better for Cal until Les (ly), a former one-night stand, surfaces with evidence of Cal's plagiarism. This is indeed the material for an exceptional novel! I am amazed at Calapinto's ability to paint this fabulous story in the form of a novel, while at the same time provide readers and writers alike with practical instructions on the creative process and mechanics of fiction writing. By depicting Cal's thought processes when attempting to cover up his crime, Calapinto provides a view into the writer's imagination when engaged in character and plot development for a novel in process. He has successfully created believable characters and situated them in the mist of an exciting and devious story line. I predict that 'About The Author' will grace many best seller and recommended reading lists ' deservedly so ('and its not even on her club!'). Kudos to Calapinto for this masterpiece! I look forward to his next publication.
Rating:
Summary: A simple idea, almost perfectly executed.
Review: The idea is simple. Cal Cunningham is a wannabe genius, dreaming of literary fame. He lives his lifestyle accordingly in a shabby Manhattan apartment, which he shares with the seemingly dull law student Stewart Church. It is Stewart however who turns out to be the brilliant writer that Cal aspires to be, as Cal finds out when Stewart hands him a short story of his to read. Worse even, Stewart tells him that he has secretly been working on a novel as well. One morning Cal goes into Stewart's room to read the manuscript. To his horror, he finds that he is reading an autobiographical account of his own life. The same day Stewart dies in a road accident. Cal decides to go to a publisher with Stewart's page turning novel, pretending he is the author. The novel, Almost Like Suicide, turns out to be a literary sensation, bringing Cal fame and fortune. Not only that, he finds loves with the woman that Stewart old girlfriend that he had written the novel for. Soon however, Cal finds out that someone knows about his secret, someone who is threatening to destroy his new life in paradise. The idea of About The Author is perhaps not the most original in the world. Colapinto however makes the very most of this simple idea and manages to load it with a great amount of suspense, making it read like a thriller. Despite his artistic theft, we develop sympathy for Cal, whose life soon becomes a nightmare as he is desperately trying to keep his dream alive. The ending was much, much better than I had anticipated at three quarters through the book. Colapinto very cleverly manages to hype his own book (making bold predictions that might well come true), but not without sarcastically commenting on the nature of modern media hypes. It reminded me of the ending of Robert Altman's 'The Player', leaving the audience with a bittersweet aftertaste. A very good book, which, I am sure, will find and please a large audience.
Rating:
Summary: couldn't put this one down!
Review: I read this book over a year ago, and had honestly quite forgotten about it until I pulled all my books off the shelf to paint. I instantly remembered how much I loved reading this book. Classic literature? Not really. But the story pulls you in and doesn't let go. Admittingly, there was a scene I could have done without (kind of cheesy), but otherwise, I highly recommend this quick read. Enjoy!
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