Rating: 
Summary: Wicked, fast and funny
Review: Terrific fiction debut from Colapinto. The story moves briskly from beginning to end. Cal Cunningham is undoubtedly a kindred spirit to Highsmith's Tom Ripley (in her books, not the dreadful movie), only without the latter's homicidal tendencies and ability to go scot-free. Cal's observations are wry, his references are literate, his inability to act (beyond his initial theft) is by turns funny, frustrating, and maddening as as all get-out (admit it, wouldn't you have creamed Les with the canoe paddle?); when he finally gets words of his own on paper, it'a almost enough to make you cheer. Wonderfully done.
Rating: 
Summary: A little heavy, but nice
Review: There's no surprises here, really-- I think most of the plot points were telegraphed so clearly, even if you couldn't guess them-- but it's well done. Dense. Not a speedy read, but satisfying. If you're a struggling novelist it'll probably really speak to you; for the rest of us, a nice suspense/semi-thriller for the literate set.
Rating:
Summary: Complicated, bloodcurdling, and strange -- but good!
Review: Wow, talk about a weird book! But impossible to put down! Cal Cunningham is a novelist wannabe, sharing a cheap studio apartment in New York and working as a bookstore shipping clerk. He lives a wild, womanizing life and glibly retails all his sexual adventures to his roommate, Stewart -- but he's totally unable to put a single word on paper. Stewart, a Columbia law student, has a secret life: He's been writing his own novel, based on Cal's own life. And then, just as a horrified and enraged Cal discovers the manuscript, Stewart dies in an accident. Obviously, since the life lived in the manuscript belonged to Cal, the book itself must also belong to Cal. Right? Any struggling, self-doubting, would-be novelist will wince knowingly at Cal's pouring out of his soul in this supposed memoir of how he deals with the complications of stealing Stewart's work, and then his semi-girlfriend, and will sympathize with him more than one would probably care to admit. The pace is headlong, the characterization is very good, the plot twists are ingenious, and this story would make one hell of a movie!
Rating:
Summary: A Literary Black Comedy
Review: The antihero of John Colapinto's first novel feels similar to Patricia Highsmith's devilish Tom Ripley.The novel which is just over two hundred and fifty pages is swift, clever, and darkly funny.Cal Cunnigham a frustrated Manhattan writer through a series of circumstances publishes a literary giant. How this comes to pass, and the events that transpire because of it, makes for a page turning train wreck you can't turn away from. Fans of Scott Smith's "A Simple Plan" or the Ripley stories would probably enjoy this fun quick read, that contains a few twists that take the plot away from the expected thiller contrivances.
Rating:
Summary: A fast-paced, fun read
Review: This was a page-turner that was hard to put down. It reminds me of Patricia Highsmith's "Ripley" series -- the anti-hero, a bad guy who you can't help hoping he'll get away with it, and all the plot twists are spell-binding. It would (and probably will) make a great movie.
Rating:
Summary: Delightfully compelling
Review: As someone who occassionally refers to myself as a "writer" (even though the book in my head has never made it to paper), I could empathize with the plight of Cal Cunningham, this novel's wicked, witty protagonist.What a great premise for a novel! Roomate dies, wanna-be author/Don Juan steals roomate's manuscript and roomate's lover, suspense and hilarity ensue. I don't know where I first heard about this book, but I sure couldn't put it down. It's no great work of literature, but it is clever, entertaining, and fun. A nice escape in these anxiety-ridden times.
Rating:
Summary: An original literary mystery
Review: A strange twist of fate provides Cal Cunningham, who has suffered for years from writer's block, with the manuscript that will catapult him to fame, fortune and a great marriage. However, it is all built on a lie that could come crashing down on his head at any time. Aside from the story line, it is also a cynical insider view of the publishing world. At turns funny and wacky, at others macabre, and once again introspective, this perfectly plotted novel within a novel is a nail biter that will keep you guessing at what happens next and keep you reading.
Rating:
Summary: Amazon.com should be selling more copies of this book!
Review: A great compulsive novel. As a struggling scribe myself, I could really sympathize with the Cal Cunnigham character. Everynight I couldn't wait to get home to pick up this book to find out what Cal was going to do next to keep his frauded authorship of Almost Like Suicide from being realized. I haven't been this addicted to a book since A Simple Plan(another excellent book by Scott Smith). This is a great original book that everyone should pick up.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: Even though there are many great authors out there, most tend to take a similar approach to writing. That is why I enjoyed this book so much. Colapinto writes a first person narration with a very fresh and witty style. It has been a long time since I have read a book where the character was so flawed; and yet despite his numerous imperfections, I really grew to love him, accepting his rationalizations as my own. I would highly recommend this debut book to anyone, especially those who are looking for a great new author!!!
Rating:
Summary: ONE OF THE BEST THIS YEAR!
Review: I review books for a large newspaper and many books come across my desk for consideration. Colapinto has written an excellent debut novel. One deserving a place on the best seller lists moreso than many that currently reside there. Colapinto is a master at weaving his words with the reader's imagination. I look forward to his next.
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