Rating: 
Summary: Already been done
Review: The book is basically a rehash of Christopher Vogler's classic "The Writer's Journey." Frey's book covers exactly the same concept, however, his focus is more basic and directed toward novelists versus screenwriters. (If you read Vogler's book, and you're a novelist, you'll do just as well if not better.) I might have liked this book more if I hadn't read Vogler's first which covers the concept much more comprehensively. One reviewer noted he's using Frey's book as a 'template' rather than a 'guideline.' Fine, if your goal is cookie-cutter fiction. (Vogler's book specifically warns against using mythic concepts in this way.) If you want a simple introduction to myth-as-story, this book will do. (In fact, the entire book is summarized in a single chapter toward the end. If you must have it, borrow the book from the library and photocopy the chapter.) But if you really want to fully explore the potential mythic structure has to offer, this book comes up a bit short.
Rating:
Summary: Already been done
Review: The book is basically a rehash of Christopher Vogler's classic "The Writer's Journey." Frey's book covers exactly the same concept, however, his focus is more basic and directed toward novelists versus screenwriters. (If you read Vogler's book, and you're a novelist, you'll do just as well if not better.) I might have liked this book more if I hadn't read Vogler's first which covers the concept much more comprehensively. One reviewer noted he's using Frey's book as a 'template' rather than a 'guideline.' Fine, if your goal is cookie-cutter fiction. (Vogler's book specifically warns against using mythic concepts in this way.) If you want a simple introduction to myth-as-story, this book will do. (In fact, the entire book is summarized in a single chapter toward the end. If you must have it, borrow the book from the library and photocopy the chapter.) But if you really want to fully explore the potential mythic structure has to offer, this book comes up a bit short.
Rating: 
Summary: Changes the way you read and see movies
Review: The Key is a straightforward book that provides writers with the basic tools and knowledge needed to create our own mythic journey, wheter it's set on present time or on some other fantastic timeless place. Reading The Key is like having your own personal writing instructor by your side. James Frey provides the reader with multiple examples of the terms and, characters, functions and mythological structures a myth-based novel should have. He even writes a short example of a novel which works great as a demonstration of the power of the myth. After reading it, you'll find yourself analysing all movies and books you read, and you will discover that this specific way of writing suits almost every situation and plot. From Gone with the wind to Star Wars, the hero and his journey lie deep within our subconscious mind, and The Key does a great job at remindg us that.
Rating:
Summary: A Pattern for Perfect Fiction.
Review: This is my first foray into Frey's fiction-helps---no regrets whatsoever! I have seen his other books on how to write "Durn Good" fiction, but have never felt the inclination to read them. This book's angle, however, had me by the neck in nanoseconds. I believe that writing is a sacred act-"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God"-and that between the scribbling and the agonizing, we are somehow approaching God. Frey affirms my belief and provides a popularization of Joseph Campbell's "Hero With A Thousand Faces" monomyth templet. He asserts that this monomyth is THE KEY to writing good fiction. It may be argued that formulas are bad, and limit creativity, or that they are, well, too formulaic. Handled badly, formulas can be stale and predictable; however, if they are handled right, the provide a rhythm and cadence to the story. I look at formulas as being frames to a story, and we can add, delete, or modify the formulas as needed. Admittedly, the creativity arises in the execution, not the outline. Keep in mind, all 154 of Shakespeare's sonnets have the same framework, meter, rhyme scheme, and all use the same 26 letters. However, no two sonnets are alike. Yes, some are better than others, but that is just normal for fiction. I believe THE KEY is in have the correct framework, and then building upon it. Frey provides this framework, or skeleton for our fiction. Having read Campbell's "Hero With A Thousand Faces," and found this book true to Campbell's intent. In fact, it would be a great introduction and pre-requisite to reading the classic of literiture. Remember that George Lucas used "Hero With A Thousand Faces" as the basis for his Star Wars stories, and that is endorsement enough! In my case, several knotty problems in my fiction have been solved because of this book. Your only way out of a dead end is either up or down. Frey lifts us up!
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