What did you think about The Ghostwriter? (not the movie - SPOILERS)

EmmieB

I thought it was fairly good. not my usual genre, but well written and suspenseful. It helped that in my head, Ewan McGregor was narrating ;-)

Passanie

I liked it. Though it was slooooow though. He's kind of a slow writer, I think. When I stepped back and looked at the whole novel at the end, not much really happened. It was like a big build up/crescendo with what he did going public and then... he dies. But I guess it was a bit of a character study more than anything. I liked that he went out that way. Fitting for his character.

As a journalist, it was interesting to see some of the interviewing techniques and quotes in the beginning of the chapters. So many of them were similar to what I do for living, like the whole shut up and let the person talk type of thing. It's amazing how people have to fill up silent spaces. (But obviously it's a whole different ballgame when it comes to ethics, objectivity and the truth!)

EmmieB

He is a slow writer.

Can I just say I HATED the way it ended? That he was all "if you're reading this, I'm dead" - I hate that. It's way too heavy handed for me. 

Passanie

Heehee. I feel like I read it so long ago I can't remember it.

MeggyO

I liked it. I'm kinda surprised I liked it because it is SO not my normal reading genre. I usually avoid anything "political" like the plague. This one was surprisingly apolitical and seemed to focus more on the mystery than I thought it would.

I agree that it started out pretty slow. I had to put the book down a few times at first, then I buckled down to reading it, got past the first bit and then really got into it.

I agree the ending sucked. How would you have had it end?

EmmieB

I would have left it at "I'm wrapping this up and giving it to my ex-girlfriend for safe keeping and then I'm getting on a boat"

Or just "I took my cash and found myself a cozy spot on an island in the Mediterranean and  typed this up and mailed it through many remailing services to my ex-girlfriend."

And left out the "if you're reading this, I'm dead" part. 

I did LOVE that it was his wife all along. 

In fact - I speculate that she's the one who had him killed.

also - I can't WAIT to watch it - the actress they chose to play her was perfect casting.

Passanie

Netflix just informed me the movie is in the mail!

Passanie

I keep forgetting to post this: The main character in the book, the ghost writer, didn't have a name, did he? I noticed about halfway through no one was using his name. He'd answer the phone with hello, the prime minister would call him "man" because he couldn't remember his name, etc. Unless I totally missed it... But it makes sense, seeing as he's supposed to be the nameless ghost.

EmmieB

Passanie:

I keep forgetting to post this: The main character in the book, the ghost writer, didn't have a name, did he? I noticed about halfway through no one was using his name. He'd answer the phone with hello, the prime minister would call him "man" because he couldn't remember his name, etc. Unless I totally missed it... But it makes sense, seeing as he's supposed to be the nameless ghost.

you are correct. Ewan McGregor is even credited as "the ghost" for the film. I like it.