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Aug 15, 2009

Liz rated it:

There will be spoilers in this commentary, but that's okay, because you won't want to read it after this anyway.

Yes, I actually took notes on this book whilst reading it. My not-long-awaited commentary is as follows:

pg 11: Oh, now I know the narrator's name. Took her long enough. Angel. Okay. What?

pg 47: I've just realised what is bothering me about this--the characters seem very unnaturally-put together. Their traits clash a lot, and not in a good way. For ex More...

5 comments like (3 people liked it)

Oct 13, 2007

Leah rated it:

Not to go on a feminist rant, but does every chick lit novel have to have a young woman go to humiliating lengths to please her unbelievably demanding female boss? Why do all women in power have to be bitchy, unsympathetic and slightly insane? I bought this book because I thought it would be fun to see someone poke a little fun at the industry I work in, but besides the goofy query letters, there wasn't too much resembling a real "insider's look" at publishing. I also found it somew More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Jan 29, 2009

Gayle rated it:

This first novel from Debra Ginsberg has an intriguing premise. Angel Robinson joins a literary agency as assistant to the legendary Lucy Fiamma, a soul sister to The Devil Wears Prada's Miranda Priestley. As she learns to deal with Lucy's outrageous demands and her own crumbling personal life, Angel discovers she has a flair for spotting and refining talent. And then an anonymous manuscript appears and everything changes.

I liked it at first. The characters are distinctive enough, th More...

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Feb 05, 2009

Bookmarks Magazine added it

For her first turn as a novelist, Debra Ginsberg, author of three acclaimed memoirs (Waiting; Raising Blaze; About My Sisters)turns a satirical eye on the publishing industry. The parallels between Lauren Weisberger's blockbuster The Devil Wears Prada (2003) and Blind Submission are a well-worn path of inquiry in critical circles. Most reviewers agree, however, that this expos_� of the publishing industry is, very appropriately, a better-written affair than the fashion-industry version. The major

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Dec 13, 2008

Geeta rated it:

Satire about publishing set in a small literary agency in California. Every night, the narrator, Angel, works for a famous agent who is inconsistent and nutty; Angel's co-workers are scary; and every night Angel lugs home her weight in manuscripts. All of this gives me nightmares and makes me glad I left the biz all those years ago. So far, the writing is smart, funny, and very good--much better than I expected. Given the current state of publishing, what else can you do but laugh?

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Jun 03, 2010

planetkimi rated it:

I really loved The Grift, so I thought I'd give Blind Submission, Ginsberg's first novel a try. It's not nearly as good as The Grift.

Rather than the protagonist, Angel, the character Lucy Fiamma seems to be the most well-defined in the book. Actually, I got a better picture of nearly all the characters than I did of Angel herself. Lucy is so overbearing that I actually was uncomfortable reading about the things she did sometimes - which is a triumph of characterization. On the More...

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Nov 22, 2008

Christina rated it:

I packed the book for my trip to Boston and Philly but read all 328 pages on the drive from Amherst, Massachusetts to New Jersey.

I really enjoyed this novel. While the horrible boss theme has been done before (The Devil Wears Prada), the e-mailed murder novel is a nice twist.

It’s a quick read that was easy to read, but enjoyable all the same.

“But reading was only part of the thrill that a book represents. [Angel] got a dizzy pleasure from the weight and fe More...

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May 01, 2011

Marguerite rated it:

A quick-and-dirty mystery about the publishing business. Debra Ginsberg writes in a style very similar to one she mocks and she cheats on the ending (rather than write it, she uses a series of news releases to wrap things up too quickly and tidily). The characters are forgettable. The premise of a blind submission interesting. But, this novel doesn't have pretensions. It can be appreciated for what it is: a quick, entertaining riff on writers, agents and publishers.

"Reading was More...

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Mar 18, 2009

Sarah rated it:

First, this book is extremely predictable. I liked the mystery element even though I figured out who-dunnit in the early chapters.I was hoping for a bigger, crazier ending - something more sinister to go along with the weird plot and cast of characters - so that was a let down. I had a creepy feeling about the crazy boss from the beginning - she was a little too extreme to be believable. There was also something off with the author's characterization of the crazy cast of characters working in th More...

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Sep 27, 2010

Julie rated it:

Oh the pleasure of a book that takes you completely by surprise. You go in with few expectations and come out with much more than you bargained for. Blind Submission is just such a book. I hadn't heard much about it and picked it up because it looked light and fun. It made good on the those counts, but it was also funny and suspenseful, with quirky characters and many plot twists and turns. Plus, it takes place in a literary agency, so there is much juicy goodness about the publishing world More...

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Sep 23, 2011

Andrew rated it:

This book was ok. Didn't hate it. Didn't love it. I like reading books about books, so the premise of a former bookstore employee getting into editing sounded wonderful. The writing itself was good and I cared about the characters....at least a little. Alas, sometimes even good writing paired with a great premise can't carry a book. This bums me out. It is a bit like when you realize that relationships don't always work out even when both parties love each other. So much of it it is timing. But, More...

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Aug 03, 2011

Rachel rated it:

A random book I picked up in my school library. WAAAY too much like The Devil Wears Prada and The Nanny Diaries. Only instead of clothes and children, it was about books. Same old bitchy boss, same old overbearing workload, same old un-supportive boyfriend...ugh.
The mystery plot-line to this book was weak too. It's almost as if the author got so caught up in writing the rest of the book she went "Oh that's right! There's supposed to be a mystery somewhere in here..." and threw random t More...

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Oct 25, 2010

leigh rated it:

I wish Goodreads did half stars, I was torn between giving this book 2 and 3 stars.
This was one of those books that I liked the idea of the book more than the execution.
The book takes place in a literary agency with a very The Devil Wears Prada type boss. Why are powerful women bosses in books always insane and cruel? Just sayin they can’t all be crazy bitches can they? In general the characters all fall a bit flat.
I really liked the mystery aspect of the book and wished More...

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May 29, 2009

mark rated it:

Chick Lit, which goes like this: Chick on the periphery of an industry (in this book--the world of literary agents) tells about industry while struggling to "make it" in the world, and finds true love with another peripheral player. Lots of fashion and/or food descriptions as well as insight into the industry. I happen to like the genre (I skim the fashion and food parts and double read the sex scenes. I'm a guy, after all.) Being a writer who disdains the whole concept of middlemen (s More...

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Nov 13, 2008

Gail rated it:

Angel Robinson (yes that is her real name) is a reader, she loves books and is contentedly working at a book store. She lives frugally and loves Malcolm, a writer and waiter, she thinks is too handsome for her. When her friend, boss, and bookstore owner decides to close the store, Malcolm posts an add to work as an assitant to a legendary and flamboyant literary agent. Angel applies and gets the job and embarks on an aborbing and exhausting job with eccentric co-workers and a contradictory, e More...

1 comment like

Aug 13, 2008

Serena rated it:

Debra Ginsberg's Blind Submission is another book I found through the book blogging world, and it qualifies for the Irresistible Review Challenge. I read the review of this book at Book Escape. While this book was deemed a mystery, I found it less mysterious than I originally expected. Whether that is because I am overly analytical, I don't know. I did figure out the ending among the first mentions of the mystery manuscript, Blind Submission, but I was eager to see how the mystery unfolded.
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Jul 27, 2008

Valeriane rated it:

Cherche auteur désespérement est le livre que j'ai eu la chance de recevoir lors de la 3ème opération Babélio-Masse Critique.
Séduite par le résumé, j'ai coché la case correspondante à ce titre. C'est sur la plage que je l'ai dévoré! Le cadre de l'histoire s'intègre dans le monde des livres, de l'édition et des agents littéraires. En gros l'appât idéal pour une amoureuse des livres.
4ème de couverture : Angel Robinson a l'impression de vivre un rêve. Elle qui ne jure que par les livres More...

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May 09, 2008

Nancyc rated it:

Another addition to the Chick Lit genre which takes place in the publishing industry, Blind Submission is The Devil Wears Prada, set in a literary agency. Also similar to Prada, rumor has it that this book is a roman e clef. Just as Miranda Priestly is rumoured to be born in the image of Anna Wintour in Prada, the publishing doyenne recently fired from Harper Collins, Judith Regan, is purported to be the inspiration for boss-from-hell, Lucy Fiamma, in Blind Submission.

Blind Submission More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jul 01, 2007

Michele rated it:

The Devil is a Literary Agent
This is a page-turner and I am the perfect audience for a book like this. Read further to see if you may be as well.

Reason #1: It's very well written. Debra Ginsberg has an easy way with words, moves the plot forward with each page, and develops her characters, such as they are, beautifully.

Reason #2: Like the protagonist, Angel Robinson--a bookstore employee-turned assistant to a high-powered literary agent--I'm a voracious reader, I ap More...

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Aug 28, 2010

Stephen rated it:

The Author's first venture into fiction is a look at the world of publishing, particularly that part of the industry aspiring authors struggle most to comprehend: the literary agency. The premise of the novel---an agency assistant tries to discover the identity of an anonymous author whose incrementally submitted story takes place in, of all places, a literary agency---is original, delightful, and well executed. Comparisons to THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA are fair in that the protagonist's boss resembl More...

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May 22, 2008

Heather rated it:

Blind Submission is a well writen novel enveloped in anger and anxiousness. Although a page turner, this novel about a book lover, Angel, and her journery to become a literary agent is predictable. Not being one who gets "who done it" until someone tells me, I figured out who the annonymous author tormenting Angel was half way through the book. The first chapter is a dull bore and I almost put the book down. However, like I stated before, it is a page turner. The negativity that t More...

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Jan 13, 2012

Tara rated it:

I saw this book as a recommendation from my local library. It was interesting enough that I wanted to know what happened, but it wasn't something I read non-stop. I could take breaks from this book without thinking about it too much. It's a mostly clever part, but at the same time it was a little predictable to me. If you're looking for something to read to just pass the time, this is a good one. Other than that, go read something that will be more exciting.

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Sep 07, 2010

April rated it:

I really wanted to like this book. Great main character and I loved the literary agency setting- lots of insight on the inner workings of the pub. business.
But, oh...such a letdown. Hated the ending- just dumb that it didn't add up to more than what it was (or could've been). Enjoyed the writing style so I may actually read the other book by her that I requested while I was halfway (and still excited about) Blind Submission.

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Jan 30, 2011

Michelle BF rated it:

Light and interesting with book publishing as its background. Not enough suspense for me but it did keep me reading until the end and if there hadn't been an anonymous submission to this literary agency that closely matched the heroine's life, I probably would have put it down sooner.

Blind Submission

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Apr 18, 2009

Lisa rated it:

This was a totally fun read............fast paced, exciting and a page turner. I would have given it a 4, but I didn't love the ending. Even so, I would totally recommend it. It takes place now in Marin County, so that made it fun to read since we used to live there. I have to say, I didn't realize until I was reading this book that I tend to read alot of historical fiction or books that take place in other countries, so this was a nice change of pace.

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May 06, 2011

Lindsey rated it:

I just finished this book and raced through the final pages to see what happened! Yes, it is incredibly like 'The Devil Wears Prada' but the ending is not similar and the book draws you in with its twists and turns. I enjoyed the email commentary between the characters and the way the ending was structured-different from what I'd seen before. Even if you are a fan of 'The Devil', stick with it!

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Apr 22, 2009

Julie rated it:

This was a random pick at the library, and a satisfying read. I really got into the story and felt like I was right there with the narrator. The job frustrations were alternately funny, familiar, and rage-inducing. The mystery part was kind of cool, even though I actually guessed the resolution correctly (which never happens!) pretty early on. Overall, an absorbing and thoroughly enjoyable book.

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Jul 08, 2011

Leslie rated it:

Some of the Goodreads reviews had this spot on. It was hysterical in places, outrageous like The Devil Wears Prada but not so similar that I thought it was a redo. The mystery element really worked(I kept changing my mind on who the annonymous author was) and helped the book to not be a complete satire of the literary world. This book grabbed my eye several different times in the library. I am very glad that I actually brought it home with me this time.

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Jun 05, 2009

Sofluid rated it:

I found this a thoroughly enjoyable plot-twisting novel. The main character is likeable and smart, and you find yourself rooting for her advancement in her career. Add a deceitful and deceptive boss and a range of mystery authors to the recipe, and you get a steaming pot of irresistible chick lit that brings hope to all those who wish for a career in the field of their dreams.

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Aug 06, 2011

Alan added it

Afun mystery about the publishing world. Angela goes to work for Lucy Flammina, a high powered liteary agent. Someone is sending Angela a novel on her e-mail, Blind Submission. Its plot is eerily like her life and work. Fun. Quick read, but like Chinese food, two days after I finished the book, I couldn't remember much of what transpired.

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