A Likely Story

by Donald E. Westlake

Tom Diskant, a writer, struggles to get a Christmas anthology published, and wishes his estranged wife would get involved with someone else so that he could marry his girlfriend

Genres: Humor, Fiction, Mystery, Crime, Comedy, Books About Books

Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Donald E. Westlake (1933-2008) was one of the most prolific and talented authors of American crime fiction. He began his career in the late 1950's, churning out novels for pulp houses—often writing as many as four novels a year under various pseudonyms such as Richard Stark—but soon began publishing under his own name. His most well-known characters were John Dortmunder, an unlucky thief, and Parker, a ruthless criminal. His writing earned him three Edgar Awards: the 1968 Best Novel award for God Save the Mark; the 1990 Best Short Story award for "Too Many Crooks"; and the 1991 Best Motion Picture Screenplay award for The Grifters. In addition, Westlake also earned a Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America in 1993.

Westlake's cinematic prose and brisk dialogue made his novels attractive to Hollywood, and several motion pictures were made from his books, with stars such as Lee Marvin and Mel Gibson. Westlake wrote several screenplays himself, receiving an Academy Award nomination for his adaptation of The Grifters, Jim Thompson's noir classic.

Some of the pseudonyms he used include
•   Richard Stark
•   Timothy J. Culver
•   Tucker Coe
•   Curt Clark
•   J. Morgan Cunningham
•   Judson Jack Carmichael
•   D.E. Westlake
•   Donald I. Vestlejk
•   Don Westlake

Reviews

[Lois Bujold · Rating 4 out of 5]

A saga recounting the trials and tribulations of
this poor schmuck trying to shepherd his nonfiction Christmas anthology
through from initial idea to final publication, in which everything that
can possibly go wrong, does.

If one is a writer, it is hilarious. Or perhaps horror, I'm not sure.

Mid-80s book, long out of print, but possibly not as long out of date as
one might imagine.

Ta, L.

[Peter Tillman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Westlake's "how not to publish a bestseller" guide. It's *wonderful*, Westlake at his comedic best. The writer-protag's um, unusual love-life makes for wonderfully silly bedroom-farce, and his troubles in the book biz sound like Westlake rounded up every bad thing that ever happened to him, or that he'd ever heard of. All this plus an unexpectedly sweet ending. If you like Westlake, books about books, or bedroom farce, this one's for you.

[Stephen Dube · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as most of Westlake’s other books but still a fun easy read. I dont remember if I read this when it first came out, but I dont recognize a lot of the “contributors “ to the Christmas Book, so probably missed a lot of the intended humour. But for the references I know like Warhol and Asimov there were some good chuckles. Probably more appreciated if you know a lot of the players of the 70’s and 80’s. I assuming this was Westlake’s accolades or criticisms of them. However the majority of the book is about family and relationships and the book publication process, so a diverse set of content... not just about writing a Christmas Book. I liked it.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t expect to like this as much as I did, and in fact I could be talked into raising my score to a full four. I tend to prefer Westlake when he’s writing about crime, of which there is none here, and I tend to dislike novels about the lowly plight of authors, of which there is plenty here. And yet, this light comedic tale is breezy, often quite funny, cleverly structured, and endlessly easy to read. As is typical with Westlake, the ending is just right. I wish the supporting characters were better defined, but otherwise there is a lot to like here.

[Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

People tend not to rate this as top Westlake because…well, there’s no crime element for one thing. And the ending is unusually…corny might be the right word. But it’s also a hilarious and accurate inside-baseball account of the publishing world that had me nodding frequently and laughing out loud more than once.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was enjoyable overall and had some laugh out loud moments but the end was meh. Not my thing.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

a nice little farce; well-written.

[Joan Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novel .A light read and the writing suited me!

[Tony Gleeson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Donald Westlake involved writers and the publishing business in several of his stories throughout his career, always offering a rather sardonic eye. Notably he wrote a horrific novel of murder and mayhem, "The Hook," late in his career. "A Likely Story" was written quite a bit earlier and in a much lighter vein. Here's the entire plot: a journeyman writer struggles to get a book published and navigate a life with his ex wife, his current girlfriend, and all their various exes and children-- not to mention some further romantic complications along the way. That second part reads like a remake of Norman Lear's 1967 film "Divorce American Style," and feels almost as dated in its depiction of social and sexual mores. Westlake seems to take absolute glee in putting his author protagonist though endless rings of a Dantean hell as one thing after another goes wrong but our author plods on nonetheless, cynically expecting the worst but hoping for the best. It seems pretty clear Westlake was firing darts at the publishing industry and perhaps even a few specific individuals. He also includes a curious disclaimer in his introduction in which he states that the numerous celebrity authors mentioned throughout the book are not intended to be characterized as they really are, but rather as their public personae would cause them to be EXPECTED to be. (If that confuses you too-- well, join the crowd.)

This one has to be given a break despite its flaws, since it is one of Westlake's earlier efforts, and it still features some very funny writing. As usual with his comic novels, I did find myself laughing early and often. Still, I do not recommend this as a starting point for the Westlake neophyte-- but a dedicated Westlakian ought to enjoy it.

[Regan MacArthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seven Stars! He'll be remembered for his crime fiction, but Donald Westlake could write a literary novel when the mood struck him (or when his bank statement made it possible). He was of the same generation as Philip Roth and John Updike and the undeniable talent on display in this book is worthy of comparisons to the other guys. The crucial difference is in the moral character of the authors. Westlake actually has some. Oh, sure, you'll find a ton of moralizing in Roth's fiction but it can seem, at least to me, like an elaborate maze is being constructed to hide the Minotaur of Roth's irredeemable selfishness. Updike doesn't play pretend as much, but what's better? The jerk who's delusional or the jerk who's smug?
Apologies for the digression. Back to the book at hand, A Likely Story is about a freelance writer trying to get a book through the meatgrinder of the New York City publishing world in the 1980s... Which doesn't much sound like a story that has a right to be as good as it is, but it is, Oh Good Lord, how it truly is! The characters are vivid and the social observations hold up very well and the funny parts made me laugh. The ending is powerful and yet sweet, a rare combination in my experience. I'd put this one on a top ten list of Westlake's best novels without hesitation.

UPDATE: It took over two-and-a-half months to find another book to review on here after reading A Likely Story. That's how long the thing ruined me for inferior books.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donald Westlake is the ackowledge master of the comic caper.
Starting with 1965's "The Fugitve Pigeon", he had a run of very funny madcap novels before introducing the John Dortmunder hapless crook series. "A Likely Story", however, was rejected by many publishers because it did not fall into this tried and true formula.

I consider it his finest effort, though. Set in the publishing world, the protagonist tries to market a Christmas coffee table book while he sorts out his complicated love life. Along the way he tries to talk many famous celebrities into contributing to his book. Very funny and a clever insight into the publishing world.

[Tricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

1980s story about a year in a writer's life. Loved the writing style: quick pace, dry humor, simple dialogue, told as a narrative, etc. Also enjoyed the plot about the writer pitching a "Christmas Book" to his publisher and the happenings as he trys to get it published. Did not really enjoy the personal-life aspects of the story.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finished this yesterday. Westlake, once again, is great, even without Dortmunder. He tackles the foibles and absurdities of publishing, writers and blended families with great humor and a keen eye.

[Denise M.]

AKA: Alan Marshall, Alan Marsh, James Blue, Ben Christopher, Edwin West, John B. Allan, Curt Clark, Tucker Coe, P.N. Castor, Timothy J. Culver, J. Morgan Cunningham, Samuel Holt, Judson Jack Carmichael, Richard Stark, Donald E. Westlake

[Kathy Cohen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, this book had one strike (star) against it because it didn't have the Dortmunder gang in it. That said--it was extremely funny. If you've ever had to work with an editor (or not), you will love this book. Something about third time's the charm...

[John Bichler]

That Donald Westlake never writes a bad story.

[Chris Cutler · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too crass for me. Didn't read past the 3rd chapter.

[Rebekkila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read a Westlake novel in ages. I had forgotten how funny his stories are, humor in the most everyday events. I am going to keep this one and lend it to others who want to read it.

[Ken Goldman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an amusing light read. Things tend to play out the way you expect them to, but getting there is enjoyable. With summer coming, if you can find a copy, it makes a good vacation read.

[Anne Stinnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have any interest in the writers life, or publishing, this will be for you. Funny and unsparing and full of characters.