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The Plot (The Book Series, #1)
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Collection Group Reads > FW04) The Plot

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message 1: by Lisa, Moderator (new) - rated it 3 stars

Lisa | 821 comments Mod
Welcome to our discussion of The Plot (The Book Series #1), by Jean Hanff Korelitz. This book is part of our Fall/Winter Collection Group Reads. Your discussion leader is Lisa.
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Summary

Jacob Finch Bonner was once a promising young novelist with a respectably published first book. Today, he’s teaching in a third-rate MFA program and struggling to maintain what’s left of his self-respect; he hasn’t written—let alone published—anything decent in years. When Evan Parker, his most arrogant student, announces he doesn’t need Jake’s help because the plot of his book in progress is a sure thing, Jake is prepared to dismiss the boast as typical amateur narcissism. But then . . . he hears the plot.

Jake returns to the downward trajectory of his own career and braces himself for the supernova publication of Evan Parker’s first novel: but it never comes. When he discovers that his former student has died, presumably without ever completing his book, Jake does what any self-respecting writer would do with a story like that—a story that absolutely needs to be told.

In a few short years, all of Evan Parker’s predictions have come true, but Jake is the author enjoying the wave. He is wealthy, famous, praised and read all over the world. But at the height of his glorious new life, an e-mail arrives, the first salvo in a terrifying, anonymous campaign: You are a thief, it says.

As Jake struggles to understand his antagonist and hide the truth from his readers and his publishers, he begins to learn more about his late student, and what he discovers both amazes and terrifies him. Who was Evan Parker, and how did he get the idea for his “sure thing” of a novel? What is the real story behind the plot, and who stole it from whom?


message 2: by Lisa, Moderator (new) - rated it 3 stars

Lisa | 821 comments Mod
Hi friends! For anyone who celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday, I hope it was a good one.

The plot of this book has my interest piqued and was one that really stood out to me from the list of 25. Hoping that it turns out to be as good as it sounds.

I'll be grabbing this one from the library on Monday, and looking forward to the discussion :)


George Stenger | 37 comments This is a very good book. We discussed it in a local book club last month. It should be a good discussion.


message 4: by Lisa, Moderator (new) - rated it 3 stars

Lisa | 821 comments Mod
Thanks, George, glad to hear it!


˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri  •°*”˜.•°*”˜ | 2287 comments Mod
Just put it on hold.


˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri  •°*”˜.•°*”˜ | 2287 comments Mod
Finished. I agree with George that it would be good for an in person book club.


message 7: by Lisa, Moderator (new) - rated it 3 stars

Lisa | 821 comments Mod
Ooo, finished already? I’m about a third through (view spoiler) I’m really enjoying it and finding it a compelling read so far.


George Stenger | 37 comments Lisa, it is a very compelling read.


˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri  •°*”˜.•°*”˜ | 2287 comments Mod
Lisa wrote: "Ooo, finished already? I’m about a third through [spoilers removed] I’m really enjoying it and finding it a compelling read so far."

(view spoiler)


message 10: by Lisa, Moderator (new) - rated it 3 stars

Lisa | 821 comments Mod
˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri •°*”˜.•°*”˜ wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Ooo, finished already? I’m about a third through [spoilers removed] I’m really enjoying it and finding it a compelling read so far."

[spoilers removed]"


Yes, and similarly, (view spoiler)


˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri  •°*”˜.•°*”˜ | 2287 comments Mod
Lisa wrote: "˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri •°*”˜.•°*”˜ wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Ooo, finished already? I’m about a third through [spoilers removed] I’m really enjoying it and finding it a compelling read so far."

[spoilers re..."


Don't think I give anything away with this spoiler.

(view spoiler)


˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri  •°*”˜.•°*”˜ | 2287 comments Mod
Lisa wrote: "˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri •°*”˜.•°*”˜ wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Ooo, finished already? I’m about a third through [spoilers removed] I’m really enjoying it and finding it a compelling read so far."

[spoilers re..."


Have you finished this one?


message 13: by Lisa, Moderator (new) - rated it 3 stars

Lisa | 821 comments Mod
Hi Sheri, hoping to finish tonight. I’m enjoying it but it’s starting to feel a bit repetitive, like the story is stuck in the same place for awhile. But it’s still good reading and I think it’s approaching a turning point.


message 14: by Lisa, Moderator (last edited Dec 24, 2025 08:12AM) (new) - rated it 3 stars

Lisa | 821 comments Mod
OK, Sheri, finished last night. (view spoiler). What are your thoughts?


˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri  •°*”˜.•°*”˜ | 2287 comments Mod
Agree. And although I like the basic plot I feel like I've read a similar plot before just can't remember where. This just didn't go anywhere too exciting. Even the ending wasn't that dramatic.


message 16: by Lisa, Moderator (new) - rated it 3 stars

Lisa | 821 comments Mod
Agreed. After all of that, (view spoiler)


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