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The Storyteller
He’s the most famous novelist in the country, the author of a raft of international bestsellers, the darling of New York’s publishing circles. But the more successful he becomes, the more terrifying is the predicament he finds himself in.
In the beginning, Steven (with a v) King is an aspiring writer tending bar in a small town in Maine. He works diligently on his novel, dreams of the life he and his fianceé, Tina, will share, and puts his faith in the successful power-agent (his first cousin Stuart) who represents him. Then Steve’s life takes an unexpected turn. In a stroke of unimaginable good fortune, he gets his big break—though not the kind he’d always wished for. With a momentous decision, he opens a Pandora’s box that transforms him from a failed novelist into one of the hottest authors in the world. To avoid confusion with another famous writer from Maine, Steve uses his ancestral name, and the phenomenon known as Steven Konigsberg is born.
Within weeks of his first book’s publication he is perched firmly on top of the bestseller lists. His subsequent novels only outdo each other. His face graces TV talk shows and magazine covers . But Steven Konigsberg has a very dark secret—a hidden skeleton that not only threatens his meteoric career, but may very well jeopardize the safety of his family and his own life. As a range of sinister people come out of the woodwork of the past, Steve must make an agonizing choice: confront his deepest secret . . . or lose far more than just his place on the bestseller list.
An irresistible blend of gripping suspense and black humor, THE STORYTELLER is a colorful, inside look at the vanities, glamour, and power plays of the exotic world of publishing and fame . . . with a twist.
In the beginning, Steven (with a v) King is an aspiring writer tending bar in a small town in Maine. He works diligently on his novel, dreams of the life he and his fianceé, Tina, will share, and puts his faith in the successful power-agent (his first cousin Stuart) who represents him. Then Steve’s life takes an unexpected turn. In a stroke of unimaginable good fortune, he gets his big break—though not the kind he’d always wished for. With a momentous decision, he opens a Pandora’s box that transforms him from a failed novelist into one of the hottest authors in the world. To avoid confusion with another famous writer from Maine, Steve uses his ancestral name, and the phenomenon known as Steven Konigsberg is born.
Within weeks of his first book’s publication he is perched firmly on top of the bestseller lists. His subsequent novels only outdo each other. His face graces TV talk shows and magazine covers . But Steven Konigsberg has a very dark secret—a hidden skeleton that not only threatens his meteoric career, but may very well jeopardize the safety of his family and his own life. As a range of sinister people come out of the woodwork of the past, Steve must make an agonizing choice: confront his deepest secret . . . or lose far more than just his place on the bestseller list.
An irresistible blend of gripping suspense and black humor, THE STORYTELLER is a colorful, inside look at the vanities, glamour, and power plays of the exotic world of publishing and fame . . . with a twist.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published August 5, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 31, 2008
a comedy,mystery-although at times i couldn t tell if the author knew if he was writing a comedy or a mystery or a mystery,comedy-not very mysterious nor very funny. it s a bout a writer and his books which is one of my favorite kinds of stories.
September 20, 2020
This was interesting and I liked it, but not enough to recommend.
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February 2, 2025Very good!
December 27, 2011
This book was...interesting. I like reading books about the life of a writer, especially a fictional one. It was engaging all the way through and the poor character just couldn't catch a break.
It was also kind of funny at times as it poked fun at the tribulations of a writer's life. For instance, everyone who does business with the main character (MC) or who is a friend of a friend wants the MC to autograph their collection of his books. Or the police officer who does the MC a huge favor and then asks the MC to read his manuscript he's working on.
It's a kind of funny take on the publishing industry. I didn't quite like the ending, but that's neither here nor there.
It was also kind of funny at times as it poked fun at the tribulations of a writer's life. For instance, everyone who does business with the main character (MC) or who is a friend of a friend wants the MC to autograph their collection of his books. Or the police officer who does the MC a huge favor and then asks the MC to read his manuscript he's working on.
It's a kind of funny take on the publishing industry. I didn't quite like the ending, but that's neither here nor there.
October 23, 2008
This book was slightly predictable but not bad. It was a good piece of fiction; and I don't read a lot of fiction. I think I was drawn to this book at the local library book sale because of the focus on main character Steven King (no, not that Stephen King), who also is an author.
September 14, 2014
Read in 2013. Remember liking it but not details.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews