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The Book Series #2
The Sequel
Anna Williams-Bonner has taken care of business—that is to say, she’s taken care of her husband, bestselling novelist Jacob Finch Bonner, and laid to rest those anonymous accusations of plagiarism that so tormented him. Now she is living the contented life of a literary widow, enjoying her husband’s royalty checks in perpetuity, but for the second time in her life, a work of fiction intercedes, and this time it’s her own debut novel, The Afterword. After all, how hard can it really be to write a universally lauded bestseller?
But when Anna publishes her book and indulges in her own literary acclaim, she begins to receive excerpts of a novel she never expected to see again, a novel that should no longer exist. Something has gone wrong, and someone out there knows far too much: about her late brother, her late husband, and just possibly... about Anna herself. What does this person want, and what are they prepared to do? She has come too far, and worked too hard, to lose what she values most: the sole and uncontested right to her own story—and she is, by any standard, a master storyteller.
But when Anna publishes her book and indulges in her own literary acclaim, she begins to receive excerpts of a novel she never expected to see again, a novel that should no longer exist. Something has gone wrong, and someone out there knows far too much: about her late brother, her late husband, and just possibly... about Anna herself. What does this person want, and what are they prepared to do? She has come too far, and worked too hard, to lose what she values most: the sole and uncontested right to her own story—and she is, by any standard, a master storyteller.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2024
2491 people are currently reading
26104 people want to read
About the author
Jean Hanff Korelitz
17 books3,035 followersAuthor of nine novels: THE SEQUEL (2024), THE LATECOMER (2022), THE PLOT (The Tonight Show's "Summer Reads" pick for 2021), THE UNDOING, originally published as YOU SHOULD HAVE KNOWN (adapted by David E. Kelley for HBO and starring Nicole Kidman, Hugh Grant and Donald Sutherland), ADMISSION (adapted as the 2013 film of the same name, starring Tina Fey, Lily Tomlin and Paul Rudd), THE DEVIL AND WEBSTER, THE WHITE ROSE, THE SABBATHDAY RIVER and A JURY OF HER PEERS, as well as a middle-grade reader, INTERFERENCE POWDER, and a collection of poetry, THE PROPERTIES OF BREATH.
Watch for television adaptations of THE PLOT and THE LATECOMER!
I'm the founder of BOOKTHEWRITER, a New York City based service that offers "Pop-Up Book Groups" where readers can discuss books with their authors in person and online. Please join our mailing list at www.bookthewriter.com to hear about our events.
If you've become aware of my work via THE UNDOING, you should know that my novel differs significantly from the adaptation -- and that's fine with me! Just know that the twists you might be expecting will likely not be there on the page. Other twists, yes, but you'll have to read the book to find them.
If you're trying to reach me, please know that I don't do any communicating through Goodreads, and that includes FRIEND REQUESTS AND FOLLOWING. (You may also infer that I've read more than the few books listed here, all of which are -- coincidence? -- written by me. I have another GOODREADS account, under another name, with which I keep track of my reading, but it's private.) I'm particularly inept on Facebook, as well, so trying to reach me that way will be spectacularly ineffective. If you want to get in touch, please use the contact form on my website, jeanhanffkorelitz.com
Thanks so much for your interest in my work!
Jean Hanff Korelitz
Watch for television adaptations of THE PLOT and THE LATECOMER!
I'm the founder of BOOKTHEWRITER, a New York City based service that offers "Pop-Up Book Groups" where readers can discuss books with their authors in person and online. Please join our mailing list at www.bookthewriter.com to hear about our events.
If you've become aware of my work via THE UNDOING, you should know that my novel differs significantly from the adaptation -- and that's fine with me! Just know that the twists you might be expecting will likely not be there on the page. Other twists, yes, but you'll have to read the book to find them.
If you're trying to reach me, please know that I don't do any communicating through Goodreads, and that includes FRIEND REQUESTS AND FOLLOWING. (You may also infer that I've read more than the few books listed here, all of which are -- coincidence? -- written by me. I have another GOODREADS account, under another name, with which I keep track of my reading, but it's private.) I'm particularly inept on Facebook, as well, so trying to reach me that way will be spectacularly ineffective. If you want to get in touch, please use the contact form on my website, jeanhanffkorelitz.com
Thanks so much for your interest in my work!
Jean Hanff Korelitz
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,065 reviews
September 8, 2024
I re-read THE PLOT in anticipation of this and, unfortunately, this was a real bummer. I started a little baffled, not sure what Korelitz would do now. It turns out she is doing... exactly the same thing. Somehow this sequel is the same book as the first, despite removing its protagonist. Except this time it all feels like a retread, lower stakes, nothing new to discover, like a book I'd already read.
Once again we have a novelist with a bad attitude as our protagonist. This time it's Anna who, it turns out, just happens to have written an amazing first novel in a very "What, like it's hard?" fashion. I learned from the first book that for Korelitz's satire to work, you just have to accept it and roll with it. So I did. And there's some funny stuff, but less. And so much of it is Anna's frustration and annoyance with her readers. What we're really getting at is how some people get to move to the front of the line, avoid the typical difficulties of getting published, not due to any talent but who they know. Anna is one of these. It's a lot less interesting when there is no struggle, and when Anna's book is not necessary. Anna is, clearly, set for life though it's completely unclear what she wants out of that life.
Once again we have a campaign of mysterious messages saying they know our novelist's secret. Which is the same secret as the last book. It's unclear why this must happen through another strange campaign of letters and notes, why someone doesn't just come out and make an accusation. Last time there was a reason for the secrecy. This time? Not so much.
And once again we have the same characters. Somehow we do not have a single notable new character in this book. Everyone is someone we already know. This bored me most of all. You're not even going to try to bring a new angle? We're just going to go back to talk to the exact same people we talked to in the last book? Yawn.
There's a twist, but it's not a particularly interesting one. Because it turns out that without all the layers of motives in the previous book, that there is no bigger thing beneath it all. It's just who has the author decided knows the secret. Not why they might care about the secret or be involved in the secret, just how they found out. Has an eeny meeny miney mo feel of who will be responsible.
Anna moves through the story with the same lack of empathy she did before. She is a hard character to relate to. At least Jake wanted something. What does Anna want? She used to want so much, she used to have this intense drive. But now what exactly is she fighting for? She doesn't enjoy writing novels or going on book tours. What does she enjoy? Who are her friends? What does she get out of it if she manages to keep her secrets?
Worst of all, the book feels inflated and repetitive. Scenes play out much longer than they need to. Anna thinks the same thoughts over and over again. It would have been really easy to trim 50 pages out of this. There wouldn't have been much left, but there is not much there to start with!
It isn't all that fun to follow a narcissistic sociopath through a plot we've already read.
Once again we have a novelist with a bad attitude as our protagonist. This time it's Anna who, it turns out, just happens to have written an amazing first novel in a very "What, like it's hard?" fashion. I learned from the first book that for Korelitz's satire to work, you just have to accept it and roll with it. So I did. And there's some funny stuff, but less. And so much of it is Anna's frustration and annoyance with her readers. What we're really getting at is how some people get to move to the front of the line, avoid the typical difficulties of getting published, not due to any talent but who they know. Anna is one of these. It's a lot less interesting when there is no struggle, and when Anna's book is not necessary. Anna is, clearly, set for life though it's completely unclear what she wants out of that life.
Once again we have a campaign of mysterious messages saying they know our novelist's secret. Which is the same secret as the last book. It's unclear why this must happen through another strange campaign of letters and notes, why someone doesn't just come out and make an accusation. Last time there was a reason for the secrecy. This time? Not so much.
And once again we have the same characters. Somehow we do not have a single notable new character in this book. Everyone is someone we already know. This bored me most of all. You're not even going to try to bring a new angle? We're just going to go back to talk to the exact same people we talked to in the last book? Yawn.
There's a twist, but it's not a particularly interesting one. Because it turns out that without all the layers of motives in the previous book, that there is no bigger thing beneath it all. It's just who has the author decided knows the secret. Not why they might care about the secret or be involved in the secret, just how they found out. Has an eeny meeny miney mo feel of who will be responsible.
Anna moves through the story with the same lack of empathy she did before. She is a hard character to relate to. At least Jake wanted something. What does Anna want? She used to want so much, she used to have this intense drive. But now what exactly is she fighting for? She doesn't enjoy writing novels or going on book tours. What does she enjoy? Who are her friends? What does she get out of it if she manages to keep her secrets?
Worst of all, the book feels inflated and repetitive. Scenes play out much longer than they need to. Anna thinks the same thoughts over and over again. It would have been really easy to trim 50 pages out of this. There wouldn't have been much left, but there is not much there to start with!
It isn't all that fun to follow a narcissistic sociopath through a plot we've already read.
June 26, 2025
I can honestly say, Jean Hanff Korelitz never ceases to amaze me with her brilliant mind and creative storytelling skills. I loved her preceding novel “The Plot,” and I enjoyed its sequel even more, even though the characters in the beginning admit that most sequels are not as successful as the first books. But this book exceeded my expectations.
I advise you to read “The Plot” first, which introduces us to Jacob Finch Bonner, a struggling author teaching writing at a community college. He stumbles upon a student's story plot, a brilliant idea that may open up the doors of literary success for him. When he finds out his student is dead, he decides to use this plot idea to write his own bestseller novel. As expected, this novel turns into a big success, but with a horrible cost—someone anonymous knows his big secret and is determined to make him pay. If you read the first book, you'll learn the big twist of how Jacob and his tormentor's cat-and-mouse game concludes.
Yes, Jacob is dead, his death ruled as suicide, and his poor widow Anna Williams-Bonner just inherited his wealth, house, and royalty checks from his bestseller, including the movie adaptation rights of “Crib.” But it might be a fair agreement according to her, considering the book’s main story was inspired by her real life.
Our villain/anti-heroine does something unexpected. Instead of grieving or spending her late husband's hard-earned plagiarism money, she decides to write her own novel. In her opinion, it wasn't even that hard! (I know all the authors reading this are booing the character, fictionally throwing tomatoes at her face.) The interesting part is she wrote the novel, and it turned into a huge success! Now she's playing the role of her late husband, attending a book tour, meeting fans, and signing their copies. But when she receives a suspicious post-it note about her late brother, she realizes someone has connected the skeletons in her closet to the dead people she left behind.
When she gets another manuscript eerily similar to her real-life story, she decides to return to Ripley College, the place where her dead brother's and her dead husband's paths crossed, to question people in their inner circle and catch her anonymous tormentor. Will she catch the person and destroy the evidence, or will she lose her cat-and-mouse game this time?
When a person has nine lives like Anna, she doesn't risk anything to destroy the perfect life she's built. So let the game begin!
Overall, it’s a smart, well-executed, meticulously written novel that wraps up some holes and unanswered questions from the first book in a realistic way! It’s an unconventional perspective on an anti-heroine and her riveting survival story. If you enjoyed the first book, you shouldn’t miss the sequel!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for sharing this marvelous book’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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I advise you to read “The Plot” first, which introduces us to Jacob Finch Bonner, a struggling author teaching writing at a community college. He stumbles upon a student's story plot, a brilliant idea that may open up the doors of literary success for him. When he finds out his student is dead, he decides to use this plot idea to write his own bestseller novel. As expected, this novel turns into a big success, but with a horrible cost—someone anonymous knows his big secret and is determined to make him pay. If you read the first book, you'll learn the big twist of how Jacob and his tormentor's cat-and-mouse game concludes.
Yes, Jacob is dead, his death ruled as suicide, and his poor widow Anna Williams-Bonner just inherited his wealth, house, and royalty checks from his bestseller, including the movie adaptation rights of “Crib.” But it might be a fair agreement according to her, considering the book’s main story was inspired by her real life.
Our villain/anti-heroine does something unexpected. Instead of grieving or spending her late husband's hard-earned plagiarism money, she decides to write her own novel. In her opinion, it wasn't even that hard! (I know all the authors reading this are booing the character, fictionally throwing tomatoes at her face.) The interesting part is she wrote the novel, and it turned into a huge success! Now she's playing the role of her late husband, attending a book tour, meeting fans, and signing their copies. But when she receives a suspicious post-it note about her late brother, she realizes someone has connected the skeletons in her closet to the dead people she left behind.
When she gets another manuscript eerily similar to her real-life story, she decides to return to Ripley College, the place where her dead brother's and her dead husband's paths crossed, to question people in their inner circle and catch her anonymous tormentor. Will she catch the person and destroy the evidence, or will she lose her cat-and-mouse game this time?
When a person has nine lives like Anna, she doesn't risk anything to destroy the perfect life she's built. So let the game begin!
Overall, it’s a smart, well-executed, meticulously written novel that wraps up some holes and unanswered questions from the first book in a realistic way! It’s an unconventional perspective on an anti-heroine and her riveting survival story. If you enjoyed the first book, you shouldn’t miss the sequel!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for sharing this marvelous book’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
medium.com
October 22, 2024
Not as good as The Plot,but I still enjoyed it!
I loved The Plot and couldn't wait to see what this sequel was all about. It could be read as standalone, but I think reading them in order is best to fully enjoy.
Well, l had mixed feelings about Anna. She was such an intriguing, complex character that shocked me many, many times.😱 I couldn't help wondering just how far she was willing to go! She was the executor of her late husband's estate, and had full control of his very valuable literary endeavors.
She now has a chance to become successful herself and let the book world see how talented she really is. She writes her novel, which leads to a road she didn't want to travel on!! EEK
This is more of a slow burn with some disturbing reveals that truly gave me chills. You never know where evil lurks and who has lost their moral compass. Loved the narration by Julia Whelan. She did an outstanding job.
I'll be ready for the next in the series if it continues..........
Listened via Audible/ Released on 10/01/2024 / 10 hours
I loved The Plot and couldn't wait to see what this sequel was all about. It could be read as standalone, but I think reading them in order is best to fully enjoy.
Well, l had mixed feelings about Anna. She was such an intriguing, complex character that shocked me many, many times.😱 I couldn't help wondering just how far she was willing to go! She was the executor of her late husband's estate, and had full control of his very valuable literary endeavors.
She now has a chance to become successful herself and let the book world see how talented she really is. She writes her novel, which leads to a road she didn't want to travel on!! EEK
This is more of a slow burn with some disturbing reveals that truly gave me chills. You never know where evil lurks and who has lost their moral compass. Loved the narration by Julia Whelan. She did an outstanding job.
I'll be ready for the next in the series if it continues..........
Listened via Audible/ Released on 10/01/2024 / 10 hours
March 20, 2025
3.0 stars — I debated whether to read “The Sequel” a sequel to “The Plot.” I had a mixed reaction to the first book, and my experience with sequels has never been very good. (Yes, this means you and your housemaid Freida McFadden). When I say “The Sequel’ started off slow and didn’t get much better until over halfway through the book, I’m not exaggerating. The book is written from the perspective of Anna/Dianna/Rose who (if you remember her from “The Plot”) is not the most likable protagonist a book has ever been centered around. The first half of the novel is basically Anna’s quest to strike out on her own and become a published author. Whoopie!! I believe I have read recipe cards that were more interesting. When the author finally gets to the ‘the plot’ of “The Sequel” (see what I did there), I actually started getting into the book and really enjoyed the last third of the novel. Too little too late? It depends on whether you mind having to wade through a particularly bad set up in order to get to a very good serial killer plot where Anna does everything in her power to keep from having her true identity exposed. In the end, just like “The Plot,” I have mixed feelings about my experience reading this book and will end by just saying that if you have a whole lot of patience, you will be rewarded.
October 11, 2024
1. If it's been awhile since you've read The Plot (Book #1), best to refresh your memory or you'll be lost.
2. Ever hear anyone use the word lachrymose? You're about to...often, in fact.
3. Rather surprised I enjoyed this as much as I did.
2. Ever hear anyone use the word lachrymose? You're about to...often, in fact.
3. Rather surprised I enjoyed this as much as I did.
October 1, 2024
In this captivating sequel to The Plot, Anna Williams Bonner is enjoying the spotlight as a famous literary widow and now a best-selling author in her own right. Life couldn’t be better…until she gets a very unwelcome blast from the past. Turns out a certain pesky manuscript still exists, and someone is sending pages not just to her, but to her in-laws and editor. In order to keep her darkest secrets under wraps, she sets out to find out who’s stalking her and destroy the manuscript once and for all. And her mission quickly turns deadly.
While this sequel didn’t blow my mind the way the first book did, it was absolutely a great time. The twists were seemingly endless, and being inside Anna’s vaguely sociopathic mind was a lot of fun. What I didn’t expect was the way this book humanized Anna. By shedding light on previously unrevealed parts of her past, this book makes a very villainous character feel, if not relatable, at least somewhat sympathetic.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who read and enjoyed The Plot. It keeps the story of the first book going in a very fun and fresh way.
While this sequel didn’t blow my mind the way the first book did, it was absolutely a great time. The twists were seemingly endless, and being inside Anna’s vaguely sociopathic mind was a lot of fun. What I didn’t expect was the way this book humanized Anna. By shedding light on previously unrevealed parts of her past, this book makes a very villainous character feel, if not relatable, at least somewhat sympathetic.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who read and enjoyed The Plot. It keeps the story of the first book going in a very fun and fresh way.
October 22, 2024
If you haven’t read The Plot yet, STOP READING NOW! While I’ve done my best to avoid any spoilers, there will inevitably be a few substantial hints that would ruin the first book in this series.
A masterful follow-up to The Plot, The Sequel happily took me back into the twisty world of Ms. Korelitz’s mind. This time, however, the main character was even more compelling, addictive, and utterly all-consuming. Picking up pretty much right after the conclusion of book one, I was over the moon to finally get Anna’s much wanted perspective. After all, the epitome of an anti-heroine, her viewpoint was the one piece of the puzzle that I had missed the last time around.
Let me back up just a bit, though. I mean, this story had all of the winning attributes that I look for in a book. And the fact that it was yet another work of metafiction with book within a book additions? It just couldn’t have been better. Granted, it was somewhat of a long, slow burn until the last one hundred thrilling pages. A brilliantly combined mix of drama and suspense, the slow buildup nevertheless led to high stakes and a tense game of cat-and-mouse that won me over hook, line, and sinker by the perfectly plotted conclusion.
As much as I loved this second book in the series, though, I do have to say that it didn’t quite blow me away as much as The Plot. That’s not to say that there weren’t plenty of twists that had my jaw on the floor here as well, because there unquestionably were. What was done better, however, was Anna. One truly villainous protagonist, her fully fleshed out persona and thorough background pulled me in deep. All told, I rallied behind her—despite (or because of) some truly despicable deeds.
All in all, I was duly impressed. Original and yet oddly realistic, I never would have guessed where this one was heading. From the adrenaline-fueled climax to the well-written satire, my only hope is that there’s still room for a third book in the series. Perhaps The Epilogue would be fitting? After all, I would revel in another finely layered plot with more deftly obscured clues and morally gray characters. All I know is that this is not one to be missed. Just don’t go into it before first reading The Plot. In my estimation, that would be one doozy of a mistake. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Anna Williams-Bonner has taken care of business. That is to say, she’s taken care of her husband, bestselling novelist Jacob Finch Bonner, and laid to rest those anonymous accusations of plagiarism that so tormented him. Now she is living the contented life of a literary widow, enjoying her husband’s royalty checks in perpetuity, but for the second time in her life, a work of fiction intercedes, and this time it’s her own debut novel, The Afterword. After all, how hard can it really be to write a universally lauded bestseller?
But when Anna publishes her book and indulges in her own literary acclaim, she begins to receive excerpts of a novel she never expected to see again, a novel that should no longer exist. That it does means something has gone very wrong, and someone out there knows far too much: about her late brother, her late husband, and just possibly... Anna, herself. What does this person want and what are they prepared to do? She has come too far, and worked too hard, to lose what she values most: the sole and uncontested right to her own story. And she is, by any standard, a master storyteller.
Thank you to Jean Hanff Korelitz and Celadon Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: October 1, 2024
Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Trigger warning: drugging, kidnapping, blackmail, gun violence, mention of: suicide
A masterful follow-up to The Plot, The Sequel happily took me back into the twisty world of Ms. Korelitz’s mind. This time, however, the main character was even more compelling, addictive, and utterly all-consuming. Picking up pretty much right after the conclusion of book one, I was over the moon to finally get Anna’s much wanted perspective. After all, the epitome of an anti-heroine, her viewpoint was the one piece of the puzzle that I had missed the last time around.
Let me back up just a bit, though. I mean, this story had all of the winning attributes that I look for in a book. And the fact that it was yet another work of metafiction with book within a book additions? It just couldn’t have been better. Granted, it was somewhat of a long, slow burn until the last one hundred thrilling pages. A brilliantly combined mix of drama and suspense, the slow buildup nevertheless led to high stakes and a tense game of cat-and-mouse that won me over hook, line, and sinker by the perfectly plotted conclusion.
As much as I loved this second book in the series, though, I do have to say that it didn’t quite blow me away as much as The Plot. That’s not to say that there weren’t plenty of twists that had my jaw on the floor here as well, because there unquestionably were. What was done better, however, was Anna. One truly villainous protagonist, her fully fleshed out persona and thorough background pulled me in deep. All told, I rallied behind her—despite (or because of) some truly despicable deeds.
All in all, I was duly impressed. Original and yet oddly realistic, I never would have guessed where this one was heading. From the adrenaline-fueled climax to the well-written satire, my only hope is that there’s still room for a third book in the series. Perhaps The Epilogue would be fitting? After all, I would revel in another finely layered plot with more deftly obscured clues and morally gray characters. All I know is that this is not one to be missed. Just don’t go into it before first reading The Plot. In my estimation, that would be one doozy of a mistake. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Anna Williams-Bonner has taken care of business. That is to say, she’s taken care of her husband, bestselling novelist Jacob Finch Bonner, and laid to rest those anonymous accusations of plagiarism that so tormented him. Now she is living the contented life of a literary widow, enjoying her husband’s royalty checks in perpetuity, but for the second time in her life, a work of fiction intercedes, and this time it’s her own debut novel, The Afterword. After all, how hard can it really be to write a universally lauded bestseller?
But when Anna publishes her book and indulges in her own literary acclaim, she begins to receive excerpts of a novel she never expected to see again, a novel that should no longer exist. That it does means something has gone very wrong, and someone out there knows far too much: about her late brother, her late husband, and just possibly... Anna, herself. What does this person want and what are they prepared to do? She has come too far, and worked too hard, to lose what she values most: the sole and uncontested right to her own story. And she is, by any standard, a master storyteller.
Thank you to Jean Hanff Korelitz and Celadon Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: October 1, 2024
Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Trigger warning: drugging, kidnapping, blackmail, gun violence, mention of: suicide
October 1, 2024
"(Sequels)...they're never as good as the first book, are they?"
They certainly can be, and this book is no exception. A lot depends on how the reader perceived the first book. The Sequel can be read as a standalone, but I would highly recommend reading the first book in the series, The Plot, first.
This isn't the type of book to hurry through or skim. To truly appreciate this book, readers need to pay close attention as they wade through the many different characters, as well as a maze of deceit and murder.
The author gives her readers an inside look into the business of writing and publishing which any reader or bibliophile will find interesting. However, that is simply the conduit for this remarkable follow-up to The Plot. This story picks up from where the shocking ending to the last book left off. Stop here if you are going to read the other book first. 🛑
Anna Williams-Bonner sets out on her own journey as a celebrated novelist. We learn a lot more about Anna's childhood traumas and the motivations for many of her past actions and those yet to come. As she tours the country touting her new book and keeping Jake's celebrity alive (which means more royalties for her) she receives mysterious clues from an unknow person who may know too much about Anna and her past history. Will Anna soon be getting her comeuppance?
Bodies begin to pile up and lies are waist deep. I think that Anna Williams-Bonner ranks near the top with other sociopathic killer characters, such as Hannibal Lecter and a few others from Stephen King novels. She is cool, calm, collected, and surprisingly somewhat easy to like. Where does all of it lead? You will have to read this great suspenseful thriller to find out. Could there possibly be an actual "Afterword" or "Epilogue"? I will be on pins and needles waiting to find out.
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
They certainly can be, and this book is no exception. A lot depends on how the reader perceived the first book. The Sequel can be read as a standalone, but I would highly recommend reading the first book in the series, The Plot, first.
This isn't the type of book to hurry through or skim. To truly appreciate this book, readers need to pay close attention as they wade through the many different characters, as well as a maze of deceit and murder.
The author gives her readers an inside look into the business of writing and publishing which any reader or bibliophile will find interesting. However, that is simply the conduit for this remarkable follow-up to The Plot. This story picks up from where the shocking ending to the last book left off. Stop here if you are going to read the other book first. 🛑
Anna Williams-Bonner sets out on her own journey as a celebrated novelist. We learn a lot more about Anna's childhood traumas and the motivations for many of her past actions and those yet to come. As she tours the country touting her new book and keeping Jake's celebrity alive (which means more royalties for her) she receives mysterious clues from an unknow person who may know too much about Anna and her past history. Will Anna soon be getting her comeuppance?
Bodies begin to pile up and lies are waist deep. I think that Anna Williams-Bonner ranks near the top with other sociopathic killer characters, such as Hannibal Lecter and a few others from Stephen King novels. She is cool, calm, collected, and surprisingly somewhat easy to like. Where does all of it lead? You will have to read this great suspenseful thriller to find out. Could there possibly be an actual "Afterword" or "Epilogue"? I will be on pins and needles waiting to find out.
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
December 5, 2024
I can't help but to think that this is a sequel that shouldn't have been written. The Plot was an outstanding book and this follow up is shoddy in comparison.
Korelitz is an immensely talented writer but she went overboard here with her verbose rambling. I honestly didn't think this book would ever end. If you're a reader that likes a quick pace and short chapters then this book is definitely not for you. This was an absolute slog to wade through.
A quick re-cap of the plot to The Sequel:
Anna Williams Bonner, widow of world famous author, Jacob Finch Bonner, has penned her own wildly successful debut novel. Like in The Plot where Jacob was harassed, stalked, and accused of plagiarism, Anna now finds herself in the same situation. She begins receiving anonymous letters accusing her of what exactly? You'll have to read this to find out.
Or just skip this altogether.
The problem I had with this book was that I just didn't find Anna all that interesting. For the first 1/3 I didn't mind her but after awhile I just wanted to tell this woman to shut up, get over it, and no one cares least of all me. That's due to this entire novel being inside Anna's head with all her snarky and murderous thoughts with very little dialogue with any other characters. I usually love a snarky character but Anna is very dry and boring.
The rehashing of her brothers book and long winded excerpts of it bored me to tears. I skipped all of those sections. 🥱
Not to mention that Anna can outsmart anyone. She murders time and time again and no one is none the wiser. Outrageous and unbelievable is putting it mildly. And then it concludes with a most unsatisfying ending making me regret my choice to download this.
Korelitz does leave the possibility to revisit Anna in the future but you couldn't pay me to spend another minute with this miserable woman. 2 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for my complimentary copy.
Korelitz is an immensely talented writer but she went overboard here with her verbose rambling. I honestly didn't think this book would ever end. If you're a reader that likes a quick pace and short chapters then this book is definitely not for you. This was an absolute slog to wade through.
A quick re-cap of the plot to The Sequel:
Anna Williams Bonner, widow of world famous author, Jacob Finch Bonner, has penned her own wildly successful debut novel. Like in The Plot where Jacob was harassed, stalked, and accused of plagiarism, Anna now finds herself in the same situation. She begins receiving anonymous letters accusing her of what exactly? You'll have to read this to find out.
Or just skip this altogether.
The problem I had with this book was that I just didn't find Anna all that interesting. For the first 1/3 I didn't mind her but after awhile I just wanted to tell this woman to shut up, get over it, and no one cares least of all me. That's due to this entire novel being inside Anna's head with all her snarky and murderous thoughts with very little dialogue with any other characters. I usually love a snarky character but Anna is very dry and boring.
The rehashing of her brothers book and long winded excerpts of it bored me to tears. I skipped all of those sections. 🥱
Not to mention that Anna can outsmart anyone. She murders time and time again and no one is none the wiser. Outrageous and unbelievable is putting it mildly. And then it concludes with a most unsatisfying ending making me regret my choice to download this.
Korelitz does leave the possibility to revisit Anna in the future but you couldn't pay me to spend another minute with this miserable woman. 2 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for my complimentary copy.
October 29, 2024
EXCERPT: 'But . . . this is terrible,' Anna said. She was beginning to feel distinctly unwell.
'Yeah. It said the person Jake stole it from was dead, but he finished most of his novel before he died.'
'As opposed to after he died?' said Matilda with abundant sarcasm. 'Well, at least we're not dealing with somebody who's channeling a dead novelist. That is so not on my bucket list. And also: Most of a novel? This is one of the most elastic words I've ever encountered. You know how many times I've asked an author how much of their book is finished? 'Most of it!''
'Well, that's what it said.'
Matilda extracted an oyster from the uppermost tier, put it on her own plate, and seemed to lose interest in it.
'And the manuscript excerpt that came with the cover letter?' Anna asked. 'It was part of this mostly finished book?'
'Well, so I assume. A section of the theoretical masterpiece that Jake supposedly stole Crib from.' She rolled her eyes.
Anna was feeling it now, the dread. It had begun at the back of her throat and was pulsing its way through her, electric and dull.
'And . . . was it a masterpiece?' she heard herself ask.
The two of them looked at each other.
'It wasn't terrible,' said Matilda, who had apparently seen it, too. 'The writing was competent. But I think I speak for both of us when I say we don't care about the writing. We care that it was sent to Macmillan with a cover letter accusing our late author of plagiarism. Well, maybe 'care' isn't the right word. I'm so completely pissed that we have to deal with this again.'
ABOUT 'THE SEQUEL': Anna Williams-Bonner has taken care of business—that is to say, she’s taken care of her husband, bestselling novelist Jacob Finch Bonner, and laid to rest those anonymous accusations of plagiarism that so tormented him. Now she is living the contented life of a literary widow, enjoying her husband’s royalty checks in perpetuity, but for the second time in her life, a work of fiction intercedes, and this time it’s her own debut novel, The Afterword. After all, how hard can it really be to write a universally lauded bestseller?
But when Anna publishes her book and indulges in her own literary acclaim, she begins to receive excerpts of a novel she never expected to see again, a novel that should no longer exist. Something has gone wrong, and someone out there knows far too much: about her late brother, her late husband, and just possibly... about Anna herself. What does this person want, and what are they prepared to do? She has come too far, and worked too hard, to lose what she values most: the sole and uncontested right to her own story—and she is, by any standard, a master storyteller.
MY THOUGHTS: I liked The Plot, but didn't love it. The Sequel I love 💖 But please be aware you do need to read The Plot prior to reading The Sequel.
Anna is the focus of The Sequel. Although I knew she was rotten to the core, I couldn't help rooting for her! She is a psychopath through and through. She has zero conscience and is able to blend beautifully into society, playing the grieving widow with aplomb, manipulating and playing to her own advantage everyone she comes in contact with.
She has left her past behind her, she likes her new life; but it seems she hasn't been quite as thorough as she thought in eliminating threats to her future. They just keep on coming . . .
The Sequel had me on the edge of my seat as Anna dealt with the threats in Anna's own unique style.
I sincerely hope we haven't seen the last of Anna.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.6
#TheSequel #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: Jean Hanff Korelitz was born to Jewish parents and raised in New York City. While living in England, Korelitz met Irish poet, Paul Muldoon. They married, have two children and reside in Korelitz's native New York City.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Faber and Faber Ltd via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Sequel by Jean Hanff Korelitz for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
'Yeah. It said the person Jake stole it from was dead, but he finished most of his novel before he died.'
'As opposed to after he died?' said Matilda with abundant sarcasm. 'Well, at least we're not dealing with somebody who's channeling a dead novelist. That is so not on my bucket list. And also: Most of a novel? This is one of the most elastic words I've ever encountered. You know how many times I've asked an author how much of their book is finished? 'Most of it!''
'Well, that's what it said.'
Matilda extracted an oyster from the uppermost tier, put it on her own plate, and seemed to lose interest in it.
'And the manuscript excerpt that came with the cover letter?' Anna asked. 'It was part of this mostly finished book?'
'Well, so I assume. A section of the theoretical masterpiece that Jake supposedly stole Crib from.' She rolled her eyes.
Anna was feeling it now, the dread. It had begun at the back of her throat and was pulsing its way through her, electric and dull.
'And . . . was it a masterpiece?' she heard herself ask.
The two of them looked at each other.
'It wasn't terrible,' said Matilda, who had apparently seen it, too. 'The writing was competent. But I think I speak for both of us when I say we don't care about the writing. We care that it was sent to Macmillan with a cover letter accusing our late author of plagiarism. Well, maybe 'care' isn't the right word. I'm so completely pissed that we have to deal with this again.'
ABOUT 'THE SEQUEL': Anna Williams-Bonner has taken care of business—that is to say, she’s taken care of her husband, bestselling novelist Jacob Finch Bonner, and laid to rest those anonymous accusations of plagiarism that so tormented him. Now she is living the contented life of a literary widow, enjoying her husband’s royalty checks in perpetuity, but for the second time in her life, a work of fiction intercedes, and this time it’s her own debut novel, The Afterword. After all, how hard can it really be to write a universally lauded bestseller?
But when Anna publishes her book and indulges in her own literary acclaim, she begins to receive excerpts of a novel she never expected to see again, a novel that should no longer exist. Something has gone wrong, and someone out there knows far too much: about her late brother, her late husband, and just possibly... about Anna herself. What does this person want, and what are they prepared to do? She has come too far, and worked too hard, to lose what she values most: the sole and uncontested right to her own story—and she is, by any standard, a master storyteller.
MY THOUGHTS: I liked The Plot, but didn't love it. The Sequel I love 💖 But please be aware you do need to read The Plot prior to reading The Sequel.
Anna is the focus of The Sequel. Although I knew she was rotten to the core, I couldn't help rooting for her! She is a psychopath through and through. She has zero conscience and is able to blend beautifully into society, playing the grieving widow with aplomb, manipulating and playing to her own advantage everyone she comes in contact with.
She has left her past behind her, she likes her new life; but it seems she hasn't been quite as thorough as she thought in eliminating threats to her future. They just keep on coming . . .
The Sequel had me on the edge of my seat as Anna dealt with the threats in Anna's own unique style.
I sincerely hope we haven't seen the last of Anna.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.6
#TheSequel #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: Jean Hanff Korelitz was born to Jewish parents and raised in New York City. While living in England, Korelitz met Irish poet, Paul Muldoon. They married, have two children and reside in Korelitz's native New York City.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Faber and Faber Ltd via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Sequel by Jean Hanff Korelitz for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
August 11, 2024
(4.5 stars)
Well, that was twisty! The Sequel could be read as a standalone, but If you haven’t read The Plot already, I’d advise you to do so, for maximum enjoyment of this book.
I don’t want to give much away so I won’t go into details about the plot of this excellent book. There’s a lot to love about it for book lovers, a sort of “inside baseball” look at publishing today, including book tours, book signings and more. In the future, I’ll make sure not to behave like some of the people at book signings do in this story!
The main character(s) in The Sequel are rather unlikeable, and yet somehow, I wound up rooting for Anna somewhat. It felt odd to do so since she was a pretty terrible person.
I loved how each chapter is the title of a well-known sequel, such as: The Testaments, sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale, or Bring Up The Bodies, sequel to Wolf Hall. That was a fun touch.
I bounced between the audiobook and the ebook for this title, which was very convenient, and allowed me to continue with the story even when I could not sit down and read - or when I could not listen. I wound up mostly listening, because Julia Whelan is such a fabulous narrator.
Thank you to Celadon Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book and to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
Well, that was twisty! The Sequel could be read as a standalone, but If you haven’t read The Plot already, I’d advise you to do so, for maximum enjoyment of this book.
I don’t want to give much away so I won’t go into details about the plot of this excellent book. There’s a lot to love about it for book lovers, a sort of “inside baseball” look at publishing today, including book tours, book signings and more. In the future, I’ll make sure not to behave like some of the people at book signings do in this story!
The main character(s) in The Sequel are rather unlikeable, and yet somehow, I wound up rooting for Anna somewhat. It felt odd to do so since she was a pretty terrible person.
I loved how each chapter is the title of a well-known sequel, such as: The Testaments, sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale, or Bring Up The Bodies, sequel to Wolf Hall. That was a fun touch.
I bounced between the audiobook and the ebook for this title, which was very convenient, and allowed me to continue with the story even when I could not sit down and read - or when I could not listen. I wound up mostly listening, because Julia Whelan is such a fabulous narrator.
Thank you to Celadon Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book and to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
October 1, 2024
Update 10/1/24: Reposting my review to celebrate that today is publication day!
Thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books and Macmillan Audio for sending me an ARC of The Sequel in exchange for an honest review.
The Sequel is the sequel to The Plot, so if you haven’t read that book, STOP reading this review or you’re going to get spoiled on that book.
Last chance …. 😄
The Sequel is told from Anna’s perspective, Jake being unavailable and all. The story pretty much picks up where The Plot left off. Anna decides to write a novel based on her experiences as the widow of a novelist who committed suicide after facing anonymous online attacks. Her novel is a critical and commercial success. But on her book tour, just like her husband Jake, Anna begins receiving messages referring to Evan Parker, and implying that Jake did not write his bestselling novel. Then she begins receiving pages from Evan’s draft novel, a novel that Anna thought she had wiped from the earth. So Anna begins a journey much like her late husband’s, sifting through his past to try to find who is sending out these pages, all the while trying to decide if this person knows Jake’s secrets, or hers ….
I loved The Plot—loved the characters, the twist, and the ending—but when I’d finished reading it, I did not expect a sequel. So I went into The Sequel uncertain what to expect and whether it would feel necessary and organic. I did not expect what I got here, but that’s not a bad thing at all. At the end of The Plot, Anna seemed like a perfect antihero, the monster hiding in plain sight, literally getting away with murder(s). In The Sequel, Anna is made human again, still a sociopath, but a vulnerable one. She’s uncertain. She makes mistakes. The story here takes everyone back through the events of The Plot, but we see them from Anna’s perspective, learn more of her backstory and what truly happened, and see how the choices she made then are impacting her now.
The Sequel deliberately leans into its status as a sequel. Every chapter title is the name of a literary sequel. But the story is an uncommon version of a sequel, going back through the events of The Plot, deconstructing them, and building a new suspense story on the bones of the original. And it was a very interesting choice by Ms. Korelitz to pull back the curtain on Anna, to strip her of her seeming invincibility and see if she can once again escape the consequences of her actions. Recommended for everyone who read The Plot, and I especially recommend the audiobook performed by Julia Whalen, who is simply the best audiobook performer working today.
Anna frowned. “You mean, like … a sequel? Is that really a good idea?”
“Sequels can be very enticing when the initial book has done well. Readers want to know what happens to a character they’ve connected with.”
“But they’re never as good as the first book, are they?”
Matilda seemed to give this real consideration. “I’m sure some are. Or at least … as good.”
…
She could not and would not do what her late husband had done when faced with a similar threat, namely shove her head into the sand and hope that it would all, somehow, cease to exist. It would not cease to exist. This person or persons, whoever they were, meant business, and it was Anna’s burden, now, to discover the nature of that business and shut it down: decisively, permanently, and, if necessary, with the kind of extreme prejudice she had become pretty well known for, if only to herself.
Thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books and Macmillan Audio for sending me an ARC of The Sequel in exchange for an honest review.
The Sequel is the sequel to The Plot, so if you haven’t read that book, STOP reading this review or you’re going to get spoiled on that book.
Last chance …. 😄
The Sequel is told from Anna’s perspective, Jake being unavailable and all. The story pretty much picks up where The Plot left off. Anna decides to write a novel based on her experiences as the widow of a novelist who committed suicide after facing anonymous online attacks. Her novel is a critical and commercial success. But on her book tour, just like her husband Jake, Anna begins receiving messages referring to Evan Parker, and implying that Jake did not write his bestselling novel. Then she begins receiving pages from Evan’s draft novel, a novel that Anna thought she had wiped from the earth. So Anna begins a journey much like her late husband’s, sifting through his past to try to find who is sending out these pages, all the while trying to decide if this person knows Jake’s secrets, or hers ….
I loved The Plot—loved the characters, the twist, and the ending—but when I’d finished reading it, I did not expect a sequel. So I went into The Sequel uncertain what to expect and whether it would feel necessary and organic. I did not expect what I got here, but that’s not a bad thing at all. At the end of The Plot, Anna seemed like a perfect antihero, the monster hiding in plain sight, literally getting away with murder(s). In The Sequel, Anna is made human again, still a sociopath, but a vulnerable one. She’s uncertain. She makes mistakes. The story here takes everyone back through the events of The Plot, but we see them from Anna’s perspective, learn more of her backstory and what truly happened, and see how the choices she made then are impacting her now.
The Sequel deliberately leans into its status as a sequel. Every chapter title is the name of a literary sequel. But the story is an uncommon version of a sequel, going back through the events of The Plot, deconstructing them, and building a new suspense story on the bones of the original. And it was a very interesting choice by Ms. Korelitz to pull back the curtain on Anna, to strip her of her seeming invincibility and see if she can once again escape the consequences of her actions. Recommended for everyone who read The Plot, and I especially recommend the audiobook performed by Julia Whalen, who is simply the best audiobook performer working today.
October 4, 2024
the setup…
Anna Williams-Bonner is the widow of Jacob Finch Bonner, the bestselling novelist of the book Crib and as his executor, launches his next novel posthumously. As it also becomes a hit, she stands in for him on tours to promote the novel. It’s during one of these events that she gets the idea to write her own book. The Afterword is a success but as she goes on tour to promote it, Anna begins receiving cryptic notes and excerpts from the book that Jake used to plagiarize his own. It’s stunning as Anna knew it shouldn’t exist. Her quest to find out who’s behind this and what they want sets her on a journey back into her own murky past.
the heart of the story…
I strongly recommend you read the first book before delving into this one. While the author satisfactorily provides enough background, it still was extremely helpful in understanding why the sudden emergence of these excerpts is so shocking and to really know Anna and why this is so threatening. I had a completely different opinion of her that slowly evolved as her truths were revealed. I was strangely drawn to this woman, kinda rooting for her, as she investigated her own past and that of her brother’s, dealing with people who had their own agenda.
the narration…
Julia Whelan was the ideal choice to tell this story! Anna is complex and she captured the essence of this woman perfectly. And of course the storytelling is outstanding.
the bottom line…
I was excited when I learned about this story, believing we’d heard the last of Anna, even though I’d wanted more. This delivered on my expectations, surpassing them. It’s hard to make an unpopular character sympathetic but the impossible happened for me. I was fascinated by the woman, her extraordinary past and quest to just lay claim to a story that was her rightful own. 4.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Anna Williams-Bonner is the widow of Jacob Finch Bonner, the bestselling novelist of the book Crib and as his executor, launches his next novel posthumously. As it also becomes a hit, she stands in for him on tours to promote the novel. It’s during one of these events that she gets the idea to write her own book. The Afterword is a success but as she goes on tour to promote it, Anna begins receiving cryptic notes and excerpts from the book that Jake used to plagiarize his own. It’s stunning as Anna knew it shouldn’t exist. Her quest to find out who’s behind this and what they want sets her on a journey back into her own murky past.
the heart of the story…
I strongly recommend you read the first book before delving into this one. While the author satisfactorily provides enough background, it still was extremely helpful in understanding why the sudden emergence of these excerpts is so shocking and to really know Anna and why this is so threatening. I had a completely different opinion of her that slowly evolved as her truths were revealed. I was strangely drawn to this woman, kinda rooting for her, as she investigated her own past and that of her brother’s, dealing with people who had their own agenda.
the narration…
Julia Whelan was the ideal choice to tell this story! Anna is complex and she captured the essence of this woman perfectly. And of course the storytelling is outstanding.
the bottom line…
I was excited when I learned about this story, believing we’d heard the last of Anna, even though I’d wanted more. This delivered on my expectations, surpassing them. It’s hard to make an unpopular character sympathetic but the impossible happened for me. I was fascinated by the woman, her extraordinary past and quest to just lay claim to a story that was her rightful own. 4.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
March 16, 2025
Fans of The Plot (2021) will recall the shock conclusion which left us all stunned, mouths agape. The Sequel (2024) picks up where the other left off. Much of the drama and character interactions are beat for beat with the first book, yet—thanks to a new protagonist—are different enough to be just as enjoyable.
The signature difference is that The Plot dealt with the grind and agony of being a talented but unsuccessful writer. The mystery was good, but what we really loved were the character rhapsodies on bookish/writerly life. The Sequel retains this attribute, but manages to focus more on success, publishers, signing events, and the all-too-real annoyance of some authors scoring success without any of the hardship. Again, it's great to see what mischief these characters get into, but what we really love is all that inner monologue.
Like most sequels, there's a desire to crank up the action. Arguably mayhem reaches zany levels, especially toward the end. But I love zany so I'm not complaining. In fact, I almost wish it'd got even crazier. Maybe that's being saved for a third book titled "The Trilogy"? One can hope!
Korelitz is not only a great storyteller but an author whose actual writing is a joy to read. It's not imposing or flowery, just really, really smart and well-done. I'm a fan and, whether or not a third book might be in the pipeline, I'll definitely be reading more of her books!
The signature difference is that The Plot dealt with the grind and agony of being a talented but unsuccessful writer. The mystery was good, but what we really loved were the character rhapsodies on bookish/writerly life. The Sequel retains this attribute, but manages to focus more on success, publishers, signing events, and the all-too-real annoyance of some authors scoring success without any of the hardship. Again, it's great to see what mischief these characters get into, but what we really love is all that inner monologue.
Like most sequels, there's a desire to crank up the action. Arguably mayhem reaches zany levels, especially toward the end. But I love zany so I'm not complaining. In fact, I almost wish it'd got even crazier. Maybe that's being saved for a third book titled "The Trilogy"? One can hope!
Korelitz is not only a great storyteller but an author whose actual writing is a joy to read. It's not imposing or flowery, just really, really smart and well-done. I'm a fan and, whether or not a third book might be in the pipeline, I'll definitely be reading more of her books!
February 19, 2025
Literary widow Anna Williams-Bonner decides to write her own bestseller, and wouldn’t you know it, it’s just that easy to write an acclaimed commercial novel, even when you’ve never written a word of fiction in your life, and soon she’s as famous and wealthy as her late husband! But oh no someone knows her secret - what’s she gonna dooo…
Fuck me this is an awful book, even by the low standards of airport fiction, which is basically the genre books like these fall into. I thought it was a clever idea to title a sequel “The Sequel” and I liked the cover design which fills in the blank on the cover of the first book - that’s all the praise I’ll give this because this is the most pointless novel.
Precious little happens in the entirety of the feeble story. Jean Hanff Korelitz tediously recounts everything that happened in the first book in case you forgot it. Which might be useful for those who read The Plot in 2021 and needed brushing up (or maybe you didn’t need it and remembered it well enough?) but for someone who just read The Plot, it was excruciatingly boring to wade through once again.
Worse, Korelitz goes back and unnecessarily fills in the blanks of the first book because she has so little to offer in this new book. Scenes like how Anna got pregnant in the first place or exactly how her brother died are so superfluous but we get them in needlessly drawn-out detail anyway. Ugh.
Even simple scenes like Anna finding out that someone’s been mailing her in-laws or publisher extracts from her brother’s novels take an age to get through - ten pages of waffle to find this out, and this happens constantly throughout. Pages and pages of rubbish - then an obvious decision is made or a non-surprise is revealed. Rinse and repeat to test your audience’s dwindling patience.
Very occasionally Anna fixes the wagon of someone she thinks is a threat to her but these scenes are nothing more than an underwhelming conclusion to an extended sequence of uninteresting blah with the dreariest characters. Far from being the female Tom Ripley, which I believe is what Korelitz is shooting for, Anna is simply a bore. This is the furthest thing from a thriller you can get.
I absolutely hated The Sequel. Barely anything happens and what does is a waste of time - you honestly don’t need to read this if you’ve read The Plot. The Plot is a perfectly contained novel and didn’t need a sequel (or, god help us, another book). The Sequel adds nothing to the first book. Utter drek - do not bother.
Fuck me this is an awful book, even by the low standards of airport fiction, which is basically the genre books like these fall into. I thought it was a clever idea to title a sequel “The Sequel” and I liked the cover design which fills in the blank on the cover of the first book - that’s all the praise I’ll give this because this is the most pointless novel.
Precious little happens in the entirety of the feeble story. Jean Hanff Korelitz tediously recounts everything that happened in the first book in case you forgot it. Which might be useful for those who read The Plot in 2021 and needed brushing up (or maybe you didn’t need it and remembered it well enough?) but for someone who just read The Plot, it was excruciatingly boring to wade through once again.
Worse, Korelitz goes back and unnecessarily fills in the blanks of the first book because she has so little to offer in this new book. Scenes like how Anna got pregnant in the first place or exactly how her brother died are so superfluous but we get them in needlessly drawn-out detail anyway. Ugh.
Even simple scenes like Anna finding out that someone’s been mailing her in-laws or publisher extracts from her brother’s novels take an age to get through - ten pages of waffle to find this out, and this happens constantly throughout. Pages and pages of rubbish - then an obvious decision is made or a non-surprise is revealed. Rinse and repeat to test your audience’s dwindling patience.
Very occasionally Anna fixes the wagon of someone she thinks is a threat to her but these scenes are nothing more than an underwhelming conclusion to an extended sequence of uninteresting blah with the dreariest characters. Far from being the female Tom Ripley, which I believe is what Korelitz is shooting for, Anna is simply a bore. This is the furthest thing from a thriller you can get.
I absolutely hated The Sequel. Barely anything happens and what does is a waste of time - you honestly don’t need to read this if you’ve read The Plot. The Plot is a perfectly contained novel and didn’t need a sequel (or, god help us, another book). The Sequel adds nothing to the first book. Utter drek - do not bother.
December 1, 2024
**Many thanks to @CeladonBooks and Jean Hanff Korelitz for an ARC of this book!**
"I never actually plan sequels. They demand to be done." - Ellen Hopkins
On the contrary, Anna Finch-Bonner NEVER thought she'd be asked to step into the shoes of a 'literary genius'...but the public just won't let her husband's legacy go. After the untimely death of her husband Jacob Finch-Bonner, an aspiring author whose career was just getting started (thanks to an act of literary thievery) Anna's carefully crafted plan to keep Jacob's secret safe, even after his death, seems to be working, and as the royalty checks just keep coming, Anna truly thinks she has all of her bases covered...and it's time to live the high life.
Fresh off of this success, the public is now eager to hear more...this time, from Anna herself. Anna preens, thinking she's more than up to the challenge...after all, it wasn't so hard the first time...right? But once she turns in her new smash novel, a chance meeting at a literary event brings a dark secret from ANNA'S past to light...and it's her turn to hit the panic button. Can she figure out who knows her true identity, how much they know, and stop the new perpetrator in their tracks before they 'spoil the plot'? Or does this mysterious figure have their own 'Sequel' in mind...one where Anna's fate mirrors her husband's deadly demise?
Although it seems like a pretty obvious tip, you NEED to read The Plot before reading this book. This book in no way functions as an effective standalone, and to be honest, I almost wish I'd taken the time to re-read its predecessor before diving into this effort. From characters to plot points, SO much is referenced in a vague or sort of assumptive way that there isn't much opportunity for you as a reader to fill in the blanks without the FACTS. You NEED to know Anna inside and out, and to miss the first half of her 'journey' (which is essential to the backstory of book two) is to do yourself a disservice.
Aside from that, reading the Plot before reading The Sequel will introduce you to the author's style, substance, and focus. But oddly enough, there is a downside to this as well; reading this book is going to feel like watching a bad adaptation of a novel you truly loved. There's enough familiarity to make it FEEL like the same property...but enough is lacking to remind you that (surprise, surprise) the FIRST one was better.
This isn't to say that Korelitz didn't try to inject some new life, new flair, along with her signature panache into this property. Using names of other Sequels as chapter titles? Brilliant. Her Literary Largesse shone once again, through her quippy, frank narration and subtle bits of observational humor sprinkled in along the way. In fact, that's the secret sauce that makes the FIRST part of this book so entertaining: Korelitz's thinly veiled snark about the publishing world, and the 'insider' feel of the narrative is part of what draws you the reader into Anna's inner world. No publisher is too big (or too small) to escape her scrutiny and gentle pokes, and the character of Anna's literary agent in particular is pretty tongue-in-cheek. In this way, I could see why the author chose to continue in the vein of the Plot: this sort of satirical reflection must have been VERY fun to write...who WOULD want it to end?
But unfortunately, what the Plot had going for it in, well, Plot...the Sequel just did not. Contrary to book one, whose main premise and evil plot become very clear (and were fairly linear), following the long trajectory of this twisty tale takes a LOT of energy...and a passion for minutiae from Anna's past that I just couldn't muster. The overall plot is not only overly convoluted, but it almost just feels like a lengthier rehashing of the denouement of book one, with every possible skeleton in Anna's closet popping out for a visit. The literary satire bent is all but over by 50% of the way through the narrative, so expect the laughs to dissipate at that point...and your joy to slowly dissipate along with it.
Instead, we are forced to revisit Anna's trauma through lengthy stories from her past (not to mention excerpts of the resurfaced manuscript...which were boring to put it mildly 🥱) and I found myself putting down the book for weeks without feeling the urgent need to watch all of the puzzle pieces lock into place. Everything that made the second act of The Plot so exciting, intense, and devious was missing here: rather than a popcorn-worthy, splashy finale, it was more like a rock plopping into the bottom of the lake with a 'thud' instead of skipping masterfully along. I understand the WHY when it came to the Sequel...but I'm still sort of lost as to the WHAT Korelitz wanted to leave her readers pondering. (And please, I hope it isn't a book three...I think it's time to 'start the next chapter,' to put it mildly.) 😣
And I think despite perhaps her best intentions and some effortlessly clever and interesting writing, when it comes to this particular second installment, I find myself agreeing with Andrew Stanton: "I'm not anti-sequel, but I just feel like there are very few ideas that are meant to be continued."
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4
#CeladonReads #thesequelbook #partner
"I never actually plan sequels. They demand to be done." - Ellen Hopkins
On the contrary, Anna Finch-Bonner NEVER thought she'd be asked to step into the shoes of a 'literary genius'...but the public just won't let her husband's legacy go. After the untimely death of her husband Jacob Finch-Bonner, an aspiring author whose career was just getting started (thanks to an act of literary thievery) Anna's carefully crafted plan to keep Jacob's secret safe, even after his death, seems to be working, and as the royalty checks just keep coming, Anna truly thinks she has all of her bases covered...and it's time to live the high life.
Fresh off of this success, the public is now eager to hear more...this time, from Anna herself. Anna preens, thinking she's more than up to the challenge...after all, it wasn't so hard the first time...right? But once she turns in her new smash novel, a chance meeting at a literary event brings a dark secret from ANNA'S past to light...and it's her turn to hit the panic button. Can she figure out who knows her true identity, how much they know, and stop the new perpetrator in their tracks before they 'spoil the plot'? Or does this mysterious figure have their own 'Sequel' in mind...one where Anna's fate mirrors her husband's deadly demise?
Although it seems like a pretty obvious tip, you NEED to read The Plot before reading this book. This book in no way functions as an effective standalone, and to be honest, I almost wish I'd taken the time to re-read its predecessor before diving into this effort. From characters to plot points, SO much is referenced in a vague or sort of assumptive way that there isn't much opportunity for you as a reader to fill in the blanks without the FACTS. You NEED to know Anna inside and out, and to miss the first half of her 'journey' (which is essential to the backstory of book two) is to do yourself a disservice.
Aside from that, reading the Plot before reading The Sequel will introduce you to the author's style, substance, and focus. But oddly enough, there is a downside to this as well; reading this book is going to feel like watching a bad adaptation of a novel you truly loved. There's enough familiarity to make it FEEL like the same property...but enough is lacking to remind you that (surprise, surprise) the FIRST one was better.
This isn't to say that Korelitz didn't try to inject some new life, new flair, along with her signature panache into this property. Using names of other Sequels as chapter titles? Brilliant. Her Literary Largesse shone once again, through her quippy, frank narration and subtle bits of observational humor sprinkled in along the way. In fact, that's the secret sauce that makes the FIRST part of this book so entertaining: Korelitz's thinly veiled snark about the publishing world, and the 'insider' feel of the narrative is part of what draws you the reader into Anna's inner world. No publisher is too big (or too small) to escape her scrutiny and gentle pokes, and the character of Anna's literary agent in particular is pretty tongue-in-cheek. In this way, I could see why the author chose to continue in the vein of the Plot: this sort of satirical reflection must have been VERY fun to write...who WOULD want it to end?
But unfortunately, what the Plot had going for it in, well, Plot...the Sequel just did not. Contrary to book one, whose main premise and evil plot become very clear (and were fairly linear), following the long trajectory of this twisty tale takes a LOT of energy...and a passion for minutiae from Anna's past that I just couldn't muster. The overall plot is not only overly convoluted, but it almost just feels like a lengthier rehashing of the denouement of book one, with every possible skeleton in Anna's closet popping out for a visit. The literary satire bent is all but over by 50% of the way through the narrative, so expect the laughs to dissipate at that point...and your joy to slowly dissipate along with it.
Instead, we are forced to revisit Anna's trauma through lengthy stories from her past (not to mention excerpts of the resurfaced manuscript...which were boring to put it mildly 🥱) and I found myself putting down the book for weeks without feeling the urgent need to watch all of the puzzle pieces lock into place. Everything that made the second act of The Plot so exciting, intense, and devious was missing here: rather than a popcorn-worthy, splashy finale, it was more like a rock plopping into the bottom of the lake with a 'thud' instead of skipping masterfully along. I understand the WHY when it came to the Sequel...but I'm still sort of lost as to the WHAT Korelitz wanted to leave her readers pondering. (And please, I hope it isn't a book three...I think it's time to 'start the next chapter,' to put it mildly.) 😣
And I think despite perhaps her best intentions and some effortlessly clever and interesting writing, when it comes to this particular second installment, I find myself agreeing with Andrew Stanton: "I'm not anti-sequel, but I just feel like there are very few ideas that are meant to be continued."
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4
#CeladonReads #thesequelbook #partner
October 24, 2024
“…what difference did any of it make to how good the books they wrote actually were, or whether a normal person – herself, for example – would even want to read them?”
“The Plot.” Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... “The Sequel.” The Afterward.
As readers we are in the midst of a literary world that isn’t quite as it seems. And, “Anna,” our newly sensational successful author who appears devoid of real feelings and has her own script front that she presents, has a story to tell. Where fact becomes fiction, and what happened in “The Plot” bleeds into “The Sequel” in a way that leaves readers turning pages faster than they can read them.
This book can be read as a stand-alone, but it reads better if you have read “The Plot” first. In “The Plot” the attention is on best-selling author, Jake, best known as Jacob Finch Bonner.
“He was the perfect literary helpmeet: gifted, successful, and deceased.”
In “The Sequel” the attention, spotlight is on his widow, Anna. Now that she has had a chance to make herself known as a worthy writer, she has no room for anyone to change this view. And, thus a dark quest begins.
Who is Anna really?
Pay particular attention to the chapter titles. An explanation is offered at the end of the book, but these titles also give clues of what is to come in each chapter. Thus, making this book, immensely readable, and darkly thrilling.
4.5 stars rounded up
“The Plot.” Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... “The Sequel.” The Afterward.
As readers we are in the midst of a literary world that isn’t quite as it seems. And, “Anna,” our newly sensational successful author who appears devoid of real feelings and has her own script front that she presents, has a story to tell. Where fact becomes fiction, and what happened in “The Plot” bleeds into “The Sequel” in a way that leaves readers turning pages faster than they can read them.
This book can be read as a stand-alone, but it reads better if you have read “The Plot” first. In “The Plot” the attention is on best-selling author, Jake, best known as Jacob Finch Bonner.
“He was the perfect literary helpmeet: gifted, successful, and deceased.”
In “The Sequel” the attention, spotlight is on his widow, Anna. Now that she has had a chance to make herself known as a worthy writer, she has no room for anyone to change this view. And, thus a dark quest begins.
Who is Anna really?
Pay particular attention to the chapter titles. An explanation is offered at the end of the book, but these titles also give clues of what is to come in each chapter. Thus, making this book, immensely readable, and darkly thrilling.
4.5 stars rounded up
January 22, 2025
Rtc
I'm gathering my thoughts, but this wasn't as good as The Plot. I just didn't connect with this book. Maybe it was all the manuscript reading, I'm not sure. It was okay. I finished the book. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either.
I'm gathering my thoughts, but this wasn't as good as The Plot. I just didn't connect with this book. Maybe it was all the manuscript reading, I'm not sure. It was okay. I finished the book. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either.
September 29, 2024
Extending the world of The Plot in an intriguing way, The Sequel focuses on a flawed yet interesting characters. It's a clever, skillfully written, thoroughly detailed book that realistically resolves some gaps and leaves some things unsolved from the first book! It's remarkable that seemingly trivial events and persons from The Plot have significance in The Sequel.
This character is convincing and realistically brought to life by the author. Despite being a complex and dark character, Anna manages to come across as less cruel than she actually is.
To be honest, this author is brilliantly blending the original story into the complex structure that she has amazingly built. I was unable to put this book down. I was captivated by the story's mystery and held on until the stunning conclusion, which was chock-full of unexpected turns that paid off.
This book was also very well written. There is a lot of dark comedy regarding writers, the publishing industry, and sequels. I adored every reference and puns to the sequel book. There were times when I actually started laughing aloud.
I sincerely hope the author keeps this series going because I believe the finale may allow room for a third book!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
This character is convincing and realistically brought to life by the author. Despite being a complex and dark character, Anna manages to come across as less cruel than she actually is.
To be honest, this author is brilliantly blending the original story into the complex structure that she has amazingly built. I was unable to put this book down. I was captivated by the story's mystery and held on until the stunning conclusion, which was chock-full of unexpected turns that paid off.
This book was also very well written. There is a lot of dark comedy regarding writers, the publishing industry, and sequels. I adored every reference and puns to the sequel book. There were times when I actually started laughing aloud.
I sincerely hope the author keeps this series going because I believe the finale may allow room for a third book!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
October 23, 2024
4.5 stars
'Sequels can be very enticing when the initial book has done well. Readers want to know what happens to the characters they've connected with'.
Anna Bonner Williams, tragically found herself the widow of literary wonder Jacob Finch Bonner but managed to articulate her loss in her very own book - now on its way to becoming a best-selling success. Anna may have had a questionable past but life seems to be smooth sailing now - easy even. However, when a mysterious note, with threatening undertones, appears amongst a pile of books to be signed at a book event, Anna's sense of self-preservation kicks into overdrive. As we discover more and more about her dubious background, a thrilling web is spun.
Although you can read The Sequel without having read the first book, The Plot, it's a disservice to the overall story. Too much of The Sequel builds upon a comprehensive understanding of the first book. To that end, giving away details of this book will spoil the first. Suffice to say though, that after drawing you in, there's brief plateau before turning into a wild thriller in the last quarter. I'm so glad I read the two back to back.
'The more she considered it, the more she understood that she'd been making fiction for longer than she'd been writing it, and fiction had taken her far from where she'd begun. She would hardly stop making it now'.
'Sequels can be very enticing when the initial book has done well. Readers want to know what happens to the characters they've connected with'.
Anna Bonner Williams, tragically found herself the widow of literary wonder Jacob Finch Bonner but managed to articulate her loss in her very own book - now on its way to becoming a best-selling success. Anna may have had a questionable past but life seems to be smooth sailing now - easy even. However, when a mysterious note, with threatening undertones, appears amongst a pile of books to be signed at a book event, Anna's sense of self-preservation kicks into overdrive. As we discover more and more about her dubious background, a thrilling web is spun.
Although you can read The Sequel without having read the first book, The Plot, it's a disservice to the overall story. Too much of The Sequel builds upon a comprehensive understanding of the first book. To that end, giving away details of this book will spoil the first. Suffice to say though, that after drawing you in, there's brief plateau before turning into a wild thriller in the last quarter. I'm so glad I read the two back to back.
'The more she considered it, the more she understood that she'd been making fiction for longer than she'd been writing it, and fiction had taken her far from where she'd begun. She would hardly stop making it now'.
October 31, 2024
There will be spoilers in this review if you haven't read The Plot and you need to read The Plot if you want this sequel to make sense.
I'm afraid I'm going against public opinion. For me, this book was just a re-run of the brilliant Plot. Instead of Jake we have his widow, Anna. Anna has written a best seller - because it's clearly easy peasy. Anna is getting notes threatening to expose her husband's plagiarism. Anna is the one who has to go haring around the same places as Jake to find out who is threatening Jake's reputation and therefore her life. But of course Anna has way more to lose because she's the whole reason Crib was written in the first place.
Now, in itself this might be okay. However out of the whole book I think we had the plot of the original novel written by Evan Parker regurgitated (in slightly differing variations) in about 4 or maybe 5 different places by different people. The need for everyone in this seemingly endless novel to explain exactly what they know was clearly some kind of contagious OCD.
By the time I had started skimming through (around two thirds of the way through) I couldn't have cared less what happened to any of the vile characters.
That is how I felt by the end - that we had wandered into fantasy land. Anna barely ate a mouthful of food for about 3 days and yet had the strength to wield a shovel (after digging for hours) to deadly effect, drive up country (1100 miles), and kill again was the most insane denouement.
I don't know whose idea it was to release the same book twice but, for me, it was a waste.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Faber & Faber for the advance review copy. I'm only sorry I didn't love it as much as The Plot.
I'm afraid I'm going against public opinion. For me, this book was just a re-run of the brilliant Plot. Instead of Jake we have his widow, Anna. Anna has written a best seller - because it's clearly easy peasy. Anna is getting notes threatening to expose her husband's plagiarism. Anna is the one who has to go haring around the same places as Jake to find out who is threatening Jake's reputation and therefore her life. But of course Anna has way more to lose because she's the whole reason Crib was written in the first place.
Now, in itself this might be okay. However out of the whole book I think we had the plot of the original novel written by Evan Parker regurgitated (in slightly differing variations) in about 4 or maybe 5 different places by different people. The need for everyone in this seemingly endless novel to explain exactly what they know was clearly some kind of contagious OCD.
By the time I had started skimming through (around two thirds of the way through) I couldn't have cared less what happened to any of the vile characters.
That is how I felt by the end - that we had wandered into fantasy land. Anna barely ate a mouthful of food for about 3 days and yet had the strength to wield a shovel (after digging for hours) to deadly effect, drive up country (1100 miles), and kill again was the most insane denouement.
I don't know whose idea it was to release the same book twice but, for me, it was a waste.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Faber & Faber for the advance review copy. I'm only sorry I didn't love it as much as The Plot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2024
3.5. This book really creeped me out. I mean I can read most horror books, gruesome scenes don’t usually bother me. This book had none of that, but it really bothered me. I think, because it brought home how easily evil can be disguised. The insidious nature of all the acts committed for one persons gain, was beyond appalling.
I guess though this was the authors intent, if so she was successful. What lies behind the mask they present to the public? Makes me wonder.
I guess though this was the authors intent, if so she was successful. What lies behind the mask they present to the public? Makes me wonder.
October 18, 2024
I really enjoyed The Plot, a story about a failing writer who stumbles across and steals a brilliant plot. He’d been teaching an MFA course at a third-rate school and came across this remarkable storyline whilst talking to one of his students. What happens from this point on is convoluted, somewhat predictable, but nonetheless compelling. I ended up disliking the lead character, Jacob Finch Bonner, but really appreciating the well-crafted way the tale had been pieced together.
When I spotted this book, naively, I didn’t initially realise that it would pick up the narrative from pretty much the point where the last book left off. In fact, it’s very much a continuation of the story detailed in the previous book. But this time, we follow Jacob’s wife (now widow), Anna Williams-Bonner, a lady who has literary ambitions of her own. Perhaps she can write a book too, she thinks. It turns out that not only can she write but that her book quickly becomes something of a best seller.
This is a story that readers could potentially take on without having read the first episode – there’s just about enough here to fill in the gaps. But I wouldn’t recommend that. I quickly found that I was referring back to a detailed synopsis of The Plot, a book I read some three years ago. This second episode tells a complex enough tale on its own without adding in a lack of knowledge of the pre-story. I think most readers would get tied up and confused pretty quickly.
I suppose the story here is somewhat repetitive, as Anna takes on all comers in her desire to keep her past a secret. And yet, I enjoyed my time with this ruthless psychopath so much I don’t begrudge the author taking her time in the telling. I grew to like Anna a good deal, despite her obvious flaws. There’s also an interesting and sometimes amusing, sub-narrative here centred on the writing/publishing industry. In a tongue-in-cheek way, she paints both the writers and those that fine tune and (hopefully) publish their efforts in a remarkably poor light.
If I were to be critical, it would be that I feel it could all have been wrapped a bit quicker. But I enjoyed my time with Anna so much I don’t really begrudge the author this indulgence. Also, I can’t emphasise enough that the writing here really is really top-notch.
My thanks to Faber and Faber Ltd for providing a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When I spotted this book, naively, I didn’t initially realise that it would pick up the narrative from pretty much the point where the last book left off. In fact, it’s very much a continuation of the story detailed in the previous book. But this time, we follow Jacob’s wife (now widow), Anna Williams-Bonner, a lady who has literary ambitions of her own. Perhaps she can write a book too, she thinks. It turns out that not only can she write but that her book quickly becomes something of a best seller.
This is a story that readers could potentially take on without having read the first episode – there’s just about enough here to fill in the gaps. But I wouldn’t recommend that. I quickly found that I was referring back to a detailed synopsis of The Plot, a book I read some three years ago. This second episode tells a complex enough tale on its own without adding in a lack of knowledge of the pre-story. I think most readers would get tied up and confused pretty quickly.
I suppose the story here is somewhat repetitive, as Anna takes on all comers in her desire to keep her past a secret. And yet, I enjoyed my time with this ruthless psychopath so much I don’t begrudge the author taking her time in the telling. I grew to like Anna a good deal, despite her obvious flaws. There’s also an interesting and sometimes amusing, sub-narrative here centred on the writing/publishing industry. In a tongue-in-cheek way, she paints both the writers and those that fine tune and (hopefully) publish their efforts in a remarkably poor light.
If I were to be critical, it would be that I feel it could all have been wrapped a bit quicker. But I enjoyed my time with Anna so much I don’t really begrudge the author this indulgence. Also, I can’t emphasise enough that the writing here really is really top-notch.
My thanks to Faber and Faber Ltd for providing a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 10, 2024
3.5 ⭐️s rounded up
100% you should read “The Plot” before reading “The Sequel.” If you’re even considering reading “The Plot,” STOP reading my review. DON’T read the blurb or book jacket. TRUST ME, you don’t want to know what this book is about until AFTER you’ve read “The Plot.”
What you need to know if you read “The Plot” but forgot stuff:
Anna’s late-husband, Jake, stole the idea for his bestselling novel from his former student, Evan, who never published his book because his sister Dianna/Anna killed him and made it look like a suicide. She killed him because Evan’s plot wasn’t fiction, it was based on Anna’s life, and she didn’t want it to come out that she had killed her daughter, Rose, and then assumed Rose’s identity as a college student. And Anna was the one who anonymously threatened to dox Jake over his plagiarized plot and then staged his murder as suicide. Got all that?
Onto “The Sequel”…
Just when Anna thinks she’s gotten away with multiple murders, she receives her own anonymous threat to unearth the skeletons of her past. She’d destroyed Evan’s original manuscript, didn’t she? So how is it coming back to haunt her?
If you thought “The Plot” was a tangled tale of twisty threads… “The Sequel” is a set of Russian nesting dolls made of Silly String. To disentangle and separate the individual strands of this “3-stories-in-one” novel, set your thinking cap to maximum power. Or, just look at my spoiler-free cheat sheet.
Anna’s Identity Guide:
• Anna = Jake’s widow/main character
• Dianna = Anna’s real name/Evan’s sister
• Samantha = Her character’s name in Jake’s novel
• Diandra = Her character’s name in Evan’s manuscript
Rose’s Identity Guide:
• Rose = Anna/Dianna’s daughter
• Maria = Her character in Jake’s novel
• Ruby = Her character in Evan’s manuscript
Anna, Jake’s novel, and Evan’s manuscript each tell a different version of events… I feel almost like I had to set up a Venn Diagram to get to the truth.
Julia Whelan delivers another stellar narration. She could read me the list of ingredients in Pop Tarts and I’d likely be riveted.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
100% you should read “The Plot” before reading “The Sequel.” If you’re even considering reading “The Plot,” STOP reading my review. DON’T read the blurb or book jacket. TRUST ME, you don’t want to know what this book is about until AFTER you’ve read “The Plot.”
What you need to know if you read “The Plot” but forgot stuff:
Anna’s late-husband, Jake, stole the idea for his bestselling novel from his former student, Evan, who never published his book because his sister Dianna/Anna killed him and made it look like a suicide. She killed him because Evan’s plot wasn’t fiction, it was based on Anna’s life, and she didn’t want it to come out that she had killed her daughter, Rose, and then assumed Rose’s identity as a college student. And Anna was the one who anonymously threatened to dox Jake over his plagiarized plot and then staged his murder as suicide. Got all that?
Onto “The Sequel”…
Just when Anna thinks she’s gotten away with multiple murders, she receives her own anonymous threat to unearth the skeletons of her past. She’d destroyed Evan’s original manuscript, didn’t she? So how is it coming back to haunt her?
If you thought “The Plot” was a tangled tale of twisty threads… “The Sequel” is a set of Russian nesting dolls made of Silly String. To disentangle and separate the individual strands of this “3-stories-in-one” novel, set your thinking cap to maximum power. Or, just look at my spoiler-free cheat sheet.
Anna’s Identity Guide:
• Anna = Jake’s widow/main character
• Dianna = Anna’s real name/Evan’s sister
• Samantha = Her character’s name in Jake’s novel
• Diandra = Her character’s name in Evan’s manuscript
Rose’s Identity Guide:
• Rose = Anna/Dianna’s daughter
• Maria = Her character in Jake’s novel
• Ruby = Her character in Evan’s manuscript
Anna, Jake’s novel, and Evan’s manuscript each tell a different version of events… I feel almost like I had to set up a Venn Diagram to get to the truth.
Julia Whelan delivers another stellar narration. She could read me the list of ingredients in Pop Tarts and I’d likely be riveted.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
May 10, 2024
ARC for review. To be published October 1, 2024.
In this sequel to THE PLOT, in the previous book professor Jacob Finch Bonner was accused of plagiarizing his hit book. He has died and his widow, Anna Williams-Bonner is on a publicity tour for his final book.
Then she tries her hand at writing and publishing (and, because of Jacob’s renown, sidesteps any difficulties with getting an agent or publisher) and she is thrilled to receive acclaim for her own book. Then she begins to receive portions of a novel which shouldn’t exist that show that someone has knowledge about her late brother, her husband and likely her.
“First of all, it wasn’t even that hard,” a great first line that is a lovely slap at her late husband and at writers in general…and so reflective of the character that is Anna Williams-Bonner, a woman with interesting motivations. This is a fun read, with lots of good name dropping, and I loved the chapter names. I always enjoy this author when I read her and this is no exception….definitely a worthy sequel. Recommended.
In this sequel to THE PLOT, in the previous book professor Jacob Finch Bonner was accused of plagiarizing his hit book. He has died and his widow, Anna Williams-Bonner is on a publicity tour for his final book.
Then she tries her hand at writing and publishing (and, because of Jacob’s renown, sidesteps any difficulties with getting an agent or publisher) and she is thrilled to receive acclaim for her own book. Then she begins to receive portions of a novel which shouldn’t exist that show that someone has knowledge about her late brother, her husband and likely her.
“First of all, it wasn’t even that hard,” a great first line that is a lovely slap at her late husband and at writers in general…and so reflective of the character that is Anna Williams-Bonner, a woman with interesting motivations. This is a fun read, with lots of good name dropping, and I loved the chapter names. I always enjoy this author when I read her and this is no exception….definitely a worthy sequel. Recommended.
October 2, 2024
Having read and loved this author's previous book The Plot, when I saw the audio of, well, The Sequel, available from NetGalley, I requested it right away. As discussed in the book, as well as being kind of general knowledge, sequels usually aren't as good as the first book, but in this case, I'd call it a dead heat.
Anna Williams Bonner mourns her husband of only 1 year. Jake Bonner was a writer and his last book CRIB was a huge hit. No one can understand why Jake would take his own life after writing such a successful novel. The grieving widow decides to write her own book, The Afterword, about her experience as the wife of a writer and about her shock at what he did. Surprisingly, her book also becomes a big success. As she heads out on book tours of her own, and learns to deal with her new fame and fortune, she receives pages of a manuscript in the mail. A manuscript that is very familiar and should have been wiped off the face of the earth. What is on those pages? Why are they scaring Anna so? You'll have to read this to find out!
I know it's cliche to say a book is un-put down able-but this really was. Well, in my case I did not want stop listening. Julia Whelan is the narrator here and I think her performance was outstanding. The character of Anna is rich and complicated and Julia voiced the hell out of her.
As this mystery unfolds, turns, twists and turns again I was holding on for dear life. Anna's character goes through so much and every single bit of it was deserved. Told in such a way that the truths are dropped like little bombs throughout the narrative, I just found myself thinking WTH about 15 different times. I can't say any more about the plot without spoilers, so I guess I'll wrap it up here.
I can't help but wonder why The Plot hasn't yet been made into a film because I think it could be incredible. As it stands, this book, just like that one, was compelling reading, fast paced, and filled with surprises at every turn. Is it too soon to request the author write another? Please? And as soon as possible? Thank you!
Highly recommended!
*ARC from publisher.
Anna Williams Bonner mourns her husband of only 1 year. Jake Bonner was a writer and his last book CRIB was a huge hit. No one can understand why Jake would take his own life after writing such a successful novel. The grieving widow decides to write her own book, The Afterword, about her experience as the wife of a writer and about her shock at what he did. Surprisingly, her book also becomes a big success. As she heads out on book tours of her own, and learns to deal with her new fame and fortune, she receives pages of a manuscript in the mail. A manuscript that is very familiar and should have been wiped off the face of the earth. What is on those pages? Why are they scaring Anna so? You'll have to read this to find out!
I know it's cliche to say a book is un-put down able-but this really was. Well, in my case I did not want stop listening. Julia Whelan is the narrator here and I think her performance was outstanding. The character of Anna is rich and complicated and Julia voiced the hell out of her.
As this mystery unfolds, turns, twists and turns again I was holding on for dear life. Anna's character goes through so much and every single bit of it was deserved. Told in such a way that the truths are dropped like little bombs throughout the narrative, I just found myself thinking WTH about 15 different times. I can't say any more about the plot without spoilers, so I guess I'll wrap it up here.
I can't help but wonder why The Plot hasn't yet been made into a film because I think it could be incredible. As it stands, this book, just like that one, was compelling reading, fast paced, and filled with surprises at every turn. Is it too soon to request the author write another? Please? And as soon as possible? Thank you!
Highly recommended!
*ARC from publisher.
June 2, 2024
Two observations right up front: I will happily read any book this talented author writes (so far, I've read three others). And although this book technically is the (ahem!) sequel to her book, The Plot, it stands on its own quite well - although I highly recommend reading that one just because it's so doggone good.
As this one begins, Jacob Finch Bonner, the primary subject of the previous book, is dead and gone - leaving behind his wife Anna Williams-Bonner. His novel - the one he stole from one of his college students, is hugely successful. Accusations of plagairism that cropped up earlier are a thing of the past, and Anna is looking at a good life thanks to his royalty checks. When she was casually asked what she'll do next, though, she joked about plans to write a novel of her own titled The Afterword.
Encouraged by her editor - and her own belief, after watching her husband's efforts, that she's more than up to the task - that joke turns into reality. After very little effort, she's got a best-seller of her own - and a whole lot of new problems. They come in the form of an excerpt from a not-so-different novel - one that doesn't exist, as far as she's concerned. But apparently, she's wrong; and with the pages come threats of exposure of not only her husband's past transgressions, but (gasp!) of her own.
What to do, what to do? Start following a trail that will lead to the someone who knows too much and seems intent on bringing her down - what else? The rest of the story follows Anna as she sets out on a path - one with plenty of twists, turns and surprises - to right what she considers to be an egregious wrong and get back to the life she believes she deserves. All told, it's a delicious tale and a book I found hard to put down (put another way, wowser!). I heartily thank the publisher for making a pre-release copy available to me to read and review.
As this one begins, Jacob Finch Bonner, the primary subject of the previous book, is dead and gone - leaving behind his wife Anna Williams-Bonner. His novel - the one he stole from one of his college students, is hugely successful. Accusations of plagairism that cropped up earlier are a thing of the past, and Anna is looking at a good life thanks to his royalty checks. When she was casually asked what she'll do next, though, she joked about plans to write a novel of her own titled The Afterword.
Encouraged by her editor - and her own belief, after watching her husband's efforts, that she's more than up to the task - that joke turns into reality. After very little effort, she's got a best-seller of her own - and a whole lot of new problems. They come in the form of an excerpt from a not-so-different novel - one that doesn't exist, as far as she's concerned. But apparently, she's wrong; and with the pages come threats of exposure of not only her husband's past transgressions, but (gasp!) of her own.
What to do, what to do? Start following a trail that will lead to the someone who knows too much and seems intent on bringing her down - what else? The rest of the story follows Anna as she sets out on a path - one with plenty of twists, turns and surprises - to right what she considers to be an egregious wrong and get back to the life she believes she deserves. All told, it's a delicious tale and a book I found hard to put down (put another way, wowser!). I heartily thank the publisher for making a pre-release copy available to me to read and review.
October 1, 2024
If you haven't read The Plot, I suggest starting with it. It will surely enhance your enjoyment of this terrific sequel. In her 2021 novel, Jean Hanff Korelitz tells the tale of Jacob Finch Bonner, a writer who plagiarizes a thriller's plot from a deceased student and claims it as his own, turning it into a best-seller. However, Jacob's success is threatened when rumors of his plagiarism emerge. In The Sequel, Jacob's widow Anna Williams-Bonner carries on his legacy and manages his estate, even hinting at writing her own book. Her novel, The Afterword, quickly becomes a hit. But when Anna receives mysterious excerpts from a manuscript, it becomes apparent that the sender is privy to her true past and hidden secrets.
Kudos to Korelitz for writing such a worthwhile follow-up. After enjoying the first book, I was very excited to find out what was coming next for Anna, a compelling antihero. The Sequel offers a welcome female perspective with some excellent twists. Part thriller, part satire, this book is another winner.
Many thanks to Celadon for the opportunity to read this eagerly awaited book before its release.
Rated 4.5 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
Kudos to Korelitz for writing such a worthwhile follow-up. After enjoying the first book, I was very excited to find out what was coming next for Anna, a compelling antihero. The Sequel offers a welcome female perspective with some excellent twists. Part thriller, part satire, this book is another winner.
Many thanks to Celadon for the opportunity to read this eagerly awaited book before its release.
Rated 4.5 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
October 13, 2024
The newly widowed Anna surprises herself by deciding to write a novel. Even more surprising, she turns out to be very successful at it. Unfortunately, she starts getting contacted by a mystery person who seems to know way too much another book from her past.
This is a very entertaining book featuring a villain for whom I found myself rooting. It can be read as a standalone, because the author rehashes most of the plot of the first book, but I recommend reading “The Plot” first. It is also an entertaining book, and if you read “The Sequel” first it will completely spoil “The Plot”. I liked the author’s snark about writers and the publishing industry. There was even a passage that perfectly reflected what I wrote in my review of “The Plot”:
“First of all, it wasn’t even that hard. The way they went on, all those writers, so incessantly, so dramatically, they might have been going down the mines on all fours with a plastic spoon clenched between their teeth to loosen the diamonds, are wading in raw sewage to find the leak in the septic line, running into burning buildings with forty-five pounds of equipment on their backs. But this degree of whining over the mere act of sitting down at the desk, or even reclining on a sofa, and … typing?
Julia Whelan did a wonderful job narrating the audiobook. She expressed all of Anna’s sarcasm, anger, anxiety, envy and bitterness. (You won’t really find lighter emotions in Anna.) 4.5 stars
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
This is a very entertaining book featuring a villain for whom I found myself rooting. It can be read as a standalone, because the author rehashes most of the plot of the first book, but I recommend reading “The Plot” first. It is also an entertaining book, and if you read “The Sequel” first it will completely spoil “The Plot”. I liked the author’s snark about writers and the publishing industry. There was even a passage that perfectly reflected what I wrote in my review of “The Plot”:
“First of all, it wasn’t even that hard. The way they went on, all those writers, so incessantly, so dramatically, they might have been going down the mines on all fours with a plastic spoon clenched between their teeth to loosen the diamonds, are wading in raw sewage to find the leak in the septic line, running into burning buildings with forty-five pounds of equipment on their backs. But this degree of whining over the mere act of sitting down at the desk, or even reclining on a sofa, and … typing?
Julia Whelan did a wonderful job narrating the audiobook. She expressed all of Anna’s sarcasm, anger, anxiety, envy and bitterness. (You won’t really find lighter emotions in Anna.) 4.5 stars
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
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