The Worthy: A Ghost's Story

by Will Clarke

"I've come to find that most people ignore the dead," Conrad Avery Sutton III begins The Worthy, a wickedly funny and frightening ghost story.

Conrad had it pretty good in life -- a Porsche, pretty girls, and a trust fund full of oil money. But now, thanks to a brutal hazing incident at Louisiana State University's Gamma Chi fraternity, Conrad is dead -- a nineteen-year-old spirit suddenly without an earthly body.

Make no mistake, the newly deceased Conrad is one angry ghost, and the object of his wrath is chapter president Ryan Hutchins, a "big, bright, rising star" who, in Conrad's view, is really "the darkest black hole you'll ever meet -- and I'm not just saying that because he killed me." Out for revenge, Conrad possesses an unsuspecting pledge's body so he can finish what Ryan started, steering them toward a depraved confrontation with a surprising outcome that will leave readers gasping.

Genres: Fiction, Humor, Supernatural, Ghosts, Death, Southern, Novels

256 pages, Hardcover

First published June 27, 2006

About the author

WILL CLARKE grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana and holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of British Columbia. He is the author of several works of fiction including, Lord Vishnu's Love Handles: A Spy Novel (sort of) and The Worthy: A Ghost's Story. He lives in Dallas, Texas with his wife and family.

Reviews

[Holly · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a mistake. I chose this because I was looking for something quick, fictional and light-hearted for beach reading. It was quick (I finished it in-transit on plane rides to Cancun), and it is fiction, but definitely not light-hearted. It advertises itself as a sort of dark comedy about the ghost of a fraternity pledge killed during hazing seeking revenge against the cruel, sociopathic upperclassman who murdered him. Written in the first person, the ghost, formerly a wise-ass, over-privileged 19-year-old, is supposed to give us sardonic, hilarious commentary on Greek culture, the kind that has nothing to do with actually being from Greece. As someone who never once so much as considered pledging to a sorority because of my intolerance and prejudice for the people who did, this book sounded right up my alley, but I didn’t like it and only finished it out of latent masochistic streak that forces me to finish any and all fiction books that I start whether I like them or not.

Basically, it’s not nearly as funny as the author seems to think it is. Granted, I chuckled here and there at some of the narrator’s zingers, but I felt myself sickened by descriptions of hazing that seem all-too-plausible even when they’re ridiculously over-the-top. The idea that real young men (and women) actually allow themselves to be that degraded appalls me. The book tries to have an uplifting message about forgiving one’s enemies via secondary characters like the fraternity’s elderly black cook Miss Etta and a Campus Christians zealot, but overall the story can never pull back from all the bleakness and brutality: alcohol poisoning, date rape, domestic violence, a character being driven to suicide and so on, all presented as if they were jokes.

[Rhiannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt the story tended to meander a bit sometimes, but all in all I really enjoyed it. It was rather funny, while lightly exploring some pretty dark subjects. Much more enjoyable if you are/were in a fraternity or sorority as it deals almost exclusively with members of that set. I say it is more enjoyable then because you will find humor in some scenarios in a fond "that's so true!" way, humor in the stereotypes (I think intentionally) played up, and even a bit of sadness in stereotypes that are probably deeply rooted in truth.

[Mlkelly80 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am in the beginning of reading this, but it is great so far. A little different from what I usually read, but really great!!!

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great entertainment that hooks you in .....like a great chocolate cake that is sitting on your kitchen counter and you keep coming back to "even up" those slices. Will hooks you in. He does it so smoothly that you don't even realize it until you can't put it down. It's pure fun and entertainment.

[debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book! a kid dies during a college hazing and then haunts those around him. he is seeking revenge on the person responsible for his death. it's laugh outloud funny and you'll never look at doughnuts the same again!

[Lynette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a funny and fast-moving book. I'm interested to see how the supernatural will play out in the movie. Even though I'm well out of college, and was never in a sorority, I could envision the setting.

[Jenifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will Clarke is a great author and I'm not just saying that because he's from my hometown, although it is nice to have someone of talent come from here. The novel is definitely twisted and he really captures the enviornment he is writing about

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was aptly described as "The Lovely Bones" meets "Animal House." A humorous story of the ghost of a fraternity pledge who is trying to get revenge against the fraternity president who killed him during Hell Week hazing.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

After hearing Will Clarke speak at the Texas Library Association's Conference last year, I was eager to read his book, "The Worthy". It's a pretty graphic ghost story in regards to hazing but entertaining. Some of the hazing descriptions may not be for the faint of heart.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frat + ghost = funny.

[Abinadi Ayerdis · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is simultaneously violent, baffeling, and ridiculous.

[Angus McKeogh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Clarke book. These are so unique and different from one another and from other stuff on the market. Amongst the three this is likely the most mainstream and the ending did become a bit disjointed and jumbled, but this is also Clarke’s first novel, so since then he’s only improved.

[Drew Graham · Rating 2 out of 5]

Recent Gamma Chi pledge Conrad Avery Sutton III is disturbed to discover that he has been killed by the golden boy big man on campus, and even more annoyed when he is forced to hover around his old frat house and observe the next round of newbies and the subsequent (horrific) hazing. He wasn't a very good kid in life, and now he's trying to figure out why he has to hang around his publicly-lauded girlfriend-beating murderer instead of moving on, since he doesn't seem to see any other lingering ghosts. Enter Tucker Graham, a burly, slow-minded new pledge who Conrad learns he can possess, but only when Tucker's sufficiently inebriated... Time to exact revenge on the Sadistic Psycho of Gamma Chi.

This is a book that I picked up literally because I saw it sitting on the shelf (ironically across the aisle from my perusing in the Jane Austen section) and it looked interesting for some reason. I decided to wait until this time of year, since it purports to be "A Ghost's Story." Having now read it, I think that apostrophe-S is an important distinction. This isn't really a ghost story, it's just a story that happens to involve and be narrated by ghost. He occasionally possesses someone and causes some kind of spectral disturbance, but it's not really scary. Far scarier than the ghost was the horrendous, often disgusting hazing. This goes beyond pranks and initiation! I don't really know that much about fraternity culture, but exaggerated though it may be, this book definitely made me despise the entire college Greek system. Anyway, as a book this is so-so. The story wanders and rambles and sometimes seems to completely forget about the ghost. I felt pretty bored for the bigger part of it, especially the larger middle portion. The characters feel somewhat real, but almost every single one is stupid and hard to care about (Miss Etta is a refreshing little spark here and there, and I liked the Christian zealot Sarah Jane Bradford far more than I'm sure was intended). Ryan is passable as an antagonist, except that I hated him SO much it didn't seem like any amount of comeuppance would have been enough (and it definitely delivered on the predicted insufficiency... let's have some realization and weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth!!!). The writing is all right, nothing special, pretty crass, pretty vulgar, occasionally amusing, and sometimes it attempts a little transcendentalism, but never really gets there. I don't know that the concept of heaven and angels really makes sense, but at least the author went for it. I did like things here and there, and Conrad's eventual coming around at the VERY end, and there was a nice little final twist (if a bit odd, logistically...).

Also, when I finally realized what the goat on the cover had to do with anything, I was... um, more than a little disturbed. What a face to put on your story. Why in the world would you want THAT for your book's primary imagery?

This was one of those see-it-on-the-shelf-and-think-it-looks-interesting reads, which are always a gamble and I didn't really win on this one. As the title suggests, it's definitely "a ghost's story," as opposed to "a ghost story," if you know what I mean. It wasn't the WORST book ever, but it was definitely mediocre. And a word to the wise: AVOID FRATERNITIES AT ALL COSTS. Yeah, I don't think I'll be reading much more Will Clarke.

[Kevin C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading this book and I must say it was a fun read. The story revolves around Conrad Sutton III. He was part of a fraternity called Gamma Chi. Yes, you read correctly. He said he WAS a part of it. The basic plot is that he was pledging to be a brother at Gamma Chi and he ended up dead. It was not necessarily an accident, according to Conrad. He was murdered by an active brother and president of Gamma Chi, Ryan Hutchins (the antagonist). Conrad is now at present a ghost and has not moved on to the afterlife. He is stuck existing as a ghost, mostly because of his hatred. He is determined to get revenge for his life suddenly ending at the hands of the biggest ass he has ever met. Through a first-person perspective you get to know Conrad's life before he passed and you are introduced to many interesting characters including Miss Etta, the eccentric Gamma Chi housemother who can see and speak with spirits, Conrad's ex-girlfriend Ashley, quirky Sara Jane (who believes God speaks through her), Maggie (Baton Rouge's sweetheart that every guy wants to be with and every girl is envious of), Tucker Graham (a red-headed large new pledge of Gamma Chi), etc. The book is heavily character driven and all the main supporting characters are fleshed out quite well. There are plenty of character interactions and many comical and amusing situations thrown into the equation. Will Clarke does a good job of emoting what the characters are feeling and makes this story feel fresh and modern. I would recommend this book if you are looking for interesting characters and some fun and quirky reading. I will definitely be checking of Mr. Clarke's other book, Lord Vishnu's Love Handles.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you enjoy Christopher Moore's books, you'll enjoy this: it's not as laugh-out-loud as Moore, but I had a big grin on my face much of the time while reading it, in between those times when I was horrified by the events of the novel. The ghost story part isn't horrifying; it's the college fraternity part that is.

LSU fratboy Conrad, recently murdered by fraternity supremo Ryan -- a sadistic sociopath who, who knows, if left unchecked might one day become President of the United States -- is a ghost who cannot leave this mortal coil entirely behind: dead Conrad wants revenge against Ryan and he also wants a general release of others from the extraordinarily violent hazing the fraternity inflicts upon its pledges. Oh, and if it were only possible, he'd like babe girlfriend Ashley back . . . though an extended dalliance with Ryan's babe girlfriend Maggie would be pretty okay, too. Trouble is, the only people who can detect Conrad's presence are the elderly cook Etta and the evangelical born-again student Sarah Jane . . . and occasionally the good-natured Jolly-Green-Giant-like fratboy pledge Tucker, into whose body Conrad can plunge for a brief burst of possession should Tucker get sufficient drunk.

The Worthy is a great romp with serious undertones. I'd buy it like a shot if I hadn't already bought it . . . or is it Conrad who's already bought it, hm?

[Joey Zielinski · Rating 3 out of 5]

1. this book is about a new member of a frat group being hazed in an accidently dieing in one of the hazings. The boys name was conrad and he was a very rich young man who had his entire life waiting for him. When conrad dies his spirit stays in the house and he wants revenge for his murder. He ends up finding out that he can take over a red-headed members body and minipulate everything he does. He can finally get revenge for his wrongful death.

2. I gave this book 3 stars because it kept my interest throughout the entire book. The ending seemed a bit abrupt and didnt make much sense so if i could change the ending to this book it could be a 5 for sure. I really did enjoy reading this book.

3. " For my brothers" is a significant quote in the book. This quote would be chanted before and after each hazing to a new member of the frat house.

4. This book can tie into our classroom by some of the humorous comments the characters make throughout the book and we as a class are currently studying different types of humor.

5. I would recomend this book to high school and new college students. It's a pretty good read. It's funny, sad, suspensful, and keeps you on your toes. except the ending sucked.

[Yvonne O'Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about Conrad- a frat boy killed during hazing who now can't seem to leave without setting things straight. Gamma Chi President Ryan killed Conrad and now has a new "little brother", Tucker, to take out his rage upon. Add to the mix his abused girlfriend, Maggie, Conrad's ex, Ashley, tons of hazing and pranks and a super-religious sorority girl who eventually has stigmata and bleeds in her efforts to "save" Ryan (and Conrad). In the end, Conrad finds his way out of limbo, Ryan gets his comeuppance and Gamma Chi is shut-down. And - Conrad is reborn as Tucker and Maggie's child!

I picked up this book thinking it would read like a mystery novel. I was totally surprised that this book was not only a mystery, but hilarious and well thought-out to boot. Despite the crazy concepts in the book, I could not stop reading it and was rooting for Conrad to get back at Ryan and for Maggie to get wise too. The fact that they were in LA only helped the charm of the story and made some of the hazing all the more believable.

[Jimmy Hanson]

Received this in a blind-book loot crate/box, which had sent me both great and so-so books in the past. That said, I made it a little less than half-way through, and was still questioning why I was reading this book [or still trying to read it] at all.

Its been a few months so the memories aren't fresh, but the impression I still have of it is having to follow the voice of someone I didn't particularly like, in a situation I found particularly stupid, with other characters that were basic @$$holes ... the only ones I vaguely liked were the 'viking dude' and the cook.

Again, I made it barely a little less than halfway through; I'll probably try to read it again once more, before giving it up as a lost cause [if it doesn't get better of course]

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This revenge novel expertly combines humor and romance with its supernatural element. Ghosts taking revenge or seeking justice after wrongful death are nothing new in fiction (consider Hamlet’s father). The subject is a serious one but Mr. Clarke gives it a deft feel as well as touching moments of pathos.

Conrad grows from the spoiled, entitled rich boy that he was to learn empathy and kindness towards others. Yet the lessons he learns and the maturity he gains are so subtly written, the reader doesn’t realize it until Conrad comes to a startling comprehension about himself and his intended victim.

In the end, justice is served with the aid of a food-slinging witch and a serving of pie.

[Missy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok I know a lot of people thought this was crazy & dark, etc, and it is, but having lived thru sorority rush & the Greek life at LSU, I enjoyed reading it. It was like a trip down memory lane (NOT the hazing part, although my brother was a Kappa Sig and he did have to wear burlap underwear), and I do remember the frat parties & the beer trucks on the lawn. However, I now have a 22 year old daughter who's a senior at LSU, and I can only hope she's surviving the life down there and avoiding all those silly, selfish, immature college boys! Yikes! And for the record, I never knew any greeks who acted so horribly and hatefully.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

After putting down a book I just couldn't get through (which I rarely, if ever, do), I needed something fast and easy to restore my confidence. This book hit the mark. The main character is a 19 year old ghost seeking revenge on a fraternity brother. The book contains serious subject matter (fraternity hazing) which admittedly can be quite disturbing, but the author writes in a way that combines enough humor to keep the book entertaining. If you liked A Long Way Down, you might like this book even though it is a bit more eccentric.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! What a long strange trip Mr. Clarke takes you on. I found the story interesting, if not unsettling. I would recommend this book, if you are looking for something diffrent. The story, is well written, and at no time was I bored. If fact, I couldn't stop reading. But, at the same time, I wanted to put the book down because there are some really "YUCKY" storylines in there.

All in all, I did enjoy the book. But, there aren't many of my friends that I can think of that would agree with me.

Rated- PG 13

[Becca Becca · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is dumb. It's really dumb. I can't believe that the book service I signed-up for sent this to me because all of the other books they've sent have been great.

Even though the book is bad (crappy plot, crappy characters, stupid story, you get the idea), I found myself able to read it and mildly interested in what happened, so I'm giving it two stars. You REALLY have to turn off a good chunk of your brain to read this, though.

[Lavon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this one because my hubby suggested it. It is about a ghost at a fraternity house at LSU. Interesting enough storyline and it was fun to read about places I remember from the LSU campus. Every stereotypical thing you think about when you think of fraternities/sororities was in there. I would say it was a mildly entertaining read but not high on my recommendation list.

[Spencer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Silly book, very mindless but a very quick read if you are up for cheap entertainment. You will have to suspend your disbelief, plot is defintely a stretch. Has a soap opera type feel to it, but takes the reader back to their college days in some respects.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as funny as Lord Vishnu, but still had some very humorous parts. Maybe because while it was published second, it was actually written first. I originally thought I was going to give it only 3 stars, but the ending had me hooked and I didn't want to put it down.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was fantastic. From the very beginning I was hooked. I could not wait to find out exactly what would happen, if Ryan would get caught and how the hazing would turn out. The ending was the real kicker, I'm not sure if it could of ended any other way.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another entertaining book from Dallas's own Mr. Clarke. Set in Baton Rouge...another place I've lived.

[Kschuchman · Rating 3 out of 5]

bit of a bizarre ending but an easy, fun read

[Traczie · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is quite funny and a quick read, but in the end you don't feel like you just read fluff.