Being Written

By William Conescu

Book Overview

Daniel Fischer has a secret. He knows he's a character in a book that's being written. He's the only one who knows, the only one who's aware of the author's presence--but what good does it do Daniel? He's just a minor character. The author seems much more interested in other people's lives. Now Daniel is determined to win a bigger part, and he'll do whatever it takes to get the author's attention and make this story his own.

Suspenseful, subversive, and hilarious, Being Written is an audaciously inventive literary turn that gleefully calls into question who we trust, what we believe, and how the stories of our lives are created.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061451347
• ISBN13: 9780061451348
• Release Date: September 2008
• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.3" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Wanna be in a book? Maybe not.

Being written - what a concept! After reading the last two pages twice, I was stunned. I just sat through one of the most exciting, strange, entertaining, and well crafted novels I've ever read. In a layman's term: Holy cow! This one's a fun and exciting thrill ride from the very first page on. The concept is complex and oh-so-intriguing, the characters drip of flesh and blood, and the dialogue SOUNDS vividly real. Protagonist Daniel always dreamed about being a - well - protagonist. Throughout his life he's come across this scratching noise he could never quite place. Until he finally figures out what this noise is: a pencil on paper. His dream is coming true; he is in a story. He's BEING WRITTEN. Of course Daniel doesn't know who or what exactly this book is about, nor does anyone else around him seem to realize what's going on. He assumes however, that Delia, a singer and his recent one-night-stand, is a big part of the book. To stay in the story Daniel has to be around Delia, which isn't that simple because she's encircled by a somewhat odd group of people, and her boy friend - a (boy) hustler and inspiring pianist. I don't want to try to detail the story because I couldn't do it justice. Rather let me compare this great book with food; like a nice dessert or a wonderful side dish. What Conescu has created is an entire meal. Well rounded and easily able to satisfy any appetite of literary hunger. Fiction - metafiction if you will - drenched in deliciously dark humor, simmered in suspense, sprinkled with twists of thrill, and topped with the sweetness of sensible sex. Oh, and lets not forget the way Conescu delivers those nifty switches between narrating in second and third person. It's a mind (or tongue) tingling treat Chef Ramsey himself couldn't have composed better. The ending of this thing... well, you'll see. You will come across so many unforeseen tumbles that, let me tell ya: the finale is grant and completely off the charts. It's something you will roll around the inside of your skull for more than just a day. Promise. Like I said: I actually read the last two pages twice. Then I went on to yet another treat; an interview between the author and a side character. A nice touch Conescu added to introduce himself to the (book) world. Nuff said - For me Being Written is the book of the year, hands down. If I could I'd give it six stars. Rebecca Lerwill, author of the award winning romantic suspense Relocating Mia

Must-read metafiction.

This is a clever, well-constructed metafiction of a young man who is aware that he is "being written" into a novel. He is also aware that the bigger parts in the story are going to sexier and more troubled characters. The wannabe protagonist tries to remake himself to get more attention from the unseen author but has to keep upping the ante to stay in the book. The story is dark, but nicely lightened with humor. It's swiftly paced and a relatively quick read but nonetheless raises some interesting existential questions. If you've ever imagined yourself as a character in a book, you'll likely have some sympathy for the protagonist. But is he imagining this? Charming and highly recommended!

Second Person Narration Yields Deliciously Discomforting Metafiction

Daniel Fischer, the main character of William Conescu's *Being Written*, occupies a rift--a fissure?--in his fictive universe. He knows/believes that he is a fictional character who can tell when he is--and when he is not--being written about. He is the only character in the book who "realizes" that he occupies a fictional universe, a realization that drives his obsession to capture the author's attention and increase his role in the action. Accepted on its own terms, Fischer's obsession makes complete sense. After all, once you realize that you live in a fictional space, what other purpose can there be to your life than to become a more compelling fictional character? And so Fischer sets out to integrate himself as deeply as possible into the action of the novel he knows is being written, a novel which may or may not be *Being Written.* Is Fischer a self-aware fictional character or merely a lunatic? *Being Written* leaves the final determination up to the reader, as it can be read either way (or both ways if you really want to make your brain hurt). The book's niftiest trick, though, is its shift in voice: chapters detailing other characters' narratives are written in the third-person, but Daniel's chapters are written in the second person, forcing the reader to infer some degree of responsibility and empathy for a character who is socially awkward, obsessive, erratic, and amoral. Conescu's breezy writing style, excellent eye for detail, and above all sharp sense of humor ease the pain of occupying this guy's skin for substantial portions of the book and keep the proceedings moving along at a brisk pace. This would be a fabulous book for a book group, because there are lots of layers to peel away and discuss. Think a less highbrow *If On A Winter's Night a Traveler...* or of Nabokov's unreliable narrators and you have a pretty good idea of what's in store for you with *Being Written."

When Being Written is Being Read, the reader is in for a big treat!

I picked up this book because I liked (related to - if I am being totally honest) the image of the huge pencil being carried by and weighing down a person. And before the first page ended, I was hooked. The concept of a character being able to hear the scratching of an author's pencil writing a book was beyond-intriguing. And when I got to the very last sentence, I was just as smitten with this book as when I had started it. I loved the back-and-forth switch from third person for all the supporting characters to second person for the main character. But that's not all. Here is some of the other stuff this magnificent metafiction delivers: great character development; clever plot twists; intellectually-driven suspense; and self-deprecating, dark humor. The glimpse it offers into the world of writing is the icing on the cake. So, if you know what's good for you, pick up this book - because when Being Written is Being Read, the reader is in for a big treat! -Bonnie Neubauer, author of Write-Brain Workbook and Take Ten, www.BonnieNeubauer.com

Gripping and One-of-a-Kind

Reading BEING WRITTEN was one of the best literary experiences I've ever had. From the first page, I couldn't set it down. The story is unusual, the writing masterful, and the characters flesh-and-blood. It is dark and funny, heart-wrenching and thought-provoking. Conescu breaks all the rules and breaks them beautifully. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to forget everything that's going on around him!