Lit Life: A Novel

by Kurt Wenzel

Book Overview

Kurt Wenzel's savvy novel, Lit Life, is a wickedly funny and provocative debut about the passions and perils of the writing life.Set in Manhattan and the Hamptons, Lit Life takes the reader on a tour... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0375505512
• ISBN13: 9780375505515
• Release Date: July 2001
• Publisher: Random House
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 1.3" x 6.5"

Customer Reviews

Funny, sad first novel on lives of New York writers

Lit Life is Kurt Wenzel first novel, and is centered on three characters: Kyle Clayton, whose first novel was a huge success, but has written nothing else for years; Richard Whitehurst, who is called America's most underrated writer, having failed to achieve success despite a lifetime of hard work and respectable reviews; and Whitehurst's wife Meryl, who after decades of marriage to Whitehurst sees their relationship dying as a result of the writer's failure to achieve the success he has dreamed of. Clayton and Whitehurst could not seem more different -- Clayton has spent the years since his first novel getting drunk and chasing women, while Whitehurst has shown an almost monkish dedication to his work, to the point that he is alienated from his wife and daughter. However, the differences between the two result in a relationship. Clayton has long admired Whitehurst's work, and Whitehurst admires Clayton's work and envies his fame. By the time the two meet, that fame has gone sour -- Clayton finds himself listed in an article in New York magazine as one of the 100 most obnoxious New Yorkers. Whitehurst persuades Clayton to spend the summer with him in the Hamptons, and this intrusion into Whitehurst's settled life has consequences that no one could have expected.This description of the plot makes the book sound like grim reading. It is not. Clayton's escapades at throughout the book, as he gets drunk, behaves (at times) badly, and ponders the possibility of agreeing to product placement in his next book are all very funny. The last idea is not as fanciful as it sounds; a noted British novelist agreed to such a deal (I don't know if Wenzel anticipated it or not). While Wenzel has some interesting things to say about the life of a writer, he does so in a way that has broad appeal -- this is not a navel-gazing book. And Wenzel is quick to see the humor in his other charactes as well. The book is best described as a satire.Wenzel is a highly skilled writer. He moves the vantage point of the novel from Clayton, to Whitehurst, and to Meryl to show how the characters view themselves and each other. This is an effective way to flesh a character out. And Wenzel handles his three main characters well -- none of them are stereotypes. The book moves smoothly from comedy to tragedy, with an very effective ending. I look forward to Wenzel's next book.

Spend a Summer with Writers in NY for $12

I'm no literary guru or genius, but I know what I like when I see it, and I like this book -- a lot.Without sounding as if I'm saying that the story is plain, this book is proof that sometimes the way a story is told is more important than the story itself. Sure, the tale of the two major writer-characters is interesting, but without Wenzel's extraordinary character development, it might not be satisfying enough; Wenzel's efforts in this regard left me feeling not only that I knew the characters very well, but also that I had summered with them in the Hamptons. And what colorful characters they are! You may not uncover the meaning of life, but you will have a good time -- and isn't that what it's all about?If you've ever even contemplated writing a novel, or if you have a love affair as many of us do with all things New York (City and Hamptons, that is), then this book will give you pleasure.Well done, Mr. Wenzel!

A great beach read with some real literary guts!

Kurt Wenzel's debut novel is a smashing success. Where is all the buzz? So much is written and spoken about lesser works with this one book having some real moxie. It is both an easy read and an expose on writers and writing. Wenzel makes you laugh and cry about the whole publishing world. The struggle is over writing the Great Novel versus something that can put food on your table (or booze in your belly!) His characters allow him great lattitude in terms of plot but it is essentially their personas on which the novel is predicated. Comparisons are sure to follow (and curse) this budding author. Wolfe, McInerney, Ellis, even a less sophisticated Fitzgerald. Lets just allow Wenzel to be Wenzel and just hope that he keeps on writing, however irreverently!

If laughing out loud is low-brow...

then literature has a red-headed step child in Lit Life! Personally, I do not think humor and great writing are mutally exclusive and this author obviously agrees. If you like your fiction full of complex characters, sharp description, pithy dialogue, wry observations, thrilling conflict and smart remarks all sewn together in organic and elegant prose--well, then, buy this book. Right away. You won't be sorry.

Excellent writing by young Author

I first saw Lit Life recommended in GQ for summer reading. Seeing that it took place in NYC and the Hamptons and the hero was a young man that crossed the line of bon vivant over to right out drunk, I could not resist. Started the book on a Sunday by the pool, finished that evening at 3 AM …. meaning I could not put the book down.Wenzel’s magic with the characters gave me a roller coaster ride of emotions. I wasn’t sure if I liked or despised Kyle. You wanted to appreciate Richard for always trying so hard and for sticking to his guns, but it was very easy to get frustrated with his inability to live in the real world. The rest of the characters were so complex that when they did something that you would immediately hate them for; they made you think twice and put yourself in their shoes.Mixing the glamour of wealth with modern day NY, Wenzel brings you into world the East Coast literary scene. It’s F.Scott Fitzgerald meets Candice Bushnell (in a good way). It’s just great easy to read writing. The kind of book you can read on the beach with distractions and then back at home in solitude. On it’s day of release Wenzel’s book gets a glowing review from the NY Times, looks like the critics like him, now will the public turn him a into a success? I hope so because I can’t wait to read his next novel.