The Writing Circle by Corrine Demas
The Writing Circle by Corrine Demas
hardback 296 pages
published by Hyperion/Voice on July 6, 2010
ISBN-13: 9781401341145
Type: {Commuter Read: format lends easily to starting/stopping}
Rating: {Me Likey: Enjoyable! Particularly for fans of this genre.}
Why You’re Reading It:
- You are a writer, have taken a writing course, or are part of a writing circle
- You like to see the inside worlds of writers
- A good twist in the plot keeps you reading
- Multiple character viewpoints float your boat
What I Thought:
I have only taken one writing course (and have never been part of a writing circle), but know the feeling of having to share your writing with others and have them critique it. It was interesting to get an insider’s scoop on what a professional feels like during this process (albeit fictional).
Nancy joins the Leopardi Circle per invitation of one of it’s members. This small, elite writing circle in Massachussetts consists of writers of multiple genres and varying personalities. The chapters are told from different character’s viewpoints so the reader is able to form their own opinion about these fictional writers. As in many good stories there is love, family, complications, and webs of deceit. In this novel, you won’t see it coming before it hits you in the face. I can pretty much promise that.
Honestly, it took reading about half the book before it picked up. The first part is mostly to get to know the characters and understand what’s going on in their lives. Do I wish this could have happened faster? Sure. But I did find that by the time the story begins to gain speed, I had defined feelings for the characters involved. So maybe it was worth the time invested in getting to know them. Besides, it’s not an entirely long book anyway, so the amount of pages that you spend learning about the writers isn’t that much of an investment.
You will not guess where this story is headed, and you will not guess the end. But you will read the last fourth of the book with your mouth hanging open. Guarantee it.
(source: This was a free review copy sent to me by Hyerion/Voice in exchange for an honest opinion.)
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