Book People
Paige Nick
Pan MacMillan
Review: Lauren O’Connor-May
Rarely did a book have me ROFL as much as this one did, but it has more going for it than just how funny it is.
The novel is about two authors. Norma is a yet-unpublished newbie author who, at the age of 42, leaves the job that she hates to start afresh as an intern at a publishing company.
Harry, on the other hand, is a pompous, mildly successful author who has just submitted his third manuscript and spends his time on social media promoting his books via his alter online egos — all of whom are his die-hard fans.
Their paths cross, and things get progressively weirder, when a mild-tempered octogenarian posts a scathing review of Harry’s second book on the Good Book Appreciation Society Facebook page, where Norma is the only admin.
Harry, not content to leave well enough alone, starts viciously opposing the review and sparks the annoyance of the group’s members, who begin collectively giving all his books one star on review platforms.
Things spiral even worse when Harry goes nuts at an award ceremony, and the video of him attacking a fellow author goes viral.
Just when you think that it can’t possibly get any worse for Harry and Norma, it does, and suddenly both of them are being questioned by police about a hit-and-run.
This book constantly surprised me. It’s the perfect read for book lovers who need a bit of a giggle.