Book Review: How I Became a Famous Novelist

Reviewed by George, Berkelouw Paddington

"Rule 1: Abandon truth.
Rule 2: Write a popular book. Do not waste energy making it a good book.
...
Rule 6: Evoke confusing sadness at end.
Rule 7: Prose should be 'lyrical'.
...
Rule 15: Must have obscure exotic locations.
Rule 16: Include plant names."

These are just a few of the 16 rules Pete Tarslaw creates to guide himself through writing the next American bestseller. And why is he trying to write a bestseller? Oh, you know, the usual reasons: fame, fortune, and humiliation of an ex-girlfriend at her wedding.

Steve Hely's name may be subliminally familiar to you - his writing credits include The Late Show With David Letterman, American Dad, 30 Rock and The Office, as well as being the co-author of the comic travelogue The Ridiculous Race. So, with this in mind, it becomes quite obvious as you read the novel that his script experience has had an influence on his writing. Either that or the novel itself may have originally been prepared as a screenplay. Yet don't let that put you off - How I Became a Famous Novelist is a rollicking good read.

The most impressive part of the novel is the not-so-fictional literary world that Hely creates. To protect the sensabilities of current authors, Hely manufactures new authors to represent the many different styles of writing. Tarslaw's writing inspiration is the (fictional) novelist Preston Brooks: while channel surfing with his roomate, Tarslaw watches an interview of Brooks and decides that Brooks is no great writer but some con-man who has lied his way into fame and fortune. In the novel, Brooks represents American literary writers, whilst Nick Boyle represents the action blockbuster writers like Tom Clancy and Clive Cussler, and Ellen Kaprowski embodies authors of the feel-good biography that make it onto Oprah's couch.
The main purpose of this simplified book world is to allow Hely to deliver some biting criticisms of the various writing styles and their authors, and show us the sad truth that no-one can predict the next bestseller.

Without giving too much away, the rise and fall of Pete Tarslaw is definitely an interesting affair. You can imagine his disappointment when his novel struggles in its early sales, especially because he believes he discovered the secret of the great con. You can also imagine his disbelief when, by an insane set of circumstances, his novel rockets to the top of the Amazon sales list. Nevertheless, you read the novel with an impending sense of doom, waiting for Tarslaw to become the master of his own downfall. And best of all, Tarslaw doesn't ask you for any sympathy - he knows that he got into the business on false pretences, and so he realises that the punishment fits the crime.

So sit back and enjoy the laughs in this fast paced, comedic riot of a novel that is Steve Hely's debut, and make sure you have good think before you pick up the next amazing bestseller.

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