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The Ghost Writer
by John Harwood


8.4

based on 9 reviews
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based on 5 votes
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Official Publisher Site

A librarian seeks to unravel the mysteries behind his pen pal and a story that hints at a sinister secret in his family's past. But the closer he comes to solving these mysteries, the closer he may be coming to an untimely death.

Harcourt, 384 pages
07/05/2004
$25.00

ISBN: 0151010749

Fiction
Horror
Mystery & Thrillers

All reviews are classified as one of five grades: Outstanding (4 points), Favorable (3), Mixed (2), Unfavorable (1) and Terrible (0). To calculate the Metascore, we divide total points achieved by the total points possible (i.e., 4 x the number of reviews), with the resulting percentage (multiplied by 100) being the Metascore. Learn more...

Kirkus Reviews

A wonderful debut, evoking a century's worth of family history, by a multitalented and artistically ambidextrous newcomer.

Library Journal Laurel Bliss

Harwood's well-drawn characters and Gothic plot propel the reader toward the novel's denouement. Including the text of Viola's stories adds to the surreal drama, as they serve as untrustworthy flashbacks and help blur the line between fantasy and reality. [July 2004, p. 70]

Publishers Weekly

The novel links textual investigation and sublimated passion, building to a satisfying, unexpected ending.

Booklist Misha Stone

The ghost stories at the heart of this book are lyrical, labyrinthine tales that feel simultaneously fresh and familiar, making this an atmospheric paranormal thriller with many surprises.

Boston Globe Hallie Ephron

Present, past, and ghost story fuse into a single terrifying truth in this richly evocative, satisfying novel.

Entertainment Weekly Jennifer Reese

With The Ghost Writer, his intricate and engrossing first novel, John Harwood raises the ghost of the Victorian ghost story, goosing the action with a modern spin.

Village Voice Phyllis Fong

Harwood's debut novel, a ghost story in the Victorian tradition, has more words than you want before its payoff--a mark of the species, and good news if you're keen on the Jamesian mode of suppression.

The Onion A.V. Club Noel Murray

The Ghost Writer can be called, in all seriousness, a haunted book.

Chicago Tribune Nathaniel Bellows

By the dramatic, implausible finale... Gerard's attempts to understand his mother's history and to finally meet Alice are successful, even if, like the ghosts in the stories, the results don't feel fully formed. [8 August 2004, C7]

The average user rating for this book is 8.4 (out of 10) based on 5 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Alligator gave it a10:
kewl

[Anonymous] gave it a7:
Bit confusing at times, but manageable. The ending was like hitting a brick wall at full speed. I kept making sure the pages weren't stuck together. Then I sat there for a few minutes going"Now what?"

[Anonymous] gave it a7:
I liked the book but am feeling a bit miffed at the ending. My queendom for an epilogue!!

Michaela D gave it an8:
I just finished the book and the end has my head spinning...I want to go back and read it again to disect every little piece of the book to really follow what was going on. Very good book.

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The Ghost Writer by John Harwood

The Ghost Writer
by John Harwood