The Novel in book reviews

Author: James Mitchner

Most of this author's novels have to do with a place - often far from these shores. This book has to do with the writing of books, reviewing and publishing of books. There are many steps and lots of behind the scenes work.

The story is told in four sections: the author (and his backstory); the editor (her story); the critic (he's also a professor) and a reader (who's more than just a reader).

It's interesting most of the time. There's a detour towards the end of the book that baffles me, but it points out the times when people conflict and times when they pull together and cooperate.

It's mostly set in the Pennsylvania Dutch country - near Kutztown. And there ARE maps in the book - YAY!