I was working on my review for Ladder and felt so pleased at the timing with the New Yorker piece (which is one hell of a read!) and then I saw you'd already made the connection and wanted to shout it out at least!
I just read A Ladder to the Sky, too. I absolutely loved it, and was reading it right when that article about Mallory was making the rounds. I love it when real life mirrors what I'm reading in weird, happenstance sorts of ways. Maurice Swift is a character I won't soon forget.
Boyne seems to have had fun with this character but is able to give the reader some satisfaction in the end as well. It's a bit forced but still worth it.
I just finished A Ladder To The Sky (better late than never) and wanted to pop back and give your video a wee watch. Loved the novel but goodness me this Dan fella you speak of is a piece of work. Horrific. Great video as always :-)
Loved this! I read Woman in the Window in 2018 for bookclub and didn't care for it so in combination with the Mallory/Finn craziness, I'm not looking to pick up another one of his books anytime soon. Also I just have to say, your use of gifs and memes is on point (as always)!
Thanks - always appreciated. I'd already heard conflicting reviews of the book before the New Yorker piece but it's clinched now, not gonna pick this one up. Still, curious if this rears its head again with the subsequent movie or if they'll downplay it hard.
I was interested in reading The Woman in the Window but after I read the New Yorker article about Mallory and learned how creepy he was, I am no longer interested. Maybe I will watch the movie some years later.
Yeah, it's a nope on the book but I'm curious how they market the movie and whether the allegations against Mallory have any bearing outside the reading community.
I read, enjoyed, & recommended “Woman in the Window” to friends/family/book club, but I won’t see the movie now nor will I pick up Mallory’s next or future books. I am curious to get my hands on “Saving April” tho!! (Not to mention that movie, need to look up title again, both of which Mallory is accused of plagiarizing.) Another great video, thanks David!! 💕
Thanks for that! (Saving April is the name of the book that bears a long list of striking similarities to Woman in the Window) the movie is the 1995 film (aptly named) Copycat.
Yes, that’s it! 😃 And couldn’t help but think about Jimmy Stewart in Hitchcock’s, “Rear Window” while reading Mallory’s book; & it’s clever how he wove the suspenseful classics into his plot. I was intrigued by Sophie Hannah’s (who I also love) involvement in the Mallory drama! [Spoiler below] I couldn’t help but ask (my obligatory question) in book club discussion, “Do we trust a male writer to convey a woman’s/a mother’s experience?” And I actually articulated that I felt so uncomfortable with the ending of the book because I wasn’t sure I could trust this author (this was a couple of months before news on Mallory broke) to not kill off the protagonist we were supposed to be rooting for. (That was followed by my explaining old trope; how author had a right to punish character for going against social rules & this protagonist broke vows, might be blamed for accident/deaths, was unreliable narrator, & author might harbor hatred for her!) As I said, I won’t support Mallory’s work anymore. His lies regarding cancer & his CV, the territorial/threatening pee cups, his pathology & his ego, it’s all too much for me. I’ll wait for the biopic on his crazy deceptive life.
@@ThePoptimist OMG!! Just started watching Read Remark and had to stop to share it with my daughter, one of those women of color who left the publishing business in utter disgust. Read Remark brings up so many pertinent issues surrounding this latest "scandal". Also saw the channel Getting Hyggae with It, loathe to "judge" him. Now I have to read the two articles. After reading my tbr, of course. Thanks again for this topic.
To add, I think I may be the only one who hasn't read The Woman in the Window. I definitely wanted to, but way too many people that I trust DID NOT like it, and emphatically so. I thought perhaps if it came out on paperback maybe I'd grab it...not now! Dan Mallory? Ugh. What a peach, what a charming individual.;( I've heard of people telling a lie or two, but this tool spit out lies like James Patterson spits out books. Liars are my least favorite type of person! Also, you asked if knowing what I know of Mallory would change my opinion on picking up his book? HELL YES! The less I know about an artist of any stripe(especially those whom I deeply admire), the less I want to know about them personally....it does turn me off big time and then it is hard to separate the art from the person and that always feels like a loss to me! If you've read this far, I'm so glad you're still doing reviews...you are one of the best!
Thank you so much! I'm a bit of the same way, there's so many books out there already that I'm never going to read I'm not sure if I want to support those that are proven to be absolute dicks. Though I'm sure the Western canon is filled with dead white pricks and I've probably got a ton of problematic favs in my library as well.
Apparently he writes great emails, and I read a piece from an interviewer who was completely taken by him, thought he was wonderfully personable and self-effacing - and then had to re-examine his experience after reading the New Yorker piece. Quite the charming manipulator it seems.
You discussing Finn reminded me of that mystery novel "The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair" from a few years ago. Written by a Swiss dude, lots of buzz and hype around it as the next best Euro-thriller since the Millennium series. Awful novel. Badly written, terribly paced, stilted expository dialogue and filled with way too many hot-takes by an author who knows diddly-squat about his subject matter. Bombed Stateside, but was a smash in Europe for some reason. I think it's mainly because it had a really good marketing campaign, so it sold ridiculously well despite being a bit crap. I also remember seeing allegations of plagiarism against the author at the time, but it looks like some of the articles were scrubbed due to the miniseries adaptation coming out. Anyway, probably won't touch the Finn book until I see it at the library. Not worth spending on a serial liar.
Side note: I knew Finn would bring up Highsmith. Highsmith's personal life was horrible and it sounds like he was inspired by the 'troubled artist' aspect of her life rather than her actual talent.
Terribly written never stood in the way of a bestselling blockbuster. Since the New Yorker piece there's been some compelling arguments towards Finn pulling heavily from a movie and a book for his works as well. Curious how the follow up book sells, and whether this fiasco carries.
I'm almost finished with the article. It seems oddly calculated how he went about writing and marketing it. It wasn't just him being a fan of suspense, it's him name-dropping Hitchcock and Highsmith multiple times. You're supposed to pay attention to the well-known names and hopefully not be familiar with, say, a mid-90s thriller starring Sigourney Weaver. It's vague inspiration from a well-known master, not completely ripping off a more obscure property.
Thank you so much for the shout out!!
A Ladder to the Sky is already on my list as one of this year’s favorite reads.
I was working on my review for Ladder and felt so pleased at the timing with the New Yorker piece (which is one hell of a read!) and then I saw you'd already made the connection and wanted to shout it out at least!
I just read A Ladder to the Sky, too. I absolutely loved it, and was reading it right when that article about Mallory was making the rounds. I love it when real life mirrors what I'm reading in weird, happenstance sorts of ways. Maurice Swift is a character I won't soon forget.
Boyne seems to have had fun with this character but is able to give the reader some satisfaction in the end as well. It's a bit forced but still worth it.
I just finished A Ladder To The Sky (better late than never) and wanted to pop back and give your video a wee watch. Loved the novel but goodness me this Dan fella you speak of is a piece of work. Horrific.
Great video as always :-)
Too kind, thanks! And yes, human garbage, absolutely
Loved this! I read Woman in the Window in 2018 for bookclub and didn't care for it so in combination with the Mallory/Finn craziness, I'm not looking to pick up another one of his books anytime soon. Also I just have to say, your use of gifs and memes is on point (as always)!
Thanks - always appreciated. I'd already heard conflicting reviews of the book before the New Yorker piece but it's clinched now, not gonna pick this one up. Still, curious if this rears its head again with the subsequent movie or if they'll downplay it hard.
I was interested in reading The Woman in the Window but after I read the New Yorker article about Mallory and learned how creepy he was, I am no longer interested. Maybe I will watch the movie some years later.
Yeah, it's a nope on the book but I'm curious how they market the movie and whether the allegations against Mallory have any bearing outside the reading community.
Haven’t read AJ Finn. I won’t be. Having personal experience with a nuclear liar, I am not interested in donating any time or money.
And these nuclear liars are all shruggy - what's the big deal, ask for forgiveness once they're caught, mea culpa and all that. It's maddening.
I read the Boyne right before the Mallory exposé dropped. I think Mallory went to Duke? That would explain a lot.
LOL Ouch. Such an interesting read - I'm sure publishing is filled with these "outsized" personalities.
I read, enjoyed, & recommended “Woman in the Window” to friends/family/book club, but I won’t see the movie now nor will I pick up Mallory’s next or future books. I am curious to get my hands on “Saving April” tho!! (Not to mention that movie, need to look up title again, both of which Mallory is accused of plagiarizing.)
Another great video, thanks David!! 💕
Thanks for that! (Saving April is the name of the book that bears a long list of striking similarities to Woman in the Window) the movie is the 1995 film (aptly named) Copycat.
Yes, that’s it! 😃 And couldn’t help but think about Jimmy Stewart in Hitchcock’s, “Rear Window” while reading Mallory’s book; & it’s clever how he wove the suspenseful classics into his plot. I was intrigued by Sophie Hannah’s (who I also love) involvement in the Mallory drama!
[Spoiler below]
I couldn’t help but ask (my obligatory question) in book club discussion, “Do we trust a male writer to convey a woman’s/a mother’s experience?” And I actually articulated that I felt so uncomfortable with the ending of the book because I wasn’t sure I could trust this author (this was a couple of months before news on Mallory broke) to not kill off the protagonist we were supposed to be rooting for. (That was followed by my explaining old trope; how author had a right to punish character for going against social rules & this protagonist broke vows, might be blamed for accident/deaths, was unreliable narrator, & author might harbor hatred for her!)
As I said, I won’t support Mallory’s work anymore. His lies regarding cancer & his CV, the territorial/threatening pee cups, his pathology & his ego, it’s all too much for me. I’ll wait for the biopic on his crazy deceptive life.
Excuse me while I collect my jaw from the floor. Awesome review and comments, as always.
Much thanks! Check out the New Yorker piece - it's a hell of a read!
@@ThePoptimist OMG!! Just started watching Read Remark and had to stop to share it with my daughter, one of those women of color who left the publishing business in utter disgust. Read Remark brings up so many pertinent issues surrounding this latest "scandal". Also saw the channel Getting Hyggae with It, loathe to "judge" him. Now I have to read the two articles. After reading my tbr, of course. Thanks again for this topic.
I'd just be exhausted from my made up life if I were him. So much drama, how can one person handle all that and keep a straight face?
I can only assume it's fuel. Where we might like some quiet time and a book to recharge, others feed on focused sympathetic hand wringing.
A Ladder To The Sky was one of my favorite read last year.
Mallory! Holy sh*t!
IKR?! Just insane - Boyne is proving a gifted storyteller. Need to check out more of his back catalogue.
Great great review! I need to read this!
Thanks - worth checking out I think!
Wonderful, wonderful review! Thank you! If you upload, it is a good day, indeed:)
To add, I think I may be the only one who hasn't read The Woman in the Window. I definitely wanted to, but way too many people that I trust DID NOT like it, and emphatically so. I thought perhaps if it came out on paperback maybe I'd grab it...not now! Dan Mallory? Ugh. What a peach, what a charming individual.;( I've heard of people telling a lie or two, but this tool spit out lies like James Patterson spits out books. Liars are my least favorite type of person! Also, you asked if knowing what I know of Mallory would change my opinion on picking up his book? HELL YES! The less I know about an artist of any stripe(especially those whom I deeply admire), the less I want to know about them personally....it does turn me off big time and then it is hard to separate the art from the person and that always feels like a loss to me! If you've read this far, I'm so glad you're still doing reviews...you are one of the best!
Thank you so much! I'm a bit of the same way, there's so many books out there already that I'm never going to read I'm not sure if I want to support those that are proven to be absolute dicks. Though I'm sure the Western canon is filled with dead white pricks and I've probably got a ton of problematic favs in my library as well.
I had to watch this twice because I thought I had missed something. This had to be fiction - and bad fiction at that. Apparently not.
crazy banana-pants right? And I didn't even mention the pee cups
@@ThePoptimist Omg! I remember pee cups. My eyes can't believe what I'm reading when i got that part in the article.
Pee cups? And here I head back to Google!
Ok, you definitely sold me, I put this book on my Overdrive wish list.
Worth checking out! Hope you enjoy it!
Crazy banana pants 🤣🤣🤣 I have not heard a single kind word about Mallory. I'm sure he is delightful. 😏
Apparently he writes great emails, and I read a piece from an interviewer who was completely taken by him, thought he was wonderfully personable and self-effacing - and then had to re-examine his experience after reading the New Yorker piece. Quite the charming manipulator it seems.
“His first book was full of sodomy, and I loved it! 💕”
Clearly that needs to be on subsequent book jacket reprintings!
If I had learned of this sociopath earlier I would have placed crazy banana pants on my “Do not buy” list. Now what to do with my copy..?
Time to Marie Kondo that one - does not spark joy
Whew, I'm tired just listening to these lies. Imagine being the one to spin them!
Right?! And to double-down when confronted. It's pure psychotic narcissism!
You discussing Finn reminded me of that mystery novel "The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair" from a few years ago. Written by a Swiss dude, lots of buzz and hype around it as the next best Euro-thriller since the Millennium series.
Awful novel. Badly written, terribly paced, stilted expository dialogue and filled with way too many hot-takes by an author who knows diddly-squat about his subject matter. Bombed Stateside, but was a smash in Europe for some reason. I think it's mainly because it had a really good marketing campaign, so it sold ridiculously well despite being a bit crap.
I also remember seeing allegations of plagiarism against the author at the time, but it looks like some of the articles were scrubbed due to the miniseries adaptation coming out. Anyway, probably won't touch the Finn book until I see it at the library. Not worth spending on a serial liar.
Side note: I knew Finn would bring up Highsmith. Highsmith's personal life was horrible and it sounds like he was inspired by the 'troubled artist' aspect of her life rather than her actual talent.
Terribly written never stood in the way of a bestselling blockbuster. Since the New Yorker piece there's been some compelling arguments towards Finn pulling heavily from a movie and a book for his works as well. Curious how the follow up book sells, and whether this fiasco carries.
I'm almost finished with the article. It seems oddly calculated how he went about writing and marketing it. It wasn't just him being a fan of suspense, it's him name-dropping Hitchcock and Highsmith multiple times. You're supposed to pay attention to the well-known names and hopefully not be familiar with, say, a mid-90s thriller starring Sigourney Weaver.
It's vague inspiration from a well-known master, not completely ripping off a more obscure property.