[from f/k/a, May 23, 2006]
Anonymous Lawyer, the narrator-protagonist of the eponymous weblog and soon-to-be released novel, by Jeremy Blachman, has no problem verbally shredding young lawyers, when their work does not meet his expectations. Prof. Yabut and the rest of the f/k/a Gang, however, feel a twinge of regret writing this review of Anonymous Lawyer: A Novel, after reading an advance copy sent by Jeremy and his publisher, Henry Holt & Co.). The book will be officially released July 25, 2006.
We already know that Jeremy Blachman can write scathingly funny, satiric prose, stay in character, and attract a large following, writing frequent postings in the weblog format. Fans of AL (the weblog) discovered he was the author behind the cynical “fictional hiring partner at a large law firm in a major city,” when Sara Rimer of the New York Times exposed him in “Revealing the Soul of a Soulless Lawyer” (Dec. 26, 2004). Many were shocked that a third-year Harvard Law School student could convince readers in the thousands that he was an experienced lawyer-combatant in wars between and among partners and associates at an elite law firm.
What we didn’t know, when Jeremy turned his NYT unmasking into a book deal, was whether this law school graduate — who’d rather be an author than a lawyer — could also write a novel. Unfortunately, after reading AL:a novel, I still don’t know.
Yes, the book is filled with funny, bitter, and (at times, insightful) zingers, just like the weblog. But, there are far too many other aspects that are just like the weblog. The first-person narrator continues to be soullessly cynical, conniving and cruel — there is no background, no depth or growth to the Anonymous Lawyer character. The other characters, with the slightest of exceptions, are not even cardboard cut-outs; they are simply nicknames — e.g., the Jerk, the Guy with the Giant Mole, the Suck-Up, the Bombshell. As for plot, it is so thin as to be virtually transparent. We end up with a hard-copy version of seven weeks of the fictional partner’s weblog.
The publisher apparently wanted a novel based on the weblog (to exploit the publicity bonanza created by NYT and all the weblogger buzz). Someone with editorial authority decided to write the entire book in weblog form — using time-dated “postings” varying in length from a few lines, to a few paragraphs, and occasionally a few pages. It might be possible to use that format and write an excellent novel, but I believe this gimmicky choice made Jeremy’s task of creating a satisfying narrative, plot and resolution, and having satisfying depth of scene and characterization, much harder. (Having a true narratvie and storyline that was punctuated with weblog postings would probably have created a structure far more conducive to success.)
In his Acknowledgments, Jeremy thanks a long list of friends for “useful feedback on structure, character development, plot, and more.” If the “Anonymous Lawyer” had any friends, he would surely have been far less generous.
So far, there have been only a few “reviews” of the book:
Crime & Federalism‘s Mike Cernovich says he stayed up late and finished the book the same day he received it, and “The book is brilliant.” Howard Bashman’s wife, “tremendously loved the book.” Inside Opinions quotes Great Teacher Onizuka, at AutoAdmit, who thinks it’s “very funny” and “This is going to be the “One L’ for 2Ls, summer associates, and biglaw attorneys.” I am looking forward to Denise Howell’s review and hope that Evan Schaeffer will give us his frank opinion. [update: On July 5, 2006, Ernie-the-Attorney Svenson enthusiastically recommended the book as “friggin’ hysterical.”]
My own conclusions are far more like those of Prof. Ann Althouse than of those praising the book. Althouse said on May 21, 2006: “I’ve formed a resistance to it after reading 20 pages.” She explains:
“My resistance is based on the thinness and emptiness of the narrator, who is a partner in a big law firm. . . .
“I already understand the bad feeling many young people get from working in law firms, and I don’t want to spend my time reading what I think is merely projected hatred and not a real character that can be understood.”
Prof. Althouse wondered if readers could give her any sufficient reasons for reading further. Your editor felt a similar “resistance” after reading a couple dozen pages of the book — the feeling that there was nothing happening beyond the one-note satire of the weblog — but decided that we “owed” it to Jeremy to see if the book turned into a satifsying novel. [I even sought out definitions of “novel” — like here, and there — to make sure I wasn’t being too harsh. At this point, I’m not even sure if you could call this a novelization of the weblog.]
Jeremy took a good thing, that offers a fun time to those interested in the arcane world of large law firms (and lawyer bashing), and gave us too much of it — without an expansion of scope and perspective that could keep a wider audience interested and satisfied. We like dark chocolate a lot around here, but on those dark nights when we eat not one large block candy bar, but five or six of them. the pleasure is soon replaced with the queasiness of obsession and excess.
My personal test for the success of a novel (and, of course, all I can give here is my personal reaction to AL: a novel, as I make no pretense to having expertise as a literary critic) is whether I want to share it with others — whether I want to lend it to them or recommend they invest the money and the time on the book. I can’t think of anyone in my circle of friends and acquaintances to whom I would hand this book with the expectation that they would enjoy or appreciate the experience of reading the entire book.
Yes, I might read aloud or email a sentence or two to a friend, for the wit or satiric insight. And, I might suggest they try the Althouse 20-page experience — which should suffice for getting the notion (and hopefully keeping them or their children from a life in BigLaw). Then, if someone new to Anonymous Lawyer found they enjoyed the humor or perspective, I would point them to the weblog, where they can get plenty more, in portions that are far more digestible, and without any great investment or literary expectations.
Scot Turow wrote a memoir of his first year in law school [One L], which had depth and vitality and genuineness. He then went on to become a highly-regarded novelist. I think Jeremy Blachman has a fine writing talent, but I do not know if he can find, structure, and sustain the depth and genuineness that it takes to write a good novel. I hope he gets the chance to do so, and to make a good living using his writing skills.
note: In migrating the weblog f/k/a to a new webserver in May 2006, we lost the original posting of this book review. Although we had the text elsewhere and are re-posting here, we do not have the Comments that were left by Evan Schaeffer and others (nor our reponses). Please accept our apologies. Previous Commentors are urged to repeat their thoughts and/or amplify on them at this reprise posting.
tagging along
with an ice cream cone
the senior partner
his quiet funeral—
a man who did
most of the talkingbarry george, j.d.
mid-argument
the senior partner
has a senior minute
mid-argument –
opposing counsel crosses
her legs
……………………………………….dagosan
a yearling
inching into the field
woodland shadow
first blossoms
my cell phone
set to vibrate
lengthening shadows
a stray dog
joins the picnic
hands in pockets–
the wait to view
VanGogh’s sunflowers
…………………………. paul m
“first blossoms” – Walking the Same Path; Heron’s Nest VI:4
“hands in pockets” – Frogpond XXVIII:3 (2005)
“lengthening shadows” – The Heron’s Nest (2004)
“the yearling” – TIny Words, May 23, 2006
Haibun Preview
stranger danger
by roberta beary
IN SCHOOL THEY WARN YOU about stranger danger beware
of all the people you don’t know don’t walk near the bushes keep
to the open street watch out for vans with sliding doors at home
keep the door locked don’t open up for strangers and they leave
out the part about the one with you in a place where no locks
can save you for years too long to count.funeral over
the deadbolt
slides into placeby Roberta Beary, Frogpond XXVIII:2 (2005)
* from the news:- WFIE.com, “IL Doctor kills children and Himself”
(Evanston, IL, May 28, 2006):
”Police say a man killed his two young children by throwing them off the 15th floor of a Miami Beach hotel, then jumped to his death. It happened Saturday at the landmark Loews Hotel in South Beach. “The children were four and eight years old. Police say the vacationing couple from Alton, Illinois were celebrating their tenth anniversary.”
– Also, Miami Herald.com, “Jumper ‘distraught’ in call” (May 29, 2006)
guest haijin:
thin winter coat
so little protection
against her boyfriend
John Stevenson – from Quiet Enough (2004)