The Last Days of Publishing

Is it a commentary on post-sixties America or some tough love for the publishing biz? Or a bit of both? Lets call it a page-turner with a soul and maybe the best little novel to come around in a good long while.

What's been happening in book publishing these last 20 or 30 years is most discouraging. As an antidote, I recommend Tom Engelhardt's vivid, lively novel, which helps us see those depressing developments from the inside. He does it, though, with humor and flair--no preachiness here. Reading it, you'll encounter a fascinating gallery of New York City character types. The scene at the Museum of Natural History is unforgettable in its look at cultural-sexual office politics. The whole book is sardonic fun, and a fast, compelling read. I read the entire thing on a Transatlantic flight.

It isn't often that you find a novel as intelligent, original and humorous as it is powerfully poignant. Somehow, though, Engelhardt has written just such a book. The Last Days of Publishing is a crisp and compelling read. In fact, don't be surprised if the story of Rick Koppes, Engelhardt's tragic-hero narrator (and, perhaps the last man of integrity in the increasingly soulless world of publishing) captivates you to the point of reading the novel in one sitting. Yes, it is simply that good.

When a book is more than a good read, it becomes necessary to share it. Engelhardt draws us into a world both devastating and fascinating. Following his lead character through his episodes, I laughed, I held my breath, I kept learning more. This is a world about which very little appears in fiction. I recommend this book for its originality and authenticity, and also because it's a wonderful journey.