To Die For

I normally enjoy stories told from multiple points of view, but this one was a bit of a struggle. The book is made up of micro-chapters by a rotating cast of a dozen characters. Also, the copy I received was crudely typeset (wavy lettering) for which there is no excuse in this day and age. The story was delightful (snide, which I like), but this is the first time I can say that I liked the movie better.

Anyone who would read this book and think it was just a novelization of the Pam Smart story probably watches too many movies of the week on LifetimeTV. This book takes the idea of what happened in the Smart case and uses it as a skeleton to write a sharp and darkly funny FICTIONALIZED look at our society's obsession with television and celebrity.When this book was turned into a movie, a local t.v. station ran an interview with Pam Smart who was uspet about her portrayal in the film. It wouldn't have come as such a surprise to her if she had bothered to read the book. And why would she be upset if she didn't care about fame (or rather infamy)? Don't read this book and wonder how much of it is about Pam Smart but read it wonder how much of it is about our country, our neighbors and ourselves.

Maybe you have to be a writer to appreciate the breathtaking talent that went into the writing of this book. It is an incredible feat to be able to sustain multiple points of view as gracefully and altogether believably as Ms. Maynard did here. I can only admire her achievement.

Loosely based on the life of the New Hampshire schoolteacher (Pam Smart) who seduced two teenage boys into killing her dull husband, To Die For is a fun novel that fictionalizes a much talked about crime that made headlines a few years ago. Another case of where the book is much, much better than the movie (although the film by Gus Van Sant- starring Nicole Kidman as Suzanne, Matt Dillon as Larry, Casey Affleck as Russell and Joaquin Phoenix as Jimmy- did have its good moments), To Die For is easily one of my favorite books. Such a great book that it's inspiring me to maybe write a fictionalized story based on that lethal Long Island Lolita, Amy Fisher.

What a Great book!!! It would definitely have to be among the best I have ever read. It's presented in a fresh, unique way and has great characters. I saw the movie first and it does not do the book justice.