“It is a delicious thing to write, to be no longer yourself but to move in an entire universe of your own creating. Today, for instance, as man and woman, both lover and mistress, I rode in a forest on an autumn afternoon under the yellow leaves, and I was also the horses, the wind, the words my people uttered, even the red sun that made them almost close their love-drowned eyes.” (p. 343)
James Patterson did not write these words…Gustave Flaubert did. But, as Patterson elaborates on this quote in his James Patterson: The Stories of My Life it’s clear Patterson’s writing experience parallels Flaubert’s.
Although the trajectory of Patterson’s autobiography is roughly chronological, Patterson loves to jump around with a story about his writing novels with Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton. I was stunned at the number of Famous People Patterson encountered before he got famous himself.
I confess I haven’t read many James Patterson books. I read The Thomas Berryman Number, Patterson’s first novel published in 1976. It won the Edgar Award for Best First Mystery. The story about how that happened is pretty funny the way Patterson tells it.
In fact, there are plenty of funny stories in James Patterson: The Stories of My Life. Some very sad and tragic ones, too. I came away impressed with Patterson’s work ethic and his restrained ego. After all, Patterson is the best selling writer in the world, but doesn’t gloat about it. Diane has read all 22 volumes in Patterson’s Woman’s Murder Club series. Patterson wrote the first novel, 1st to Die. Subsequent novels have been cowritten with Andrew Gross (2–3) and Maxine Paetro (4–22). Diane loves them.
If you’re a James Patterson fan, you’ll enjoy his autobiography. If you want to find out how Patterson became the best selling writer in the world, that’s worth finding out, too. Patterson includes a surprise on practically every page. Great writing technique! Are you a James Patterson fan? GRADE: A
I read, and liked, some of the early Alex Cross books, but the plots became increasingly far-fetched and I gave up on them. One of his cowriters, David Ellis, has written some very good novels on his own, including LOOK CLOSER a few months ago, and it’s one of the better crime novels I’ve read this year. This book sounds interesting and I keep thinking I’ll give it a try.
Michael, JAMES PATTERSON is a very fast read…as are most of Patterson’s books. Short chapters, lots of white space, snappy writing style. Patterson is a born story-teller…and he has some wonderful stories to tell in this book!
I remember liking The Thomas Berryman Number when it came out. I read one or two of the Alex Cross but found them too lightweight. The women in my apartment building love his books. Probably because they are such easy, quick reads. He does seem like a nice guy though.
Steve, James Patterson comes off as a really nice guy in this book. I’m impressed with his passion for getting kids to read!
I don’t think I have ever read one. Using co-writers really puts me off. How much money does one man need.
Patti, Patterson puts a lot of work into outlining each of the books he works on with his co-writers. Much of his money goes to his various charities.
I have this one on reserve at the library. I’ve read a few of his – ZOO (with Michael Ledwidge)for one, as they were making it into (an even sillier) TV series. The book was better, Jackie read a few of his Women’s Murder Club books. I’m a big fan of Brendan Dubois, who has written with Patterson, so plan to try those.
Jeff, I’m always interested in how writers approach the writing process. Patterson works hard and results in plenty of books. As I mentioned before, Patterson is a born story-teller who has lived a fantastic Life!
I suspect I would find this more interesting than his fiction…I’ve only skimmed a few pages of the more ineluctable of his collaborations, so far.
Todd, I think you’d find James Patterson’s autobiography absorbing! An alternated title might have been HOW TO MAKE A $100 MILLION DOLLARS IN YOUR SPARE TIME!
I read Thomas Berryman and remember nothing about it. And I think I read a couple of the Alex Cross books, but had no desire to continue with the series. When I saw the Patterson/Clinton in a Goodwill for a buck, I bought it and found it a quick and decent read. I do remember reading Richard North Patterson around the time I first read James and liked his books much more. I probably will read the autobiograpy if it shows up in my library.
Kent, you’ll enjoy the James Patterson autobiography. Patterson tells a very funny story about Richard North Patterson in one chapter.