4.25 stars

THE SEQUEL by Jean Hanff Korelitz is a strong sequel to her 2021 bestseller THE PLOT. Since it’s been over 2 years since I read THE PLOT, I do recommend reading these close together or at least reviewing the full summary with spoilers to THE PLOT before picking this one up if you were like me and forgot some of the intricacies of the first book. I think it’s necessary to have that background. 

In this novel, the main character Anna Williams-Bonner is Jacob’s widow from the first book, and she has decided to become an author herself and successfully publishes her own book THE AFTERWORD at Jacob’s publishing house. I absolutely loved the publishing insider commentary that reminded me of YELLOWFACE. Shelf Awareness even got a shout out in this novel! 

Soon Anna receives excerpts from a novel that seems very familiar, and she starts to spiral. If you like unhinged narrators, you’ll enjoy seeing Anna’s journey in this novel. She takes literal and figurative journeys to try to get to the bottom of what’s going on. 

I don’t think the author knew she was going to write this sequel until after she experienced success with the first novel, so there was some layering needed with the plot that, at times, felt strained. You don’t read thrillers like this for their plausibility, so just go in with the goal of seeing where Anna takes you. And she will take you places! 

I was curious about what Anna’s novel would be about, but unfortunately the reader never gets to know.  I, for one, would love to know what kind of plot Anna’s mind would create.

If you liked THE PLOT, I’m certain you will also enjoy THE SEQUEL. I ended up rating it a little bit higher because I loved the publishing industry talk in the first third of the book.