The Follower [Hardcover]

No one is writing books quite like Jason Starr. His latest novel is labeled a "thriller," and yes, it is most definitely that --- I was actually afraid to read the last several pages, for what they might reveal --- but like his other books, Starr's narratives handily slice in and out of life, shattering character and plot stereotypes to an unsettling degree. The reader never knows what is going to happen or how it will happen. Starr, however, does quite a bit more in THE FOLLOWER than turn an expectation or two upside down.

The book defies convention from the git-go. Starr begins things slowly, almost agonizingly so, setting up his main characters and a few secondary ones with a minimum of flash before he begins to tantalizingly disrobe their psyches. The main story ebbs and flows around Katie Porter and Peter Wells. Porter is from a small New England town, an administrative assistant fresh out of college living in Manhattan and working for a financial PR agency. But her life, as she is rapidly discovering, is neither as exciting nor as fulfilling as she thought it would be. Wells is a few years older than Porter, from the same small town, and also living in Manhattan. He is in love with her and has their life together planned out to the last nuance; he sets up a chance meeting, starts finding reasons to run into her, and slowly begins interjecting himself into her life.

No one is going to stop Porter's Peter Pan boyfriend (least of all Andy Barnett), who seems as bent on seducing everyone who moves (provided they meet his careful and exacting standards) as he is on convincing Porter to offer him the marble peach. Porter, however, is not exactly blameless. Indeed, it would be tough to pick a winner in a three-way bet among Porter, Barnett and a bassinet to pick the shallowest of the group. Porter's and Barnett's friends, with the exception of Porter's roommate, aren't much better. Wells, on the other hand, is by no means shallow. He is actually quite deep, a yawning, dangerous, dark chasm that is patiently waiting to swallow Porter and anyone who gets in his way.

Starr would have created a riveting tale just sticking to his basic plot, letting it unfurl and displaying what happens. But he takes different vignettes in THE FOLLOWER and examines each from the perspective of the participants, by showing how different each person's version of the same truth becomes. This method is particularly effective after the first extended outing between Wells and Porter; as the reader learns of the events first through Wells's eyes and then through Porter's, it becomes more than obvious that the book will either have a horrifying ending or result in horrors without end. Or both.

In the space of just a few novels, Starr seems on the verge of creating a genre unto himself, and THE FOLLOWER is one more, very important reason why.

--- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

What's to say about Jason Starr that hasn't been said by more intelligent people already? Yes, he IS a modern day Jim Thompson in that he truly seems to be able to get in the minds of sociopaths and understands what people's jobs and actions say about their personalities. The difference between Mr. Thompson and Mr Starr is that the later is FUNNY. Funny as hell, in fact. He gets inside the characters heads and what he sees is not pretty and for that he makes no excuses. The main character, Katie Porter, is insecure and vain. The men she dates are predatory and shallow. The villain is a sociopathic romantic and, in many ways (given his romantic competition) her best option. If he wasn't a homicidal sociopath he would be the perfect boyfriend. What is Jason Starr saying in this book? The modern dating scene in NYC is loaded with shallow, predatory opportunists? Well, yeah but that has been said before. That surface impressions are nothing but mere manipulations? Yeah, sure but anyone who has read "The Game" (a handbook for predatory daters) already knows that. Here is what I think is the central thesis of this book: The popular depiction of romantic love as presented in movies and books is, at heart, sociopathic and appeals to people who make shallow choices. Boy, that sounds over-serious and pedantic- here's the thing- it's not- it's hilarious. The Medical Intern who goes everywhere in his O.R scrubs so that he is easily identified as a doctor to potential conquests. The women who kisses a guy because he is cute but who, as she is aware, is a murder suspect. The Police Detective who has the reputation as the worst Detective in NYC and, based on his investigative skills on display in this book, likely is...This is great, fun read that is as much social satire as it is crime thriller. Imagine a more readable, less loathsome "American Psycho" and THAT is "The Follower".

As a chick lit author, I love any book that begins with a Jane Austen quote. Especially one that's cleverly used, as in the opener to Jason Starr's psychological thriller, THE FOLLOWER.

THE FOLLOWER is a dark tale about Katie Porter, and the man who stalks her, Peter Wells. Just one warning: Parents--you may never let your children move into their own apartment in Manhattan after you read this!

Starr does an excellent job of portraying single life amongst the 20-somethings living on the Upper East Side of Manhattan--and then skewering it. I loved the irony of how Katie's creepy stalker, Peter, actually has many of the things that Katie would want in a man--the expensive co-op apartment, the big bank account, and the subtle good looks. Starr is making a powerful statement about single life in New York City, what we think we want, and what we deserve to get.

I was highly entertained by this book, and you will be, too. It was the first Jason Starr novel that I've ever read, and I will be back to read more.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 18 reviews  3.7 out of 5 stars