I like reading movie reviews, but tend not to see them until the DVD releases. I read Robert Butler's KC STAR review of THE GHOST WRITER in early March---it's hard not to read a review that says something about making Hitchcock proud. Anyway, the movie is based on the novel THE GHOST written by British author Robert Harris. I had been intending to read one of his books. So I needed no further motivation. After reading the book, I hope to see the movie soon.
"The moment I heard how McAra died, I should have walked away".....so begins the story of the ghost writer. The narrator(his name is not provided) of this story is encouraged, almost pushed by his agent to be the ghost writer for the memoirs of Adam Lang, former British prime minster. Mr. Lang's ties to the American war on terror have left him less than popular with his British people. Mr Lang and his first ghost writer are given huge advances by the publisher to get the job down in a very short period of time. They are given use of the publisher's secluded home on Martha's Vineyard to concentrate on their work. So when the first ghost writer washes up on the shores of Martha's Vineyard, everyone suspects suicide due to the pressures of the job. The narrator hesitates accepting the offer, but the opportunity to ghost write memoirs of someone truly famous is irresistible.
The ghost writer takes up residence on the wintry, desolate Martha's Vineyard with Adam Lang and his large entourage. The writer's accommodations include the former room of his now deceased predecessor. He finds evidence that casts doubt on the first ghost writer's suicide. As deadlines shorten and a winter storm approaches, the tension grows as the ex-prime minister is publicly charged with war crimes. Mr Harris tells a good story and relieves some of the tension with witty dialog--for example, an introductory exchange between the narrator and Adam Lang, "Thank you," I said. "I have to tell you I've never met an ex-prime minister before." "Well, he said with a smile, "I've never met a ghost, so we're even."�