GARY BENCHLEY, ROCK STAR

a novel by PAUL FORD

Press

Entertainment Weekly

“Some were doubtless disappointed to learn that Benchley was in fact the creation of Harper's editor Ford, but it's unlikely that a real wannabe so young and inexperienced could have imparted such sharp humor and pathos to an otherwise standard story of making it (or not) in the Big City. Initially silly and self-absorbed, Benchley's tale turns out to be warm, human, and surprisingly sweet.” — Leah Greenblatt

The New York Post

“Now in book form: the popular online entries of a cliched, would-be indie rock star from Brooklyn who actually turned out to be a Harper's magazine editor are, as compiled in Gary Benchley, Rock Star, poignant and smart.” -- #1 from the October 2, 2005 "Hot List"

Publishers Weekly

“Ford . . . nicely captures the smalltown feeling of Williamsburg, where the 20-something rock and arts scenes are incestuous, shallow and deadly serious. Gary's first person is breezy and believable . . . and the rock minutiae, immature personae and clotted relationships are dead-on. For anyone now in their 30s with past musical ambitions, it's a funny, rueful read.”

Booklist

“Out of his exceedingly droll take on the indie music scene, Ford fashions a novel that just keeps getting funnier.” —Joanne Wilkinson

Kirkus Reviews

“A wry debut . . . . there are many disarmingly funny moments, such as Gary's dad's insistence that his boy provide him with legitimate career plans by means of a PowerPoint presentation. A snapshot of what it means to be young, smug and oh-so-trendy, circa 2005.”

Glorious Noise

“So who is this Paul Ford, and what is he doing writing a book about our hero, Gary Benchley?” (More)

Publisher's Weekly quote © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. Booklist quote © Booklist. Kirkus quote © Kirkus. Glorious Noise quote © Glorious Noise. The rights to all quoted excerpts belong to the copyright holders.