Famous by Blake Crouch is a darkly funny, unsettling tale of Lance, a washed-up nobody with a million-dollar face identical to a movie star’s. When he decides to fully step into the star’s life, the journey from quirky impersonation to chilling obsession keeps you hooked, even if the middle drags a bit. Slow at times. I was bored throughout. Still excited for the movie, maybe Hollywood can add a little pizazz.

I did not read the original novella, so this story was completely new to me. Famous follows Lance Dunkquist, a recently unemployed nobody who embarks on the ultimate doppelgänger scheme: becoming James Jansen, the famous actor he uncannily resembles.

Lance is an unlikeable, unreliable narrator, but I have to give it to him — he goes all in and spares no expense. From New York City to Hollywood, he plays out his Movie Star fantasy with abandon. It all seemed too easy; I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop with each uncomfortable situation he encountered. Then I remembered: it’s 1999, and the tech and media that would expose him quickly today didn’t exist yet.

Famous is unlike Crouch’s other work — no complicated, twisty sci-fi subplots here. I felt the story was building toward something astounding, but it never delivered a mind-blowing payoff. If expanding the novella, I think he could have made it even longer, adding more suspense and intrigue. It was a quick read with an interesting hook about fame, obsession and delusion, but I was expecting a bit more.

Crouch delivers something truly unique with this novel exploring the life of a Movie Star look-alike and Famous Person wannabe Lancelot Blue Dunkquist. How far will he go to become his celebrity doppelgänger? Fans of quirky novels may enjoy it.

I didn’t realize this was a re-release when I requested it. It is unlike Crouch’s later releases. A very different style and I am sad to say I barely got through it.

I had an absolute blast reading this title from the first to last page! This is a fast-paced story of unhinged, delusional behavior from a man who is often mistaken for a celebrity. I recommend it to anyone who LOVES an "unlikable" character or to anyone who has ever felt uneasy because it seems like another person is replicating their personality or style.

It's a wacky, wild, hilariously dark good time!

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an early re-release copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really didn't enjoy this book and couldn't get in to it. The first third is all about him passing as a celebrity and I don't feel like it moves much beyond that.

This guy, like many, wants to be a star. He doesn’t have any qualities of a star, except he looks exactly like this one particular award-winning actor. When his life goes down the tube, he empties his saving’s account and pursues his dream. While the overall story arc isn’t all that surprising, the vibes throughout are cool. It’s a quick jaunt through the premise and it ends in a very Blake Crouch way. Really enjoyed it. Worth checking out if you like Black Mirror and weird stories.

Blake Crouch’s Famous is a tightly woven, mind-bending novella that explores the price of notoriety in a hyper-connected world. With his trademark pacing and speculative edge, Crouch crafts a suspenseful story that asks: what happens when your worst moment goes viral and the world won’t let you forget it? As the protagonist grapples with guilt, obsession, and the public’s insatiable hunger for scandal, Crouch delivers a sharp critique of fame culture wrapped in a gripping, propulsive narrative. Fast, provocative, and eerily timely—Famous packs a surprising punch for its size.

Blake Crouch’s Famous is an emotionally charged novella that explores the murky territory between obsession, fame, and the consequences of trauma. Crouch shifts genres with Famous as a drama that unfolds through multiple perspectives, revealing how a single violent act reverberates through the lives of those involved.

I didn't love this book, but it certainly wasn't a "bad" book--it just wasn't for me. I had a hard time connecting with the characters, especially Lancelot Blue. The ending was unsatisfactory for me and it seemed like a build up to something, but then it was nothing.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this title. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book is about Lancelot Blue Dunkquist and his desire to become the famous movie star, Jim Jansen. It helps that he's the spitting image of JJ and it's just a matter of time before all the pieces fall into place and Lance can fulfill his dream. But, at what cost?

Unfortunately, this one was pretty rough for me. I love Crouch, but it's very apparent that this is a much earlier work. I would recommend his more recent novels instead. I ended up DNFing fairly early on so I won't be leaving a rating anywhere. It just didn't work for me.

I find Blake Crouch's books to be SO INTERESTING, and this one did not disappoint. It's eerie, so matter of fact that it feels like it could be real, except it's terrifying! Exactly the way I like it! From what I can tell, this book is a republication of an early independent release from Blake Crouch. It's not quite as well written as his more recent books, but it is still an excellent page-turner.

You can tell this is not current day Blake Crouch, but a much earlier one. Boy the man character is SO unlikable. I read it in one sitting so the classic quick intriguing that you expect from Crouch is still here. I wish it had been a little longer and more fleshed out, but this is definitely something that would work as a movie.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Famous.

I didn't realize this was a reissue until I started reading.

The writing is bad, like really bad; simplistic, like something you would fill out in a grammar school workbook to learn your letters and how to write basic sentences.

I've read the author's previous books before and enjoy most of them so it's great to see how much his writing has improved.

The narrative is meh. I've read something like this before, in an EC Comics story and that was way better.

Is the setup hard to suspend disbelief for? Sure.

The biggest problem is Lance is a loser, plain and simple. He's just faking it, not well, meandering along in life like he did with his previous loser life.

He's not likable, not even a likable sociopath, and the ending is exactly what I imagined for Lance.

I really enjoyed the premise of this book. However, it t clear to me how he could be impersonating Jim Jansen while the real Jim Jansen is still doing his thing in California. And the ending seemed a bit abrupt. Maybe his accident and the ramifications could have been fleshed out a bit more.

Crouch’s ”Famous” is a republication of a novel he first put out fourteen years earlier, but now it’s been made into a Hollywood movie. Thus, republishing made sense.

“Famous” explores what would happen if a paper-shuffling clerk who still lives in his parents’ basement loser (one Lancelot Blue Dunkquist”) happens to be the doppelgänger for a rich and famous movie star (one James Jansen). One day Lance quits his loser job and takes his $40,000 in savings (because living with mom and dad means no expenses), buys the fanciest Hugo Boss suits he can get and heads to New York where he pretends to be Jansen although he’s holed up in a cheap hotel in Harlem. He fakes acting in a play, only to get so nervous he throws up on stage although his picking up a woman using the Jansen persona works out for him.

The second stage of Lance’s act is heading to Los Angeles where he can mingle with other “stars” while crashing on his brother’s couch. Jansen, though now a recluse, lives in the Hollywood Hills and Lance has literally no concern about running into Jansen (til he does) though sporting around in a Lamborghini and picking up models pretending to be Jansen.

Crouch never quite pulls this one off. Lance remains a loser with no plan even as he takes over Jansen’s life. But, Lance never quite gets the true killer instinct of a psychopath and just bounces from one event to another. Lance feels stupid rather than desperate and never quite reaches creepy.

Famous is a quirky, fast-paced read with Blake Crouch’s signature bite, but it didn’t quite stick the landing for me. The concept was unique, and I appreciated the commentary on fame and identity, but I didn’t connect with the main character, and parts of the plot felt uneven. Definitely not my favorite Crouch, but still worth a read for fans.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Ballantine Books/Random House!

As someone who’s always enjoyed Blake Crouch’s writing, Famous was no exception ~ it pulled me in from the very beginning and didn’t let go until the final page. The plot felt refreshingly original, unlike anything I’ve read before, and the pacing was right on that I ended up devouring the book in just two days.

Lance, the main character, was particularly intriguing. I found myself constantly unsure of how I felt about him. He’s layered in a way that kept me curious, even if I couldn’t quite put my finger on what made him tick. That ambiguity actually worked in the book’s favor, adding to the overall sense of unpredictability.

The ending definitely had a "wait, what?!" moment that left me thinking long after I finished. While I appreciated the shock factor, I’m still torn on whether it fully landed or felt a little too abrupt. Either way, it sparked questions that I’m still mulling over.

Not my absolute favorite from Crouch, but still a solid, inventive read that proves why he’s one of my go-to authors for something bold and different. 3.5*

This is a re-release coming Sept 23, 2025. Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC of the re-release.

Famous is a wild, fast-paced ride that dives deep into the crazy world of social media and fame. Blake Crouch throws you right into a story that’s equal parts thrilling and thought-provoking, with twists that keep you guessing. It’s got that signature Crouch energy—intense, unpredictable, and super addictive. If you’re into thrillers that also make you think about how fame and the internet mess with our heads, this one’s a total page-turner. Definitely buckle up for this one!

Sadly this was a DNF for me. While I usually enjoy Crouch’s books, in this one the writing felt pedestrian, the story was very basic, and without a likable character or real plot engine to carry it along, it just felt like a slog. Not recommended.