Zac Efron is perfect for the role of the protagonist, and this book will make an excellent hour to an hour and a half movie. Lance is perfectly unlikeable and creepy, but some of his motivations make sense, and it's like a fever dream seeing some of his hopes come true. The shift in language toward the end of the book to show the decline of James Jansen's mind is fascinating, and while the middle of the book has a lull, Crouch draws the reader back in at the end.

Famous by James Crouch is an intriguing exploration of identity, obsession, and the Hollywood dream gone off the rails. The story follows Lance, a man with a "million-dollar face" who spends years emulating his chance encounter with Oscar-winning star James Jansen, only to decide he’s ready to become his idol after losing his job. Crouch skillfully takes us from the gritty streets of New York’s avant-garde scene to the glitz and glam of Los Angeles, blending dark humor with an unsettling atmosphere. While the premise promises a gripping, genre-bending thriller, the execution feels somewhat uneven at times. Some readers might appreciate the ambitious mix of psychological drama and suspense, but others could find the pacing a bit inconsistent. The novel offers a surprising ending that sticks with you, but it may not resonate fully with those expecting a more straightforward thrill ride. Overall, Famous is a thought-provoking, edgy read—worthy of attention, though it might not satisfy everyone looking for a tightly wound narrative.

I’m a dedicated Blake Crouch fan so I was excited to receive this ARC. As always Crouch has a flair for unique and original storytelling.
In this book a man with a disappointing life, decides to make major changes so he can live the life of a famous person. I greatly enjoyed how he accomplished this and the suspense of where the story was going. The book even added a little twist which was fun.
I was a little let down as this wasn’t quite as robust as his other recent books, but then saw this is a rerelease of an earlier book. Still fun to read, but maybe a little less developed as his other books these past few years.
I see this is being developed as a movie and I think that will be a fun watch.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Famous is a fast-paced, engaging read that showcases Blake Crouch's talent for crafting suspenseful narratives. It’s a true page-turner with tight pacing and an intriguing premise. However, the experience is hampered by a deeply unlikable main character, which makes it difficult to connect emotionally with the story. The book also feels more like a novella or an extended short story rather than a fully developed novel, leaving certain elements underexplored. While it delivers on tension and momentum, it ultimately falls short in terms of character depth and overall satisfaction.

This short psychological thriller (dark comedy?) has quick pacing similar to Run, another recent re-release from Crouch, and similar to Run, we don’t see any of Crouch’s signature science-filled suspense here. That said, Famous is still a lot of fun to read. Crouch has a super odd sense of humor that really shines in the inner dialogue of Lancelot Blue Dunkquist.

This book reminds me of Yellowface by R.F. Kuang, another kind of buzzy novel written by an otherwise fairly serious author. Both novels have horrendous main characters that you just love to hate that you’re somehow simultaneously horrified by and yet also kind of rooting for. It seems like both authors deviated from their respective genres to write something that makes a very specific point personal to them. Kuang’s was a comment on the current state of the publishing industry and Crouch’s was…1990s Hollywood and also Broadway? I’m still working that out.

Lance is a regular guy, or at least regular enough. He lives with his parents, works an office job, and is saving up money. The most remarkable thing about him is that he bears a striking resemblance to Oscar-winning actor, James Jansen. After he's fired from his job, Lance decides it's time to move out and get his life started.

Fun, creepy, a little crazy. Reminded me of American Psycho in some ways, just from the narrative perspective. Very much looking forward to the upcoming A24 movie with Zac Efron, although I didn't necessarily envision Zac Efron (Lance hasn't done any plastic surgery to look like Jansen). Super fast read, while I wouldn't call Famous a novella it also only took a few hours to read.

This new publication has an updated cover and updated quote at the beginning.

Famous by Blake Crouch is a darkly funny psychological thriller. It follows Lance who looks exactly like A-list actor James Jansen, so much so that people constantly stop him on the street. So when life falls apart, Lance decides to become James Jansen! The author mixes satire, suspense, and a whole lot of cringey moments. The ending left me stunned, and I love when that happens. If you like your thrillers twisted and your characters morally (super) gray, this one’s for you!

A dark, suspenseful, view of celebrity from a narcissist and sociopath that had me start and finish this gem of a story in one sitting!

Lance is quite the fascinating character and the way the author tells this story keeps you invested until the gut punch ending. I'll be recommending this one.

As a big fan of Blake Crouch, this one threw me off a bit. I was definitely expecting more suspense. I did enjoy the writing style but the ending left me wanting more from Lance/Jansen.

The writing style is...man, I wish my inner monologue were so...peppy? succinct? shallow? But. Reading this genuinely made for a rousing afternoon, so...okay, let's.

Lance, an absolute double for movie star Jim Jansen starts to impersonate him and enjoy his life.
Famous is very short, I’d say between a short story and a novella but it keeps the plot tight and moving. I loved the premise and its execution, and the insights into Lance’s state of mind, but absolutely hated the ending. There’s a scene with the dogs and the yoga room when the horror starts to become interesting, but it’s quickly squashed, and not explained. The first 90% is sooo good, I can’t understand why the author would let it dissolve and end the way it did.