Impersonation Kindle Edition

This book has all of the right ingredients, a relatable, likeable protagonist, a plot that kept me turning the pages, fantastic humor, and relevant issues.I rooted for Allie, a single mother who is struggling financially, throughout the entire book. I loved her. I understood her. She is the type of person I would want as a friend—open, honest, and hardworking. Her son is the center of her world, and like most mothers, she will do anything for him. There were moments I laughed, and moments when I found this book incredibly poignant. For me the core of the book is motherhood. Other issues are raised as well: the metoo movement, politics, class, race and feminism, which are all deftly and seamlessly woven into Allie’s story. This is the type of book that makes you think about your own life, reflect on the lives of women, contemplate how far we’ve come, and how we still have miles to go.This is an incredibly timely, important story that needs to be read by a wide audience.

I found this book to be mostly believable except for one particular - why wouldn't she sell the Gucci bag if she's so low on money?

Kudos to anyone who has the self discipline, talent and faith to bring a story to publication. It is hard work. I was not captivated by the writing and didn't enjoy the story. That's another thing that makes a writer's life so unrewarding at times, not everyone is going to like their stories, but still, they persist.

What an engaging, fun, and compelling read! Pitlor gives the reader prose that sings and a plot that punches. I couldn't put this story down until I learned what the outcome for the single-parent Allie and ghostwriter would be. Pitlor captures the reality of what I call "double-parenting" when one is going it solo raising a young child like Allie's son, Cass, and attempting to keep a roof over their head. Despite the hardships, this novel is riddled with humor and wit. There's a bit of romance, too. Overall, this is a captivating, timely, literary read that while it addresses the political climate of 2016 in the U.S., remains entertaining from page 1 to page 322.

Allie Lang is a single mother, by choice. She lives with her five year old son, Cass and her on-again, off-again boyfriend. Allie is a ghostwriter by profession, although she has to supplement her income with substitute teaching and landscaping odd jobs. Her childcare is shaky. She can't afford a fulltime program so she has Cass in a childcare center one or two days a week for the socialization and then she has a neighbor watch him on other days. Unfortunately, the neighbor is elderly and getting forgetful but it's what Allie can afford. Her days are filled with uncertainty and she can't plan for the future like those in more stable situations are able to. But she has tons of time to spend with her son and she is her own boss, reliant on herself and her creativity to carve out a life.When her latest ghostwriting assignment blows up, Allie is at loose ends. Then a dream job comes her way. Lana Breban is a famous woman, a feminist who has come to embody the struggle. She is a household name but her team feels that a biography would humanize her, showing her as not only a revolutionary but a wife and mother. They hire Allie and she is ecstatic as Lana is one of her heroes. But the work doesn't go well. Lana is constantly off somewhere, at conferences and rallies, brainstorming with corporate heads and lawmakers. She gives Allie very little material and it becomes apparent, there is little to give. Lana has been a very hands off mother, leaving the raising of her child to a housekeeper and nannies. Under pressure, Allie slowly begins to substitute in her own memories and struggles of being a mother. Lana is pleased and tells Allie to do more of that and when the book is finished it is more Allie's story than Lana's. But trouble is waiting in the wings.Heidi Pitlor has worked in the publishing industry for most of her career. She is also the senior editor of the Best American Short Stories series since 2007. Her inside knowledge of the publishing industry makes this novel authentic. She is a wife and mother to twins so she knows the difficulties of motherhood. In Allie, she has created a woman that the reader can instantly relate to and cheer for. The novel illustrates the difficulties women face without being preachy about them. This book is recommended for readers of women's fiction and relationships.

I am not sure if any writer would relate to the story. But, the author made Alli's life and struggle interesting for me to experience through reading.. Alli had quite a mother to deal with and I admired her ability to forgive.

Uninteresting characters, poorly drawn plot, not well written.

I galloped through this book— I’m fascinated by the world of ghost writing, and really enjoyed how politics, mothering, ghost writing and other themes were woven together. Loved the imperfect and three dimensional Allie, the heroine of the book. Her relationship with her son is beautifully drawn; as a mother myself, I think Ms. Pitlor really captures the complexities, depth and intensity of the mother/child relationship. As I read, I kept seeing this as a film, and wanted to cast it— some really chewy parts for actresses. Maybe Anne Hathaway or Katie Holmes as Allie? Nicole Kidman or Cate Blanchett as Lana? In any case, this book stuck with me and kept me thinking well after I’d finished it. Well, well worth the read, and a good one for book groups.