Win a Signed Copy of Zoe Heller's New Novel The Believers!

If you, like me, utterly enjoyed Notes on a Scandal, the film starring a luscious Cate Blanchett and a ferocious Dame Judi Dench, you probably found yourself drawn to the novel upon which the film was based: What Was She Thinking: Notes on a Scandal by Zoe Heller. It is an amazing novel and after reading it, I couldn't wait to read more by Heller.

The Believers is her follow up and it completely delivers. When radical New York lawyer Joel Litvinoff is felled by a stroke, his wife, Audrey, uncovers a secret that forces her to reexamine everything she thought she knew about their forty-year marriage. Joel’s children will soon have to come to terms with this discovery themselves, but for the meantime, they are struggling with their own dilemmas and doubts. Rosa, a disillusioned revolutionary, has found herself drawn into the world of Orthodox Judaism and is now being pressed to make a commitment to that religion. Karla, a devoted social worker hoping to adopt a child with her husband, is falling in love with the owner of a newspaper stand outside her office. Ne’er-do-well Lenny is living at home, approaching another relapse into heroin addiction.

In the course of battling their own demons—and one another—the Litvinoff clan is called upon to examine long-held articles of faith that have formed the basis of their lives together and their identities as individuals. In the end, all the family members will have to answer their own questions and decide what—if anything—they still believe in.

You can listen to Linda Wertheimer's review of the book and interview with Zoe Heller that aired today on NPR's Morning Edition here.

I have 5 signed hardcover copies of The Believer to give away! To enter the random drawing, tell me what book you most wish would be made into a film. I'll pick the winners randomly from all entries received by midnight on Sunday March 15th. Get yourself two entries by commenting and/or tweeting or posting this contest elsewere. Three entries by doing all three!

Comments

[Jenne]

I wish that So Big by Edna Ferber could be remade into another movie. And I also wish that Pink Think by Lynn Peril could be made into a documentary - I would love to see some old commercials and tv sitcom bits to illustrate her points.

[Kiki]

Hi Jennifer

Two recent books that I would love to see as movies; Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohajalian (I loved that one, although we proabably don't need another WW2 novel, huh?) or Paul Auster's man in the Dark, a really unusual book with a really interesting sub-plot--I think it would make a great movie.

One of my book groups recently read What Was She Thinking? and had a great discussion about it--saw the movie too!

My daughter's name is Zoë also!

[Kathy]

The first book that comes to mind is The School of Essential Ingredients.

[Lisa]

I'd love to see "People of the Book" made into a movie but it would probably be too difficult.

[Lisa]

Just sent a tweet out to let people know about the drawing!

[Sinéad Gleeson]

It's a very small, slight book but I'd love to see a film version of Maebh Brennan's The Visitor. Also Lorrie Moore's wonderful book about female friendship, Who Will Run the Frog Hospital.

And maybe I'm hung up on Huston's The Dead, but I'd love to see some of Flannery O'Connor's short stories in film.

[Erika Lynn]

I really want to see Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols made in to a movie

[Megan]

I would love to see Laura Viera Rigler's "Confessions of A Jane Austen Addict" made into a film! In fact, I recently blogged about it :) It would be great fun!

This book sounds very compelling! Thanks for the chance!

Megan
writing.meg [at] gmail.com

[Kathy]

I would love to see the book Hunger Games made into a movie. I can just see Katniss and Petra's outfits! It would be awesome!

[Ti]

Hmmmm... I would love to see The Thirteenth Tale made into a film. Or The Terror but the arctic element would be tough to pull off.

[Julie P.]

I just finished a book that would make a wonderful movie -- THE RELIABLE WIFE! I actually think the film rights have already been sold!

[Julie E.]

I would love to win a copy of this book--I heard it was great!

I think Carol Goodman's "The Lake of Dead Languages" would make a great movie. I recall, when reading it, thinking that the scenes that take place on the frozen lake would look fantastic on film.

[Kelly C]

The book I really wish would be made into a movie is The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. LOVED that one!

Thanks for entering me in the drawing!

[rhapsodyinbooks]

I guess I'd go for Cutting for Stone to be a film.

Thanks!

[Jess]

Agnes and The Hitman by Jennifer Cruise and Bob Meyer -- with the right cast, of course.

[melanie]

I would like Doris Grumbach's The Ladies to be made into a movie!

[Jess]

I would love to see Agnes and the Hitman (by Jennifer Cruise and Bob Meyers) made into a movie -- with the right cast, of course.

[Mari Partyka]

The Red Tent or Poisonwood Bible, it's too hard to choose!

Thanks for all you do, Mari

[Rebecca @ The Book Lady's Blog]

I think Kathryn Stockett's new novel The Help would be fantastic on film. Thanks for the great giveaway!

[Melanie]

Some great suggestions so far. I think the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society would make a great movie.