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 The Wonder! February 20, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
"Boy Wonder" by James Robert Baker is a book I had recommended to me by at least 3 of the people I was at a party with the other night. Usually, a lot of "You must read this!" stuff tends to put me off, but in fact, this is a terrific book. It's fiction, but written in the style of a fragmented autobiography- the story of Shark Trager, Hollywood producer- told from the viewpoints of those people close to him. It covers a lot of bizarre happenings, involving real and made-up people from the Hollywood star system- and there are some real, deep emotions in there, but mostly a lot of black, black humour presented in a deadpan, snappy fashion. It's a thick book, but a quick, easy read- a good one for those who are interested in the movie business.
Oh My God April 10, 2003
I was lent this book by a friend not so long ago, and it's funny, oh boy is it funny. Yes it is.
Right from the hilarious description of the Shark's early days, right up to the bitter, bitter end you laugh like a crazy, even when you're not reading it. Which isn't very often.
To put it bluntly, it made me laugh my ears off my head.
Quite simply the best book I've ever read March 10, 2002
Unfortunately this book is now out of print, as this is quite simply the best book I've ever read. Its funny, incredibly dark, and even slightly romantic (if obsession could be looked upon as romantic). I've owned a copy of this book since 1999 and have read it every year since without fail.
If you see this book then buy it, I can't recommend it enough..
Hollywood Babylon October 6, 2000
Like most people who love this book I read it by accident, picking it up in a seconds shop. To say I was pleasantly surprised as I finished it 10 feverish hours later, would be an understatement. But it would take many readings to fully appreciate the many levels of irony, that Boy Wonder functions on. A fictionalised biography of Shark Trager, a monstrous film producer, narrated in addictive chunks by his bizarre family, friends, lovers and enemies; it works as an original character study and laugh-out-loud assault on the movie biz. Basically the whole book is a series of wicked movie parodies as Trager's life mirrors the story of Hollywood in the 60s, 70s and 80s in all its excesses. (I thought this was OTT until I read Easy Riders and Raging Bulls and the Don Simpson biog and realised its a accurate portrait of the era.) Along with American Pyscho and The Talented Mr Ripley I think of Boy Wonder as an unholy trilogy of great books about sociopaths. Like those novels it's studded with violent death and an inventive use of household implements ( most unforgetablyas Shark makes a slasher movie about his childhood friend/serial killer, employing the pyscho as "Creative Advisor") But it's a lot more fun, satirizing the banal horrors of corporate Hollywood. Everyone who stands in Shark's way gets totally destroyed but they do so in ways that are as hilariously unlikely as they as horrible. As the story gets more and more outrageous and operatic, every time you think that Shark (and Baker) has surpassed himself, he manages to trash yet another of our few remaining taboos, right up to the incredible Oscar night finale and Shark's memorable death (I'm not giving anything away: you know he's going to eventually self-destruct right from the first page.) I often think this would make a great movie except no studio would touch it. This is not an affectionate send-up but all-out attack on everything Hollywood (and America values.) Baker was a frustrated screenwriter and you can just feel his delicious anger directed at the men-in-suits. One of the more surprising things about Boy Wonder, is it's sub-plot about the movies' dilemma between art and commerce as Shark's career veers between personal flops and bland block-busters and in the unanswered question: was Shark an irresponsible genius or "mediocre whore"? So don't hold your breath for the Jerry Bruckheimer version, instead trawl through the second hand shops to find a copy and decide for yourself.
 LIVES UP TO HARD SECOND NOVEL STEREOTYPE February 19, 1999
As a lover of Bakers first book 'Fuel Injected Dreams', I was dissapointed at the lack of flow of this novel. The life of Trager was a great study in celluloid tragedy, and the moral of how your first love can affect everything you do. Success and failure grasped Trager in every aspect of his life, and even when you get the love you desire, the novelty soon wears off. A book for people who love fame and its superficial ideals.
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