Why Write the Great American Novel When You Can BE in One?

I saw this on Twitter this morning via @PenguinLibrary and thought it was such a fun idea, I had to share. Flavorwire had written an article about a service called U Star Novels that will allow you to insert yourself and your friends into classic novels, Mad Libs-style, for just $24.95. The clear choice for me would be The Hound of the Baskervilles because I’m a Holmesian nut, and second choice would be The Importance of Being Earnest, because it was one of the required-reading books in school I actually enjoyed. I’m also perusing the list of available titles to see which would make good gifts for my sisters, who had both been English majors.

But I also started thinking about which contemporary novels I’d like to insert myself in. Top of the list would probably be something by Robert Crais. If I’m Elvis Cole, that means Joe Pike’s my partner and who wouldn’t want that?? The Cat would also be mine. I’d also consider wedging myself into a Lee Child novel as Jack Reacher, because being a 6′ 5″ asskicking dude is not something I’d ever get to experience in real life.

So, which classic and contemporary novels would you “reimagine” starring yourself?

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15 Comments

  • Reply
    Naomi Johnson
    April 19, 2012 at 3:52 pm

    Oooh, what a great idea! I want to be Sarah Thane in Georgette Heyer’s THE TALISMAN RING. I want to be Modesty Blaise in any of those books. I want to be Horatio Hornblower so I can fix his depressing character.

    • Reply
      Pop Culture Nerd
      April 19, 2012 at 4:42 pm

      Ha! What would you have Horatio do?

      • Reply
        Naomi Johnson
        April 19, 2012 at 8:24 pm

        Stop saying “ahem.” Not marry his first wife. Not cheat on his second wife. Stop being an arsehole to Lt Bush. And so on.

  • Reply
    EIREGO
    April 19, 2012 at 3:58 pm

    That sounds like crazy fun stuff!

    • Reply
      Pop Culture Nerd
      April 19, 2012 at 4:46 pm

      Since you didn’t pick a book or character, I’m just going to select Harry Potter for you, based on what I know. How’s that?

  • Reply
    Shell Sherree
    April 19, 2012 at 4:40 pm

    What a brainwave! Lord of the Rings, please. But who to choose? I’d have to go for Arwen. Aragorn could put his slippers under my bed any day!

    • Reply
      Pop Culture Nerd
      April 19, 2012 at 4:48 pm

      Oh, my. That’s, ah, sexy, Shell. And I like it.

  • Reply
    jenn aka the picky girl
    April 19, 2012 at 7:12 pm

    I would TOTALLY be Rebus’s Siobhan in Ian Rankin’s series. Heck to the yeah.

    OR Clare from Outlander. I could be Jamie Fraser’s Sassenach. Yes, please.

    • Reply
      Pop Culture Nerd
      April 21, 2012 at 12:34 am

      I don’t know those characters—am I the only person in the Western world who hasn’t read OUTLANDER? I do have a couple of Rankins. I’m going to start reading one and imagine you as Siobhan.

      • Reply
        Naomi Johnson
        April 21, 2012 at 5:33 am

        You’re not alone. I haven’t read OUTLANDER either. Did read her LORD JOHN AND THE PRIVATE MATTER, but though the premise was interesting the book was tediously long-winded.

  • Reply
    le0pard13
    April 20, 2012 at 10:59 am

    It’s way too easy to imagine myself in something by Robert Crais. He captures the city I’ve lived in so damn well I always feel I’m just around the corner from what’s transpiring.

    • Reply
      Pop Culture Nerd
      April 21, 2012 at 12:30 am

      You can insert yourself into TAKEN as Jon Stone. You already have the jersey!

      • Reply
        Naomi Johnson
        April 21, 2012 at 5:34 am

        Why do I have the feeling Jon Stone would kill anyone who tried to put him in that jersey?

  • Reply
    Paulette
    April 20, 2012 at 2:27 pm

    The Three Musketeers…probably D’Artangnan. Riding horses, sword fighting, outwitting less clever foes, saving the queen AND I would be able to speak French! Current, I would choose Aimee Leduc in Cara Black’s series as I would live on the Ile Saint Louis,date bad boys, be of a proper size to wear vintage Chanel, drive a Vespa, kick some serious ass AND I would be able to speak French!

    • Reply
      Pop Culture Nerd
      April 21, 2012 at 12:32 am

      That sounds magnifique! And I’m guessing you want to speak French.

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