Screen Trade Sequel Nearly as Good

William Goldman wrote Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid; and Adventures in the Screen Trade - one of the finest books about Hollywood from an insider ever written. "Which Lie Did I Tell?" is partially a continuation of Screen Trade and partially a feel good, how to; for budding screen writers.

When Goldman is talking about his personal adventures in Hollywood, and
dealing with his own writing blocks, and problems he writes as if he were inside of me. Putting into words as good as anyone what it means to be
a writer -- the unique problems a writer has with themselves and with
writing in general.

When Goldman decides about half-way through the book that he is going to
help budding screenwriters hone their craft and offer almost grandfatherly advice, the writing becomes less personal, more forced. When he uses a partially written screenplay as a tool to analyze and teach from, the book
begins to drag.

A lot of his advice and teaching is very good indeed, though. And part of the problem may be that the first section of the book is such an enjoyable
read, it would be nearly impossible for anyone to keep it going.

It might also be that I know Goldman is the type of Hollywood character
in real life who will talk much too loud in a restaurant to call attention to himself and be noticed. He's an egotistical ham, and one of the
Hollywood elite -- though not one with a lot of power. He's worked on lots of important projects, been a very successful novelist, screenwriter and non-fiction author.

He did after all write the novel; The Princess Bride
AND the movie too. And Marathon Man, and Magic and. . . . He's entitled
to want to be recognized and treated royally isn't he?

Which Lie Did I Tell? was so well written, so inciteful, and written in such a wonderful voice, for two thirds of the book I forgot all of my
prejudices about William Goldman.

I grew a bit restless reading through the analysis of his partially written screenplay he had written and passed on to several well known writers and directors (including The Farrely's by the way) for their opinions on what he had written.

For three quarters of it's length however, Which Lie Do I Tell? is nearly
as good as Adventures in a Screen Trade and that's more than reason enough
for anyone who enjoyed Trade to run out and get a copy of this book for
themselves.

Chris Jarmick (Author- The Glass Cocoon --Available November 2000)