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A Couple of Comedians is a novel by Don Carpenter that delves into the lives of various characters in Hollywood, including naïve young men trying to break into the business and one–picture wonders. The book is part of Carpenter's significant Hollywood novels, which have been collected in The Hollywood Trilogy. It features Carpenter's characteristic storytelling style, marked by a poised and oblique narrative that captures the complexities and human frailties of its characters.

'True West' is a play by Sam Shepard that explores the complex and fraught relationship between two brothers, Austin and Lee, who represent contrasting aspects of the American West. Austin, a screenwriter, is trying to work on a screenplay when his estranged brother Lee, a drifter and petty thief, arrives. Their interactions devolve into sibling rivalry, jealousy, and attempts to sabotage each other's aspirations. As they struggle with their identities and desires, the play delves into themes of family, the American Dream, and the myth of the West. The brothers' volatile relationship escalates, leading to violence and a blurring of their roles as they grapple with their shared heritage and conflicting worldviews.

All Her Fault follows Marissa Irvine, who arrives to pick up her son Milo from a playdate only to find he is missing. As the community reels from the disappearance, suspicion falls on four women closely connected to the event. The novel explores themes of guilt, social dynamics, and secrets within a close-knit Dublin neighborhood. With well-drawn characters and a suspenseful plot full of twists, the story captures the emotional turmoil of a mother and the ripple effects of tragedy in a community.

Vineland is set in 1984 and follows Zoyd Wheeler and his daughter Prairie as they navigate a world where the counterculture of the 1960s has faded under the pressures of Reagan-era authoritarianism. The novel critiques the decline of revolutionary ideals and explores themes of identity, belonging, and the impact of societal expectations. It features a complex web of characters and subplots, blending humor with biting social commentary.