Authored by E. L. Doctorow in 1989 (ISBN 978-081298-117-9).
I picked this title because of someone's review. When I brought it home I was disappointed: the jacket described the story as one of gangsters set in the 1930. I have seen and read many such stories, but for lack of other reading material I dove in. I was not disappointed. Doctorow writes long sentences that flow very quickly. I tried to mimic his style with this post but was unable. He either has a gift or practice or both. The story included violence and threats of violence, but the voice of the main character, a 15-year-old boy, was compelling.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
Book review: The Privileges
Authored by Jonathan Dee in 2010 (ISBN 978-1-4000-6867-1).
I read a positive review of this title which encouraged me to read it. My review is less positive, though I am glad to have read what is perhaps representative fiction in today's (Western, U.S.) world.
The story was artfully written, interesting, fast, but a bit implausible. The author also fixated on the main character's substantial wealth, speaking of apartments in New York and houses in the Hamptons and helicopter rides and millions donated to charity. The first few mentions were helpful; the remainder were distracting.
The main character made his money by using inside information to (illegally) trade in the stock market. A little background from the author would have been helpful; I have worked in the industry and wonder how a novice reader would understand the practice and its place in the wider world of securities trading.
I read a positive review of this title which encouraged me to read it. My review is less positive, though I am glad to have read what is perhaps representative fiction in today's (Western, U.S.) world.
The story was artfully written, interesting, fast, but a bit implausible. The author also fixated on the main character's substantial wealth, speaking of apartments in New York and houses in the Hamptons and helicopter rides and millions donated to charity. The first few mentions were helpful; the remainder were distracting.
The main character made his money by using inside information to (illegally) trade in the stock market. A little background from the author would have been helpful; I have worked in the industry and wonder how a novice reader would understand the practice and its place in the wider world of securities trading.
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