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.