Review: The Privileges
The Privileges by Jonathan Dee
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Published: January 5, 2010 by Random House
Rating: 3½ of 5 stars
In his new novel Jonathan Dee introduces us to a young, beautiful couple, Cynthia and Adam Morey, who are quickly moving up in society and into the world of the newly wealthy and ultimately the very wealthy. The story begins with their traditional big wedding; soon after they have two children, April and Jonas. Most of the story takes place in New York where Adam begins his career in the financial world and goes on to span several decades of their life.
While I found these characters interesting and at times compelling, it was difficult to like them or care about them. Adam seemed obsessed with making more and more money. This drove him to make some shady financial dealings which could cost him everything. At what point does one have enough money? Why take these kind of risks? The children took their wealth for granted and didn’t seem to have much concept of where the money came from or what things cost. They were interesting in the same way a train wreck draws curiosity. In spite of all their wealth and privilege they are very naive and find themselves in dangerous situations.
The book is written four sections with each one jumping forward five to tens years. At times it became a little difficult to follow because the jumps in time required some reorientation and left it to the reader to fill in what happened during those skipped over years. I thought the ending was a bit abrupt. I found myself wanting more, wanting to know what happens next. But we are left to assume.
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Source: Advance Reading Copy
Under My Apple Tree 
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