The author of this is slyly subversive. He has a way of uniquely challenging the reader's preconceived notions without raising anyone's hackles too much. He also takes a female perspective with seeming ease, which is a plus.
The subject in this book is money, and how it absolutely never trickles down. The title refers to the personality of the rich--those who earn billions and those who are born into it have the almost universal attitude that they have earned this money, that they deserve it and what it buys, that they are therefore entitled.
Asher Jaffee hires Brooke Orr to charitably distribute his vast fortune. Brooke is black and adopted by a white single mother who makes her the beneficiary of a privileged, liberal background involving a Vassar education and a supportive, multiracial entourage of prosperous college buddies and well-connected solicitous family friends. The reader comes to realize, is that even a well-off, well-meaning and well-dressed upbringing are no defense against the debasing influence of the uber wealthy.
This couldn't come at a better time, what with billionaires set to tell people living in poverty what they should give up in order to make things work better for those who already have much more than they would ever need. I am acerbic on this subject but the author is almost amused--until it becomes clear that he is not.
No comments:
Post a Comment