The Hazards of Good Fortune
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
“An entertaining tale rich in schadenfreude as bad things happen to a hapless billionaire” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review).
Jay Gladstone was born to privilege. He is a civic leader and a generous philanthropist, as well as the owner of an NBA team. But in today’s New York, even a wealthy man’s life can spin out of control, no matter the money or influence he possesses.
Jay sees himself as a moral man, determined not to repeat his father’s mistakes. He would rather focus on his unstable second marriage and his daughter, Aviva, than worry about questions of race or privilege. However, he moves through a sensitive and aware world: that of Dag Maxwell, the black star forward, and white police officer Russell Plesko, who makes a decision that has resonating consequences—particularly for a DA whose hopes for a future in politics will rest on an explosive prosecution.
Set during Barack Obama’s presidency, this artful novel illuminates contemporary America and does not shy away from questions about our scalding social divide—why is conversation about race so fraught, to what degree is the justice system impartial, and does great wealth inoculate those who have it?—and explores the aftermath of unforgivable errors and the unpredictability of the court of public opinion.
“Greenland takes a Dickensian delight in letting the plot sprawl with parallels, digressions, false leads, and twists.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“A wild and funny page-turner of a novel that grabs you and doesn’t let go.” —Larry David
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Set in New York City in 2012, Greenland's latest novel (after I Regret Everything) is grim satire and tragic social commentary on prejudice, corruption, greed, and social and economic privilege. Jay Gladstone is a rich, Jewish New York City real estate tycoon who owns an NBA basketball team and arrogantly thinks he is the most benevolent, inclusive white man ever. Then he catches his trophy wife, Nicole, and his basketball team's aging star player, Dag Maxwell, in bed. Jay runs over Dag with his car, critically injuring the star. The ambitious and self-serving district attorney, Christine Lupo, uses charges against Jay for political gain; in another of her cases (which she determines won't really help her career), she drops murder charges against a cop who killed a black man. The cop goes free and gets a job with the DA, and Jay is charged with a hate crime. As he gets ready to be tried, the fallout from the incident stokes a firestorm of anti-Semitism, racist hate, media hype, and agitator-fueled public outrage. Though the novel is too long and there is too much going on, Greenland is an excellent storyteller and makes his tale of selfish opportunists memorable and provocative.