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caressemh90's review
dark
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
talina's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A bit dated but still provides some interesting depictions of class disparities and racism in the justice system
aliceboule's review
4.0
Fabulous. Just fabulous. I'd been wanting to read this for years and kept putting it for some reason or other, and that was a mistake.
A masterpiece of intrigue, shame and American psychosis.
A masterpiece of intrigue, shame and American psychosis.
dom_jones's review
4.0
Very easy to read and an entertaining plot, not quite outweighed by the horrible movie poster cover. Read as a reflection of 1980s New York and it’s corresponding social conflicts, this book has some interesting aspects.
The character of Rev. Bacon stuck out to me, particularly the way he outlines his ideology to the DA’s office in chapter 6. The idea of weaponising minority anger is a valid and deep topic, even if Bacon’s exploitation of it for financial gain is reprehensible.
I did find Wolfe’s representations of black characters somewhat problematic through this book. Black characters seem to be reduced to the status of comic, violent, self serving thugs, with their community undermined by central tenets of violence and crime.
On the other hand, Wolfe’s depiction of white characters is equally unflattering. All male characters come with plenty of laughable ego and self-importance - the complete takedown of the DA’s assistant Kramer at the end of the novel is very satisfying. The novel’s many diner dates between characters particularly highlight male ego and self importance, with characters boring their female or otherwise ‘subordinate’ companions.
Overall, quite a fun novel with deeper points to be taken too - enjoyed.
The character of Rev. Bacon stuck out to me, particularly the way he outlines his ideology to the DA’s office in chapter 6. The idea of weaponising minority anger is a valid and deep topic, even if Bacon’s exploitation of it for financial gain is reprehensible.
I did find Wolfe’s representations of black characters somewhat problematic through this book. Black characters seem to be reduced to the status of comic, violent, self serving thugs, with their community undermined by central tenets of violence and crime.
On the other hand, Wolfe’s depiction of white characters is equally unflattering. All male characters come with plenty of laughable ego and self-importance - the complete takedown of the DA’s assistant Kramer at the end of the novel is very satisfying. The novel’s many diner dates between characters particularly highlight male ego and self importance, with characters boring their female or otherwise ‘subordinate’ companions.
Overall, quite a fun novel with deeper points to be taken too - enjoyed.
slichto3's review
5.0
The Bonfire of the Vanities is a terrific story that is wonderfully told. It was so easy to get into, and this very quickly turned into one of those books that I kept on wanting to read. It was so refreshing! Every once in a while, I'll read a few books in a row that I don't like. They make me feel that reading is a chore, and make me wonder why I read at all. Then I hit a book like The Bonfire of the Vanities that just grabs me.
The story centers around Sherman, a millionaire bond-dealer having an affair. One night, he picks up his mistress, takes a wrong-turn, almost gets mugged, and his mistress maybe runs over a black teenager. This incident explodes into a major legal and social case in New York, and Sherman undergoes a personal transformation that felt natural yet was also somewhat astonishing.
The book, while gripping, is also pretty depressing. It brings racial tensions to the forefront, and is particularly fitting for news events today. However, it doesn't bring any resolution to those tensions. Instead, it exposes them, and makes me worry that the world is going to get a bit worse before it's going to get any better. I very much recommend the book, though - just be prepared to feel that the world is a more dreary place than you thought.
The story centers around Sherman, a millionaire bond-dealer having an affair. One night, he picks up his mistress, takes a wrong-turn, almost gets mugged, and his mistress maybe runs over a black teenager. This incident explodes into a major legal and social case in New York, and Sherman undergoes a personal transformation that felt natural yet was also somewhat astonishing.
The book, while gripping, is also pretty depressing. It brings racial tensions to the forefront, and is particularly fitting for news events today. However, it doesn't bring any resolution to those tensions. Instead, it exposes them, and makes me worry that the world is going to get a bit worse before it's going to get any better. I very much recommend the book, though - just be prepared to feel that the world is a more dreary place than you thought.
viccaroddo's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lmdolan1's review
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
deaconlenny's review
5.0
Fantastic, though I didn't love it quite as much as A Man in Full. Too bad that every single character in it is pretty much irredeemable, but Tom Wolfe is soooo fun to read that it doesn't really matter.