Reviews

Trust by Hernán Díaz

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tony_t's review against another edition

informative mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The organization of the novel "Trust" by Herman Diaz was unique in my experience. Four independent takes on essentially the same actions and events - a fictionalized story of a wall street tycoon, the biography-in-process of that tycoon, the woman hired to write the biography and the diary kept by the tycoon's wife. A fascinating portrait of ego and hubris in the Wall Street of the 1920's and 1930's. Highly recommended.

eenelson6's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective medium-paced

rileyg_coleman's review against another edition

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challenging mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

stephalpi24's review against another edition

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slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

aleatorizzy's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

What a god damn brilliant show of literary architecture this is. Through different and at times contradictory points of view and stories within stories, Díaz creates a prism within the world of the American free market that reflects and illuminates the darkness of power. Like In The Distance is to the Western, this novel is fascinated and horrified at it’s central theme/setting of the finance world, stocks, money. As parts of the story unfurl you get to peel back layers of illusion, power, understanding, and obfuscation surrounding the people and characters of Benjamin and Helen Rask. Read this immediately and take in it’s slowness at the start; pay attention to it’s caricatures and trust (haha) in Díaz’s ability to make the entire world around you recede.