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3.37 AVERAGE
3.37 AVERAGE
funny
informative
medium-paced
This autobiography provides a great basis for Scorsese’s film and has plenty of insane and juicy moments, but reading this and seeing how Belfort justified his actions (or rather presented these justifications as what he felt at the time) is just too much. He’s a bastard and he did bastard things, and his tale is much more enjoyable when presented through a raucous but objective filmic lens rather than through his own ramblings and excuses for his terrible actions. I just didn’t like him and I couldn’t read too much further.
dark
tense
slow-paced
I struggled to get through this. After the initial description of some outrageous situations, it became repetitive. The last 70-100 pages became interesting again as it focused on a life changing moment for Jordan so it was all new descriptions of his life.
If you don't want to read it, watch the movie. It's practically the same - then read the last 70 pages only.
If you don't want to read it, watch the movie. It's practically the same - then read the last 70 pages only.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Racial slurs
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
Disclaimer: I started reading this shortly after I found out I was pregnant. Battling morning sickness while reading about someone else's drug and alcohol induced trips is probably not the best idea...
There were parts of Jordan Belfort's story that I really did find enjoyable. A few moments were laugh-out-loud funny (although I am pretty sure he exaggerated almost everything to make his story seem more sensational). There were a few (really, only one) characters that were genuinely likeable (I am thinking of Nadine's aunt- and occasionally Nadine as well) but their parts in this book were few and far between.
Before I go any further, I just have to say if I NEVER read the words "loamy loins", "luscious duchess", or "lifestyles of the rich and dysfunctional" EVER again, I can die happy and fulfilled.
My low rating for this book is due primarily for two reasons. The first is that Jordan Belfort is a self indulgent, arrogant, privileged, excuse-making bastard who still refuses to take responsibility for his actions. I simply did not like him and found myself wishing that he had crashed his damn helicopter in the very beginning of the story so that we never had to hear from him again. His sad story about crippling back pain was his justification for all the drugs he ingested. His reason for all the hookers was that it was just the culture of his workplace (mind you- he created his own company, so the culture was, essentially, his creation). His excuse for swindling people out of their hard earned money? Simply: everyone else was doing it, but he just happened to better than them at it. Class act, huh?
My second reason is that I personally feel bilked by him. I spent $9.99 of my hard earned money to read this on my kindle. I don't know how much actually reaches the author, but even one penny is too much. Especially because Jordan Belfort is still living a very nice life (albeit not quite as nice as before) making a living as a consultant and a motivational speaker(Side-note: I also dislike motivational speakers). It is rumored that he has only paid $11.6 million in restitution towards the $110 million he owes. He also claims to be worth up to $50,000 a day for his consulting services - according to the Businessweek article linked to below.
There is no redemption in this story. Belfort seems more sorry that he got caught than for the pain he caused so many people.
The ladies in my book club enjoyed this a lot though- and so have many other people. The story could be compelling- I feel that the movie version will be better than the book (especially if it gives Belfort a more human angle as opposed to his drug addled, sex addicted, overly indulgent persona as portrayed in the book). I am faced with the dilemma of paying to go see it though. I really do not want to give this swindler any more of my money. I may just have to wait until it comes out on TV or something... Damn you Leonardo DiCaprio for tempting me though!!!
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-11-07/jordan-belfort-the-real-wolf-of-wall-street#p3
There were parts of Jordan Belfort's story that I really did find enjoyable. A few moments were laugh-out-loud funny (although I am pretty sure he exaggerated almost everything to make his story seem more sensational). There were a few (really, only one) characters that were genuinely likeable (I am thinking of Nadine's aunt- and occasionally Nadine as well) but their parts in this book were few and far between.
Before I go any further, I just have to say if I NEVER read the words "loamy loins", "luscious duchess", or "lifestyles of the rich and dysfunctional" EVER again, I can die happy and fulfilled.
My low rating for this book is due primarily for two reasons. The first is that Jordan Belfort is a self indulgent, arrogant, privileged, excuse-making bastard who still refuses to take responsibility for his actions. I simply did not like him and found myself wishing that he had crashed his damn helicopter in the very beginning of the story so that we never had to hear from him again. His sad story about crippling back pain was his justification for all the drugs he ingested. His reason for all the hookers was that it was just the culture of his workplace (mind you- he created his own company, so the culture was, essentially, his creation). His excuse for swindling people out of their hard earned money? Simply: everyone else was doing it, but he just happened to better than them at it. Class act, huh?
My second reason is that I personally feel bilked by him. I spent $9.99 of my hard earned money to read this on my kindle. I don't know how much actually reaches the author, but even one penny is too much. Especially because Jordan Belfort is still living a very nice life (albeit not quite as nice as before) making a living as a consultant and a motivational speaker(Side-note: I also dislike motivational speakers). It is rumored that he has only paid $11.6 million in restitution towards the $110 million he owes. He also claims to be worth up to $50,000 a day for his consulting services - according to the Businessweek article linked to below.
There is no redemption in this story. Belfort seems more sorry that he got caught than for the pain he caused so many people.
The ladies in my book club enjoyed this a lot though- and so have many other people. The story could be compelling- I feel that the movie version will be better than the book (especially if it gives Belfort a more human angle as opposed to his drug addled, sex addicted, overly indulgent persona as portrayed in the book). I am faced with the dilemma of paying to go see it though. I really do not want to give this swindler any more of my money. I may just have to wait until it comes out on TV or something... Damn you Leonardo DiCaprio for tempting me though!!!
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-11-07/jordan-belfort-the-real-wolf-of-wall-street#p3
since i saw the movie the book wasn't anything revealing. good read but a drag to get through since it was nothing new. other than that I still think this a crazy lifestyle he lived especially with all that he did and went through.
Good fun.
this book was fun. a good, wild, outlandish narrative that entertained me throughout. and really, what else can you ask for?
this book was fun. a good, wild, outlandish narrative that entertained me throughout. and really, what else can you ask for?
all that money and you still couldn't hire a ghostwriter
funny
informative
fast-paced
funny
reflective
slow-paced