A review by rj42
The Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe

emotional funny tense medium-paced

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

5.0

All the superlatives thrown at Bonfire of the Vanities are absolutely deserved. It is Wolfe's masterpiece, and its central themes – the immorality of the rich, society's multiple hypocrisies, the failings of the justice system – have remained as relevant as ever. In Sherman McCoy, the self-styled Master of the Universe who injures a young black man in the Bronx and attempts to run from the scene of his crime, Wolfe created a perfect cipher for the cool detachment of Wall Street from the rest of society. But the other characters and themes which swirl around McCoy are what brings the story to life, all aided by Wolfe's famous prose, which absolutely vibrates with life. Not a single sentence here is wasted, or anything less than fascinating. At the same time, however, this is a dramatically Anglo-centric and male-centric book – Wolfe never made any attempt during his writing career to hide the fact that he was primarily fascinated by the failures of rich white men, and women and black people are essentially reduced to walk-on parts. Be prepared for that, but enjoy this remarkable book for what it is.