bookcrazyblogger 's review for:

The Fortunate Ones by Ed Tarkington

4.0

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Charlie Boykin is a Casualty Notification officer in the Army meaning he’s the one who informs the loved ones of fallen service members, that they have completed their service with honor. He is at such a notification, when he notices on TV, that the charismatic Republican senator, Arch Creigh, has shot and killed himself. Charlie is shocked like the rest of the country, although for an entirely different reason: Charlie and Arch were classmates at an exclusive private school in Nashville, although Arch was the Golden boy and Charlie was the scholarship kid. As Charlie falls into the charismatic world of Belle Meade, he falls in line with the privileged set and helping the fated (Arch) to the top, despite Charlie’s own passion for Vanessa, Arch’s high school girlfriend. As Charlie is pulled deeper into the world, he must decide if he should choose wealth or morals. First of all, I really enjoyed the Charlie’s character. He was so insightful as to what was going on around him, even as he ignored the obvious signs of corruption. He was compassionate and full of angst, yet he was such a likable character for me to follow. I must admit, I really love the underbelly side of politics and Southern niceties as well. If you’re looking for a book that goes in depth about the ole boy network and the privileged set from the viewpoint of an outsider, be sure to pick this one up.