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By marrying a rich Manhattanite, Philip Randall has secured something of a dream existence, enjoying a high-powered job at a Manhattan law firm, a desirable loft in Chelsea and even a mistress who satisfies his every erotic need. But his lover Jessica is also married to his best friend, and when an ex-friend produces blackmailing photographic proof of the affair, Philip realises that his privileged existence may be about to collapse around him. And his troubles are increased when a savage murder puts him in the middle of a massive police investigation.
There are elements of Tom Wolfe's Bonfire of the Vanities in the author's cold-eyed exposure of the excesses of the Manhattan rich. Even though the bones of the plot may be that of a thriller, it's Roughan's skills as a social commentator and satirist that really distinguish his tale. Certain concepts stand just as much chance of passing into our consciousness as did many in Tom Wolfe's magnum opus:
Sometime during my teens I created in my mind a sliding scale of what I called--for lack of originality--Risk Factors. The scale numbered from 1 to 10. For instance, something like... oh, I don't know, crossing the Sahara on foot, was a Risk Factor 10. Shoplifting the Talking Heads' latest album, meanwhile, was a Risk Factor 1. Both dangerous, of course, just not to the same degree. Ever since then I'd use this scale as a quick and orderly way to assess all the risks that came along in my life. From there I could better determine which ones were worth taking. My affair with Jessica had suddenly jumped from a Risk Factor 5 to Risk Factor 6...--Barry Forshaw
‘A wonderful decline-and-fall story for our well-heeled times which captures the dubious underside of anyone who believes “careerism” is a noble calling. Terrific.’ Douglas Kennedy
‘Elegant writing, fine dialogue and deft jokes...a hugely entertaining read’ Tatler
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Book Description hardcover. Condition: New. First edition, first printing, mint, new/unread in a flawless dust jacket. 2001 NY: Warner. Seller Inventory # ROUUPAN11
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