As I looked at my review schedule, I was thrilled to find some symmetry in being able to consecutively read books about back-to-back decades! This 80’s/90’s duo was even better because the 90’s book dealt with an issue that was also addressed in the 80’s book.
The Fall of Princes by Robert Goolrick
Fiction (Released August 25, 2015)
304 Pages
Bottom Line: Read it…if you’re interested in this time period on Wall Street.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon
Plot Summary: The story of a group of young men’s debaucherous time as Wall Street traders in the 1980’s and their subsequent flame-outs.
My Thoughts: The Fall of Princes was not at all what I expected from a book about 1980’s Wall Street debauchery…or, what I call a “drinking, drugs, and hookers” book! The story is told through the eyes of the main character, whose name is barely mentioned, looking back on his life in the heyday after he’s lost everything. He talks about most of what went on in his previous life with disgust, giving the book a sad, melancholy tone. The story touches on the AIDS epidemic, which was just gaining traction and the silent fear that touched so many people (they had little information about the disease back then). There were some sections where the main character appeared to be addressing his younger self (i.e. the hedonistic trader self), which I found disconcerting and pulled me out of the story. But, overall The Fall of Princes is a different kind of look at a time that’s been written about extensively and very much a cautionary tale.
Dryland by Sara Jaffe
Fiction (Released September 1, 2015)
240 Pages
Bottom Line: Skip it.
Affiliate Link: Amazon
Plot Summary: A debut coming of age story about a fifteen year old girl who takes up competitive swimming in the early 1990’s to figure out what’s going on with her older brother, a rarely heard from ex-swimming star now living in Germany.
My Thoughts: When Shannon at River City Reading tweeted good things about this debut novel, I immediately knew I had to read it given I was a competitive swimmer in the early 1990’s. And, I did love all the 90’s nostalgia about swimming (communal shower rooms, drying your hair under the locker room’s hand dryer) and life in general (mix tapes, Sebagos, having/not having your own phone line). I also liked Julie’s voice, which seemed authentic for a fifteen year old girl at that time. But, I spent much of the book wondering when it would get to a point (hopefully involving what was going on with Julie’s brother). It did eventually get there and I was fascinated by the point it got to because it potentially (I say “potentially” because Jaffe leaves the question of what exactly went on with Julie’s brother pretty open ended) involves a serious issue from the real life swimming world. But, overall, I just wish Jaffe’s editor had pulled a Tay Hohoff (Harper Lee’s original editor who, after reading the Go Set A Watchman manuscript, told her to write the story of Scout’s childhood instead) and had her write a different book focusing on the story of Julie’s brother instead.
So Dryland’s focus sort of drowned? Now I’m curious about the brother a bit … knowing nothing about it.
That’s who I was curious about too and I just felt letdown that his story wasn’t explored more…because I suspected it was much more interesting than Julie’s!
Ooooh, I’m very interested in The Fall of Princes and I really like your thoughts on this one and the way the story is told; I can see how it might seem a little disjointed but, given your description, I could probably deal with it if the story is good. I hate that Dryland did not work out for you; I was excited to hear your thoughts, since you have lots of inside knowledge about this subject matter. It sounds like it had a lot of potential but just couldn’t deliver. Hope you had a great holiday weekend!
It definitely made things feel a bit disjointed at times, but there was still way more good than bad overall! Drylands was okay, but just that 🙁 But, I know Shannon and Amy at Read A Latte both loved it, so it could just be me.
So Dryland’s meandering purpose sank this one? I’m curious about the brother a bit …knowing nothing about it.
I don’t think The Fall of Princes is a good fit for me, but I’m sad to hear Dryland let you down! I haven’t read it yet, but it’s been getting such good reviews!
I know 🙁 It wasn’t a huge letdown or anything, but was just okay for me. I’ve seen a couple other really good reviews, so it may just be me.
The Fall of Princes isn’t one that I would normally pick up , but I love the time period, and I’ve been loving books lately that I normally wouldn’t give two glances at, so…
Dryland is one that just didn’t appeal to me for some reason. I know some have loved it, so I’m kind of glad that someone didn’t like it, as strange as that sounds. 🙂
Haha! Well, I’m glad to hear you say that about Dryland b/c I was feeling a little iffy about being a lone wolf on not loving it!
Taking your advice here… Fall of Princes added to the TBR list, but will take a pass on Dryland.
Hope it works out for you!
Too bad Dryland didn’t pan out in the form you read it. I don’t think there are many editors out there who can pull off something like TKAM.
I had hopes for The Fall of Princes. It isn’t the kind of book I typically read but I told you that after watching Wolf of Wall Street I couldn’t believe those things have/had happened; I see how after losing everything the main character might have felt bad about it all.
It was refreshing to see the melancholy perspective of all that debauchery…I feel like books like that normally take on a more “wow, check out all these crazy stories” tone.
WHAT?! A book about competitive swimming? How did I miss this? I’m not going to name my decade because it would just make you feel bad for how old I am, but this sounds fabulous and I do have a lot of memories of those days. How can you not?!
I’m off to add this to my library holds.
Haha! Competitive swimming is such a small and strange world…I just had to read it! Unfortunately, I didn’t love it like I thought I would, but I did enjoy it enough. Shannon loved it..so, I would definitely give it a shot!