Book club selection, session not held.
The book's structure is clever; and I liked the title of the first part ("Bonds"). But I just read "The Alexandria Quartet", which does a deeper dive into a similar structure.
I didn't care that much about any of the characters.
Where did Vanner get his information for book one? Bevel and wife both scrupulously private.
Author is dutifully feminist, the only two strong figures are the Italian writer and Bevel's wife.
Author has picked up a fair amount of financial terminology. But the notion that a single individual (even if a brilliant woman) can move multiple markets over multiple years is ridiculous. Also the notion that an individual can study reports overnight and make major moves the next day on a consistent basis (this was going on before brilliant wife took over).
Not to mention that this wife, without much schooling, completely masters disparate disciplines such as literature, painting, music. In addition to high finance.
Not sure where the author lands on the usual questions about socialism and capitalism (anarchism also in this telling). but it feels standard issue. Capitalism as restricting freedom!
Why did she marry Bevel if so strong, independent - just a victim of the times? Denies him any closeness.
Book 4 - long, lucid explanations of her financial genius don't fit with the rest of Book 4 - short snippets (and why would she write these long explanations, except as a plot device)?
Anarchist father fits the type; see also Joseph Conrad's description in "The Secret Agent."
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