I finished my year in reading with Cristina Alger’s financial thriller “The Darlings,” which is a quick, entertaining novel about the reverberations surrounding what turns out to be a Ponzi scheme at a large hedge fund in New York.
It begins as the manager of the fund has apparently jumped off the Tappan Zee Bridge right as the SEC has started to close in on him, leaving his business associates reeling as the far-reaching sham is ultimately revealed. The fund’s founder, billionaire investor, Carter Darling pleads ignorance of the scheme and tries to keep his wife, two daughters and sons-in-law together in its wake. But chaos and questions abound, notably, will his son-in-law, Paul, the firm’s general counsel, stand by the family patriarch or cut a deal to save his own skin, and who in the end will be left standing.
“The Darlings” is a story about a rich New York family’s undoing, where bonds and loyalties are put through the ringer. It definitely reminded me of the Bernie Madoff scandal and family, and vividly sets the scene of a New York in crisis, around the time of the financial crash in 2008 when Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns went kaput and thousands lost their jobs. The characters are all seemingly both good and bad and the lines get blurred between who’s guilty, responsible or a victim, which makes for a good thriller-type book. I found “The Darlings” slick and well-done but ultimately I was glad to leave behind the unsettling, Madoff-like moneyed atmosphere it conjures.
Meanwhile, I was able to see the musical film “Les Miserables” this week with eight of my relatives, which was a bit fun. Most of them had seen it before as the Broadway musical or as the 1998 film starring Liam Neeson, but this was my first time seeing it. While I liked some of the songs, music and performances in it, I found that as a musical it wasn’t exactly my cup of tea; I’m not a true fan or follower of musicals generally. Yet I appreciated “Les Miz’”: its history, the book, its period of revolutionary France and its story of redemption. It was epic in scale no doubt and I was curious to see it. But I didn’t feel it was exactly for me, and some parts seemed to drag, while others were more interesting. Perhaps I just need to dive into the soundtrack. What did you think of it?
I’m not the Les Miz fan that others I know are. Perhaps it is because I read the condensed version? In any case, thank you for your thoughts about the film.
Yeah probably had your fill of Les Miz. Thanks for stopping by.
The Darlings is a book I have wanted to read…I think this family was featured for one or two seasons on TV, with Donald Sutherland as the patriarch. I forget the name of the show.
Enjoy your holiday! This week, I posted about my top ten reads, and you’ll find the link in
Here’s MY SUNDAY SALON POST
hmm Donald Sutherland, really? Yeah the Darlings is a pretty good thriller type book; you might like it, but not sure if it came out already on TV, as the book just came out this past year. Thanks for stopping by Laurel, will check out your top ten!
I haven’t seen Les Mis yet, but I’m looking forward to it. I love musicals, so I think it will be right up my alley. I actually don’t know much about the plot though, so that will be interesting.
Yeah I think you will like it Kim — being a musical fan. It has some powerful scenes.
I haven’t seen Les Miz and I’m not sure I will, but I’ve read very mixed reviews.
Yeah I can imagine, the reviews must be a bit all over for this one. Thanks Kathy
With all of the musicals my kids have been in, I am a musical kind of gal but I haven’t seen this one! I know nearly everyone on the planet saw it over Christmas. I’ll get it it eventually.
Happy New Year! It’s almost here.
Thanks Ti. Happy 2013 to you too! Yeah I think your family might like Les Miz with all the singing. I likely will check out the soundtrack …
I absolutely loved Les Miz – but I am definitely the intended audience. 🙂 I”ve seen the Broadway touring production twice, and have the soundtrack, etc. It wasn’t perfect – I wasn’t crazy about Russell Crowe – but it was as good as I had hoped. 🙂
Great Carrie. You sound like an aficionado on it. I guess the casting of Crowe in the role wasn’t totally ideal
Ive never been a musical fan myself. I likely won’t watch it. Do have the book to read sometime but no telling when I’ll get to it, it’s pretty intimidating in size. Mine is the 1500+ page one.
Yeah I guess I’m not too tempted by the 1,500 page book. Now that I’ve seen the film I think it may be enough for me. Though many are drawn to it. Thanks for stopping by Erin