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The Sun King
Washington Post columnist David Ignatius is one of the most highly regarded writers in the capital, an influential journalist and acclaimed novelist with a keen eye for the subtleties of power and politics. In The Sun King , Ignatius has written a love story for our time, a spellbinding portrait of the collision of ambition and sexual desire.
Sandy Galvin is a billionaire with a rare talent for taking risks and making people happy. Galvin arrives in a Washington suffering under a cloud of righteous misery and proceeds to turn the place upside down. He buys the city's most powerful newspaper, The Washington Sun and Tribune, and wields it like a sword, but in his path stands his old Harvard flame, Candace Ridgway, a beautiful and icy journalist known to her colleagues as the Mistress of Fact. Their fateful encounter, tangled in the mysteries of their past, is narrated by David Cantor, an acid-tongued reporter and Jerry Springer devotee who is drawn inexorably into the Sun King's orbit and is transformed by this unpredictable man.
In this wise and poignant novel, love is the final frontier for a generation of baby boomers at midlife--still young enough to reach for their dreams but old enough to glimpse the prospect of loss. The Sun King can light up a room, but can he melt the worldly bonds that constrain the Mistress of Fact? In The Sun King , David Ignatius proves with perceptive wit and haunting power that the phrase "Washington love story" isn't an oxymoron.
Sandy Galvin is a billionaire with a rare talent for taking risks and making people happy. Galvin arrives in a Washington suffering under a cloud of righteous misery and proceeds to turn the place upside down. He buys the city's most powerful newspaper, The Washington Sun and Tribune, and wields it like a sword, but in his path stands his old Harvard flame, Candace Ridgway, a beautiful and icy journalist known to her colleagues as the Mistress of Fact. Their fateful encounter, tangled in the mysteries of their past, is narrated by David Cantor, an acid-tongued reporter and Jerry Springer devotee who is drawn inexorably into the Sun King's orbit and is transformed by this unpredictable man.
In this wise and poignant novel, love is the final frontier for a generation of baby boomers at midlife--still young enough to reach for their dreams but old enough to glimpse the prospect of loss. The Sun King can light up a room, but can he melt the worldly bonds that constrain the Mistress of Fact? In The Sun King , David Ignatius proves with perceptive wit and haunting power that the phrase "Washington love story" isn't an oxymoron.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published August 24, 1999
90 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
David Ignatius
34 books726 followersDavid Ignatius, a prize-winning columnist for the Washington Post, has been covering the Middle East and the CIA for more than twenty-five years. His novels include Agents of Innocence, Body of Lies, and The Increment, now in development for a major motion picture by Jerry Bruckheimer. He lives in Washington, DC.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
October 9, 2011
A retelling of The Great Gatsby. A bold task to modernize the greatest American novel, but Ignatius does a nice job. At times his words really touched me. Overall I really enjoyed this book and have even re-read it one or twice -- a rarity for me. Love the DC setting.
October 20, 2016
A Great Gatsby rip-off so blatantly obvious that the author even highlights it in the book. This isn't a negative thing, if an author thinks they can "do it better" then more power to them; but I couldn't tell what this author was trying to say that was so much better or more original than what The Great Gatsby was trying to say, other than Washington, D.C. is pretty crazy! terribly interesting! so are Harvard grads! amiright, guys?? And the "female love interest destined to undo the great man who loves her" was portrayed as a much stronger character than Daisy Buchanan. made her the most compelling and admirable character to me, though the ending makes it clear the author disagrees. Not a bad novel by any means, but could have been better executed, and I wish the author would have actually painted a picture of Washington that could have been accessible to anyone other than Washingtonians.
August 7, 2012
I couldn't finish it. Something about love and betrayal and buying a newspaper. I read Ignatius for spies and action. Not a fan of this book. I hope his next is more like what he has written in the past.
December 27, 2015
I can't say that I liked this book. I found it hard to finish as I didn't like or sympathize with any of the characters. I think the book, in the end, was a love story, but none of the characters actions made much sense.
December 20, 2020
A cynical, well-educated young man narrates a tale of how he fell, dewy-eyed, into the orbit of a dazzling, charismatic, wealthy entrepreneur, born poor with a shadowy past. The entrepreneur has built an empire and moved to the city to reclaim the love of his old flame, a respected member of old society. Sadly, despite the efforts of the entrepreneur, he is unable to fully rekindle his old love and loses all. The effect of this sad tale on the narrator is transformative.
Sound vaguely familiar? Even the author alludes to the similarities to 'The Great Gatsby'.
In this retelling, the setting has moved from the fictional towns of West and East Egg to Washington DC and the Gatsby-esque figure is Sandy Galvin, a Harvard drop-out and commodities broker who purchases a storied newspaper for the sole purpose of pursuing the foreign affairs editor, Candace Ridgway, a cold, ambitious beauty nicknamed ''the Mistress of Fact" whom the narrator also adores. In truth, I was never remotely fond of Daisy Buchanan and can confidently say the same of Candace. Neither she nor David Sanger, the acid-tongued, emotionally stunted narrator whose wit can never make up for his basic misanthropy, are particularly sympathetic characters. Sanger seems to revel in agitation and snide micro-aggression. He is a joyless, if sometimes humorous, journalist, bereft of originality or ambition who despises most of his profession (or any profession, come to think of it). His relationship with Galvin, his benefactor is, at best, ambivalent. He is dazzled by Galvin's radiance and energy and grateful for his patronage yet, at the same time, resentful (jealous?) of Galvin's intimate relationship with Candace with whom he has a long-standing platonic friendship.
This is a love story -- an unhappy love story -- of sorts, I suppose, but more than that, it is as much a satirical reveal of power, papers and politics in the capital. (Older) Readers will surely recognize some of the supporting cast -for example, a Black D.C mayor with a reputed drug problem. I'm told that David Ignatius is typically a writer of espionage and there is certainly enough in the way of plot intrigue and machination to please his usual audience as Ignatius, a WaPo editor, uses a familiar background to stage what was, all things considered, a very enjoyable read
Sound vaguely familiar? Even the author alludes to the similarities to 'The Great Gatsby'.
In this retelling, the setting has moved from the fictional towns of West and East Egg to Washington DC and the Gatsby-esque figure is Sandy Galvin, a Harvard drop-out and commodities broker who purchases a storied newspaper for the sole purpose of pursuing the foreign affairs editor, Candace Ridgway, a cold, ambitious beauty nicknamed ''the Mistress of Fact" whom the narrator also adores. In truth, I was never remotely fond of Daisy Buchanan and can confidently say the same of Candace. Neither she nor David Sanger, the acid-tongued, emotionally stunted narrator whose wit can never make up for his basic misanthropy, are particularly sympathetic characters. Sanger seems to revel in agitation and snide micro-aggression. He is a joyless, if sometimes humorous, journalist, bereft of originality or ambition who despises most of his profession (or any profession, come to think of it). His relationship with Galvin, his benefactor is, at best, ambivalent. He is dazzled by Galvin's radiance and energy and grateful for his patronage yet, at the same time, resentful (jealous?) of Galvin's intimate relationship with Candace with whom he has a long-standing platonic friendship.
This is a love story -- an unhappy love story -- of sorts, I suppose, but more than that, it is as much a satirical reveal of power, papers and politics in the capital. (Older) Readers will surely recognize some of the supporting cast -for example, a Black D.C mayor with a reputed drug problem. I'm told that David Ignatius is typically a writer of espionage and there is certainly enough in the way of plot intrigue and machination to please his usual audience as Ignatius, a WaPo editor, uses a familiar background to stage what was, all things considered, a very enjoyable read
March 12, 2019
Endearing Characters
Over the years I've read the author's articles and have followed him on news shows. I've thought him to be a serious, learned man who gets to the crux of the matter. I am delighted at Mr. Ignatius’ humor.
The spy books that he's written are very good and I've enjoyed them. But there is something about the character of David Cantor, a newspaperman who was witness to and tells this tale in such a way that must reveal the humorous side of David Ignatius.
The story is about newspapers, journalists, ethics, cynicism and love. Sandy Galvin is a Harvard dropout who loves life and wants to change the world. He attempts to change Washington, DC by buying a premier DC newspaper. David and Candace are Harvard graduates and are stair-stepped in age downward from Galvin. You realize the author knows his stuff about journalism, large newspapers, and the political Washington.
I agree with another reviewer this is a modern day retelling of The Great Gatsby. David is the observer and chronicler of all that goes on in this story. Sun King is a fun and compelling read. I enjoyed it immensely.
Over the years I've read the author's articles and have followed him on news shows. I've thought him to be a serious, learned man who gets to the crux of the matter. I am delighted at Mr. Ignatius’ humor.
The spy books that he's written are very good and I've enjoyed them. But there is something about the character of David Cantor, a newspaperman who was witness to and tells this tale in such a way that must reveal the humorous side of David Ignatius.
The story is about newspapers, journalists, ethics, cynicism and love. Sandy Galvin is a Harvard dropout who loves life and wants to change the world. He attempts to change Washington, DC by buying a premier DC newspaper. David and Candace are Harvard graduates and are stair-stepped in age downward from Galvin. You realize the author knows his stuff about journalism, large newspapers, and the political Washington.
I agree with another reviewer this is a modern day retelling of The Great Gatsby. David is the observer and chronicler of all that goes on in this story. Sun King is a fun and compelling read. I enjoyed it immensely.
June 9, 2018
David Ignatius, perhaps best known as a foreign affairs columnist for The Washington Post, usually writes spy fiction in his spare time. This novel, _The Sun King_, breaks from that pattern by telling the story of one Sandy Galvin. Galvin, something of a cross between Jay Gatsby and (unanticipated at the time of publication) Jeff Bezos, comes to D.C., makes a big splash, and, well, things go from there.
Ignatius's story is engaging, but I think _The Sun King_'s greatest draws are the author's take on Washington life and his compulsively readable writing style. This isn't a long book, or a particularly enlightening one. It is, however, an excellent entertainment, a palate cleanser between heavier courses. Read it an enjoy the ride.
Ignatius's story is engaging, but I think _The Sun King_'s greatest draws are the author's take on Washington life and his compulsively readable writing style. This isn't a long book, or a particularly enlightening one. It is, however, an excellent entertainment, a palate cleanser between heavier courses. Read it an enjoy the ride.
August 15, 2024
If GATSBY were a fairy-tale this would be a somewhat subversive retelling. Half as brilliant but much more enjoyable. GATSBY has almost no sense of humor, and this book has good one dolloped about in just the right amounts. And half as brilliant as GATSBY is no insult. I picked this up because it was the next Ignatius novel I hadn't read, and I was expecting espionage. I was not disappointed at all with this journalism fable even though the first third is a bit silly and blindingly obvious to the reader even when all the ivy-league characters are oblivious to what is happening. I had a good time, and these characters are interesting enough to spend time with if you don't judge them or the writer to toughly.
February 19, 2020
Love, business and journalism form a toxic mix in this classic novel from the 1990s. The author’s rich experience with newspaper publishing and the DC political scene enhance the credibility of a cracking good story. Ignatius has become one of my favorite storytellers. Find a copy of this oldie and you’ll understand why.
April 7, 2022
Change of Pace
A very different Ignatius here as he notes in the afterward. Slow starting but picks up momentum that carries the reader through the rest of the book at a nice pace and fine conclusion.
A very different Ignatius here as he notes in the afterward. Slow starting but picks up momentum that carries the reader through the rest of the book at a nice pace and fine conclusion.
March 21, 2018
It’s a love story - totally not what I expected but complicated and well written, nonetheless.
November 10, 2018
It was a fun read, not taxing. I love the knowledge that Ignatius brings to his books.
March 9, 2025
Basically just a lesser great Gatsby; but more economic/ business focused
July 21, 2013
Every year I participate in an Author A—Z challenge, which means I read 26 books each read by an author whose last name begins with a different letter of the alphabet. (I don't know what I'd do without the wonderful books by Xinran.) The letter "I" can also be a bit tricky, so I headed to my local library to look through the stacks. There, tucked between Ibsen and Iles was Ignatius: The Sun King, a Gatsby-esque novel set in a Washington newspaper. Bingo!
Carl Sandburg "Sandy" Galvin, a self-made billionaire, takes Washington, DC, by storm, buying two houses, throwing lavish parties, and maneuvering to buy the city's biggest newspaper, the Sun and Tribune. As the story progresses we learn his main reason in buying the paper is to win back the love of the foreign editor, Candace Ridgeway, with whom he had a college romance. Our "Nick Carroway" in this tale is David Cantor, a third-rate newspaper hack who manages to hook himself on to Galvin's coattails because he has a friendship with Candace.
In many ways, that's where the similarities to Gatsby end. Candace is no ditzy Daisy Buchanan; she's a very smart, very driven journalist. She's married only to her job. And the main question is whether she's willing to give up what she's got professionally for love. Meanwhile Galvin is a bull in a China shop once he buys the newspaper, doing things no newspaper publisher should do. But it makes for a fascinating story. Ignatius, a former reporter for the Wall Street Journal and op-ed writer for the Washington Post, has serious street cred when it comes to writing about journalism. While some of the things Galvin does are ridiculous, they're not totally outside the realm of possibility (say, if Donald Trump decided to buy a newspaper). The slow erosion of Galvin's power and his relationship with Candace make for very good reading.
The book is also interesting as a slice of the not-too-distant past that shows how much the news media has changed. Written in the late '90s, I had to laugh when Cantor sends Galvin a memo by "inter-office mail." There's a quaintness to the technology, and while the newspaper people know their readership is going down, there's nothing that suggests the bloodbath print journalism has endured in the past decade. It's also the end of the Clinton administration, and while the name of the president isn't mentioned, it's pretty clear whom Ignatius is talking about.
Make no mistake, Ignatius is not Fitzgerald. There are no lines equal to "So we beat on, boats against the current," and yet, the book reminds us who we are borne ceaselessly back to the past.
Carl Sandburg "Sandy" Galvin, a self-made billionaire, takes Washington, DC, by storm, buying two houses, throwing lavish parties, and maneuvering to buy the city's biggest newspaper, the Sun and Tribune. As the story progresses we learn his main reason in buying the paper is to win back the love of the foreign editor, Candace Ridgeway, with whom he had a college romance. Our "Nick Carroway" in this tale is David Cantor, a third-rate newspaper hack who manages to hook himself on to Galvin's coattails because he has a friendship with Candace.
In many ways, that's where the similarities to Gatsby end. Candace is no ditzy Daisy Buchanan; she's a very smart, very driven journalist. She's married only to her job. And the main question is whether she's willing to give up what she's got professionally for love. Meanwhile Galvin is a bull in a China shop once he buys the newspaper, doing things no newspaper publisher should do. But it makes for a fascinating story. Ignatius, a former reporter for the Wall Street Journal and op-ed writer for the Washington Post, has serious street cred when it comes to writing about journalism. While some of the things Galvin does are ridiculous, they're not totally outside the realm of possibility (say, if Donald Trump decided to buy a newspaper). The slow erosion of Galvin's power and his relationship with Candace make for very good reading.
The book is also interesting as a slice of the not-too-distant past that shows how much the news media has changed. Written in the late '90s, I had to laugh when Cantor sends Galvin a memo by "inter-office mail." There's a quaintness to the technology, and while the newspaper people know their readership is going down, there's nothing that suggests the bloodbath print journalism has endured in the past decade. It's also the end of the Clinton administration, and while the name of the president isn't mentioned, it's pretty clear whom Ignatius is talking about.
Make no mistake, Ignatius is not Fitzgerald. There are no lines equal to "So we beat on, boats against the current," and yet, the book reminds us who we are borne ceaselessly back to the past.
August 5, 2019
This is a book begging to be made into a movie. Good story and the characters send you searching in your mind as to who could play them. There are shades of Gatsby in this story. Won't go into the details but for a good read, this is it.
July 15, 2014
Once I got over the disappointment that this was not another excellent Ignatius spy thriller, I became more and more delighted with the book. It is basically a moment in time in the land of make believe, Washington D.C., a story that humorously and skillfully strips away some of the glitter with which the Capital is frequently portrayed. But this book goes deeper than superficial probing in the hands of the narrator, one David Cantor, who "sings" a poignant story of wealth (and what it can't buy), power, and the emptiness of a life without love. The story is transformative for the narrator as he decides to abandon his spectator (journalist) role, because of the tragedy he describes, and join the human race as a participant. Ignatius' long immersion in the journalist/political world of D. C. gives this novel its undeniable authenticity.
September 25, 2011
This is the second book of David Ignatius that I read. It is not in the espionage gengre that his other books are. I read Bloodmoney, his latest book, first and that felt like it was lifted from the news of today.
David works for the Washington Post after writing for the Wall Street Journal.
Back to The Sun King. It was about a man who buys a newspaper in DC and the way he does it, the way he financed it, his total finances and the people he interacts with. There was some intrigue but nothing too serious or heavy.
After reading more about David, I'm putting his first book Agents of Innocence on reserve.
He's another espionage writer I want to follow
David works for the Washington Post after writing for the Wall Street Journal.
Back to The Sun King. It was about a man who buys a newspaper in DC and the way he does it, the way he financed it, his total finances and the people he interacts with. There was some intrigue but nothing too serious or heavy.
After reading more about David, I'm putting his first book Agents of Innocence on reserve.
He's another espionage writer I want to follow
August 22, 2024
I've read a couple of the author's (excellent) espionage novels, but here he is writing in an entirely different voice, as though he's trying to be The Bonfire of the Vanities's Tom Wolfe. It doesn't work at all, and I didn't need many pages before I heard the call to abandon ship.
May 17, 2014
This was a very different Ignatius book, a love story. I loved the beginning, but thought it flagged a bit towards the end. I liked it, though. There seemed to be a lot of good lessons in this one. Glad I read it!
October 12, 2014
A novel of power, money, journalism, and romance set in Washington D.C. during the late nineties. The author usually specializes in spies and thrillers that deal with the the Middle East but this was a nice change of pace and well worth reading.
April 13, 2009
Fun references to DC neighborhoods.
February 26, 2010
Not bad, my first Ignatius. Washingtonians would probably enjoy it.
September 5, 2015
I stopped reading this book. Ignatius is a good writer, but I'm not really interested in the newspaper business.
August 24, 2011
Any of the author's other books are better.
February 1, 2012
I enjoyed the book, gave me a different view of what goes on in Washington besides Politics. Interesting characters and storyline. I look forward to reading more by this author.
November 16, 2011
An enjoyable--if not spectacular read.
January 3, 2013
Stylish "Great Gatsbyish" romantic-themed tale set in DC and centered around a big daily paper--much different from the autor's usual spy fare
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July 15, 2013This is his non spy novel about a newspaper in Washington DC where he actually works for the Washington Post as a columnist. It was OK, not nearly as good as his spy novels, IMHO.
July 15, 2013
Something different from his other books as far as I know
September 22, 2014
Not a spy novel but a good DC newspaper intriguing story,
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews