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The Social Climber's Handbook
HIGH SOCIETY CAN BE A KILLER.
Upper East Side socialite Daisy Greenbaum is accustomed to the finer things—designer clothes, summers in the Hamptons, elite private school educations for her daughters, and a staggeringly expensive Park Avenue apartment. But Daisy finds her well-heeled lifestyle on precarious footing after her husband, master of the universe Dick Greenbaum, learns about some shady dealings that threaten his position at The Bank.
Daisy refuses to allow her family to slip down the social ladder, so she devises a madcap Anyone who jeopardizes her place at the top will simply have to be dispatched—six feet under. From Dick’s arrogant boss to his scheming former mistress to a pair of nosy bloggers, Daisy’s hit list is a who’s who of big names with even bigger secrets. But with the body count rising as the Dow Jones falls, can Daisy really get away with murder?
Upper East Side socialite Daisy Greenbaum is accustomed to the finer things—designer clothes, summers in the Hamptons, elite private school educations for her daughters, and a staggeringly expensive Park Avenue apartment. But Daisy finds her well-heeled lifestyle on precarious footing after her husband, master of the universe Dick Greenbaum, learns about some shady dealings that threaten his position at The Bank.
Daisy refuses to allow her family to slip down the social ladder, so she devises a madcap Anyone who jeopardizes her place at the top will simply have to be dispatched—six feet under. From Dick’s arrogant boss to his scheming former mistress to a pair of nosy bloggers, Daisy’s hit list is a who’s who of big names with even bigger secrets. But with the body count rising as the Dow Jones falls, can Daisy really get away with murder?
247 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2011
34 people are currently reading
385 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
July 29, 2018
Generally, I love to read about the super rich and the antics they pull to stay that way, but this was a very painful read. It was not funny, not fun, not even very interesting.
During 2008 Iceland’s banking system and the whole country crashed and much like a row of dominos, so, essentially did ours. This book follows that summer of 2008 with a satirical look at one very rich family that relies on the big banks and brokerage firms to retain the style to which they have grown accustomed. We meet Dick and Daisy Greenbaum, wealthy, entitled, youngish. They have twin daughters and a lovely home on Park Avenue in NYC. The address is very, very important; at least to them. Dick has a very important job with The Bank. Dick will soon realize that truly tough times are coming and write a memo to his boss on how to fix the economy. Unfortunately, his boss does not agree with the memo and starts talking about firing Dick. Well Daisy being the excellent planner that she is, realizes that she may have to get her hands a little dirty to keep her and her family in the style that they are entitled too. Why should she worry about s little murder if it’s going to keep her daughters in riding lessons, her husband in mistresses and herself in expensive Birkin purses?
What could have been a funny and thought-provoking read, turned into a book that was more than half filled with things that only someone with a strong banking background might find interesting. The rest of the book was a simply sad commentary on the shallowness of the uber-privileged. Think “Wallstreet” but with less depth and a much less interesting story. This was quite the most painful read I have experienced in a while.
Daisy does not stop at this first murder…oh no. She finds that it is the perfect way to get rid of hurdles to her family’s happiness. Dick cannot seem to keep “it” on a leash or at least in his pants and instead of being funny or at least interesting, it’s pathetic and very sad.
Overall, while nicely written with lovely prose, the storyline was something that was inept and clumsy with too many holes and unanswered questions. Secondary characters were thrown in willy-nilly as if Ms. Jong-Fast needed filler to flesh out her treatise on banking. I went into this book hoping for a pleasant, light, relaxing, funny few hours of diversion and came out scratching my head and wondering if somehow I picked up a book that was mislabeled. I was also fully expecting not to like these characters or their actions but at least I thought I would have some sympathy for them and their problems or I might have some giggles at their snobbery. But I didn’t.
This book was a depressing, unfunny read that I had to force myself to finish.
During 2008 Iceland’s banking system and the whole country crashed and much like a row of dominos, so, essentially did ours. This book follows that summer of 2008 with a satirical look at one very rich family that relies on the big banks and brokerage firms to retain the style to which they have grown accustomed. We meet Dick and Daisy Greenbaum, wealthy, entitled, youngish. They have twin daughters and a lovely home on Park Avenue in NYC. The address is very, very important; at least to them. Dick has a very important job with The Bank. Dick will soon realize that truly tough times are coming and write a memo to his boss on how to fix the economy. Unfortunately, his boss does not agree with the memo and starts talking about firing Dick. Well Daisy being the excellent planner that she is, realizes that she may have to get her hands a little dirty to keep her and her family in the style that they are entitled too. Why should she worry about s little murder if it’s going to keep her daughters in riding lessons, her husband in mistresses and herself in expensive Birkin purses?
What could have been a funny and thought-provoking read, turned into a book that was more than half filled with things that only someone with a strong banking background might find interesting. The rest of the book was a simply sad commentary on the shallowness of the uber-privileged. Think “Wallstreet” but with less depth and a much less interesting story. This was quite the most painful read I have experienced in a while.
Daisy does not stop at this first murder…oh no. She finds that it is the perfect way to get rid of hurdles to her family’s happiness. Dick cannot seem to keep “it” on a leash or at least in his pants and instead of being funny or at least interesting, it’s pathetic and very sad.
Overall, while nicely written with lovely prose, the storyline was something that was inept and clumsy with too many holes and unanswered questions. Secondary characters were thrown in willy-nilly as if Ms. Jong-Fast needed filler to flesh out her treatise on banking. I went into this book hoping for a pleasant, light, relaxing, funny few hours of diversion and came out scratching my head and wondering if somehow I picked up a book that was mislabeled. I was also fully expecting not to like these characters or their actions but at least I thought I would have some sympathy for them and their problems or I might have some giggles at their snobbery. But I didn’t.
This book was a depressing, unfunny read that I had to force myself to finish.
July 24, 2024
The Social Climber's Handbook sat on my TBR shelf for well over a decade so I decided I really needed to read it and I am so glad that I did. This book delivers biting social commentary and satire on the level of Jonathan Swift, but instead of Lilliputians, we're met with Park Avenue Yummy Mummies and their Master Of The Universe Husbands at the height of the 2008 Global Financial Crisis. This book took me right back to that era in time when I was getting my MBA and diving deep into the recession in my economics classes.
This book may sound like an escapist dream into the land of wealthy New Yorkers, but it actually delves pretty deep into subprime lending, the Derivatives Market and Ponzi Schemes. Yes, there are plenty of pop culture and fashion references, too, but this is not a light read. It is filled with dark humor and plenty of unlikeable characters of all ages.
Our Park Avenue dwelling heroine Daisy Greenbaum will stop at nothing to preserve her family's lifestyle amid the looming financial crisis, even if it means committing murder to protect her husband's job or her marriage. Some parts of the book were a little too over the top for me, such as the ghost of Dick Greenbaum's murdered mistress visiting him in the middle of the night to expose her husband's Ponzi Scheme, but overall, this book is a fantastic time capsule of everything happening in the banks and financial markets of the day.
This book may sound like an escapist dream into the land of wealthy New Yorkers, but it actually delves pretty deep into subprime lending, the Derivatives Market and Ponzi Schemes. Yes, there are plenty of pop culture and fashion references, too, but this is not a light read. It is filled with dark humor and plenty of unlikeable characters of all ages.
Our Park Avenue dwelling heroine Daisy Greenbaum will stop at nothing to preserve her family's lifestyle amid the looming financial crisis, even if it means committing murder to protect her husband's job or her marriage. Some parts of the book were a little too over the top for me, such as the ghost of Dick Greenbaum's murdered mistress visiting him in the middle of the night to expose her husband's Ponzi Scheme, but overall, this book is a fantastic time capsule of everything happening in the banks and financial markets of the day.
July 4, 2011
I picked up this book expecting some light escapism--you know, it's 2006 and the Wall Street crash is underway. Upper East Side social climber Daisy Greenbaum, whose husband Dick specializes in derivative swaps for The Bank, begins taking out those folks who could expose her husband's personal and professional improprieties. Each chapter opens with a date, that day's Dow closing and the S & P figures for the day. Clever, clever, clever.
What I got, however, were uncomfortable truths and interesting sociological insights into NYC's financial stratosphere--those who aspire to it, those who have arrived and will retain that status and its assorted perquisites at any cost, as well as those trustfundafarians born to it who have never worked a day in their lives and aren't about to start now. And bottom line, none of them is happy. Daisy and Dick are profoundly dissatisfied in their marriage. Their twins, Easton and Avery, despise each other despite engaging in dialogue that could be drawn from an Austen novel. Nina, their housekeeper, has raised the twins at the cost of her own family back in Poland to whom she has sent remittances for nearly two decades. Everyone from Avery's psychologist to random financial bloggers, to Dick's assistant, is unhappy with their lot.
The book's title is drawn from what Daisy muses will be the title of her jailhouse memoir. Novel's end is unresolved, which is only appropriate. Bottom line, The Social Climber's Handbook is interesting in the same way that The Nanny Diaries and The Devil Wears Prada offer non-New Yorkers glimpses into an altogether foreign world.
What I got, however, were uncomfortable truths and interesting sociological insights into NYC's financial stratosphere--those who aspire to it, those who have arrived and will retain that status and its assorted perquisites at any cost, as well as those trustfundafarians born to it who have never worked a day in their lives and aren't about to start now. And bottom line, none of them is happy. Daisy and Dick are profoundly dissatisfied in their marriage. Their twins, Easton and Avery, despise each other despite engaging in dialogue that could be drawn from an Austen novel. Nina, their housekeeper, has raised the twins at the cost of her own family back in Poland to whom she has sent remittances for nearly two decades. Everyone from Avery's psychologist to random financial bloggers, to Dick's assistant, is unhappy with their lot.
The book's title is drawn from what Daisy muses will be the title of her jailhouse memoir. Novel's end is unresolved, which is only appropriate. Bottom line, The Social Climber's Handbook is interesting in the same way that The Nanny Diaries and The Devil Wears Prada offer non-New Yorkers glimpses into an altogether foreign world.
April 30, 2011
2 stars feels generous, but I did finish it.
The book had big ideas, but for a book that billed itself as laugh out loud funny, I don't remember laughing once. I cringed several times, but I never once laughed. Not even a chuckle. I couldn't decide if the author hated the wealthy elite she was writing about or was jealous of them. Either way they were all awful people & if you don't like the characters- any of them- what's the point?
I also thought there was a lack of creativity at some points, her use of "The Bank" & "The Famous Media Blog" over & over for example were cop outs. You're an author, be creative, make up a name. Things like that really took away from the story in my opinion.
It's any ARC, so perhaps those details will change in the final version, but if you're looking for a fun comedy read, this isn't it.
The book had big ideas, but for a book that billed itself as laugh out loud funny, I don't remember laughing once. I cringed several times, but I never once laughed. Not even a chuckle. I couldn't decide if the author hated the wealthy elite she was writing about or was jealous of them. Either way they were all awful people & if you don't like the characters- any of them- what's the point?
I also thought there was a lack of creativity at some points, her use of "The Bank" & "The Famous Media Blog" over & over for example were cop outs. You're an author, be creative, make up a name. Things like that really took away from the story in my opinion.
It's any ARC, so perhaps those details will change in the final version, but if you're looking for a fun comedy read, this isn't it.
April 27, 2011
This novel is a satirical look at the elite social class, right when our financial world was on the brink of collapse. Daisy has always been twisted and now she's rich. She decides that killing is a much better alternative to losing her money and social status.
I chuckled through the first third of the book. The characters and the way their situations were portrayed kept me amused. I found the second murder far too convenient and easy and none of the characters were even remotely likable. I had a hard time caring what happened to these people. For me, the humor lost its edge because there just wasn't enough substance to the story to keep me engaged.
I chuckled through the first third of the book. The characters and the way their situations were portrayed kept me amused. I found the second murder far too convenient and easy and none of the characters were even remotely likable. I had a hard time caring what happened to these people. For me, the humor lost its edge because there just wasn't enough substance to the story to keep me engaged.
September 25, 2018
None of the quotes from other authors on the cover apply - I genuinely feel none of them actually read this. The description of the book paints a totally different picture of the story as well. I feel conned and tricked into reading this as it seems a lot of other people are.
This book has like no redeeming qualities other than it picked up around chapter 5 or 6 only to fall flat again. Not a single one of these characters is likable. Someone else mentioned they felt the author was either in awe of the rich group she is focusing or hates them - and that is the rollercoaster aspect of the book, not the story. I’m not here for the author’s opinions on the Park Ave Elite. The book is far too jargon-y for me in terms of all the Wall Street stuff and people we’re “supposed to know.” It also feels like the author gave us all these parts of the story, but a bunch never really manifest again. It’s a short read, but had time not been wasted on descriptions about a $12 fruit salad or like BS couple arguing, a more concrete story may have been laid out. I thought this would be a funny quick beach read, but I really had to force myself to read it.
At the end, I read an excerpt from a different book by this author, and it wasn’t bad. I think she was just overly ambitious with this one.
This book has like no redeeming qualities other than it picked up around chapter 5 or 6 only to fall flat again. Not a single one of these characters is likable. Someone else mentioned they felt the author was either in awe of the rich group she is focusing or hates them - and that is the rollercoaster aspect of the book, not the story. I’m not here for the author’s opinions on the Park Ave Elite. The book is far too jargon-y for me in terms of all the Wall Street stuff and people we’re “supposed to know.” It also feels like the author gave us all these parts of the story, but a bunch never really manifest again. It’s a short read, but had time not been wasted on descriptions about a $12 fruit salad or like BS couple arguing, a more concrete story may have been laid out. I thought this would be a funny quick beach read, but I really had to force myself to read it.
At the end, I read an excerpt from a different book by this author, and it wasn’t bad. I think she was just overly ambitious with this one.
June 12, 2016
This book was not very enjoyable. The books I have been reading have been some serious duds. These Molly Jong-Fast books are killing me! Anyway, to the review.
Basically, the book was a story of riches and fame. A New York woman is "social climbing" It could have been interesting, but it just didn't seem to have a real pizzaz to the book. A lot of people who I talked to about this book said that it was a great comedy book. I didn't find it to be very funny or interesting. Especially since this book was set during the economy collapse.
Luckily, this book wasn't too long and I didn't have to deal with this torture for too long. This book doesn't seem to be possible or realistic the way it was written. Yes, social climbing is, but at the rate that the story was progressing, it wasn't realistic. This book had a huge fixation on finances, which got boring after a while. Happy Reading!
-Madelyn
Thoughts in GIF form:
Basically, the book was a story of riches and fame. A New York woman is "social climbing" It could have been interesting, but it just didn't seem to have a real pizzaz to the book. A lot of people who I talked to about this book said that it was a great comedy book. I didn't find it to be very funny or interesting. Especially since this book was set during the economy collapse.
Luckily, this book wasn't too long and I didn't have to deal with this torture for too long. This book doesn't seem to be possible or realistic the way it was written. Yes, social climbing is, but at the rate that the story was progressing, it wasn't realistic. This book had a huge fixation on finances, which got boring after a while. Happy Reading!
-Madelyn
Thoughts in GIF form:
February 23, 2018
What gives with the wild distribution of stars? This social satire is wonderfully entertaining. I agree with every single 4* and 5* review. Yes, it IS funny. Not slapstick funny but smart funny. Sometimes read between the lines hilarious. Every single character is a flawlessly drawn representation of the caricature they are meant to be. Jong-Fast is an adept commenter on this sliver of Americana. Her word-work is sometimes "Hey, sit-up-and-take-notice-of-THAT-little-phrase-Thelma!" In my humble reader's opinion this one is right up there with the best of the genre with just the right amount of inter-textuality - not enough to be annoyingly obvious or pretentious but enough to crack a literary joke or two. Perhaps the low-ratings reviewers don't know enough to be entertained? It's always a hazard to write smart-funny because sometimes the joke just goes over heads. I do believe that it's almost impossible to write a story like this one and entertain everyone. It sure did entertain me.
July 22, 2018
This book has been on my to-read list for several years and I really wish I could remember the source of the recommendation so that I can never trust it again. This was one of the worst books I have ever read. The characters are unlikeable (and not in an interesting way), the plot makes no sense, and the writing is awful.
December 30, 2025
This book takes you back to '00s as it's packed to the max with details from 2008's financial markets, politics, and pop culture. Molly presents a brave satire mocking the ultra wealthy living on Park Avenue. If you enjoyed the movie, A Perfect Murder with Michael Douglas, the T.V. show, Sex and the City. or Chris Pavone's recent novel, The Doorman...then you may enjoy this book.
I liked how tightly it was edited. If you can tolerate the lengthy descriptions of fashion pieces from The Aughts (like the Birkin bag), the story moves right along. It's a fast read. I'm guessing that if Molly wrote this story now, 15 years later and more accomplished in her career, she would cut back on the cultural references since they are overwhelming and make the book quite dated.
I liked how tightly it was edited. If you can tolerate the lengthy descriptions of fashion pieces from The Aughts (like the Birkin bag), the story moves right along. It's a fast read. I'm guessing that if Molly wrote this story now, 15 years later and more accomplished in her career, she would cut back on the cultural references since they are overwhelming and make the book quite dated.
September 1, 2019
This was a first for me. I read this novel because I follow the author on Twitter. She's snarky, 100% political, and seemingly on Twitter most of her day. She's entertaining in that Twitter kind of way. This book was OK, maybe even a little better than OK, so why did I feel guilty reading it? The plot centered around the buildup to the 2008 Great Recession as viewed by Daisy, married to Dick, a Manhattan Master of the Universe who can see the recession coming, and her unusual twin daughters who are 8. Lots of rich people problems arise, including multiple murders and adulteries. A beach read.
July 21, 2020
During the pandemic, I'm going through books I put off reading in Kindle. I'd read a small percent of this one, so I decided to give it another go. I soon learned why I'd quit reading it before. I'm sure that the author has experience in dealing with all the types of people and businesses she describes, but I want a book that intrigues, not a boring day to day account of SSDD. Did not like. A writer is supposed to tell a story that others not in a particular 'world' can relate to, and this is one only someone who is in her 'world' could probably enjoy.
July 7, 2018
A black comedy about a wealthy Upper East Side couple--Daisy and Dick Greenbaum, set in 2008 on the eve of the banking crisis. Dick has a sense of foreboding about the impending economic collapse, while Daisy murders anyone (Dick's boss and mistresses) who threaten their precarious happiness.
November 5, 2018
Very disappointing novel. I feel like she maybe aspires to be a Sophie Kinsella, but this is a poor example. The writing is weak and unfortunately falls flat!
As a New Yorker, born and raised, I always love to read about the city. That is why it got 1 star.
As a New Yorker, born and raised, I always love to read about the city. That is why it got 1 star.
June 25, 2025
May have expected too much from this. These characters were tedious, the plot was confusing. The only good thing was the satiric, but probably somewhat accurate, descriptions of the New York milieu it's set in. This author is no Tom Wolfe, though. Fortunately, it was short.
March 6, 2024
I personally loved the book! It was so cheeky and fun. I love reading books where all the characters are just so awful! All the characters are so moralless and selfish, it makes for such a good read.
July 28, 2025
Fun read! Starts a little slow but picks up as it goes!
May 6, 2011
This story takes place in 2008 when the crap was ready to hit the fan on Wall Street. Daisy Greenbaum's husband is a financial mogul for "The Bank" and he probably knows more about the collapse about to happen than he should and he starts to find away around the impending doom, but his boss shuts him down quite quickly. He needs to keep his mouth shut if he wants to keep his job.
Daisy is as a socialite who lunches and who throws parties and she starts to realize that the life she has become quite accustomed to may disappear and that her husband's past mistress may not be as far in the past as her husband has led her to believe.
Daisy decides she must take her family's future into her own hands to protect them. She will stop at nothing, even murder to protect the one's she loves.
This is a very dark comedic look at the people most of us already hate because of the economic collapse and the huge bonuses still paid to the people in the banking industry.
It was well-written and a fast read. I think with this book the author can stop referring to herself as the daughter of Erica Jong and stand on her own as an author. Her husband works in the financial industry so he was able to provide her with a good insight.
I had two problems with the book. Not one character in the book was remotely likable even the Greenbaum's twin daughters. The other was that one daughter was clearly favored over the other.
Other than that this book had some unexpected turns and was entertaining. It is definitely not a mystery novel and not really chick-lit either. I would definitely put this into some sort of "noir" category. It was with a doubt an interesting story.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Daisy is as a socialite who lunches and who throws parties and she starts to realize that the life she has become quite accustomed to may disappear and that her husband's past mistress may not be as far in the past as her husband has led her to believe.
Daisy decides she must take her family's future into her own hands to protect them. She will stop at nothing, even murder to protect the one's she loves.
This is a very dark comedic look at the people most of us already hate because of the economic collapse and the huge bonuses still paid to the people in the banking industry.
It was well-written and a fast read. I think with this book the author can stop referring to herself as the daughter of Erica Jong and stand on her own as an author. Her husband works in the financial industry so he was able to provide her with a good insight.
I had two problems with the book. Not one character in the book was remotely likable even the Greenbaum's twin daughters. The other was that one daughter was clearly favored over the other.
Other than that this book had some unexpected turns and was entertaining. It is definitely not a mystery novel and not really chick-lit either. I would definitely put this into some sort of "noir" category. It was with a doubt an interesting story.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
November 4, 2011
Picked this up expecting a campy book. I was surprised by moments of insight into the inner life of the truly rich. (Or what I consider truly rich. One of the points of this book is that there is always someone richer than you - even the "rich" feel like they are struggling to fit in in some way.) For that reason, I gave it 4 stars and I'd recommend it to my Junior League friends.
However, I was annoyed that characters, who often seem completely detached from reality, magically "sense" or dream key pieces of information in the novel that they shouldn't reasonably have knowledge of - like knowing when a murder occurs or learning the details of a financial fraud. It also had a hindsight commentary feel to it - applying current knowledge & opinions on the financial crisis to situations supposedly occurring before the crisis.
In one scene a rich man muses over all the other things that could have been purchased with the $27,000 used to purchase one of his couches. One of his examples: 2700 mammograms for woman. I don't even now the going price for a mammogram and I'm a woman. How would a diluted rich man know that? The characters were constantly aware of the prices of items around them and their relative value. It felt like the author was trying to create an environment or make a point with these character thoughts - but the thoughts themselves felt totally unrealistic in terms of the characters. Then again, most of this book felt unrealistic. In between the surprising moments of insight, the book repeatedly fell into clichés and did have a certain degree of campiness. You have to read the book with a big grain of salt to enjoy it.
However, I was annoyed that characters, who often seem completely detached from reality, magically "sense" or dream key pieces of information in the novel that they shouldn't reasonably have knowledge of - like knowing when a murder occurs or learning the details of a financial fraud. It also had a hindsight commentary feel to it - applying current knowledge & opinions on the financial crisis to situations supposedly occurring before the crisis.
In one scene a rich man muses over all the other things that could have been purchased with the $27,000 used to purchase one of his couches. One of his examples: 2700 mammograms for woman. I don't even now the going price for a mammogram and I'm a woman. How would a diluted rich man know that? The characters were constantly aware of the prices of items around them and their relative value. It felt like the author was trying to create an environment or make a point with these character thoughts - but the thoughts themselves felt totally unrealistic in terms of the characters. Then again, most of this book felt unrealistic. In between the surprising moments of insight, the book repeatedly fell into clichés and did have a certain degree of campiness. You have to read the book with a big grain of salt to enjoy it.
January 9, 2017
I was excited to read this book when I read the back cover. I thought it would be a dark humor, funny book about the elite Upper East Side and the last "good" days before the recession hit. I ended up being really let down by it. First of all, it took me over a week to read it and it's only 229 pages. It's really unusual for me to take that long to read a book. And especially because it's so short. It was hard to get into and stay in because nothing going on in the book hooked me.
The character of Daisy Greenbaum was really wooden. There was nothing to latch onto with her. I can't tell what the reader is supposed to feel about her. Are we supposed to feel sorry for her or hate her? I don't know. Why does she decide to murder instead of doing something else to the people that make her angry? I don't know. Actually, all the characters have a wooden, not really quality to them. And they're not very likable either. I read the whole book and I still don't have much of a grasp on any of the characters. There were some passages about the stocks and information about the market that I ended up scanning. I know that it's important to know about how the stock market works but I don't really want to read about it in a novel.
There were a few parts that I found amusing but none that I found really funny or entertaining. I'm a big fan of Meg Cabot but I have to disagree with her back cover blurb of making Molly Jong-Fast "the new queen of comedy". I think Molly may have a ways to go before she can truly claim that title. Good concept but it missed the mark for me.
The character of Daisy Greenbaum was really wooden. There was nothing to latch onto with her. I can't tell what the reader is supposed to feel about her. Are we supposed to feel sorry for her or hate her? I don't know. Why does she decide to murder instead of doing something else to the people that make her angry? I don't know. Actually, all the characters have a wooden, not really quality to them. And they're not very likable either. I read the whole book and I still don't have much of a grasp on any of the characters. There were some passages about the stocks and information about the market that I ended up scanning. I know that it's important to know about how the stock market works but I don't really want to read about it in a novel.
There were a few parts that I found amusing but none that I found really funny or entertaining. I'm a big fan of Meg Cabot but I have to disagree with her back cover blurb of making Molly Jong-Fast "the new queen of comedy". I think Molly may have a ways to go before she can truly claim that title. Good concept but it missed the mark for me.
April 23, 2011
Only the second of nine goodreads giveaways that I didn't like though I finished this one, hoping it would improve.
Never laughed, never chuckled, never even smiled. Nothing about this book was even slightly humorous despite the cover quotes "irresistable"--I trudged through it. " razor-sharp "--dull and boring, like the characters within it. " Blissfully entertaining "-- Not in the slightest. " fast, funny and smart "--took forever to get through it; see the first sentence; well, I DO understand the financial manipulations that caused the recent crash better than ever.
Not one of the people in this novel have any likeable characteristics--they are greedy,self-absorbed, boring people. If the book were about vampires, ghosts, aliens I could have liked it better for I would have said this is fiction and they aren't real. Well, unfortunately, these people are real--oh, not identified specifically, but everyone of them exists including Daisy,who in real life doesn't actually kill others, that is, deprive them of life, but she deprives them of living which is much the same. She sucks the animation and joy from those who she sees as a threat.
A horrible book about horrible people being passed off as hilarious fiction---I wonder, is it a case of laughing at oneself and one's own intimate circle? A sort of inside joke--which will make it all okay and make the lifestyle meaningful?
Never laughed, never chuckled, never even smiled. Nothing about this book was even slightly humorous despite the cover quotes "irresistable"--I trudged through it. " razor-sharp "--dull and boring, like the characters within it. " Blissfully entertaining "-- Not in the slightest. " fast, funny and smart "--took forever to get through it; see the first sentence; well, I DO understand the financial manipulations that caused the recent crash better than ever.
Not one of the people in this novel have any likeable characteristics--they are greedy,self-absorbed, boring people. If the book were about vampires, ghosts, aliens I could have liked it better for I would have said this is fiction and they aren't real. Well, unfortunately, these people are real--oh, not identified specifically, but everyone of them exists including Daisy,who in real life doesn't actually kill others, that is, deprive them of life, but she deprives them of living which is much the same. She sucks the animation and joy from those who she sees as a threat.
A horrible book about horrible people being passed off as hilarious fiction---I wonder, is it a case of laughing at oneself and one's own intimate circle? A sort of inside joke--which will make it all okay and make the lifestyle meaningful?
June 28, 2011
THE SOCIAL CLIMBER'S HANDBOOK features cover quotes from several best-selling authors who all claim this book to be a “great comedy,” “deliciously wicked,” and “an irresistible read.” These quotes make me wonder if we all read the same book. I found this book to be a mostly dark tale with an unsympathetic narrator, set against an inaccessible background.
THE SOCIAL CLIMBER'S HANDBOOK is set in 2008, just before the collapse of the economy. Even though there’s nothing really funny about an economic depression from which this country still hasn’t recovered, I was willing to give Ms. Jong-Fast the benefit of the doubt. It turns out I was too generous—the only time I laughed during this story was at a sentence that, on second glance, I read wrong. The lack of humor is compounded by the author’s repeated attempts to explain the cause of the economic collapse. I don’t doubt that Ms. Jong-Fast understands the genesis of this recession; however, her explanations were still quite inaccessible to the casual reader, and ultimately unnecessary for understanding the main plot: a rich woman, threatened by the potential loss of status, begins killing everyone in her path. This is not a protagonist that I want to spend any time with.
I did not enjoy THE SOCIAL CLIMBER'S HANDBOOK on any level, and the only good thing about the book was that there were only 240 pages to suffer through.
THE SOCIAL CLIMBER'S HANDBOOK is set in 2008, just before the collapse of the economy. Even though there’s nothing really funny about an economic depression from which this country still hasn’t recovered, I was willing to give Ms. Jong-Fast the benefit of the doubt. It turns out I was too generous—the only time I laughed during this story was at a sentence that, on second glance, I read wrong. The lack of humor is compounded by the author’s repeated attempts to explain the cause of the economic collapse. I don’t doubt that Ms. Jong-Fast understands the genesis of this recession; however, her explanations were still quite inaccessible to the casual reader, and ultimately unnecessary for understanding the main plot: a rich woman, threatened by the potential loss of status, begins killing everyone in her path. This is not a protagonist that I want to spend any time with.
I did not enjoy THE SOCIAL CLIMBER'S HANDBOOK on any level, and the only good thing about the book was that there were only 240 pages to suffer through.
May 2, 2011
Daisy Greenbaum is one of New York City's elite - she has a husband, two daughters, and all of the money that she could want. Until 2008 when her husband because aware of shady dealings at The Bank, the place that he works. He becomes concerned that they will lose everything - his job and their money. Daisy is not willing to let this happen and will do everything in her power to prevent it. Even stooping to murder. Unfortunately, once she starts she can't stop.
While the premise starts very interesting and entertaining, the book did not live up to my expectations. I was expecting a little more dark humor or something along those lines. While it was amusing at times, it was often hard to follow and the writing was not always clear. None of the characters were particularly likeable but I didn't expect to like them. I was at least hoping to find the story intriguing enough to want to know what happens next. Daisy and Dick were both self-absorbed. Their young daughters had thier own issues which were largely ignored. I think I would have liked it a little better if the story had stayed focused on Daisy's point of view. While her husband is a central character, I tended to get lost with his discussions of financial dealings and the dream sequences that he would have.
Read as part of the Goodreads First Read program.
While the premise starts very interesting and entertaining, the book did not live up to my expectations. I was expecting a little more dark humor or something along those lines. While it was amusing at times, it was often hard to follow and the writing was not always clear. None of the characters were particularly likeable but I didn't expect to like them. I was at least hoping to find the story intriguing enough to want to know what happens next. Daisy and Dick were both self-absorbed. Their young daughters had thier own issues which were largely ignored. I think I would have liked it a little better if the story had stayed focused on Daisy's point of view. While her husband is a central character, I tended to get lost with his discussions of financial dealings and the dream sequences that he would have.
Read as part of the Goodreads First Read program.
Read
January 14, 2012I hate admitting that I couldn't finish or didn't like a book. I admit I'm picky when it comes to books and it really has to catch my attention for me to pick it up. Unfortunately for this book, despite the great sounding blurb; I just couldn't get into it! The blurb for the story sounded great, something I could potentially love.
Daisy is a society wife, nice clothes, lots of money - the best of the best. Only the best schools for her daughter and designer clothes. Unfortunately, her husband is about to lose his job and put the life she loves in jeopardy. She decides to take matters into her own hands.
The story started out well, we meet Daisy, her husband and their daughter. But I just couldn't get past the first couple of chapters. I had hoped there would be some funny moments to balance out the financial information, but sadly I was disappointed.
This book may appeal to some, but unfortunately for me it didn't work out.
Daisy is a society wife, nice clothes, lots of money - the best of the best. Only the best schools for her daughter and designer clothes. Unfortunately, her husband is about to lose his job and put the life she loves in jeopardy. She decides to take matters into her own hands.
The story started out well, we meet Daisy, her husband and their daughter. But I just couldn't get past the first couple of chapters. I had hoped there would be some funny moments to balance out the financial information, but sadly I was disappointed.
This book may appeal to some, but unfortunately for me it didn't work out.
August 19, 2015
Are you in serious withdrawal from Odd Mom Out? Molly Jong-Fast has got you covered with THE SOCIAL CLIMBER'S HANDBOOK.
It's the story of UES socialite Daisy Greenbaum, who's married to master of the universe, Dick Greenbaum. (I know! The names are just too delicious.) When Daisy's social position is threatened due to Dick learning of some shady goings-on at The Bank, she decides to take matters into her own hands... and off anyone who gets in her way.
It's ODD MOM OUT meets HEATHERS, and you'll absolutely love this smart, funny novel. Molly is a phenomenal writer-- her word play is just fabulous-- and she offers a dark glimpse into the New York City socialite life. I devoured this book in two days. Pop a copy into your Birkin (okay, canvas tote bag), and enjoy THE SOCIAL CLIMBER'S HANDBOOK.
It's the story of UES socialite Daisy Greenbaum, who's married to master of the universe, Dick Greenbaum. (I know! The names are just too delicious.) When Daisy's social position is threatened due to Dick learning of some shady goings-on at The Bank, she decides to take matters into her own hands... and off anyone who gets in her way.
It's ODD MOM OUT meets HEATHERS, and you'll absolutely love this smart, funny novel. Molly is a phenomenal writer-- her word play is just fabulous-- and she offers a dark glimpse into the New York City socialite life. I devoured this book in two days. Pop a copy into your Birkin (okay, canvas tote bag), and enjoy THE SOCIAL CLIMBER'S HANDBOOK.
June 1, 2011
Not plausible, not funny, not ironic, not worth reading.
I'd give it zero stars if that was an option.
I was looking for a good beach read--something light after reading a few heavier books. Generally I love reading about the uber-wealthy/social climbing New York women, and had high hopes for this book.
But a serial-killing UES mom and wife, marrried to a philandering Wall Street banker who "knows" his wife is killing off first his boss, then two of his mistresses? Nope. Not believeable and while I can suspend disbelief with the best of them, this story doesn't invite disbelief, it just takes short cuts with the narrative as if the author didn't have the energy to work the character through situations that would make sense.
I'd give it zero stars if that was an option.
I was looking for a good beach read--something light after reading a few heavier books. Generally I love reading about the uber-wealthy/social climbing New York women, and had high hopes for this book.
But a serial-killing UES mom and wife, marrried to a philandering Wall Street banker who "knows" his wife is killing off first his boss, then two of his mistresses? Nope. Not believeable and while I can suspend disbelief with the best of them, this story doesn't invite disbelief, it just takes short cuts with the narrative as if the author didn't have the energy to work the character through situations that would make sense.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2011
I'm kind of surprised that I made my way all the way through this one. I was initially drawn in by the author's writing (and yes, also because the author is Erica Jong's daughter). But the characters were so loathsome--and the fact that they didn't change or evolve at all during the book gave them the depth of reality TV characters. One of the characters' names is Easton--I suppose a shout out to Bret Easton Ellis and similar books in the loathsome rich NY elite genre? But there's something that draws you into Ellis' characters and their lives (kind of seducing you into their depravity) that was utterly lacking here.
September 3, 2011
I kept waiting for this book to get better and match the hype on the back of the book as well as from what I read in Entertainment Weekly. I finished the book before it got any better. It also is written in a style I find obnoxious. It's where there is a "main" character, the one written about on the back. In this case, it's Daisy and the perspective --whether third person or first -- should be in that character. This book chose a different route and would put it in the 3rd person perspective of any character that was revealed. I found it quite bothersome.
August 31, 2011
I only finished this book because it was so short and because it is nearly impossible for me to start a book and not finish it. I started it because of the reviews and figured it had to be entertaining. The characters were boring. The plot wasn't at all exciting and I kept waiting for the big plot twist or reveal. I guess I just expected too much of this book. It was not worth reading in my opinion.
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