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The Sandersons Fail Manhattan
“A laugh-out-loud mash-up of Bonfire of the Vanities and Mean Girls.” ―Christopher Buckley, author of Thank You for Smoking
William Sanderson is very rich, but you can always be richer. He’s up for a huge promotion at investment giant Bedrock Capital, but there’s one crucial hurdle he must clear first―assuming he can also keep the HR department at bay. He’s also looking for any string to pull to get his maddeningly indifferent daughter Ginny into Yale. Ellie, his wife, is a newcomer to New York who only wants to fit in, while Daughter #2, the shy Zoey, is happy just to make a new friend, even in the form of the unusual new girl who calls herself a goblin.
Things turn upside down when the girls’ exclusive school admits its first trans student, only to have her mysteriously disappear. As a frenzied search begins, the entire city frets about her fate. Somehow caught in the crosshairs are the Sandersons, a family desperately trying to navigate all the new cultural rules―and failing miserably.
William Sanderson is very rich, but you can always be richer. He’s up for a huge promotion at investment giant Bedrock Capital, but there’s one crucial hurdle he must clear first―assuming he can also keep the HR department at bay. He’s also looking for any string to pull to get his maddeningly indifferent daughter Ginny into Yale. Ellie, his wife, is a newcomer to New York who only wants to fit in, while Daughter #2, the shy Zoey, is happy just to make a new friend, even in the form of the unusual new girl who calls herself a goblin.
Things turn upside down when the girls’ exclusive school admits its first trans student, only to have her mysteriously disappear. As a frenzied search begins, the entire city frets about her fate. Somehow caught in the crosshairs are the Sandersons, a family desperately trying to navigate all the new cultural rules―and failing miserably.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published July 8, 2025
41 people are currently reading
7850 people want to read
About the author
Scott Johnston
4 books102 followersAuthor of St. Martin's Press novels Campusland and The Sandersons Fail Manhattan, Johnston grew up in New York and went to Yale. From there, Wall Street (Salomon Brothers of Liar's Poker fame) and a stint in Hong Kong. On the side, he opened a couple of nightclubs in NYC. One, called the Baja, had a great run. After that, he started and ran a quant hedge fund for about a decade, taking some time to teach as an adjunct at Yale. Somewhere in there he penned a fun little book on golf betting games. Growing bored of finance, Johnston shifted gears to tech, co-founding two startups, later sold. He and his wife live in Charlottesville, Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
February 11, 2025
ARC for review. To be published July 8, 2025.
3.5 stars
The Sandersons of New York City are very wealthy. Will Sanderson is rising to the top of Bedrock Capital, he just needs to take one more step before he makes the executive committee. Wife Ellie isn’t from NYC and takes it all in stride, other than trying to fit in and raise their two girls. Ginny is a senior at the posh Lenox School for Girls, a lauded private school where William is on the board; it is vitally important to William that Ginny go to Yale since “that’s where Sandersons go.” Shy Zoey is Ginny’s younger sister and is also at Lenox, she befriends one of the school’s new students, brought in the enhance gender diversity.
Can the Sandersons navigate this year, where everything they have known turns on its head?
This was a bit BONFIRE OF THE VANITIES-lite. It’s a pity that this didn’t come out before Trump took office because it made more sense in a world where the orange menace wasn’t attacking trans rights every fifteen minutes. Now it already feels a little dated (and that’s depressing.)
Ellie is a little too perfect and Easter is maybe a bit of a cliche, as are her parents, but I enjoyed this well enough.
3.5 stars
The Sandersons of New York City are very wealthy. Will Sanderson is rising to the top of Bedrock Capital, he just needs to take one more step before he makes the executive committee. Wife Ellie isn’t from NYC and takes it all in stride, other than trying to fit in and raise their two girls. Ginny is a senior at the posh Lenox School for Girls, a lauded private school where William is on the board; it is vitally important to William that Ginny go to Yale since “that’s where Sandersons go.” Shy Zoey is Ginny’s younger sister and is also at Lenox, she befriends one of the school’s new students, brought in the enhance gender diversity.
Can the Sandersons navigate this year, where everything they have known turns on its head?
This was a bit BONFIRE OF THE VANITIES-lite. It’s a pity that this didn’t come out before Trump took office because it made more sense in a world where the orange menace wasn’t attacking trans rights every fifteen minutes. Now it already feels a little dated (and that’s depressing.)
Ellie is a little too perfect and Easter is maybe a bit of a cliche, as are her parents, but I enjoyed this well enough.
July 23, 2025
Very edgy and brave book but honestly we have all been on that zoom call haven’t we? Lol. The ending was so abrupt I was sure I accidentally clicked something wrong. Just … wow. Makes you think for sure.
April 8, 2025
Having read and loved Mr. Johnston's Campusland, I was gung-ho to read his new book, The Sandersons Fail Manhattan. With wry wit, farcical situations and character development that sometimes bordered on the histrionic, this novel spoke to me, making me laugh and shake my head at its incisive exploration of contemporary culture, social media, and the rich. While taking 'woke' and 'cancel culture' to the extreme, the author paints a picture of what power and excess is capable of doing. I wondered at times if I could laugh freely without feeling guilty.
The main protagonists of this novel are the Sanderson family, especially William Sanderson, a rising star at Bedrock Capital. His daughters, Ginny and Zoey, attend the posh Lenox School, an all-girls school for the rich and privileged. William's wife Ellie is a good-hearted woman, trying to fit into the rich enclaves and clubs of Manhattan while also being a good wife and mother.
Padma, the Head of School at Lenox, is being pressured to extend scholarships and admittance to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) students. She runs the school like a silk covered brick, always wanting the recognition and power she feels she deserves. To attain her Board's BIPOC goal, Padma admits a girl named Clover who claims to be a practitioner of Goblincore. Clover is also an eco-sexual, which I gathered meant that she could love and have sex with trees and greenery. She walks the halls of Lenox with twigs and berries embellished in her hair.
There is also a lot of pressure on Padma to admit a Trans student and, to accomplish this goal, she admits Easter, a transgendered student. When Easter disappears, the whole of the school, and New York City as well, are searching for her.
Ginny is a senior and Zoey is a freshman. William has his heart set on Ginny going to Yale where several generations of his family have gone. Ginny is supposed to write an application essay about a challenge she has faced but, growing up in the 1 %, she hasn't faced too many challenges. She also is not too sure she wants to go to Yale.
Zoey is a quiet girl who is being bullied at school. When she is befriended by Clover, she awakens to a reality much different from the one she expected.
When William and Ginny get caught up in the spider web of political correctness, a storm begins to brew, with the Sandersons at its epicenter. Everything they've learned to expect is put at risk, including William's career.
While this novel is funny, it is also a scary reminder of what internet hate and cancel culture can do. I had trouble putting this book down and stayed up way past my bedtime reading.
I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an Advanced Review Copy of this novel. The contents of this review are mine alone, independent from NetGalley and the publisher.
The main protagonists of this novel are the Sanderson family, especially William Sanderson, a rising star at Bedrock Capital. His daughters, Ginny and Zoey, attend the posh Lenox School, an all-girls school for the rich and privileged. William's wife Ellie is a good-hearted woman, trying to fit into the rich enclaves and clubs of Manhattan while also being a good wife and mother.
Padma, the Head of School at Lenox, is being pressured to extend scholarships and admittance to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) students. She runs the school like a silk covered brick, always wanting the recognition and power she feels she deserves. To attain her Board's BIPOC goal, Padma admits a girl named Clover who claims to be a practitioner of Goblincore. Clover is also an eco-sexual, which I gathered meant that she could love and have sex with trees and greenery. She walks the halls of Lenox with twigs and berries embellished in her hair.
There is also a lot of pressure on Padma to admit a Trans student and, to accomplish this goal, she admits Easter, a transgendered student. When Easter disappears, the whole of the school, and New York City as well, are searching for her.
Ginny is a senior and Zoey is a freshman. William has his heart set on Ginny going to Yale where several generations of his family have gone. Ginny is supposed to write an application essay about a challenge she has faced but, growing up in the 1 %, she hasn't faced too many challenges. She also is not too sure she wants to go to Yale.
Zoey is a quiet girl who is being bullied at school. When she is befriended by Clover, she awakens to a reality much different from the one she expected.
When William and Ginny get caught up in the spider web of political correctness, a storm begins to brew, with the Sandersons at its epicenter. Everything they've learned to expect is put at risk, including William's career.
While this novel is funny, it is also a scary reminder of what internet hate and cancel culture can do. I had trouble putting this book down and stayed up way past my bedtime reading.
I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an Advanced Review Copy of this novel. The contents of this review are mine alone, independent from NetGalley and the publisher.
June 27, 2025
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: July 8, 2025
Scott Johnston, author of “Campusland”, has entered the world of fiction writing in a big way. His debut novel, “The Sandersons Fail Manhattan” is subversive, thought-provoking, relevant and powerful, touching on major themes like capitalism, racism and transphobia, all in three hundred pages.
Will Sanderson is mega rich and the one thing he strives for is to get richer, so he is thrilled when word gets around that he may be up for a promotion with his company, Bedrock Capital. He serves on the board of his daughter’s elite private school and his beautiful wife, Ellie, is trying to make a life for herself among the super rich wives of New York City. The private school the Sanderson girls attend makes news when it admits its first trans student but it isn’t long until the student disappears- leaving everyone scrambling and putting the Sandersons in the spotlight, for the wrong reasons.
“Manhattan” is a novel that will stick with you, regardless of what side of the political fence you’re on. Whatever your background or beliefs, Johnston’s novel will run you through the emotional gamut, and it is one heck of a provoking page-turner. “Manhattan” alternates protagonists, not just the Sandersons but other players in their world, such as the school’s new head, a journalist trying to make a name for herself and another new student Clover, who is also selected as part of the school’s “diversity” practice. All of the characters have very different stories to tell, so readers will be able to connect with at least one amongst the pile.
“Manhattan” has politicking, nepotism, back-biting, scheming and plotting- all of the central aspects of life among the rich and infamous. Ellie and her daughters are pawns in a larger scheme and it was easy to sympathize with them, making William and his super rich colleagues the obvious villains. But there is more at play in “Manhattan”, and it brings to light a lot of modern issues.
This novel is complex, so it was difficult to summarize and review, but it is a novel that I guarantee will leave a mark on every reader. It will definitely anger some and inspire others but it will get everyone thinking and, hopefully, talking. “Manhattan” is a powerful examination of the rich and influential, and what happens when things don’t go their way. This novel will offend some readers, that is a given, but that was Johnston’s intention, as “Manhattan” had me re-examining my own views and opinions on a variety of important topics. Johnston’s “Manhattan” stands out for its creativity and up front, in-your-face subject matter and I’m interested in what Johnston does next.
Expected publication date: July 8, 2025
Scott Johnston, author of “Campusland”, has entered the world of fiction writing in a big way. His debut novel, “The Sandersons Fail Manhattan” is subversive, thought-provoking, relevant and powerful, touching on major themes like capitalism, racism and transphobia, all in three hundred pages.
Will Sanderson is mega rich and the one thing he strives for is to get richer, so he is thrilled when word gets around that he may be up for a promotion with his company, Bedrock Capital. He serves on the board of his daughter’s elite private school and his beautiful wife, Ellie, is trying to make a life for herself among the super rich wives of New York City. The private school the Sanderson girls attend makes news when it admits its first trans student but it isn’t long until the student disappears- leaving everyone scrambling and putting the Sandersons in the spotlight, for the wrong reasons.
“Manhattan” is a novel that will stick with you, regardless of what side of the political fence you’re on. Whatever your background or beliefs, Johnston’s novel will run you through the emotional gamut, and it is one heck of a provoking page-turner. “Manhattan” alternates protagonists, not just the Sandersons but other players in their world, such as the school’s new head, a journalist trying to make a name for herself and another new student Clover, who is also selected as part of the school’s “diversity” practice. All of the characters have very different stories to tell, so readers will be able to connect with at least one amongst the pile.
“Manhattan” has politicking, nepotism, back-biting, scheming and plotting- all of the central aspects of life among the rich and infamous. Ellie and her daughters are pawns in a larger scheme and it was easy to sympathize with them, making William and his super rich colleagues the obvious villains. But there is more at play in “Manhattan”, and it brings to light a lot of modern issues.
This novel is complex, so it was difficult to summarize and review, but it is a novel that I guarantee will leave a mark on every reader. It will definitely anger some and inspire others but it will get everyone thinking and, hopefully, talking. “Manhattan” is a powerful examination of the rich and influential, and what happens when things don’t go their way. This novel will offend some readers, that is a given, but that was Johnston’s intention, as “Manhattan” had me re-examining my own views and opinions on a variety of important topics. Johnston’s “Manhattan” stands out for its creativity and up front, in-your-face subject matter and I’m interested in what Johnston does next.
December 12, 2025
DNF skip the writer’s twitter feed. Super bothered by trans, gender reveals, DEI and critical race theory. Also writes op-eds for the NY Post. These folks don’t need my book dollars or space in my brain. What a bummer. With everything happening in the states this feels more mean spirited than comedic. So not fetch.
June 7, 2025
I won an ARC from the publisher as part of the Goodreads Giveaways program.
This novel centres around the Sandersons, a very wealthy family with daughters in an elite private school for girls. They fail miserably at navigating new cultural rules and things come to a head with the arrival of the school's first transgender student who subsequently goes missing.
I really enjoyed this book. I always enjoy a novel that provides a satirical look at society and this one did not disappoint. I felt that the author was poking fun at woke ideology and I loved that about it. Despite their wealth, the Sanderson family comes across as very human with human flaws and I found I related to them in that regard.
This book is well written with a good plot that keeps the reader turning the pages and smiling. Definitely worth a read.
This novel centres around the Sandersons, a very wealthy family with daughters in an elite private school for girls. They fail miserably at navigating new cultural rules and things come to a head with the arrival of the school's first transgender student who subsequently goes missing.
I really enjoyed this book. I always enjoy a novel that provides a satirical look at society and this one did not disappoint. I felt that the author was poking fun at woke ideology and I loved that about it. Despite their wealth, the Sanderson family comes across as very human with human flaws and I found I related to them in that regard.
This book is well written with a good plot that keeps the reader turning the pages and smiling. Definitely worth a read.
January 22, 2025
The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
This book wonderfully demonstrates how people have become reactionary rather than rational when dealing with perceived social injustices and slights. It demonstrates the sometimes disastrous snowball effect of cancel culture. What Scott Johnston does well is he never villainizes or criticizes members of communities or movements like LGBTQ+. Rather, he villainizes and critiques those who take advantage of social injustice for their own personal benefit. The Sandersons Fail Manhattan is a well-developed book about social movements, social revolutions, and people.
This book wonderfully demonstrates how people have become reactionary rather than rational when dealing with perceived social injustices and slights. It demonstrates the sometimes disastrous snowball effect of cancel culture. What Scott Johnston does well is he never villainizes or criticizes members of communities or movements like LGBTQ+. Rather, he villainizes and critiques those who take advantage of social injustice for their own personal benefit. The Sandersons Fail Manhattan is a well-developed book about social movements, social revolutions, and people.
December 18, 2025
Great book and shoutout to dad for the rec!! The story follows the Sanderson family as they navigate the world of wealthy upper east siders in New York City. In a satirical and entertaining way, the author sheds light on the dangers of cancel culture and those who hide behind and exploit social justice as a means of getting ahead. It was probably a more accurate depiction of the political climate 2-3 years ago rather than today but still hear the message. This book reminded me a lot of a modern day / more lighthearted take on Bonfire of the Vanities. I would recommend!
July 6, 2025
The Sandersons Fail Manhattan by Scott Johnston. Thanks to @stmartins #smpinfluencer for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
William is determined to get his daughters into Yale. When the girls exclusive private school accepts its first trans student, only for her to disappear, the school and the Sanderson’s lives are turned upside down.
This is a wild contemporary fiction that shows the complexity within striving for a diverse and equal place, as well as the intentions and reasons behind that. I really wish this had came out post January 2025. It unfortunately demonstrates how much our society has changed in such a few small months. The story just doesn’t make as much sense in today’s climate where inclusion is a now a bad word- which of course is a horrible thing. However, if you pretend it was post 47 presidency, it’ll help to appreciate the novel for what it is. I really enjoyed the story. I was uncomfortable at times, where the reader is meant to be, and rooting for certain individuals (mostly the youth), who had the best of interests and intentions.
“The social dynamics of these movements may seem differentiated and complex, but they’re really not. There are only, ever, three groups at play: the true believers, the cowards, and the sleepwalkers.”
The Sandersons Fail Manhattan comes out 7/8.
William is determined to get his daughters into Yale. When the girls exclusive private school accepts its first trans student, only for her to disappear, the school and the Sanderson’s lives are turned upside down.
This is a wild contemporary fiction that shows the complexity within striving for a diverse and equal place, as well as the intentions and reasons behind that. I really wish this had came out post January 2025. It unfortunately demonstrates how much our society has changed in such a few small months. The story just doesn’t make as much sense in today’s climate where inclusion is a now a bad word- which of course is a horrible thing. However, if you pretend it was post 47 presidency, it’ll help to appreciate the novel for what it is. I really enjoyed the story. I was uncomfortable at times, where the reader is meant to be, and rooting for certain individuals (mostly the youth), who had the best of interests and intentions.
“The social dynamics of these movements may seem differentiated and complex, but they’re really not. There are only, ever, three groups at play: the true believers, the cowards, and the sleepwalkers.”
The Sandersons Fail Manhattan comes out 7/8.
July 1, 2025
“The Sandersons Fail Manhattan” by Scott Johnston is a clever satire about New York City’s powerful elite and what happens when things don’t go their way. The story revolves around a blue blood family who continually step on social land mines when a transgender student is admitted to their daughter’s private school.
It is a compelling examination of the cultural changes in the US post 2020. This book will have you questioning your own thoughts on hot button issues and Mr. Johnston spares no one on either side of the political fence with his very sharp pen. This book will cause a lot of important conversations because it serves as a mirror and a microscope. It’s tough, funny, and honest with a fresh perspective on modern America.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 16, 2025
While satire isn’t my usual thing, I thought that The Sanderson’s Fail Manhattan pulled it off pretty well. Yes, the narrative did go a little overboard and was a tad heavy-handed, but sometimes over exaggeration is needed to point out the absurdity of the situations being discussed and examined.
In the case of The Sanderson’s Fail Manhattan, Johnston writes about the dangers of performative activism, specifically ‘woke’ activism that corporations and the top 1% take part in in order to make themselves look better, without having any true understanding of the situation(s) at hand.
Obviously, social justice is important, but it can very rapidly turn harmful when the rich and elite decide to not only take part in it, but hijack it solely for their own personal gains. The activism is no longer about supporting and giving a voice to marginalised groups and educating others on important topics, but rather about the rich saving face in the most selfish way imaginable.
*I received a copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
In the case of The Sanderson’s Fail Manhattan, Johnston writes about the dangers of performative activism, specifically ‘woke’ activism that corporations and the top 1% take part in in order to make themselves look better, without having any true understanding of the situation(s) at hand.
Obviously, social justice is important, but it can very rapidly turn harmful when the rich and elite decide to not only take part in it, but hijack it solely for their own personal gains. The activism is no longer about supporting and giving a voice to marginalised groups and educating others on important topics, but rather about the rich saving face in the most selfish way imaginable.
*I received a copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
January 18, 2025
With surgical precision, Johnston has somehow managed to satirize both 1% villainy and hyperwoke culture simultaneously with this deftly written novel you might choose to read based on the strength of his characters alone. He does so with such skill to lead readers of all ideologies to ask fair questions about the pitfalls of identity exploitation and power hierarchies. My main takeaway? The kids are alright.
The best social novel I've read in some time, I lost an entire Winter Saturday to this book (and I'm not sorry about it). I expect it to see it later this year on Top 2025 Books lists.
The best social novel I've read in some time, I lost an entire Winter Saturday to this book (and I'm not sorry about it). I expect it to see it later this year on Top 2025 Books lists.
unfinished
September 21, 2025I thought this would be a clever satire. Instead, it’s a story by a Trumper who’s strongly opposed to CRT and DEI programs. I don’t have time for his brand of nonsense.
June 4, 2025
Loved it. Thk you for the ARC
August 6, 2025
a perfectly-timed satire about the new york 1% that made me laugh, seethe, and question everything – this one ticked all the boxes. LOVED!
August 1, 2025
I liked this book but the part with Bob and Ellie at Starbucks where Bob was talking essentially about our current society and the role of our current administration was unnerving. I can only hope I’m doing enough to not be a “coward” as Bob said.
July 24, 2025
This book presents a perspective all should understand. There are always two sides to issues and open minded people will consider both sides. So well written and fun to read.
July 15, 2025
Couldn’t wait to finish to see WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN? Very entertaining. The Sandersons found their worlds unraveling and I found myself yelling advice out loud to them. Johnston wittily weaves a story shining a light on the ridiculous and unnecessary lengths we all found ourselves brought to in the recent past. Beach read, pool read, train read, plane read, mostly FUN read.
December 30, 2024
This book offers a glimpse into what life is like for the mega-rich of NYC. It introduces topics of modern contention such as the negative effects of social media and “wokeness” with humour and is certain to keep the reader thinking long after closing the book. The Sandersons Fail Manhattan pulls you right into the families and skillfully employs a multi-narrator approach to further enhance the readers experience.
April 28, 2025
I LOVED this one! It was a delicious riff on wokeness and performative virtue, full of snark and aggravation that was perfectly paced to keep you on edge throughout the course of everyone's (mis)adventures. I thought the writing was excellent - biting and sharp, while remaining fully human and relatable (even in the darker, more annoying and difficult moments). It's a thoughtful book, but also an entertaining story.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.
May 8, 2025
Another home run by Scott Johnston.
July 15, 2025
I’ve made it a point not to bash books. I believe in honoring the time, effort, and emotional investment it takes to tell a story. Writing is sacred—our most powerful human tradition. To create something from nothing, just to entertain or illuminate—that’s no small thing. But sometimes, a book not only misses the mark, it crashes so spectacularly in its attempt to say something meaningful that it demands criticism. The Sandersons Fail Manhattan, is one of those rare failures.
This is what happens when an arrogant, cis-white man decides to air his grievances about the modern world but executes it so poorly that the microscope he points at society turns back on him. The observer becomes the subject. Scott Johnston attempts to write a biting satire of Manhattan’s elite and progressive politics, but the result is tone-deaf, empathy-starved, and lazily written.
The novel follows the Sanderson family—Upper East Siders with a house in the Hamptons and kids in private school—as they navigate a world suddenly ruled by "woke culture," DEI initiatives, and trans visibility. Progressive characters are painted as villains; conservatives as helpless victims of an unforgiving new order. The world Johnston builds is not only out of touch—it’s a caricature of reality.
The satire fails in the fundamentals: the writing is stilted, the dialogue clunky, and the characters so one-dimensional they barely register as human. The first third of the book is weighed down by tedious scenes. While the middle section—focused on the daughters—shows a flicker of momentum, it never develops the emotional or narrative complexity it needs. The characters don’t grow, reflect, or reveal anything interesting; they just sulk and whine.
Ultimately, the book reads less like a novel and more like Johnston’s personal manifesto. He seems to loathe the left with every fiber of his being. At one point, describing his protagonist William’s time at Yale, he writes: “By the time William got to Yale, it was the nineties and the campus had turned hard left, fully embracing ‘political correctness’ (the term predating ‘woke’).” It’s not hard to imagine Johnston at a desk with FOX News on in the background, puffing a cigar (yes, cigars are in the book), grinning as he types out this screed.
The trans characters are especially poorly written—bland, stereotyped, often misgendered, and grammatically fumbled. If Johnston wanted readers to see things from his point of view, he’d have to meet the opposition with some degree of respect or curiosity. Instead, the book reeks of contempt.
I picked it up because it was compared to "Bonfire of the Vanities" and "Mean Girls". That was wishful thinking. There’s no sharp cultural commentary here, no memorable one-liners. The closest the novel gets to a “deep thought” is when a character exiled to New Jersey reflects: “There are patterns. History repeats… There are only ever three groups at play: the true believers, the cowards, and the sleepwalkers.” It’s a lazy oversimplification that reduces complex social movements to a cynical binary, as if Manhattan—the birthplace of so many cultural revolutions—should be afraid of change rather than a beacon for it.
The writing is insufferable. The satire rings hollow. And the story never earns its voice. "The Sandersons Fail Manhattan" doesn’t just fail at storytelling—it fails at understanding the world it tries so hard to mock. This is one book I can’t recommend.
This is what happens when an arrogant, cis-white man decides to air his grievances about the modern world but executes it so poorly that the microscope he points at society turns back on him. The observer becomes the subject. Scott Johnston attempts to write a biting satire of Manhattan’s elite and progressive politics, but the result is tone-deaf, empathy-starved, and lazily written.
The novel follows the Sanderson family—Upper East Siders with a house in the Hamptons and kids in private school—as they navigate a world suddenly ruled by "woke culture," DEI initiatives, and trans visibility. Progressive characters are painted as villains; conservatives as helpless victims of an unforgiving new order. The world Johnston builds is not only out of touch—it’s a caricature of reality.
The satire fails in the fundamentals: the writing is stilted, the dialogue clunky, and the characters so one-dimensional they barely register as human. The first third of the book is weighed down by tedious scenes. While the middle section—focused on the daughters—shows a flicker of momentum, it never develops the emotional or narrative complexity it needs. The characters don’t grow, reflect, or reveal anything interesting; they just sulk and whine.
Ultimately, the book reads less like a novel and more like Johnston’s personal manifesto. He seems to loathe the left with every fiber of his being. At one point, describing his protagonist William’s time at Yale, he writes: “By the time William got to Yale, it was the nineties and the campus had turned hard left, fully embracing ‘political correctness’ (the term predating ‘woke’).” It’s not hard to imagine Johnston at a desk with FOX News on in the background, puffing a cigar (yes, cigars are in the book), grinning as he types out this screed.
The trans characters are especially poorly written—bland, stereotyped, often misgendered, and grammatically fumbled. If Johnston wanted readers to see things from his point of view, he’d have to meet the opposition with some degree of respect or curiosity. Instead, the book reeks of contempt.
I picked it up because it was compared to "Bonfire of the Vanities" and "Mean Girls". That was wishful thinking. There’s no sharp cultural commentary here, no memorable one-liners. The closest the novel gets to a “deep thought” is when a character exiled to New Jersey reflects: “There are patterns. History repeats… There are only ever three groups at play: the true believers, the cowards, and the sleepwalkers.” It’s a lazy oversimplification that reduces complex social movements to a cynical binary, as if Manhattan—the birthplace of so many cultural revolutions—should be afraid of change rather than a beacon for it.
The writing is insufferable. The satire rings hollow. And the story never earns its voice. "The Sandersons Fail Manhattan" doesn’t just fail at storytelling—it fails at understanding the world it tries so hard to mock. This is one book I can’t recommend.
May 8, 2025
This book is a brilliant and hilarious satire about privilege and social orthodoxy. Don't worry, whatever side you take, no one is spared from the author's sharp sword.
The plot follows Will and Ellie Sanderson and their two teenage daughters, Ginny and Zoey. After bringing up the kids in Chicago, they have finally moved back to NYC, where Will grew up in a privileged Upper East Side home. Ginny is a senior and Zoey is a freshman at a posh private girls school, and Will has his dream job in a financial firm.
The trouble starts when the fairly new principal, Padma, decides to embrace an anti-racist ideology for the school. She recruits a student who identifies as Goblincore and wears nature-inspired clothing including a twig in her hair, and then goes for the bigger prize, a student that is transitioning.
It's hard to explain what happens next, because the plot is so intricate, with many moving parts. Suffice to say, even though Will is on the board of the school, the Sandersons get tied up in a web of social activism and become the targets of many people using social justice for their own gain. Different bad actors target the girls, the school, Will's company, anything they can. It goes from bad to worse to a stunning culmination, and an ending that feels just right, although I wish some people who had it coming to them would have gotten what they deserved.
Although the plot has so many pieces, it's told over smoothly and is easy to follow. The satire seems to be aimed at both sides of the conversation, both the privileged few and the progressive activists. Ellie and her 2 girls are the only people here who present the sane middle.
This has a light feel that borders on the absurd, yet it feels almost entirely real. There were some laugh-out-loud moments and plenty of cringe. Even though the themes are obvious, most of it is "shown" and not "told," so the message still has some subtlety. I was eagerly turning the pages to see what would happen next. It's lots of fun, so long as you can tolerate all the jabs.
Thank you to NetGalley, Scott Johnston, and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to review an advanced copy.
The plot follows Will and Ellie Sanderson and their two teenage daughters, Ginny and Zoey. After bringing up the kids in Chicago, they have finally moved back to NYC, where Will grew up in a privileged Upper East Side home. Ginny is a senior and Zoey is a freshman at a posh private girls school, and Will has his dream job in a financial firm.
The trouble starts when the fairly new principal, Padma, decides to embrace an anti-racist ideology for the school. She recruits a student who identifies as Goblincore and wears nature-inspired clothing including a twig in her hair, and then goes for the bigger prize, a student that is transitioning.
It's hard to explain what happens next, because the plot is so intricate, with many moving parts. Suffice to say, even though Will is on the board of the school, the Sandersons get tied up in a web of social activism and become the targets of many people using social justice for their own gain. Different bad actors target the girls, the school, Will's company, anything they can. It goes from bad to worse to a stunning culmination, and an ending that feels just right, although I wish some people who had it coming to them would have gotten what they deserved.
Although the plot has so many pieces, it's told over smoothly and is easy to follow. The satire seems to be aimed at both sides of the conversation, both the privileged few and the progressive activists. Ellie and her 2 girls are the only people here who present the sane middle.
This has a light feel that borders on the absurd, yet it feels almost entirely real. There were some laugh-out-loud moments and plenty of cringe. Even though the themes are obvious, most of it is "shown" and not "told," so the message still has some subtlety. I was eagerly turning the pages to see what would happen next. It's lots of fun, so long as you can tolerate all the jabs.
Thank you to NetGalley, Scott Johnston, and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to review an advanced copy.
February 25, 2025
The Sandersons Fail Manhattan captures the sharp wit, biting satire, and social commentary that I love!. Rather than demonizing movements or communities, author Scott Johnston skewers those who exploit social justice narratives for their own gain, making this novel more than just a send-up of modern culture—it’s an examination of the power dynamics at play in today’s social landscape.
What Johnston does exceptionally well is crafting multi-dimensional characters who feel both real and exaggerated, drawing readers into the absurdities of ultra-wealthy Manhattan life while exposing the pitfalls of reactionary culture. Through multiple narrators, we experience a hilarious yet unsettling deep dive into high society’s fragile alliances, the hypocrisies of performative activism, and the chaotic intersection of wealth, power, and modern social movements.
At the heart of the novel is William Sanderson, an investment banker on the verge of a career breakthrough, his wife Ellie, desperate to secure her place in New York’s elite, and their two daughters—Ginny and Zoey, navigating a world that’s shifting faster than they can understand. When the prestigious Birchwood Academy admits its first trans student, only for her to suddenly vanish, the ensuing social and media frenzy threatens to upend the Sandersons’ carefully curated existence, forcing them to confront what they truly stand for—or risk losing everything.
This novel is laugh-out-loud funny, painfully relevant, and thought-provoking in all the right ways. With its razor-sharp satire reminiscent of Bonfire of the Vanities, The Sandersons Fail Manhattan is one of the best social novels I have read! If you want a with a fresh perspective on cancel culture, identity politics, and the way power shifts in modern America—all while making you laugh (and cringe) along the way this is The Book for you! thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press #stmartinspress #thesandersonsfailmanhatten #scottjohnston
What Johnston does exceptionally well is crafting multi-dimensional characters who feel both real and exaggerated, drawing readers into the absurdities of ultra-wealthy Manhattan life while exposing the pitfalls of reactionary culture. Through multiple narrators, we experience a hilarious yet unsettling deep dive into high society’s fragile alliances, the hypocrisies of performative activism, and the chaotic intersection of wealth, power, and modern social movements.
At the heart of the novel is William Sanderson, an investment banker on the verge of a career breakthrough, his wife Ellie, desperate to secure her place in New York’s elite, and their two daughters—Ginny and Zoey, navigating a world that’s shifting faster than they can understand. When the prestigious Birchwood Academy admits its first trans student, only for her to suddenly vanish, the ensuing social and media frenzy threatens to upend the Sandersons’ carefully curated existence, forcing them to confront what they truly stand for—or risk losing everything.
This novel is laugh-out-loud funny, painfully relevant, and thought-provoking in all the right ways. With its razor-sharp satire reminiscent of Bonfire of the Vanities, The Sandersons Fail Manhattan is one of the best social novels I have read! If you want a with a fresh perspective on cancel culture, identity politics, and the way power shifts in modern America—all while making you laugh (and cringe) along the way this is The Book for you! thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press #stmartinspress #thesandersonsfailmanhatten #scottjohnston
June 20, 2025
3.5 stars
I received this book as part of ARC
The Sandersons Fail Manhattan is about the Sandersons family relocating to Manhattan for the husband, Will’s, promotion and to be where his roots are. Will had grown up in the area with a lavish lifestyle and attended Yale. He expected the same for his daughters and perception and reputation are everything. His wife, Ellie on the other hand was an army daughter who moved frequently, went to a state college, and is biracial.
The story falls heavily on DEI, being inclusive and equitable, and perception/reputation around these subjects. There were honestly parts of the book that made me both uncomfortable and annoyed, yet it could be argued that that was the books whole point.
The book weaves in how as a culture we are easily swept into blindly following the general public out of fear of being labeled. It tells the story of how a private all girls school heavily recruits a trans student to both help with college admissions and bolster their image. The trans student and then used to help cast out a family that the principal sees as “troublemakers” because of the father who is on the board. The family is ostracized, the father is removed from their high profile job and boards. He falls apart while the mother tries to keep it all together. Meanwhile the trans student has run off “due to being fearful by being at school” and their family is requesting money and support to find her and has hired an attorney to both go after the school and the company Will worked for since he’s perceived transphobic after a comment he makes. With this, we discover that the lawyers only end goal is money and status and that parents are soaking up the attention and money.
What I personally took away from the novel is that sometimes we can blindly follow the majority rather than develop our own path. Yes, always be kind but also utilize independent thought and logic.
I received this book as part of ARC
The Sandersons Fail Manhattan is about the Sandersons family relocating to Manhattan for the husband, Will’s, promotion and to be where his roots are. Will had grown up in the area with a lavish lifestyle and attended Yale. He expected the same for his daughters and perception and reputation are everything. His wife, Ellie on the other hand was an army daughter who moved frequently, went to a state college, and is biracial.
The story falls heavily on DEI, being inclusive and equitable, and perception/reputation around these subjects. There were honestly parts of the book that made me both uncomfortable and annoyed, yet it could be argued that that was the books whole point.
The book weaves in how as a culture we are easily swept into blindly following the general public out of fear of being labeled. It tells the story of how a private all girls school heavily recruits a trans student to both help with college admissions and bolster their image. The trans student and then used to help cast out a family that the principal sees as “troublemakers” because of the father who is on the board. The family is ostracized, the father is removed from their high profile job and boards. He falls apart while the mother tries to keep it all together. Meanwhile the trans student has run off “due to being fearful by being at school” and their family is requesting money and support to find her and has hired an attorney to both go after the school and the company Will worked for since he’s perceived transphobic after a comment he makes. With this, we discover that the lawyers only end goal is money and status and that parents are soaking up the attention and money.
What I personally took away from the novel is that sometimes we can blindly follow the majority rather than develop our own path. Yes, always be kind but also utilize independent thought and logic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2025
This book offers a sharp critique of the moral gymnastics often displayed in elite circles when social justice, image, and personal gain clash. At the center of this socially volatile scene are the Sandersons: William, a hedge fund executive navigating a corporate reshuffle; Ellie, a highly caffeinated, image-obsessed mother focused on maintaining appearances; and their two daughters, who are dealing with private school drama that makes "Gossip Girl" seem tame.
When a transgender student joins their prestigious school, tensions rise and social alliances shift. The situation escalates when a student goes missing, thrusting the Sandersons into the spotlight of a media frenzy. This leads to a chaotic series of events, including corporate panic, school board crises, mommy-clique battles, and insincere influencer-style apologies.
Part modern farce and part cultural examination, this book is both funny and frantic, and uncomfortably relatable. Set in the elite world of New York’s Upper East Side, it follows the unraveling of a seemingly perfect family as they confront contemporary cultural and educational upheaval. The story explores themes of status, moral courage, parental pressure, and society's obsession with appearances.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://shows.acast.com/moms-dont-hav...
When a transgender student joins their prestigious school, tensions rise and social alliances shift. The situation escalates when a student goes missing, thrusting the Sandersons into the spotlight of a media frenzy. This leads to a chaotic series of events, including corporate panic, school board crises, mommy-clique battles, and insincere influencer-style apologies.
Part modern farce and part cultural examination, this book is both funny and frantic, and uncomfortably relatable. Set in the elite world of New York’s Upper East Side, it follows the unraveling of a seemingly perfect family as they confront contemporary cultural and educational upheaval. The story explores themes of status, moral courage, parental pressure, and society's obsession with appearances.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://shows.acast.com/moms-dont-hav...
December 31, 2025
The Sanderson Fail Manhattan delivers a sharp, uncomfortable look at Manhattan’s wealthy elite, peeling back the polished surface to reveal how privilege shapes—and often distorts—every interaction. What stands out most is how casually power is wielded by adults who should know better. Their influence isn’t loud or obvious; it shows up in subtle manipulations, strategic kindness, and quiet decisions that ripple through other people’s lives.
The novel is especially incisive in showing how the wealthy don’t just benefit from the system—they know exactly how to play it to stay protected. Rules bend, accountability softens, and consequences seem optional when you understand which levers to pull and which doors will always open for you. The adult characters move through the story with the confidence of people who know the system is designed to shield them.
The story captures how wealth creates a kind of insulation, allowing characters to treat consequences like inconveniences and people like pieces on a board. Watching these social and emotional games unfold is both fascinating and disturbing.
While a few moments feel slightly overextended, the novel’s insight into privilege, protection, and control more than makes up for it. Smart, observant, and often biting, The Sanderson Fail Manhattan is a compelling exploration of how power operates behind closed doors—and who ultimately pays the price.
June 2, 2025
I received this as a goodreads giveaway.
Johnston writes from experience—and it shows. As a Yale graduate who once taught there and grew up immersed in Manhattan’s elite circles, he captures the nuances of privileged life with pinpoint accuracy. From overwrought charity galas to painfully civil parent-teacher meetings, every scene is steeped in detail that makes this world feel both ridiculous and compelling.
The novel is at its strongest when it portrays these supposedly worldly characters stumbling through today’s cultural terrain like nervous teens at a debutante ball. Johnston doesn’t merely poke fun at his characters—he humanizes them. Their awkward battles with fading relevance are funny, painful, and at times, surprisingly moving.
Some readers might flinch at just how sharply Johnston skewers his subjects or argue about whether certain punchlines go too far. But that discomfort is part of the design. This book doubles as both a mirror and a magnifying glass, laying bare how even the most advantaged can flounder in a world they no longer fully understand.
For fans of high-society takedowns, or anyone who appreciates sharp-witted satire that’s as self-aware as it is stylish, The Sandersons Fail Manhattan hits the mark. It’s biting, smart, and just the right amount of cruel to feel true.
Johnston writes from experience—and it shows. As a Yale graduate who once taught there and grew up immersed in Manhattan’s elite circles, he captures the nuances of privileged life with pinpoint accuracy. From overwrought charity galas to painfully civil parent-teacher meetings, every scene is steeped in detail that makes this world feel both ridiculous and compelling.
The novel is at its strongest when it portrays these supposedly worldly characters stumbling through today’s cultural terrain like nervous teens at a debutante ball. Johnston doesn’t merely poke fun at his characters—he humanizes them. Their awkward battles with fading relevance are funny, painful, and at times, surprisingly moving.
Some readers might flinch at just how sharply Johnston skewers his subjects or argue about whether certain punchlines go too far. But that discomfort is part of the design. This book doubles as both a mirror and a magnifying glass, laying bare how even the most advantaged can flounder in a world they no longer fully understand.
For fans of high-society takedowns, or anyone who appreciates sharp-witted satire that’s as self-aware as it is stylish, The Sandersons Fail Manhattan hits the mark. It’s biting, smart, and just the right amount of cruel to feel true.
April 16, 2025
Scott Johnston's second novel is less satirical than his first novel, Campusland, but he still writes a fast-moving narrative driven by compelling and unexpected characters. The Sandersons are trying to make their way in a high stakes competition following the financial path to mega-wealth, getting into the right private schools and colleges, and receiving the stamp of approval from exclusive clubs and Manhattan society. Few readers will ever directly experience this very special Upper East Side social world--sort of what Old New York was to Edith Wharton--but Johnston's characters read like real people with real fears and insecurities, and they have recognizable coping strategies. Failure is quite possible, and all the more painful if you had a glimpse of "What Might Have Been."
And there are twists and surprises along the way. I'm not giving anything away to say The Sandersons Fail Manhattan is a comedy...mostly. Johnston again creates at least one character with precocious cynical insight who deserves her own novel. There is also an undercurrent of tragedy that adds poignance to the story. You will find yourself thinking back about the leading characters and wishing they could all find happiness; which is a great achievement for a novelist, if you think about it.
And there are twists and surprises along the way. I'm not giving anything away to say The Sandersons Fail Manhattan is a comedy...mostly. Johnston again creates at least one character with precocious cynical insight who deserves her own novel. There is also an undercurrent of tragedy that adds poignance to the story. You will find yourself thinking back about the leading characters and wishing they could all find happiness; which is a great achievement for a novelist, if you think about it.
March 16, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the Kindle ARC. The Sandersons Fail Manhattan is a darkly humorous look at the effects of inclusiveness on the upper crust in NYC and its elite private schools. George Sanderson was born of money - family money - and he marries Ellie, a woman who grew up with military parents and moved around regularly and never established roots. Their two daughters attend Lenox School for girls, an exclusive private school with a fee of $65000 a year tuition. Things start to erode when the school's board decides that their admissions to the Ivy League schools are suffering due to lack of inclusion - transgendered, homosexuals and other colors of the rainbow. The concept of political correctness is at its peak in pitch-black biting prose as things fall apart for the Sandersons and their tight-knit community of money and privilege. This story had me laughing and rolling my eyes at the same time. A good read for anyone who likes satire and viewing the world of the super elite - a world in which some of us will never know.
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