Privilege

by Thomas H. Carry

Professor Daniel Waite is in a funk. He has a brilliant wife, tenure at the fabled University, and is well liked by colleagues and popular with students, who flock to his film studies courses. And he hates his life. He can't bring himself to write, disdains academia, barely gets through his class lectures, and spends a lot of time hiding in his office in a stupor, pondering his collection of movie posters.

All that changes when his new teaching assistant shows up at his door. At first, he's thrown by the eccentric and intense Stacy Mann, but he soon finds in her a kindred spirit of sorts: an outsider, a cynic who shares his antipathy for the University, someone receptive to his alienation and resentment. And, most importantly, her knowledge of movie trivia rivals his own. But he soon suspects she is not who she appears to be, that there may be a hidden agenda, one that threatens his very standing. What begins as a tantalizing connection soon spirals into a three-day frenzy of murder, evasion, and deceit-all against the backdrop of the University, an absurdist place where privilege, hierarchies, and campus politics reign.

142 pages, Paperback

Published May 15, 2020

About the author

Thomas H. Carry's debut novel, Privilege (Koehler Books, 2020), was an Amazon bestseller in satire fiction and named a Best Book of 2020 by Kirkus Review. His second novel, Blood Will Have Blood (Bad Alley Books, 2021) is now available. Carry holds a doctorate in literature and has worked as a professional actor, educator, consultant, and bouncer. He lives in Manhattan with his wife.

Reviews

[Crystal Zavala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Privilege brings us Professor Daniel Waite who is a bored professor in an Ivy League college where his wife is the brilliant, revered, and tenured professor. Professor Waite knows that the students only take his film studies classes because his classes are equivalent to underwater basket weaving.
After Professor Waite's prior TA had a melt down, he is surprised to find his new TA, Stacey, is actually interested in film studies and seems to be fascinated by him. Professor Waite finds himself wrapped up in Stacey's intensity and erratic behavior.
I really enjoyed Privilege. It borders upon campy and ridiculous, yet it works because the characters are a bit ridiculous themselves. My only criticism is that I would have liked more background on Stacey. Why was she so erratic?

[Rutuja Ramteke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once you start reading it you just can't stop, I bet it. I started privilege recently and I feel it just got over in a blink of an eye. It's a story that shakes the readers and definitely takes its readers on a journey they have never been before. I couldn't believe that it turned out so interesting. I will highly highly recommend it to everyone. Especially readers who enjoy thrilling plots with fast narrative.

[Virginia Winfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very interesting and a fast read. I was not fond of any of the characters so it was hard for me to feel sad about the murder or what happened to any other character. It was interesting to read about the workings of this college and the professors. I received a copy of this book from Smith Publicity for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

[Alan Gorevan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Professor Daniel Waite’s comfortable and privileged life is going nowhere in particular. He’s overshadowed academically by his wife and bored by his pretentious students. Things only change when he gets a new teaching assistant - and things sure do change fast then. Cynical and funny, this satire is written in Thomas H. Carry’s usual elegant prose. A short, sharp read for those who like their comedy dark.

[Sophia B · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the first time in... ever, the words on the pages of a book made me do a double take. The pages of this book, Privilege. Privilege is a highly articulate novel about college professor Daniel Waite. Daniel describes himself as "a very pleasant virus, contagious but passing soon."

Sit with that a minute... that's a heavy statement to make of oneself. I'm pretty sure he means, he has a likeable presence to others but it's masking his inner passivity and apathy towards life, so while his likeability may be contagious it's only a fleeting front of smoke and mirrors.

Back to the double take- after reading the synopsis and given the short length of the novel, I was quite honestly smacked in the face with this unexpected level of intellect. A pleasant surprise, I was thrust into this university world. To the point where I didn't completely register what was being said in the prologue.

Only to come to a screeching halt at the words "I had the cord in both hands and I swooped it over her head and pulled her back." Wait what???

I'm telling u, I could swear I experienced whiplash. Here I am reading about an average professor numb to life, when all of a sudden it becomes a fantastical story of murder. Murder! It started off so true to life and quickly spirals into the suppressed violent nature of this person that gets out of control.

The even crazier part is, Daniel is on my same page. He too can't quite believe what is happening. This is not who he is, sure he may harbor resentments but he's way too complacent to actually do anything about them. And yet...

I'm not sure if this book is a commentary of some sort, I think I still need to absorb what I just read, let it marinate a little. For now, I'll just say, it was definitely quite strange and somehow I found myself enjoying the crazy ride. If you're in the mood to bend ur brain a little bit with something different check this one out- and let me know what u think!

Thank you @smithpublicity and @koehlerbooks for providing this copy and keeping me on my toes!

[That Book Guy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Through Net Galley, I was afforded the opportunity to read a copy of Privilege by Thomas H. Carry in exchange for a review. Daniel Waite is an aging, bored college professor who has lost his way. No longer satisfied with his life as the less talented husband of a much more successful wife, Daniel finds himself tempted by his new TA and willing to commit murder. Needless to say, things go from bad to worse.

Touted as a both a mystery and comedy, the story didn’t work on either level for this reviewer. None of the characters are particularly likeable and the jump from being a boring college professor to man willing to commit murder was a bit jarring and not particularly believable.

[E, J & R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Privilege has an interesting story. There is a university professor that is bored with his life. He. Is neither interested in his class, his students or anything to do with his career. He is still a young man that is so close to retirement. Everyone believes that he has it so good and that he his wife is perfect. He does not see things the same way. He has become distracted by his Teacher Assistant and he does not understand why. Will he betray his wife with a much younger woman. Will he complete his tenure on a high? No one knows what he thinks about when he’s alone with his thoughts.

-Rebeca

[Isabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I still can't wrap my mind around what just happened because it sure went from so-so to psycho real quick! I was squirming thinking about what's going to happen next and I'm not gonna lie, I did root for him. Exclusively. I guess it's true what they say, a cornered animal is a dangerous animal. Especially if that animal is a meek, bored human being.

A bunch of thanks to NetGalley and Koehler books for this free ARC. This review is made of my own accord with no monetary compensation, whatsoever from those mentioned above and/or the rightful owners of this ARC.

[AngryGreyCat · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received a free ebook copy of Privilege from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. Sorry to say this was a "did not finish" for me. I just couldn't get into this book at all. After a few attempts, I gave up and moved on to others

[E, J & R]

Privilege has an interesting story. There is a university professor that is bored with his life. He. Is neither interested in his class, his students or anything to do with his career. He is still a young man that is so close to retirement. Everyone believes that he has it so good and that he his wife is perfect. He does not see things the same way. He has become distracted by his Teacher Assistant and he does not understand why. Will he betray his wife with a much younger woman. Will he complete his tenure on a high? No one knows what he thinks about when he’s alone with his thoughts.

[Louise Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main character was an intriguing man and overshadowed the plot a bit so this is a great book for readers who really enjoy getting to know characters and exploring their motivations.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not sure what I just read. Professor Daniel Waite is surely in a funk. But he goes from funk to murder in 3.5 seconds. This is a dark humor book, if there was really any humor. I am honestly now sure how to review this book. It is a short read, which is is best. It was quick to get through, right to the point and fast paced. I am tossed as to how many stars to give. I enjoyed the book but I was also often saying WTF. I think I want to give it a 3.5 rounded to 4. If you like different, quirky, dark humor books, I say give it a go.

[Sadie Yorke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Note: Thanks to Netgalley for providing this book for a fair and honest review.

Reading Thomas H. Carry's Privilege is much akin to watching the episode 'Crocodile' from the show Black Mirror, albeit less diverting.

With less provocation, but a little more self-awareness, our protagonist commits a nonsensical murder of someone he barely knows, and conspires to spend the rest of the book finding himself covering up the lie whilst uncovering himself. Perhaps, Mr Carry's intention was to write a satire, gently prodding out well-worn tropes of a middle-age man trapped in passivity, emasculated and underwhelmed by the privilege he has been gifted with. It's the kindest reading of the first third of the thankfully short book I can give.

As for the latter two-thirds, this is seemingly given up by a writer who has become besotted with his character as to lose the plot, twice-fold.

Privileges fails - as a thriller, as satire, as a commentary, and most regrettably, as entertainment.

[abdulia ortiz-perez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this ARC book from the Publisher for honest Review.

This is the first time reading from this author.
4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The storyline was very good!
The theme and setting was well put together. The characters was well put together in the story.
This story will have in a rollercoaster with all the spooky and secrets. Was so well put in the story.
Everything all in one book.
It was just perfect!

What a great read! This had me hooked from the beginning. What a Rollercoaster! The sitting, theme, and the Characters had me pulled so in. Everything was well put together and it was just perfect. This novel would have you guess and thinking all the way to the end. What a great thrill and suspense. I love a great suspense that would have me think and guessing. This novel did just that to me. To the point that am wrong. When the ending comes am on shock. I wouldn't of never believe or guess. Like OMG!
Highly recommend everybody get this book and read it. Its so good!

[Eltona · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of thriller/ crime you should definitely check this book , it’s a quick read also so it’s definitely worth reading it.
This book took me in a journey that I have never been before it was so interesting and I enjoyed it a lott.
To be honest I’m not into Crimes that much but this one was so good .
It was that kind of book that if you start reading you can’t put it down anymore, you just read and read and analyze everything that is written here.
I was really impressed with this book everytime I started a new chapter I was like(ohh no it’s really happening) .
Thomas you did a great job with this book thank you for giving me the chance to read this one☺️❤️