Grosse Pointe Pimp

by Mark Steel

Like the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Middlesex, Mark Steel's first
novel
Grosse Pointe Pimp is set in the Beverly Hills of the
Midwest, Grosse Pointe, Michigan - a town where beneath the veneer of polite
privilege lurks an intricate web of lies and betrayals.  With an uncannily
keen perspective and stinging wit, Steel exposes a secretive network where
ordinary people pay an extraordinary price to satisfy the covert desires of a
privileged few in a cliquey community that values wealth and social standing
above all else.

The story revolves around Max Lexington, an aging, married billionaire. 
Drawn by the lure of youth and excitement, he finds himself inextricably
attracted to a girl -- a former stripper -- who uses her Hollywood looks and
intimate charms to stake a claim on his future that goes well beyond his
fortune.  Grosse Pointe's power elite, who would ordinarily look down their
turned-up noses at such social disgrace, look the other way.  The mighty
religious community that invokes virtue at every gathering also casts a blind
eye at the indiscretion.

But Max's intimidating wealth and power can't prevent the disaster that
ensues.  Lives spin out of control.  And caught in the middle of the
tangled web is the billionaire's personal trainer who signs on as a body coach
but winds up being much, much more.  Seduced by the promise of fortune and
security, he advances from trainer to bodyguard to counselor and confidante
until -- as Steel describes with striking realism and an undaunted sense of
humor -- he ultimately, unwittingly becomes the Grosse Pointe
Pimp. 

 

376 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Mark Steel was born in Detroit and grew up in Birmingham, Michigan. He worked his way through college as a store detective until he opened his first business at the age of twenty-one. He had owned and operated several gyms by his late twenties. By his thirties, he had amassed a huge following of faithful clients and was writing a fitness column for local newspapers. After working frequently as a driver and bodyguard in Grosse Pointe, Mark opened his current fitness studio on the outskirts of the Pointes in June of 2000.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story with inside gossip about Grosse Pointe. You love to hate Max Lexington (Art Van). Dialog seems so real you know this all really happened.

[Detroit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this when it was first released because anyone from within a 50 mile radius knew the book was about Arthur Van. Even Art himself knew, and was so livid that he put a policy in place stating if you were one of his employees and caught with this book in your possession, you were fired on the spot. This resulted in two former employees taking him to court and winning wrongful termination cases.

It is not a well written book but the story itself is one of the most honest tales of “The Pointes”…and I say this as a resident, not someone from the northern suburbs looking in.

If you are easily offended by poor sentence structure, this book will put you over the edge. Though not as migraine inducing as the 50 Shades series, it does take a bit of tenacity to complete.

[Marciamvk · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was written about my hometown. All the names and events are fictiitious. But if you are from there you can figure out who he is talking about. A Grosse Pointe millionaire. Married, numerous adult children and son-in-laws. Numerous grandchildren, yachts, cars, mansion on the shores of Lake St Clair. Throw in a young "bimbo" along with lies and the story just gets more involved. The author worked as a gym instructor and owner of a fitness center. He also worked frequently as a bodyguard and driver for the unnamed millionaire. Interesting.

[Lynda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Maybe not fair to write this now, as I haven't finished the book, but I'm not sure I will finish it.
There is way too much set-up. I'm a third of the way through and I think I'm just getting to the main storyline. I did like parts of the beginning because of the references to areas in Michigan that I'm familiar with, however it was way overdone. It needed to be referred to as part of the storyline, not just filler. I just found out that there is a "part 2" which means I'm less likely to finish it, since I definitely won't read the next one.
Yep didn't finish it!

[Channelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The back cover of this book made it sound like it was going to be a real-life action packed drama. Unfortunately, it was real life but not much action. It was very interesting to read about Max Lexington and his way of life. It's even more interesting because the places, streets, and names in the book are all familiar to me. I liked it, but didn't love it. I was disappointed that it did not really end. The last page in the book simply says "The Saga Continues in Grosse Pointe Inferno." I guess that means I need to read Grosse Pointe Inferno to get the ending. Not sure if I will or not.

[Mark Heinrich · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story was very parochial, but if you thought you knew the "players" then it was good fun looking at the foibles of others!