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Gross Misconduct: My Year of Excess in the City
Gross My Year of Excess in the City [Paperback] Thompson, Venetia
- GenresNonfiction
272 pages, Paperback
First published February 10, 2010
4 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Venetia Thompson
6 booksVenetia Thompson is a British journalist and author, best known for her account of working as a stock brocker for the financial services firm, Cantor Fitzgerald.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 23, 2023
Charles Bukowski in the skirt!
This book seems to be an open confession about work culture of British stock traders written by the insider Female stock broker Venetia Thompson.
To me seems much more closer to the Loathing in Las Vegas ( without LSD trips ) or even better books of Charles Bukowski ( without horse races )
Venetia dont know what and why is selling to whom.
She have not for what so ever with exception of very few friends on the work floor. Most of them dont talk to her or even have nothing but insults for her.
Venitia drinks a lot .She drinks from the morning till late night. The drink of her choice is gin with martini and vine, but she drinks everything that has been served.
Sometimes she has to drink " obligatory beverages "
Ordered by a client .
She si going to a boring parties and dinners and meeting there people who she detests and who ignore her. Mostly is she just a member of some anonymous trade herd or a party crasher somewhere.
She. drinks a lot eats a little so she is losing regurally consciousness ( so called rude awakings :-)) ) " I wake up naked but I must did have take off my mascara and make up somehow "
Venetia's partying and its description take much bigger part of the book than her description of her work floor and her trade in general.
.
Because of her work related stress and general debautchery kind of life style she develops digestion problems and have to be hospitalized ( that will not stop her drinking sprees )
From this kind of downward. Spyral is only a step away from her complete burnout.
And there comes my analoge with live style of Charles Bukowski.
Charles Bukowski is in his books always more drunk than sober.
Charles Bukowski is mostly at the party.....and drunk.
Charles Bukowski is mostly meets encounters crazy or on- interesting kinds of people.
So I have to admit that I was kind of dissenpointed after reading of her book
This book seems to be an open confession about work culture of British stock traders written by the insider Female stock broker Venetia Thompson.
To me seems much more closer to the Loathing in Las Vegas ( without LSD trips ) or even better books of Charles Bukowski ( without horse races )
Venetia dont know what and why is selling to whom.
She have not for what so ever with exception of very few friends on the work floor. Most of them dont talk to her or even have nothing but insults for her.
Venitia drinks a lot .She drinks from the morning till late night. The drink of her choice is gin with martini and vine, but she drinks everything that has been served.
Sometimes she has to drink " obligatory beverages "
Ordered by a client .
She si going to a boring parties and dinners and meeting there people who she detests and who ignore her. Mostly is she just a member of some anonymous trade herd or a party crasher somewhere.
She. drinks a lot eats a little so she is losing regurally consciousness ( so called rude awakings :-)) ) " I wake up naked but I must did have take off my mascara and make up somehow "
Venetia's partying and its description take much bigger part of the book than her description of her work floor and her trade in general.
.
Because of her work related stress and general debautchery kind of life style she develops digestion problems and have to be hospitalized ( that will not stop her drinking sprees )
From this kind of downward. Spyral is only a step away from her complete burnout.
And there comes my analoge with live style of Charles Bukowski.
Charles Bukowski is in his books always more drunk than sober.
Charles Bukowski is mostly at the party.....and drunk.
Charles Bukowski is mostly meets encounters crazy or on- interesting kinds of people.
So I have to admit that I was kind of dissenpointed after reading of her book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2017
Es hätte so gut werden können, war alles in allem aber SEHR langweilig.
April 15, 2016
So I wasn't very happy with the technical aspects of how the book was written (1 star); but I do think there's value in understanding how shallow people think.
The book is obviously combined from several shorter 'scenes' that the writer had compiled over time; and one example illustrates both of my issues with the book. She mentions her first day(s) of broking as being incredibly hectic and overwhelming and she doubts she has what it takes to succeed due to her poor math skills. Several times later in the book she describes her love of broking and how she felt basically at home right away. That disconnect is never explored in terms of struggle or coming to grips with something - it's just 'I am completely unfit for this!' to 'I love this and I'm awesome at it!' without any either flashbacks to struggling mentally with the change or self-reflection on the journey. That is literally the definition of shallow-minded.
Her descriptions of almost every other character are superficial - there is almost nothing psychological involved. Her relationship with her b/f changes without any explanation (only after-the-fact) and many characters are introduced non-linearly and very abruptly/out-of-context. There is also a lack of self-reflection evident in her relationship with Giles.
Her descriptions of the financial crisis are also deeply superficial - it's a bit like reading an account of Waterloo written from a lay bystander's perspective: interesting if you weren't involved or have no concept of military strategy but unrewarding if you have either.
The book is obviously combined from several shorter 'scenes' that the writer had compiled over time; and one example illustrates both of my issues with the book. She mentions her first day(s) of broking as being incredibly hectic and overwhelming and she doubts she has what it takes to succeed due to her poor math skills. Several times later in the book she describes her love of broking and how she felt basically at home right away. That disconnect is never explored in terms of struggle or coming to grips with something - it's just 'I am completely unfit for this!' to 'I love this and I'm awesome at it!' without any either flashbacks to struggling mentally with the change or self-reflection on the journey. That is literally the definition of shallow-minded.
Her descriptions of almost every other character are superficial - there is almost nothing psychological involved. Her relationship with her b/f changes without any explanation (only after-the-fact) and many characters are introduced non-linearly and very abruptly/out-of-context. There is also a lack of self-reflection evident in her relationship with Giles.
Her descriptions of the financial crisis are also deeply superficial - it's a bit like reading an account of Waterloo written from a lay bystander's perspective: interesting if you weren't involved or have no concept of military strategy but unrewarding if you have either.
February 12, 2012
This book is written in a very humourous way; giving a female perspective of city life. Whilst it was written in a light hearted manner and was enjoyable I also feel that anyone who reads this could fully believe that this is the only and right view point of the city. However, aside from the subject matter, which should not be read in sylo without taking in other perspectives if you are after a rounded view of banking, the writing is extremely good and makes it very difficult to put down as you feel that you have been warped into the scene being described and therefore feel a real need to continue reading further to find out more.
A truly graphic novel, written with gusto and feeling.
A truly graphic novel, written with gusto and feeling.
June 20, 2013
Firstly, I have to declare a vested interest: I know Venetia. Reading an account of her life as a City broker was both enthralling and eerie, but I can honestly say I was gripped.
This is a truly honest account (I can vouch for that) of the grotesquely greedy, narcissistic and ugly world of finance, from the refreshing viewpoint of a smart and cynical young woman.
This is a truly honest account (I can vouch for that) of the grotesquely greedy, narcissistic and ugly world of finance, from the refreshing viewpoint of a smart and cynical young woman.
November 11, 2013
Not a terrible read: the usual city tale of the corruption of bucks and booze.
December 25, 2015
Onderwerp leek leuk, jammer dat het uiteindelijk een opsomming van dronken feestjes lijkt te zijn. Leest wel lekker weg , dus 2 stars
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews