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There's Lil, a would-be scholar whose marriage to an egotistical writer initially brings the group back together (and ultimately drives it apart); Beth, who struggles to let go of her old beau Dave, a onetime piano prodigy trapped by his own insecurity; Emily, an actor perpetually on the verge of success -- and starvation -- who grapples with her jealousy of Tal, whose acting career has taken off. At the center of their orbit is wry, charismatic Sadie Peregrine, who coolly observes her friends' mistakes but can't quite manage to avoid making her own. As they begin their careers, marry, and have children, they must navigate the shifting dynamics of their friendships and of the world around them.

Set against the backdrop of the vast economic and political changes of the era -- from the decadent age of dot-com millionaires to the sobering post-September 2001 landscape -- Smith Rakoff's deeply affecting characters and incisive social commentary are reminiscent of the great Victorian novels. This brilliant and ambitious debut captures a generation and heralds the arrival of a bold and important new writer.]]> 4052110 4 4099117 7 4 2009 A Fortunate Age: A Novel total:284|5:29|4:74|3:86|2:65|1:30| 284 859 651 117 1398038 3.02 284 117 49739722 1147841 4052110 1416590773 9781416590774 117 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041m/4052110.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041s/4052110.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4052110.A_Fortunate_Age_A_Novel 3.02 284
There's Lil, a would-be scholar whose marriage to an egotistical writer initially brings the group back together (and ultimately drives it apart); Beth, who struggles to let go of her old beau Dave, a onetime piano prodigy trapped by his own insecurity; Emily, an actor perpetually on the verge of success -- and starvation -- who grapples with her jealousy of Tal, whose acting career has taken off. At the center of their orbit is wry, charismatic Sadie Peregrine, who coolly observes her friends' mistakes but can't quite manage to avoid making her own. As they begin their careers, marry, and have children, they must navigate the shifting dynamics of their friendships and of the world around them.

Set against the backdrop of the vast economic and political changes of the era -- from the decadent age of dot-com millionaires to the sobering post-September 2001 landscape -- Smith Rakoff's deeply affecting characters and incisive social commentary are reminiscent of the great Victorian novels. This brilliant and ambitious debut captures a generation and heralds the arrival of a bold and important new writer.]]> 2009 1 6 false Sat Mar 28 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Wed Mar 18 21:59:54 -0700 2009 Tue Mar 31 20:04:17 -0700 2009 more...]]> 34836090 12596 4052110 1416590773 9781416590774 117 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041m/4052110.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041s/4052110.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4052110.A_Fortunate_Age_A_Novel 3.02 284
There's Lil, a would-be scholar whose marriage to an egotistical writer initially brings the group back together (and ultimately drives it apart); Beth, who struggles to let go of her old beau Dave, a onetime piano prodigy trapped by his own insecurity; Emily, an actor perpetually on the verge of success -- and starvation -- who grapples with her jealousy of Tal, whose acting career has taken off. At the center of their orbit is wry, charismatic Sadie Peregrine, who coolly observes her friends' mistakes but can't quite manage to avoid making her own. As they begin their careers, marry, and have children, they must navigate the shifting dynamics of their friendships and of the world around them.

Set against the backdrop of the vast economic and political changes of the era -- from the decadent age of dot-com millionaires to the sobering post-September 2001 landscape -- Smith Rakoff's deeply affecting characters and incisive social commentary are reminiscent of the great Victorian novels. This brilliant and ambitious debut captures a generation and heralds the arrival of a bold and important new writer.]]> 2009 4 3 false Wed Oct 08 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Wed Oct 08 13:47:50 -0700 2008 Sun Oct 12 13:46:04 -0700 2008 caricature of beauty: containing all the proper elements, but lacking the harmony to fuse them into a lovely ...more...]]> 48511257 1183032 4052110 1416590773 9781416590774 117 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041m/4052110.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041s/4052110.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4052110.A_Fortunate_Age_A_Novel 3.02 284
There's Lil, a would-be scholar whose marriage to an egotistical writer initially brings the group back together (and ultimately drives it apart); Beth, who struggles to let go of her old beau Dave, a onetime piano prodigy trapped by his own insecurity; Emily, an actor perpetually on the verge of success -- and starvation -- who grapples with her jealousy of Tal, whose acting career has taken off. At the center of their orbit is wry, charismatic Sadie Peregrine, who coolly observes her friends' mistakes but can't quite manage to avoid making her own. As they begin their careers, marry, and have children, they must navigate the shifting dynamics of their friendships and of the world around them.

Set against the backdrop of the vast economic and political changes of the era -- from the decadent age of dot-com millionaires to the sobering post-September 2001 landscape -- Smith Rakoff's deeply affecting characters and incisive social commentary are reminiscent of the great Victorian novels. This brilliant and ambitious debut captures a generation and heralds the arrival of a bold and important new writer.]]> 2009 2 5 false Sat Mar 07 09:54:56 -0800 2009 Sat Mar 07 10:09:50 -0800 2009 more...]]> 52240314 768999 4052110 1416590773 9781416590774 117 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041m/4052110.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041s/4052110.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4052110.A_Fortunate_Age_A_Novel 3.02 284
There's Lil, a would-be scholar whose marriage to an egotistical writer initially brings the group back together (and ultimately drives it apart); Beth, who struggles to let go of her old beau Dave, a onetime piano prodigy trapped by his own insecurity; Emily, an actor perpetually on the verge of success -- and starvation -- who grapples with her jealousy of Tal, whose acting career has taken off. At the center of their orbit is wry, charismatic Sadie Peregrine, who coolly observes her friends' mistakes but can't quite manage to avoid making her own. As they begin their careers, marry, and have children, they must navigate the shifting dynamics of their friendships and of the world around them.

Set against the backdrop of the vast economic and political changes of the era -- from the decadent age of dot-com millionaires to the sobering post-September 2001 landscape -- Smith Rakoff's deeply affecting characters and incisive social commentary are reminiscent of the great Victorian novels. This brilliant and ambitious debut captures a generation and heralds the arrival of a bold and important new writer.]]> 2009 4 4 false Fri Apr 10 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Fri Apr 10 17:19:17 -0700 2009 Fri Apr 10 17:25:46 -0700 2009 was a bit hard keeping track of the characters, and some...more...]]> 50705869 2169769 4052110 1416590773 9781416590774 117 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041m/4052110.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041s/4052110.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4052110.A_Fortunate_Age_A_Novel 3.02 284
There's Lil, a would-be scholar whose marriage to an egotistical writer initially brings the group back together (and ultimately drives it apart); Beth, who struggles to let go of her old beau Dave, a onetime piano prodigy trapped by his own insecurity; Emily, an actor perpetually on the verge of success -- and starvation -- who grapples with her jealousy of Tal, whose acting career has taken off. At the center of their orbit is wry, charismatic Sadie Peregrine, who coolly observes her friends' mistakes but can't quite manage to avoid making her own. As they begin their careers, marry, and have children, they must navigate the shifting dynamics of their friendships and of the world around them.

Set against the backdrop of the vast economic and political changes of the era -- from the decadent age of dot-com millionaires to the sobering post-September 2001 landscape -- Smith Rakoff's deeply affecting characters and incisive social commentary are reminiscent of the great Victorian novels. This brilliant and ambitious debut captures a generation and heralds the arrival of a bold and important new writer.]]> 2009 4 2 false Sat Mar 28 08:56:02 -0700 2009 Sat Mar 28 09:03:20 -0700 2009 more...]]> 50114855 640637 4052110 1416590773 9781416590774 117 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041m/4052110.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041s/4052110.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4052110.A_Fortunate_Age_A_Novel 3.02 284
There's Lil, a would-be scholar whose marriage to an egotistical writer initially brings the group back together (and ultimately drives it apart); Beth, who struggles to let go of her old beau Dave, a onetime piano prodigy trapped by his own insecurity; Emily, an actor perpetually on the verge of success -- and starvation -- who grapples with her jealousy of Tal, whose acting career has taken off. At the center of their orbit is wry, charismatic Sadie Peregrine, who coolly observes her friends' mistakes but can't quite manage to avoid making her own. As they begin their careers, marry, and have children, they must navigate the shifting dynamics of their friendships and of the world around them.

Set against the backdrop of the vast economic and political changes of the era -- from the decadent age of dot-com millionaires to the sobering post-September 2001 landscape -- Smith Rakoff's deeply affecting characters and incisive social commentary are reminiscent of the great Victorian novels. This brilliant and ambitious debut captures a generation and heralds the arrival of a bold and important new writer.]]> 2009 2 3 false Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2009 Sun Mar 22 18:13:17 -0700 2009 Sun Mar 22 18:13:50 -0700 2009 more...]]> 50618731 890963 4052110 1416590773 9781416590774 117 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041m/4052110.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041s/4052110.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4052110.A_Fortunate_Age_A_Novel 3.02 284
There's Lil, a would-be scholar whose marriage to an egotistical writer initially brings the group back together (and ultimately drives it apart); Beth, who struggles to let go of her old beau Dave, a onetime piano prodigy trapped by his own insecurity; Emily, an actor perpetually on the verge of success -- and starvation -- who grapples with her jealousy of Tal, whose acting career has taken off. At the center of their orbit is wry, charismatic Sadie Peregrine, who coolly observes her friends' mistakes but can't quite manage to avoid making her own. As they begin their careers, marry, and have children, they must navigate the shifting dynamics of their friendships and of the world around them.

Set against the backdrop of the vast economic and political changes of the era -- from the decadent age of dot-com millionaires to the sobering post-September 2001 landscape -- Smith Rakoff's deeply affecting characters and incisive social commentary are reminiscent of the great Victorian novels. This brilliant and ambitious debut captures a generation and heralds the arrival of a bold and important new writer.]]> 2009 5 2 false Thu Apr 02 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Fri Mar 27 10:32:10 -0700 2009 Sat Oct 03 10:23:36 -0700 2009
For more about this book, see my review...more...]]> 44390192 65425 4052110 1416590773 9781416590774 117 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041m/4052110.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041s/4052110.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4052110.A_Fortunate_Age_A_Novel 3.02 284
There's Lil, a would-be scholar whose marriage to an egotistical writer initially brings the group back together (and ultimately drives it apart); Beth, who struggles to let go of her old beau Dave, a onetime piano prodigy trapped by his own insecurity; Emily, an actor perpetually on the verge of success -- and starvation -- who grapples with her jealousy of Tal, whose acting career has taken off. At the center of their orbit is wry, charismatic Sadie Peregrine, who coolly observes her friends' mistakes but can't quite manage to avoid making her own. As they begin their careers, marry, and have children, they must navigate the shifting dynamics of their friendships and of the world around them.

Set against the backdrop of the vast economic and political changes of the era -- from the decadent age of dot-com millionaires to the sobering post-September 2001 landscape -- Smith Rakoff's deeply affecting characters and incisive social commentary are reminiscent of the great Victorian novels. This brilliant and ambitious debut captures a generation and heralds the arrival of a bold and important new writer.]]> 2009 2 1 false Mon Jan 26 08:14:22 -0800 2009 Mon Jan 26 08:22:05 -0800 2009 more...]]> 40045913 203464 4052110 1416590773 9781416590774 117 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041m/4052110.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041s/4052110.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4052110.A_Fortunate_Age_A_Novel 3.02 284
There's Lil, a would-be scholar whose marriage to an egotistical writer initially brings the group back together (and ultimately drives it apart); Beth, who struggles to let go of her old beau Dave, a onetime piano prodigy trapped by his own insecurity; Emily, an actor perpetually on the verge of success -- and starvation -- who grapples with her jealousy of Tal, whose acting career has taken off. At the center of their orbit is wry, charismatic Sadie Peregrine, who coolly observes her friends' mistakes but can't quite manage to avoid making her own. As they begin their careers, marry, and have children, they must navigate the shifting dynamics of their friendships and of the world around them.

Set against the backdrop of the vast economic and political changes of the era -- from the decadent age of dot-com millionaires to the sobering post-September 2001 landscape -- Smith Rakoff's deeply affecting characters and incisive social commentary are reminiscent of the great Victorian novels. This brilliant and ambitious debut captures a generation and heralds the arrival of a bold and important new writer.]]> 2009 3 1 false Sat Jan 31 00:00:00 -0800 2009 Sat Dec 13 19:37:10 -0800 2008 Thu Feb 12 22:16:08 -0800 2009 more...]]> 39370648 1531553 4052110 1416590773 9781416590774 117 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041m/4052110.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041s/4052110.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4052110.A_Fortunate_Age_A_Novel 3.02 284
There's Lil, a would-be scholar whose marriage to an egotistical writer initially brings the group back together (and ultimately drives it apart); Beth, who struggles to let go of her old beau Dave, a onetime piano prodigy trapped by his own insecurity; Emily, an actor perpetually on the verge of success -- and starvation -- who grapples with her jealousy of Tal, whose acting career has taken off. At the center of their orbit is wry, charismatic Sadie Peregrine, who coolly observes her friends' mistakes but can't quite manage to avoid making her own. As they begin their careers, marry, and have children, they must navigate the shifting dynamics of their friendships and of the world around them.

Set against the backdrop of the vast economic and political changes of the era -- from the decadent age of dot-com millionaires to the sobering post-September 2001 landscape -- Smith Rakoff's deeply affecting characters and incisive social commentary are reminiscent of the great Victorian novels. This brilliant and ambitious debut captures a generation and heralds the arrival of a bold and important new writer.]]> 2009 3 1 false Fri Dec 05 09:34:16 -0800 2008 Mon Apr 06 11:07:23 -0700 2009 more...]]> 34736447 864965 4052110 1416590773 9781416590774 117 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041m/4052110.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041s/4052110.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4052110.A_Fortunate_Age_A_Novel 3.02 284
There's Lil, a would-be scholar whose marriage to an egotistical writer initially brings the group back together (and ultimately drives it apart); Beth, who struggles to let go of her old beau Dave, a onetime piano prodigy trapped by his own insecurity; Emily, an actor perpetually on the verge of success -- and starvation -- who grapples with her jealousy of Tal, whose acting career has taken off. At the center of their orbit is wry, charismatic Sadie Peregrine, who coolly observes her friends' mistakes but can't quite manage to avoid making her own. As they begin their careers, marry, and have children, they must navigate the shifting dynamics of their friendships and of the world around them.

Set against the backdrop of the vast economic and political changes of the era -- from the decadent age of dot-com millionaires to the sobering post-September 2001 landscape -- Smith Rakoff's deeply affecting characters and incisive social commentary are reminiscent of the great Victorian novels. This brilliant and ambitious debut captures a generation and heralds the arrival of a bold and important new writer.]]> 2009 3 2 false Sat Oct 04 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Tue Oct 07 10:38:23 -0700 2008 Tue Oct 07 10:49:24 -0700 2008 more...]]> 40368936 915334 4052110 1416590773 9781416590774 117 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041m/4052110.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041s/4052110.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4052110.A_Fortunate_Age_A_Novel 3.02 284
There's Lil, a would-be scholar whose marriage to an egotistical writer initially brings the group back together (and ultimately drives it apart); Beth, who struggles to let go of her old beau Dave, a onetime piano prodigy trapped by his own insecurity; Emily, an actor perpetually on the verge of success -- and starvation -- who grapples with her jealousy of Tal, whose acting career has taken off. At the center of their orbit is wry, charismatic Sadie Peregrine, who coolly observes her friends' mistakes but can't quite manage to avoid making her own. As they begin their careers, marry, and have children, they must navigate the shifting dynamics of their friendships and of the world around them.

Set against the backdrop of the vast economic and political changes of the era -- from the decadent age of dot-com millionaires to the sobering post-September 2001 landscape -- Smith Rakoff's deeply affecting characters and incisive social commentary are reminiscent of the great Victorian novels. This brilliant and ambitious debut captures a generation and heralds the arrival of a bold and important new writer.]]> 2009 4 2 false Mon Dec 29 00:00:00 -0800 2008 Thu Dec 18 05:23:01 -0800 2008 Tue Dec 30 05:11:47 -0800 2008 more...]]> 51792396 360008 4052110 1416590773 9781416590774 117 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041m/4052110.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041s/4052110.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4052110.A_Fortunate_Age_A_Novel 3.02 284
There's Lil, a would-be scholar whose marriage to an egotistical writer initially brings the group back together (and ultimately drives it apart); Beth, who struggles to let go of her old beau Dave, a onetime piano prodigy trapped by his own insecurity; Emily, an actor perpetually on the verge of success -- and starvation -- who grapples with her jealousy of Tal, whose acting career has taken off. At the center of their orbit is wry, charismatic Sadie Peregrine, who coolly observes her friends' mistakes but can't quite manage to avoid making her own. As they begin their careers, marry, and have children, they must navigate the shifting dynamics of their friendships and of the world around them.

Set against the backdrop of the vast economic and political changes of the era -- from the decadent age of dot-com millionaires to the sobering post-September 2001 landscape -- Smith Rakoff's deeply affecting characters and incisive social commentary are reminiscent of the great Victorian novels. This brilliant and ambitious debut captures a generation and heralds the arrival of a bold and important new writer.]]> 2009 0 1 false Tue Apr 07 05:53:01 -0700 2009 Tue Apr 07 05:57:47 -0700 2009 29788809 39671 4052110 1416590773 9781416590774 117 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041m/4052110.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041s/4052110.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4052110.A_Fortunate_Age_A_Novel 3.02 284
There's Lil, a would-be scholar whose marriage to an egotistical writer initially brings the group back together (and ultimately drives it apart); Beth, who struggles to let go of her old beau Dave, a onetime piano prodigy trapped by his own insecurity; Emily, an actor perpetually on the verge of success -- and starvation -- who grapples with her jealousy of Tal, whose acting career has taken off. At the center of their orbit is wry, charismatic Sadie Peregrine, who coolly observes her friends' mistakes but can't quite manage to avoid making her own. As they begin their careers, marry, and have children, they must navigate the shifting dynamics of their friendships and of the world around them.

Set against the backdrop of the vast economic and political changes of the era -- from the decadent age of dot-com millionaires to the sobering post-September 2001 landscape -- Smith Rakoff's deeply affecting characters and incisive social commentary are reminiscent of the great Victorian novels. This brilliant and ambitious debut captures a generation and heralds the arrival of a bold and important new writer.]]> 2009 4 1 false Tue Jul 01 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Sun Aug 10 15:48:15 -0700 2008 Sun Aug 10 15:48:15 -0700 2008 more...]]> 48999756 162340 4052110 1416590773 9781416590774 117 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041m/4052110.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041s/4052110.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4052110.A_Fortunate_Age_A_Novel 3.02 284
There's Lil, a would-be scholar whose marriage to an egotistical writer initially brings the group back together (and ultimately drives it apart); Beth, who struggles to let go of her old beau Dave, a onetime piano prodigy trapped by his own insecurity; Emily, an actor perpetually on the verge of success -- and starvation -- who grapples with her jealousy of Tal, whose acting career has taken off. At the center of their orbit is wry, charismatic Sadie Peregrine, who coolly observes her friends' mistakes but can't quite manage to avoid making her own. As they begin their careers, marry, and have children, they must navigate the shifting dynamics of their friendships and of the world around them.

Set against the backdrop of the vast economic and political changes of the era -- from the decadent age of dot-com millionaires to the sobering post-September 2001 landscape -- Smith Rakoff's deeply affecting characters and incisive social commentary are reminiscent of the great Victorian novels. This brilliant and ambitious debut captures a generation and heralds the arrival of a bold and important new writer.]]> 2009 4 2 false Sun Mar 01 00:00:00 -0800 2009 Wed Mar 11 21:37:22 -0700 2009 Tue Mar 24 12:29:08 -0700 2009 more...]]> 72047128 244952 4052110 1416590773 9781416590774 117 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041m/4052110.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041s/4052110.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4052110.A_Fortunate_Age_A_Novel 3.02 284
There's Lil, a would-be scholar whose marriage to an egotistical writer initially brings the group back together (and ultimately drives it apart); Beth, who struggles to let go of her old beau Dave, a onetime piano prodigy trapped by his own insecurity; Emily, an actor perpetually on the verge of success -- and starvation -- who grapples with her jealousy of Tal, whose acting career has taken off. At the center of their orbit is wry, charismatic Sadie Peregrine, who coolly observes her friends' mistakes but can't quite manage to avoid making her own. As they begin their careers, marry, and have children, they must navigate the shifting dynamics of their friendships and of the world around them.

Set against the backdrop of the vast economic and political changes of the era -- from the decadent age of dot-com millionaires to the sobering post-September 2001 landscape -- Smith Rakoff's deeply affecting characters and incisive social commentary are reminiscent of the great Victorian novels. This brilliant and ambitious debut captures a generation and heralds the arrival of a bold and important new writer.]]> 2009 2 1 false Mon Sep 21 17:00:52 -0700 2009 Mon Sep 21 17:19:32 -0700 2009 more...]]> 55717471 2306585 4052110 1416590773 9781416590774 117 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041m/4052110.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041s/4052110.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4052110.A_Fortunate_Age_A_Novel 3.02 284
There's Lil, a would-be scholar whose marriage to an egotistical writer initially brings the group back together (and ultimately drives it apart); Beth, who struggles to let go of her old beau Dave, a onetime piano prodigy trapped by his own insecurity; Emily, an actor perpetually on the verge of success -- and starvation -- who grapples with her jealousy of Tal, whose acting career has taken off. At the center of their orbit is wry, charismatic Sadie Peregrine, who coolly observes her friends' mistakes but can't quite manage to avoid making her own. As they begin their careers, marry, and have children, they must navigate the shifting dynamics of their friendships and of the world around them.

Set against the backdrop of the vast economic and political changes of the era -- from the decadent age of dot-com millionaires to the sobering post-September 2001 landscape -- Smith Rakoff's deeply affecting characters and incisive social commentary are reminiscent of the great Victorian novels. This brilliant and ambitious debut captures a generation and heralds the arrival of a bold and important new writer.]]> 2009 2 1 false Mon May 11 15:45:31 -0700 2009 Mon May 11 16:01:29 -0700 2009 more...]]> 53008770 578435 4052110 1416590773 9781416590774 117 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041m/4052110.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041s/4052110.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4052110.A_Fortunate_Age_A_Novel 3.02 284
There's Lil, a would-be scholar whose marriage to an egotistical writer initially brings the group back together (and ultimately drives it apart); Beth, who struggles to let go of her old beau Dave, a onetime piano prodigy trapped by his own insecurity; Emily, an actor perpetually on the verge of success -- and starvation -- who grapples with her jealousy of Tal, whose acting career has taken off. At the center of their orbit is wry, charismatic Sadie Peregrine, who coolly observes her friends' mistakes but can't quite manage to avoid making her own. As they begin their careers, marry, and have children, they must navigate the shifting dynamics of their friendships and of the world around them.

Set against the backdrop of the vast economic and political changes of the era -- from the decadent age of dot-com millionaires to the sobering post-September 2001 landscape -- Smith Rakoff's deeply affecting characters and incisive social commentary are reminiscent of the great Victorian novels. This brilliant and ambitious debut captures a generation and heralds the arrival of a bold and important new writer.]]> 2009 3 0 false Tue Feb 03 00:00:00 -0800 2009 Fri Apr 17 07:14:38 -0700 2009 Fri Apr 17 07:16:50 -0700 2009 more...]]> 44028817 823741 4052110 1416590773 9781416590774 117 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041m/4052110.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041s/4052110.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4052110.A_Fortunate_Age_A_Novel 3.02 284
There's Lil, a would-be scholar whose marriage to an egotistical writer initially brings the group back together (and ultimately drives it apart); Beth, who struggles to let go of her old beau Dave, a onetime piano prodigy trapped by his own insecurity; Emily, an actor perpetually on the verge of success -- and starvation -- who grapples with her jealousy of Tal, whose acting career has taken off. At the center of their orbit is wry, charismatic Sadie Peregrine, who coolly observes her friends' mistakes but can't quite manage to avoid making her own. As they begin their careers, marry, and have children, they must navigate the shifting dynamics of their friendships and of the world around them.

Set against the backdrop of the vast economic and political changes of the era -- from the decadent age of dot-com millionaires to the sobering post-September 2001 landscape -- Smith Rakoff's deeply affecting characters and incisive social commentary are reminiscent of the great Victorian novels. This brilliant and ambitious debut captures a generation and heralds the arrival of a bold and important new writer.]]> 2009 3 1 false Thu Jan 22 23:33:52 -0800 2009 Thu Jan 22 23:39:02 -0800 2009 more...]]> 55728500 78285 4052110 1416590773 9781416590774 117 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041m/4052110.jpg http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1229305041s/4052110.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4052110.A_Fortunate_Age_A_Novel 3.02 284
There's Lil, a would-be scholar whose marriage to an egotistical writer initially brings the group back together (and ultimately drives it apart); Beth, who struggles to let go of her old beau Dave, a onetime piano prodigy trapped by his own insecurity; Emily, an actor perpetually on the verge of success -- and starvation -- who grapples with her jealousy of Tal, whose acting career has taken off. At the center of their orbit is wry, charismatic Sadie Peregrine, who coolly observes her friends' mistakes but can't quite manage to avoid making her own. As they begin their careers, marry, and have children, they must navigate the shifting dynamics of their friendships and of the world around them.

Set against the backdrop of the vast economic and political changes of the era -- from the decadent age of dot-com millionaires to the sobering post-September 2001 landscape -- Smith Rakoff's deeply affecting characters and incisive social commentary are reminiscent of the great Victorian novels. This brilliant and ambitious debut captures a generation and heralds the arrival of a bold and important new writer.]]> 2009 5 0 false Mon May 11 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Mon May 11 17:30:15 -0700 2009 Wed May 20 17:20:24 -0700 2009 A measure of the likeability of a book, for me, is whether I am anxious to find out what happens to the characters in an obsessive, read-while-making-dinner way and in this case, dinner just did not get made. Starting with six friends, all recent Oberlin grads, together at one of the friends'...more...]]> 8 http://www.goodreads.com/book_link/follow/8?book_id=4052110