The Financial Lives of the Poets is an interesting novel: urbane, smart, funny, quirky yet realistic (realistic if you are urbane and edgy, which is not my reality, but nonetheless it would be true-to-life for some).
Matt Prior is experiencing the economic downturn first hand. He was downsized from a newspaper where he did financial reporting, then the business that he tried to start on his own folded (a website where he would report on financial news in verse form). He was sucked into a bad renegotiation of his home loan, and now he’s fallen so far behind that he’s about to lose his house. His wife doesn’t know, and she also doesn’t know that he’s been monitoring her flirtatious chats with an old high school flame on Facebook.
The novel is written in first-person from Matt Prior’s point of view, and because of his self-deprecating style, I loved him and laughed along with him, even as I cringed at his some of his choices. I’m not spoiling much (and giving you a heads-up about a potentially sticky subject matter) when I say that after meeting some young men at an all-night drug store, he ends up buying pot from them and then ends up selling it.
Because everything goes just a bit further than most people’s reality goes, the observations about our current society come out as slightly satirical, or at least that’s how this reader chose to interpret them.
If this review makes you chuckle and shake your head and wonder how a writer could pull this together into a sympathetic relatable story, then leave a comment below, and you could win your own copy.
We have two copies to give away (U.S. shipping only). We’ll announce the winner on 10/27.The giveaway is closed.
- The winner of the YA novel Extraordinary is #36 edj.
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Jennifer isn’t sure she’d describe herself as urbane or hip, but she did enjoy this book. Read about other things she likes at Snapshot.
Barb says
Yep, I’m totally scratching my head and trying to figure out how that story could be interesting and sympathetic. Sounds like the author is quite talented!
Debbie Vogel says
I would like to read this, it does smack of some reality in todays economy.
edj says
I like to think of myself as urbane and edgy, especially since my initials are edj. HA! Bad joke for the day. I think this book sounds great. Hope I win.
JAMES LYNAM says
SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT READ ON A COLD WINTER NIGHT.
Carolyn says
It sounds funny. Count me in!
Ruthie B says
It does sound like it has some twists & turns but life does too! Please enter me, thanks.
[email protected]
mrsshukra says
Very interesting book, would like to read this, please count me in!
Beth C says
Sounds like an interesting book – please enter me!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
Stumbeline says
Thanks for offering the giveaway. This sounds like a very interesting book. lol I’d like to be entered, please.
iamstumbeline(at)yahoo(dot)com
Ginny says
I’d like to give this book a try
karenk says
i’m curious about this book…thanks for the chance to read it 🙂
Sarah says
Sounds like a good read to me.
Ed Nemmers says
This premise intrigues me!
shawna says
Sounds like a good read!
Nicole D. says
Sounds like a book I would enjoy! Thanks
Susan Smith says
Sounds like an interesting book
Amy says
Sounds great! Would love to win!
Thank You!
kathy pease says
Thank you for the awesome giveaway please count me in 🙂
kathypease(at)gmail(dot)com
christa marteny says
sounds like a diffrent kind of read
susan smoaks says
i love to read
Shawn H says
This is a very intesting giveaway.