lcl_reads's Reviews (211)

I read this book because I saw that Kiley Reid was inspired by it when writing Such a Fun Age. It is not a book where you will come away with any more useful knowledge or actionable ideas, but it is a fascinating look into the worlds of a few wealthy people living in New York City. I think of this book as reality TV in non-fiction form, without being overly salacious or gossipy. The book is straightforward and does not claim to make any sweeping generalizations, which I appreciate.

The ways that wealth is defined, how people compare themselves to others, and the scarcity mindset that is perpetuated in a society without a basic social safety net are all on full display through Sherman's interviews. What I like most about this book is that it highlights how the capitalist drive to acquire more and more wealth does not benefit anyone.