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Andrea P. (Plano, TX)
Great satire
Cute book! Love the satire of this book. A light summer read
Diane P. (Concord, MA)
Not Everybody Can Rise
Stephanie Clifford's novel, Everybody Rise, resonates with wit and irony as she presents the resilience of "Edith Wharton"s New York" as it clashes with newcomers who arrive in the city without the pedigree of being raised with the New Yorker on their bedside table or a familial place mark in the Blue Book, yet still wish to be important, noticed. Evelyn Beegan, the protagonist's, class besotted friends, who she seeks to cultivate for her new job with People Like Us, remain seemingly immune to their own privileges but enjoy them nonetheless, as they suggest that issues of class distinction are irrelevant, or as
…more they would say: NBD (No Big Deal). Of course, we remain a class driven, elitist society: a truth an upwardly ambitious Evelyn tries to overcome. With her independent school education at an elite boarding school, she has a toe, or perhaps a Michael Kors shoe, in the door. As Evelyn attempts to create a façade of wealth, she quickly learns what is required to survive, much less thrive, in the city's aristocratic, social whirl. The one sane voice is Charlotte's, Evelyn's oldest friend, who represents the successful nouveau riche, residing in Brooklyn—not the Upper East Side.
If you have spent any time in that world, Clifford's book will seem hilariously familiar. Redolent smells and tastes of elegant condos, Long Island estates, and Upstate NY country retreats infuse the novel. Yet, the very title intones Stephen Sondheim's sardonic song from Company, sung by Elaine Stritch: "Here's to the Ladies Who Lunch"…and, indeed, Clifford acknowledges that provenance toward the end of the novel. The final line of the song: "Everybody Rise, Rise, Rise, Rise…Pretty Women Rise," sung as a brassy parody of a materialistic, superficial life, suggests that Evelyn's rise will not be a smooth one. Complicated by family problems, indeed burdened by her mother's ambitions, Clifford also explores the complexity of young adults crafting secure, independent identities in a city that toasts celebrity behind select and guarded gates.
The beginning is a bit slow and the ending…well, you will have to decide. But the novel is totally worth reading. (less)Though comparisons to Wharton and Wolfe seem a wee bit generous, I still managed to gobble down this modern novel of manners in greedy gulps. From time to time we all don our masks--but to what degree, how often, and ultimately--at what cost? Lots for book clubs to consider here.
Shirley P. (Colorado Springs, CO)
Everybody falls...
I enjoyed the writing in this book. That is my first prerequisite to even finishing a book. It was well written, describing the world in which the main character, Evelyn Beegen, strives to belong. She has been very influenced by her mother, who infected her with the idea that their family doesn't quite "make it", even though Evelyn's family in Baltimore is upper class and Evelyn attended all the right schools and their economic status leaves nothing to be desired. Once Evelyn moves to NYC after college, this becomes not nearly enough for her. Her quest to get up to the right strata (albeit shallow) fuel her life,
…more using her money, self esteem and honesty in the process. This is a sad portrait of a young woman who sells her soul and the reader suffers with her as she reaches and sometimes succeeds. Ultimately, her life is a thin veneer, and must crack. This book definitely reminds the reader of Curtis Sittenfield, Edith Wharton and Tom Wolfe's novels with the same themes but is is original in it's own right.
I felt the ending was exactly what it should have been, offering hope for Evelyn to finally achieve her peace in the world without a trite "happy ever after". I recommend this book for readers who like a contemporary novel. (less)This book was entertaining and reminded me of Bonfire of the Vanities in a less satirical way. While I know these old money ways exist things are changing and I found the characters a bit like caricatures then people you would want to join. They seemed a little "dated." I kept thinking Evelyn would know when to say "I can't afford this" or figure out these people weren't nice but despite her education she never did. I think her mom was her greatest influence but maybe not for the best. I was hoping for maybe a different conclusion or some wrap up with her "friends" after her fall. I recommend this book but hoped
…more for more from Evelyn. (less)
Barbara O. (Maryland Heights, MO)
Everyone Rise but beware the fall
Everybody Rise is fascinating, the reader is drawn into high society New York. A world where old money has it's own rules and recognizes no one outside its narrow stratified world. When to dress up and when to dress down and what's currently in and what's out, it's exhausting trying to keep up. Evelyn Beegan almost makes it. The book is kind of like watching a train wreck, you cringe but keep reading wondering when she's ever going to get it, she just doesn't belong and why would you want to? An enjoyable read.
Barbara G. (Acworth, GA)
Money Did't Make People Interesting
"You'll never regret bringing a Lily Pulitzer dress to a summer weekend."
It's all about what you wear, who you know, and where you're seen. Evelyn, the main character, works hard to accomplish what she feels is the ultimate mark of success.
The writing style of the author begins with much flourish which reminds one of Edith Wharton from more than a century ago. She then reverts to a more Nora Roberts style only to return to Edith Wharton at the close. It was a quick read that really captures the reader ever wanting to find out Evelyn's next success or misstep. The characters are well developed loving and hating
…more many of them simultaneously. I enjoyed the book very much finding it quite similar to experiences of my past. (less)A young woman sets out to become part of the "upper crust" in New York City, not seeing (as the reader does) how shallow and careless those people are. The book is something of a take-off on Edith Wharton's novels, and does a pretty good job of telling its morality tale. The plot sags somewhat in the middle, but mostly it is quite readable and the characters are interesting if not edifying. I wish the ending hadn't wrapped things up quite so tidily, but I guess that's what morality tales are supposed to do. A very respectable debut novel, and I have the feeling the author can do even better with the next one.
