I decided to re-read this book in anticipation of the publication of the third book in this series coming up in August ("Bright, Precious Days"). It has always lived in my mind as one of my favorite books from the time I lived in New York (1992-94) and I was concerned that as with so many things when I revisited it I would be disappointed. I'm happy to say that was not the case. I don't know how I would rate it if I were rating it as "art" per se, but as a book I personally was reading it is still a 5 of 5. I think what it does best for me is communicate the feeling and emotion of the time and place where it is set, it feels like the late 80s in NYC. While that does appear dated now, it is entirely appropriate. It is set about 30 years ago! I am looking forward to seeing where the characters are in the new book. ( )

I loved The Good Life so much, that when I found out it was the second part of a trilogy, I had to read the rest. Well, Brightness Falls was a good story, but I don't think it would have inspired me to read the rest of the trilogy. I have high hopes for the final installment, Bright, Precious Days, which I'm reading now. ( )

In his novel Brightness Falls, Jay McInerney pieces together all the important elements that make a great novel. The accuracy with which he depicts the characters and their situations is intimate and thorough. His characters’ development shows the true irregular rhythms of real life: they evolve naturally and organically. He achieved truth in detail physically, psychologically, socially, culturally, emotionally.

The difficult thing, which he pulled off exquisitely, is to not (noticeably) compromise realism while keeping the story compelling. He honed in on the characters during situations, scenes, that have dramatic narrative impact. And every line has a point that is important in the overall novel. Every incident is important in the novel’s progression. Of course much of real life is dull. But his characters simultaneously have narrative interest consistently while having detailed, realistic lives.

That is the master stroke: he surgically extracted dull segments of their real lives without compromising realism and without leaving any transitional scars or seams. He imperceptibly bridges (without the reader sensing ever being on a bridge) from one dramatic or interesting point to another. This is an amazing accomplishment in artistic style.

But piecing together seamlessly all the elements that make a great novel doesn’t guarantee a great novel. That requires an impalpable quantity, an aesthetic genius or something. He has found that quantity. Brightness Falls is a great novel, a real work of art.

It is clear that McInerney worked under a severe discipline when he wrote Brightness Falls. Readers of contemporary novels should be aware of this fact, and then go out and buy this book and read it as soon as possible.
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There was something wonderfully escapist and other-worldly about reading this - set in New York (a place I've never been) amongst people who just love socialising (I hate socialising). Fascinating and informative and safe, reading about all that mingling without actually having to mingle myself. Perfect. It manages to make management buyouts sexy, and it also contributed vast swathes of new words to my vocabulary - at one point in the early stages I was having to consult the online dictionary around once a page. But the writing is razor sharp, and when a long and unfamiliar word is used, it's always perfect for the job. How come I have never encountered this author before? Discovering that this is just the first in a trilogy about these characters came as very welcome news indeed. ( )

still resonates almost 20 years later ( )