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The way journalist Gus Bailey tells it, old money is always preferred, but occasionally new money sneaks in--even where it is most unwelcome. After moving from Cincinnati, Elias and Ruby Renthal strike it even richer in New York, turning their millions into billions. It would be impolite for high society to refuse them now. Not to mention disadvantageous. As long as the market is strong, there's absolutely nothing to worry about--except for those nasty secrets from the past. Scandal, anyone...?Tags
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Re-read in 2014. I am a fan of Dominick Dunne's writing. He knows his subject, in this case wealthy New York socialites. An observer, Gus/Dominick is not one of them but is invited to their functions. Dunne has an acute ear for dialogue: 'Hellohowareyou'. And his characters and their pretensions are succinctly revealed in a line or two of dialogue. Wickedly funny, the writing is so talented and appears effortless. And the subject-matter? It's like flicking through 'Hello' magazine at the hairdressers, but without the guilt.
Elias and Ruby Renthal are 'new' rich who long to be accepted into the New York society of the very rich and established 'old' money - easier said than done. Through large charitable donations, insider business advice and sheer tenaciousness they finally rise to the top of the heap and their 'Butterfly Ball' becomes the most anticipated and sought-after event of the season.
However, everyone has their secrets - the Renthals and the members of the established society are no exception. Everything culminates in spectacular fashion at the ball.
I have been a fan of Dominick Dunne through his articles for Vanity Fair - this is a tasty novel!
However, everyone has their secrets - the Renthals and the members of the established society are no exception. Everything culminates in spectacular fashion at the ball.
I have been a fan of Dominick Dunne through his articles for Vanity Fair - this is a tasty novel!
I like Dunne. He's rather a bit like Tom Wolfe in his take on high society. When things start to go downhill, they crumble big-time.
weak novel NY society - Gus Bailey journalist - Ruby Renthal really rich rise + fall of power
The way journalist Gus Bailey tells it, old money is always preferred, but occasionally new money sneaks in--even where it is most unwelcome. After moving from Cincinnati, Elias and Ruby Renthal strike it even richer in New York, turning their millions into billions. It would be impolite for high society to refuse them now. Not to mention disadvantageous. As long as the market is strong, there's absolutely nothing to worry about--except for those nasty secrets from the past. Scandal, anyone...?
The way journalist Gus Bailey tells it, old money is always preferred, but occasionally new money sneaks in--even where it is most unwelcome. After moving from Cincinnati, Elias and Ruby Renthal strike it even richer in New York, turning their millions into billions. It would be impolite for high society to refuse them now. Not to mention disadvantageous. As long as the market is strong, there's absolutely nothing to worry about--except for those nasty secrets from the past. Scandal, anyone...?
Dominick Dunne is always a pleasure to read. In this book he shows those of us who don't belong to the world of wealth and power what that world is and how it works.
One of the most delicious books I have read. Love Dunne's writing.
Interesting "society" novel, very entertaining
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20+ Works 3,989 Members
Dominick Dunne was born in Hartford, Connecticut on October 29, 1925. He served in World War II and was awarded the Bronze Star for rescuing a wounded soldier at the Battle of the Bulge. After receiving a bachelor's degree from Williams College in 1949, he worked as a stage manager for the Howdy Doody Show and Robert Montgomery Presents. He then show more directed Playhouse 90 and was an executive producer of the ABC drama Adventures in Paradise. He started producing films in 1970 including The Boys in the Band, The Panic in Needle Park, Play It as It Lays, and Ash Wednesday. His addiction to alcohol and drugs eventually lead to the end of his career as a television and film producer. He beat his addictions and decided to become writer. He wrote several memoirs including The Way We Lived Then: Recollections of a Well-Known Name Dropper and novels including An Inconvenient Woman, A Season in Purgatory, The Two Mrs. Grenvilles, and Too Much Money. In 1982, his daughter was strangled by her boyfriend. Dunne kept a journal during the trial, which eventually became the Vanity Fair article Justice: A Father's Account of the Trial of His Daughter's Killer. After that, he wrote regularly for Vanity Fair and covered famous trials such as those of Claus von Bulow, O.J. Simpson, and the Menendez brothers. He also wrote a column entitled Dominick Dunne's Diary and hosted the television series Dominick Dunne's Power, Privilege, and Justice on CourtTV. He died from bladder cancer on August 26, 2009 at the age of 83. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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- Gus Bailey
- Related movies
- People Like Us (1990 | IMDb)
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