Title: Mergers and Acquisitions
Author: Dana Vachon
Genre(s): Fiction
# pages: 240
Date published: 2008
Rating: 2.5 out of 5stars
Would you recommend it? Yes
Mergers and Acquisitions follows the life of Tommy Quinn, a young man who has just graduated from Georgetown and is setting out on a career in banking in New York City. He is hired in the Mergers and Acquisitions department at J. S. Spenser, a ritzy firm where the bonuses are big, the talk is cheap, and everyone’s priorities are completely out of line. With his lack of ambition, sub-par GPA, and inability to add or subtract, Tommy has absolutely no business being in banking; yet connections and social circles get him the job, the girlfriend, and the experiences – which are not what he thought they would be. Written before the collapse of the financial industry, this novel is a flashback to what the realities of banking were pre-2008. In addition to all-nighters spent pulling together projects at the last minute, a banker’s “responsibilities” often included drugs, parties, and entertaining clients. The world is dark, funny, and constantly moving. The characters are relatable in that they reminded me of people I know – individuals who are both entitled and completely qualified.
This was definitely an easy read; it was quick (it only took two days between class readings) and easy to understand. What I really appreciated was that it was similar to chick-lit, but instead of taking the perspective of a young, love-stricken female, it was written by a man from a man’s perspective (think Holden Caulfield all grown up), which enables Mergers to reach a wider audience. Despite the escape it provided me from the reality of midterms, it wasn’t anywhere near the best light book I’ve read. It was similar to Less Than Zero by Brett Easton Ellis, but not quite as captivating. If you’re looking for something different, and something quick, Mergers and Acquisitions is a good read. However, if you are looking for something with a lot of substance or complex characters, this is not the book for you.
Review by Molly Saint, A&S '15
Author: Dana Vachon
Genre(s): Fiction
# pages: 240
Date published: 2008
Rating: 2.5 out of 5stars
Would you recommend it? Yes
Mergers and Acquisitions follows the life of Tommy Quinn, a young man who has just graduated from Georgetown and is setting out on a career in banking in New York City. He is hired in the Mergers and Acquisitions department at J. S. Spenser, a ritzy firm where the bonuses are big, the talk is cheap, and everyone’s priorities are completely out of line. With his lack of ambition, sub-par GPA, and inability to add or subtract, Tommy has absolutely no business being in banking; yet connections and social circles get him the job, the girlfriend, and the experiences – which are not what he thought they would be. Written before the collapse of the financial industry, this novel is a flashback to what the realities of banking were pre-2008. In addition to all-nighters spent pulling together projects at the last minute, a banker’s “responsibilities” often included drugs, parties, and entertaining clients. The world is dark, funny, and constantly moving. The characters are relatable in that they reminded me of people I know – individuals who are both entitled and completely qualified.
This was definitely an easy read; it was quick (it only took two days between class readings) and easy to understand. What I really appreciated was that it was similar to chick-lit, but instead of taking the perspective of a young, love-stricken female, it was written by a man from a man’s perspective (think Holden Caulfield all grown up), which enables Mergers to reach a wider audience. Despite the escape it provided me from the reality of midterms, it wasn’t anywhere near the best light book I’ve read. It was similar to Less Than Zero by Brett Easton Ellis, but not quite as captivating. If you’re looking for something different, and something quick, Mergers and Acquisitions is a good read. However, if you are looking for something with a lot of substance or complex characters, this is not the book for you.
Review by Molly Saint, A&S '15
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