Jeanette A Watts

Ms. Watts wrote an engaging book, from the viewpoint of One Man, Thomas Baldwin, without resorting to first person narrative. Bravo! Even so, I think she should be smacked, hard. Wealth and Privilege is an exceptionally provoking read. I gobbled it up in one setting, most of it with my mouth hanging open like a carp, not a good look for anyone. I had to set it aside for a couple days and re-read it to write this review, even I know when an author seasons her text with Thoreau, she means to be taken seriously.

Warning: You can read the words, take them at face value and find an ugly, but exceedingly interesting fish tale. OR. Look for the minutiae; allow the subtle humor to caress your work-a-day troubles away. In this way you can know, without a doubt, the book ended perfectly. And don't let the pretty cover fool you. This is not a traditional romance; it's barely a romance at all, except between the author and reader.

History and tabloids are littered with people that had great success in business and none in their personal life. Through One Man's eyes, we learn with shrewish, ignorant, selfish wives for companions, what choice did these great men have but to invent, design, and revolutionize the world? These men built cities and empires and companies because they were miserable everywhere BUT at the factory, foundry or negotiating table. He truly believes that.

With one exception, no one in this book knows how to love. They barely understand common courtesy. Second generation born to wealth and privilege, One Man has never known love expressed. He only knows how to despise, how to avoid, hide, pretend, sneer and fear even his family. Day in, day out, strolling side by side in complete accord is his most secret fantasy. One Man's life of quiet desperation seems a conclusion before the third chapter, but don't be fooled by the reflective surface.

The book appears to be all about One Man but it is really all about Regina. Never lose sight of that fact. She is an idol, living perfection on a pedestal no One Man can climb. She came from nothing. But she enters One Man's life boldly, unapologetic, beautiful, possessing superior business skills, and of course, is socially adept, witty, charming, always with the right opinions in her societal awareness, with not just college attendance but a degree - she's the Enjoli Woman on Steroids. Fortunately, she spends much of the book being unobtainable and unavailable, coming and going and involved with grief, business, her lover, and her grand mansion. Otherwise, she might make you feel inferior as a human being.

Though pitiable in the beginning, Thomas develops his character with outstanding business successes and by castigating his wife, mother and family. He feels justified by circumstance, by the inferiority of his targets. He has earned the right [and privilege] to be the one saying the cruel things; is surprised only by how long it took him to figure out being verbally violent gets people to do what you want.

Which brings us to his wife, Meredith: A girl of beauty, money and family; nudged and coached by her mother and his, she and Thomas are discovered in a compromising position. For three months, he makes not one objection, asks no questions, offers no suggestion that he is anything but willingly marrying her. On his wedding night, he tells her it will be a marriage in name only. She may have been as "unmatable" as Thomas claimed. It's impossible to actually see Meredith through his eyes. Her words and actions are so corroded with his impressions they can't mean anything but what he decides they do. Meredith's only purpose was to be evidence of his development, proof his life was desperately miserable indeed. I don't pity her. I don't despise her. I don't think she was much different from hundreds of thousands of other young girls protected, sheltered and laced tight until it came time to serve their purpose in life, to seal an alliance between families. Meredith wasn't really a character at all; she was as much a symbol - the fallen women - as Regina - the prefect woman.

Which brings us back to "And always - always there was Regina."

Final Warning: The last four chapters will stun you. Don't think you'll be able to set the book aside and finish it later - not gonna happen. If you reach that point and have any doubt Ms. Watts excels at telling a damn good story, it will vanish before the end of the book.

I am so very grateful she ended it as she did. I could kiss her fingertips for not giving us an epilogue or, please no, a hint of a sequel. Some stories are meant to end with the possibilities open, left to the heart of the reader. We are blessed with so few of those precious acknowledgements of a reader's need to engage their imagination beyond the pages and covers of the author's domain. It was worth looking like a carp, just for that privilege.

Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Read an expanded review of this book w/excerpts at Pagetraveler dot blogspot dot com… (altro)