The Hazards of Good Fortune
"An entertaining tale rich in schadenfreude as bad things happen to a hapless billionaire" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review).
Jay Gladstone was born to privilege. He is a civic leader and a generous philanthropist, as well as the owner of an NBA team. But in today's New York, even a wealthy man's life can spin out of control, no matter the money or influence he possesses.Jay sees himself as a moral man, determined not to repeat his father's mistakes. He would rather focus on his unstable second marriage and his daughter, Aviva, than worry about questions of race or privilege. However, he moves through a sensitive and aware world: that of Dag Maxwell, the black star forward, and white police officer Russell Plesko, who makes a decision that has resonating consequences--particularly for a DA whose hopes for a future in politics will rest on an explosive prosecution.
Set during Barack Obama's presidency, this artful novel illuminates contemporary America and does not shy away from questions about our scalding social divide--why is conversation about race so fraught, to what degree is the justice system impartial, and does great wealth inoculate those who have it?--and explores the aftermath of unforgivable errors and the unpredictability of the court of public opinion. "Greenland takes a Dickensian delight in letting the plot sprawl with parallels, digressions, false leads, and twists."--Kirkus Reviews(starred review) "A wild and funny page-turner of a novel that grabs you and doesn't let go."--Larry David
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Praise for The Hazards of Good Fortune
..". this is a book full of marvelous surprises that seem inevitable as soon as they happen." --Daniel Akst, The Wall Street Journal
"Greenland's main strength, beyond superb characterization, is his ability to weave different narrative threads together in order to maintain maximum tension and forward momentum. His plotting is masterful.... Greenland leaves no stone unturned in exploring his themes of racism, the privileges of race, and the intricacies and potential corruption of the justice system."--The Los Angeles Review of Books
Praise for Seth Greenland
"Greenland displays enormous compassion for his characters. . . [and] turns what easily could have been a ripped-from-the-headlines tabloid soap-opera, or Tom-Wolfe-esque farce, to a heartfelt rumination on the blind spots of privilege, ambition, athletic prowess and the discontent visited on those who fly to close to those flames. It is a novel that will stay with you long after the pages are all turned."--Forbes
"Greenland takes up the realistic torch in his new novel, which casts a satiric eye on the inconvenient intersections between late-stage capitalism, racial politics and the unintended consequences of technology."--The San Francisco Chronicle
"One of the most compelling novels I have read recently, this is a biting and clear-eyed social commentary set in New York during the Obama presidency. This profound novel incisively explores political and social divides in contemporary America."--BookRiot
"Greenland takes a Dickensian delight in letting the plot sprawl with parallels, digressions, false leads, and twists. . . An entertaining tale rich in schadenfreude as bad things happen to a hapless billionaire."--Kirkus (Starred Review)
"The Hazards of Good Fortune is a wild and funny page-turner of a novel that grabs you and doesn't let go. I still have bruises." --Larry David
"Shining City is simply pedal-to-the-medal fun--sassy and knowing and irreverent. If you have room for one entertainment this summer, let Shining City be it." --The Washington Post
"The Bones is a laugh-out-loud satire and page turner with a big-bang ending. A remarkable debut." --Los Angeles Times
"The Angry Buddhist proves affecting and funny." --The New York Times
"The Angry Buddhist is wild entertainment, as well as a novel about the way we live now that dares to dance with the profound. This idea--that messy and inept human striving is the best producer of plot--recalls the universes of Elmore Leonard, Quentin Tarantino, and the Coen brothers." --Los Angeles Times
"I Regret Everything is an intoxicating and ultimately moving modern romance. Greenland's a skilled satirist who can't help but pepper the book with wit." --Los Angeles Review of Books
"I Regret Everything is so witty and yet so affecting."--Nancy Pearl, NPR
