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The voice of experience says that Wall Street fiction is better than the real life version, and the truth is, some of the very best when they give it a rest become writers-just ask Michael Lewis. Top Producer is the first novel by Norb Vonnegut and it has set a precedent that we hope all his books follow-it is an absolute must-read, but then again, we would expect nothing less from an Exeter grad who also has two degrees from that school in Cambridge too...
As you all know Peachy went to college not too far from Harvard in Chestnut Hill and now she's trying to find all those, and not only the Eagles, that pursue the maxim "Ever to Excel." Especially the authors who write about her past life! You too will find it absolutely hilarious what happens at the New England Aquarium in this book (she and a friend did their Chemistry in Society class project on the water there and at the Fleet Center), but perhaps it's not so funny. Who would do such a thing?
You'll meet Grover (family name!), the protagonist who is not the furry, lovable blue fellow that most identify with that name-he is cooler and goes by "Grove," possibly a nod to all the other preppies out there with sharp nicknames (be sure to read our review of another book by the same author of The Preppy Handbook). You'll find out what Goldfish Fury is among other unique terms in this storyline that gives meaning to the definition of substantial and shows lesser novelists how a plot is executed. Tight, snappy and too the point just like million round lot bond trades, Top Producer also exhibits precise wording that is crisp, cool and sharp. And we love it. You can buy it over the counter too.
Learning the axioms of Wall Street according to Grove is part of the learning curve here if you already know them-Grove is what we would call a retail broker-as opposed to an institutional broker. Brokers sell to institutions or people and firms have all kinds of names for the retail parts but they all do the same thing-and that is manage money of course. For anyone that thinks Peachy is short with them, read page 25:
"Brevity was a time-honored tradition on Wall Street. A one-name greeting spoke volumes. It said in effect, I'm really fucking busy. So quit screwing around and get to the point. Time is money, and I'm not here for my health or your small talk. Now, what do you have?"
That should answer some questions!
You'll also learn why the emphasis is on the latter syllables in the word oxymoronic when considering the term "Securities Industry." You'll learn the history of the Ponzi scheme. We're glad to say he's not a surface-level author; Vonnegut probes beneath and highlights relevant details giving the reader the real deal story. Once you are up to speed, you'll sail through this winner which Peachy read all at once, cover to cover. We doubt you'll be able to put it down.
Norb Vonnegut has got the writing part down as well with phrases like "smiled her dental blizzard" (we'll have to tell Garo), "Estrogen Alley," and he shows he is quite the comedian as well with sentences like: "The cabbie from Where-the-Fuckistan ran a red light at the corner of Fifth and Fifty-second...His multicultural disregard for New York's traffic laws provoked angry honks." Perhaps cabbie from Where-the-Fuckistan ought to read Etiquette from Connecticut.
Norb also gets big points for caring about Grammar and making sure his fictional characters do too. "They could get away with lousy punctuation at Yale or Princeton, but not at Harvard. We separate our coordinate clauses with commas." We're sure Mr. McQuilkin would approve.
More than anything, we think we like Grove's intelligent application of the internet the best.
It's also nice to note that the author thanks you for reading the book in the introduction. We don't always see that. Contrary to popular belief, most people on Wall Street are good guys, and GOOD GIRLS, though there need to be more girls there.
Now we want to know-where are Sam's jewels? We think Lucy will tell us. We're sure Lucy was a strong contributor to this work and she should be in the movie version too.
Our esteemed panel says:
In these turbulent financial times, Wall Street seems to be on everybody's mind. It's constantly talked about on TV, in newspapers, and on the Internet. With all this talk of Wall Street, one begins to wonder what kind of drama and intrigue could be going on behind the scenes. Norb Vonnegut writes a fictional tale of just that. This thriller brings your right to the center of the financial world. It really gives true insight into the the world of stockbrokers and the stock market. Yet, at the same time it will keep you on the edge of your seat with tales of murder and deceit. Once you start reading this book, you will not be able to put it down! Vonnegut has a true talent for story telling that will have your heart pounding as you turn each page! This is one book you simply must read!
We love fiction and the best kind is that in which the lines are so blurred you could swear it was real! That is why we are thrilled and honored tell you all about Norb Vonnegut's debut novel, Top Producer. Vonnegut takes us into the dog eat dog world of Wall Street and its top players. Filled with vivid characters and post-worthy gossip, Vonnegut spins a tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Meet Grove O'Rouke, a top producer at a prominent investment bank and his best friend, Charlie Keleman. When Charlie, a top hedge fund manager is murdered, the world O'Rourke knows and loves is turned upside down. As O'Rourke tries to keep his head together and help Keleman's widow with looming question, what he discovers is frightening. Questions, lies and forged documents lead to more and more questions. As he tries to learn more about Keleman's death, he uncovers that his colleagues which he considered his best friends may not be what they appear. Is his career and beloved firm also in jeopardy? Is he the next man on the hit list? We can't give way all of Vonnegut's secrets but we can tell you this novel was so great, we are waiting for the movie!
With so many intrigued on the topic of Wall Street and the ins and out of the financial world, Author Norb Vonnegut gives us a insiders look in his novel “Top Producers.” As an insider himself having worked many years there, his fiction is also based on fact and experience. Character Grove O’Rourke leads the way at his investment firm and is living the life…that is the life of a Top Producer. Immersed in their jobs as you must have to be to stay on top, Grove’s best friend is murdered right before everyone's eyes. Grove learns that his friend has clearly made a deal with the darkside. This thriller keeps you blood flowing and your heart pounding as you learn of the deception, greed and secrets of the firm and its associates. Dive deep into the cutthroat world of finance and see what really takes to make it big.
I love to read. When I have the opportunity to read a "new to me" author, I am all about it. Top Producer is the first book I've read by Mr. Vonnegut. I am so glad I read this book. Based on Wall Street, this book has twists and turns you never see coming. I had a hard time putting this book down. I loved how there was a murder/mystery feel to this Wall Street setting. The main character's best friend ends up being murdered and the widow comes to him for help pulling out of the poverty she now lives in. I don't want to give any more away because I know once you pick this book up, you won't want to put it down. Because the background of the main character is Wall Street, I found myself becoming more interested in wanting to learn more.
Top Producer by Norb Vonnegut is Highly Recommended by Whom You Know.
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Grove O’Rourke is one such top producer at an elite investment firm. His job is his life. His colleagues are like family. One of them, Charlie, is legend—larger than life both in business and physique, loved by everyone. At least it seems that way, until his spectacular murder is carried out in front of hundreds of horrified party-goers…
Charlie was Grove’s best friend, and he’ll do anything to help his widow. But she appears to be hiding a dark secret… Soon, Grove stumbles upon a web of false statements and forged documents, and learns the truth about Charlie’s dealings—and those clients whose lives drastically changed the instant they signed a dishonest deal. And what he discovers is how money—vast sums of money—can bring out the best and worst in people. And sometimes even drive them to kill…
Norb Vonnegut didn’t realize how close he skirted to non-fiction when he was writing his spectacular debut TOP PRODUCER (Minotaur Books, Sept. 15 2009). Possessing a perfect resume for writing a thriller set in the realm of Wall Street’s heavy hitters, Vonnegut worked in private wealth management for Morgan Stanley and Paine Webber. Penned before tumultuous revelations and scandals rocked the financial world in late 2008, Vonnegut’s novel depicts with an insider’s solid knowledge of the tricks that the industry’s real top producers pull on each other in their frenzied pursuit of billions.
TOP PRODUCER takes readers into the world of Grove O’Rourke, a rising star at the brokerage firm of Sachs, Kidder, and Carnegie who has buried his recent personal losses in an adrenalinized pursuit of wealth for his clients. Grove is no stranger to rough patches, but now his life appears to be heading into a real tailspin. After he—along with several hundred other people—witnesses his close friend Charlie Keleman die in the most gruesome way imaginable, Grove sets out to help Charlie’s widow. And help is just what she needs; Charlie was a financial whiz and the genius behind a fantastic hedge fund, but the money he was managing seems to have vanished. And Alex Romanov, a friendly competitor on Wall Street (as if there could possibly be such a thing), has expressed a very keen interest in any information on Charlie’s assets that Grove can turn up—information that, as Grove starts to piece it together, makes him a much sought-after man in certain homicidal circles.
Fantastic energy, like millions of dollars changing hands every second, electrifies each page of TOP PRODUCER, and Vonnegut doesn’t stint on the insights into the peculiar psychology of the financial world’s elite.
TOP PRODUCER
By Norb Vonnegut
Minotaur Books
Hardcover
0-312-38461-0
September 15, 2009
$24.99
