The Privileges: A Novel Audiobook

" This novel is ultimately about money and modern capitalism, and what money can afford you, and what it can insulate you from (for good or bad). All of Dee's work I find easy to digest, enjoyable to read. He used close 3rd person to jump between characters, and his first chapter, where he takes an omniscient view, was an excellent example of how that can be done to great effect. "

" I liked this book. Characters were really into themselves and couldn't didn't seem to need anyone else. Liked the last part when she reconnected to her dying father.....always want daddy's love even with no contact most of her life. Good character study of people who always want more and feel they are privileged in every way. Jonus tried to fight of this, but succumbed to it in the end. I think he was the one person who did relate to the world differently than the rest of the family. "

" This book was strange in that it covered a great amount of time, but felt like it rushed the reader through the story. And because it looked at the individual stories of so many of the characters, it felt chopped up at times. The author is obviously very smart, and I like how he wove other subjects into the story (the whole outsider art scene, etc.), but by the time I finished it, I couldn't really remember what book I had started reading in the first place. "

" I loved this book until I got to the end. What? The book just stops without a resolution to the issues going on at the time. I was deeply disappointed. If this is a set up to a sequel, OK, but in the meantime I'm frustrated by the fact I'm left hanging on the edge of a cliff. "

" Meh. I wanted it to be more like Bonfire of the Vanities. I didn't really like any of the characters, but I could not stop reading. I would definitely read something else by this author, but would not necessarily recommend this book. "

" Couldn't put it down. But not sure why. Didn't really like any of the characters, but found it compelling. Dee writes beautifully. Makes the seemingly mundane gripping. "

" Couldn't even finish it. Boring story. "

" Why do good things happen to bad people? Jonathan Dee brings unique insight to this under-explored topic. "

" Quick read; fairly entertaining---but I didn't like any of the characters. I can't remember reading a book where none of the character were likable. "

" I found it to be very true to life, the writing style helping to that effect. It was hard to put down! The subject was a little, "eh", and I didn't feel I learned a whole lot, or that my perspective had changed, but it was a compelling read. "

" This turned up on a couple best of 2010 lists. It is the story of a couple who seem to have no ethics and don't seem to pay for their bad behavior. A morality tale of the 2000's. I can't really recommend it. "

" Nicely written, but totally unsympathetic characters and a flop ending left me uninspired. "

" I'm still processing what I thought about this - most of the book was very readable and enjoyable, even if the characters are pretty despicable. The ending was a little disappointing - I never like endings that don't provide me with at least a little resolution. "

" Likely to be the best novel I read all year, and certain to be on everyone's list of best books of 2010. Smooth prose and an engrossing story about what we used to call "yuppies" in another decade. Google for the New York Times and Washington Post reviews. "

" I know we picked this book, but dang was it boring. Next. "

" No great shakes but it was okay and it held my interest. Wasn't thrilled with the ending but I like everything all wrapped up at the end. "

" A bit cliche but definitely interesting. I was waiting for the climax, a moment where everything falls apart for this family, but I never found one. Oh well. "

" Not worth the 2 stars... "

" Great writing, quick read, ultimately unsatisfying because I hated the two main characters. "

" Meh. Benign Bret Easton Ellis. Tempting to read the story and characters as deep, but ultimately it's a pretty shallow portrait of pretty and shallow people. Is everyone crazy about it? I hear people are crazy about it. "

" I really liked this until the final fifty pages or so. The ending left me feeling that the author was trying to say something deep - otherwise the ending is just a bit odd - but I couldn't have told you what. "

" Wow! Just when I started to feel any empathy for the characters they would do something or say something to remind me how shallow they really are. This novel is extremely provocative because it forces you to look at yourself and how you value/envy wealth. "

" Well written book, mildly thought provoking about the inter-generational burdens of extreme wealth "

" It was ok, it was about a very rich couple and how they spent their time and money and what happened to their kids in the rich lifestyle they lived. "

" This was quite good. Even on its own, the opening chapter would make a great short story. Like the work of Jonathan Franzen, this book's success lies in its seemingly-effortless prose, and in the author's willingness to give his characters deep failings and yet still show compassion for them. "

" Good book but the end was just confusing. "