A novel about a wealthy family that is confident in its good intentions—until the discovery that their patriarch has secretly given all their money to charity ruins their lives.
Brooks, who aims for depth in what often feels like a shallow pond, is so determined to salvage this family that he unfortunately resorts to several schmaltzy scenes. And, aside from gentle ribbing, he all but canonizes Arthur.
The pleasures of this novel’s writing, characters, and plot are fully equal to its good intentions ... Brooks makes each of these flawed characters endearing by showing not just their pettiness and limitations but what is in their hearts.
The author’s fluid prose goes down easy...but the novel fails to generate a meaningful critique of wealth and its corrosive effect on the characters. Brooks reaches for satire but remains mired in the excess of privilege.
