Bonfire of the Vanities



We return to New York City to hang out with the vilest, greediest, most self-absorbed people I have ever read about: liars, cheats, frauds, adulterers, bullies and a guest appearance by the mayor.  Almost everyone has more than they need but they all want something more.

Written in 1987, Bonfire of the Vanities is a contemporary novel that brought me a sense of déjà vu and nostalgia but not in a good way.  The setting is built on issues of greed, questionable Wall Street deals, racism, petty injustice, tabloid journalism, bureaucratic cynicism and the wholesale marketing of paranoia.  In other words, it could be “ripped from today’s headlines.” 

Sherman McCoy, the Wall Street millionaire and his mistress set everything in motion by getting lost in Brooklyn and running over a teenager who may or may not have been trying to rob them.  Suddenly, everyone in the city is after them for their own reasons.  The cops need to close the case, the Assistant District Attorney wants to move up the ladder and impress a girl, his boss needs to be reelected, the reporter wants the big story (and not to get fired), the preacher wants the community on his side…well, you get it.  Everyone has their own agenda.  Even the minor characters all want something.  It’s so disgusting, it’s laughable.  But it’s pitiful too. 

In the end, almost no one gets what they want and very few get what they deserve.  Life just keeps going on leaving shattered lives and dreams in its wake.

The title refers to a ceremony from 1400’s Italy.  The Fallo della Vanita was practice of burning items of sin or vanity such as mirrors, perfume, fancy clothing, books and artwork.

Wolfe’s writing style takes some getting used to but even with a huge cast of characters, he clearly expresses what’s going on with every individual involved.  Even with their over-the-top actions (almost everyone seems out of control) each character is believable and realistic.  When I started, I thought I had not read anything by Wolfe but at some point, I remembered he wrote The Right Stuff which I enjoyed many years ago.  The two books could not be more different.

I felt kind of guilty the whole time I was reading Bonfire of the Vanities.  It was like reading a trashy novel but it’s a great novel about trashy people.  Either way, it’s a lot of fun.  (Note - I have never seen the movie based on this novel but I've not heard anything good about it.)

Bonfire of the Vanities is a great book.  I recommend you take it for your summer vacation reading.

Next week:  Sandra reads "Darkness at Noon" by Arthur Koestler