Human Capital: A Novel [Paperback]

Stephen Amidon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 22, 2005

It's the spring of 2001. Drew Hagel has spent the last decade watching things slip away--his marriage, his real estate brokerage, and his beloved daughter, Shannon, now a distant and mysterious high school senior. But as summer approaches Drew forms an unexpected friendship with Quint Manning, the manager of a secretive hedge fund. Drew sees the friendship leading to vast, frictionless wealth, but Drew doesn't know that Manning has problems of his own: his Midas touch is abandoning him, his restless wife has grown disillusioned, and his hard-drinking son is careening out of control. As the fortunes of the two families become perilously interwoven, a terrible accident involving the men's children gives Drew the leverage he needs to stay in the game.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Tensions, lies and hypocrisy lurk beneath the cool exteriors of Totten Crossing, Conn., in this fine new novel of suburbia from Amidon (The New City; Subdivision). In an effort to keep up with the Joneses, fading real estate broker Drew Hagel sinks all his money into a hedge fund that goes bust. Meanwhile, his second wife, psychologist Ronnie, is pregnant with twins, and his teenage daughter, Shannon, is experiencing first love with Ian, one of Ronnie's young patients, whose mother died of cancer when he was 14, leaving him a large sum of insurance money that he will inherit when he turns 18. Ian's uncle, David, a decent man with few prospects, plans on using the inheritance to fulfill his dream of owning a bar in North Carolina. Finally, Carrie Manning has grown restless and uncomfortable with her broker husband's wealth and embarks on a brief affair. All these lives collide on one fateful night when Ian accidentally strikes and kills a bicyclist while driving home from an end-of-year high school party; the vehicle belongs to Jamie, Carrie's hard-drinking teenage son. It all sounds a bit like Peyton Place, but Amidon's intentions are far more serious. Writing with a sociologist's insight, he crafts a sharp page-turner mined with moments of dark satire. Amidon's previous novels had moments of profundity, but this exceptional novel delves deeper and more passionately into the fractured lives of people whose lives revolve around money. Its impact lingers long after the final credits roll.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Bookmarks Magazine

Human Capital is a novel whose large scope belies its small setting. Several critics praised Amidon (The New City and Subdivision) for moving beyond the well-trodden paths of suburban angst, creating instead unique characters whose troubles connect them to the wider world. Though the plot may get frothy at times, most reviewers felt that Amidon balanced its twists with keen observations that gave the novel social import. One critic found the novel shallow, but hers is a dissenting voice. Consensus pronounces Human Capital if not a classic, at least a very good read.

Copyright © 2004 Phillips & Nelson Media, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Picador; First PaperbackPrinting edition (September 22, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312424248
• ISBN-13: 978-0312424244
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #149,959 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Stephen Amidon was born in Chicago. He is the author of Subdivision, a book of short stories, and six novels, including The New City and Human Capital, which Jonathan Yardley of the Washington Post chose as one of the five best novels of 2004. His books have been published in sixteen countries, and he is a regular contributor of essays and criticism to newspapers and magazines in the United States, Canada, and Great Britain. He lived and worked in London for twelve years before returning to the United States in 1999. The Sublime Engine: A Biography of the Human Heart, which he co-authored with his brother Tom, was released in 2011 and selected by the Wall Street Journal as one of the five best health and medicine titles of the year. Amidon's next book, Something Like The Gods, will be released on June 5th, 2012. For more information, visit stephenamidon.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An insightful, beautifuly written novel., October 6, 2004

By 

E. Thomas "Emily" (Penn.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Human Capital: A Novel (Hardcover)

I happened upon Human Capital and the first thing I was intrigued by was it's colorful, sensual cover. Believe me, this book does not dissapoint. Amidon's prose is direct and yet very artistic, able to convey a range of human emotions. Not only does this book provide the reader with an amazing story and several beautifully written character studies, but it is also real food for thought, an amazing commentary on our society.
I highly recommend this book, especially for more intelligent readers.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fell in love with the characters..., December 9, 2004

By 

Keira S. (MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Human Capital: A Novel (Hardcover)

Absolutely loved all of the characters in this book. I became so involved with them! I was laughing, crying and everything else, right along with them. I couldn't even say who my favorite character was, but each one was so complex and human.
The story and writing were very good as well, but the main thing that really stuck out to me about this book is how vivid Stephen Amidon's characters are.
I am looking forward to more from him.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining, heartbreaking and thought-provoking, December 8, 2004

By 

DonO (Bethany Beach, DE) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Human Capital: A Novel (Hardcover)

Talk about a book you cannot put down!
Part social comment, part mystery and flawlessly written,
it is a novel you will not soon forget.
I never heard of Stephen Amidon before, but I am going to check out his previous novels.
The characters are all too believable, and you really cannot anticipate the ending.
This is one of those rare books you can't put down, but sorry when it has to end.