Customer Reviews

Wall and Mean: A Novel

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Bernard's intimate knowledge of wall street provides a realistic framework for this fast paced thriller. The story is engaging and enjoyable, so much so, that I read the book in one sitting.

George Wilhelm lives in a rarified world where his intellect is celebrated, the newest young phenomenon on the Emerging Markets desk at City Trust Bank in New York, one of a select few. George's singular vice is gambling, but then he has always had the touch... until he doesn't. Then Wall Street meets the mean streets and Wilhelm learns the hard way that bookies don't wait for payday to collect their money. Reeling from a wakeup call delivered by two thugs who have purchased his contract, George is introduced to the sudden brutality of the criminal underbelly that lurks below the surface of big money; and thugs they are, two lowlifes whose massive biceps belie any patience or tolerance when their money is at stake.

While struggling to pay the weekly vig, George comes up with an elaborate scheme to raise the sum he needs to get out from under the threat of bodily harm, taking on a partner to accomplish the sophisticated plan that is inspired by the intricacies of trading in which he excels. One step ahead of the violence that awaits his failure, George juggles work, romance and an increasing panic, mixing with men of questionable repute from Miami to the Bahamas, desperate to escape his compromising circumstances and go back to a normal life. Although George's plan will make more sense to anyone familiar with the vagaries of stocks and hedge funds, clearly the risk is significant, both personally, in his career and potentially, his life.

A former stock broker, the author molds his tale around a young man's hubris and his unfortunate susceptibility to the vice of gambling. George skates to the limit and back over one harrowing long weekend, learning quickly the duplicity of greed. Although the author attempts a bit of American Psycho gallows humor at the end, the whole is uneven, the brutality of George's choices an uncomfortable match with his levity. One is never sure if Wilhelm is a genius or a fool; he is, however, unlikable, as are the rest of the characters, either too self-centered or stereotypical to leave a lasting impression. (A caveat: you can't ignore Bernard's generosity; proceeds from the sale of Wall and Mean go to Autism Speaks and Safe Minds.) Luan Gaines/2007.

Wall and Mean is a first-rate thriller, a fascinating ride through high finance to the lowest depths of the New York underworld. The protaganist George Wilhelm is a classically tragic figure, brought high and low by the same trait: addiction to risk. As Wilhelm falls deeper and deeper into troubles of his own making, the reader is nevertheless drawn to him, almost complicit in the decisions he makes. It's a trip you don't want to miss. Tom Bernard's Wall and Mean is a rare treat: a true page turner.

Tom Bernard does a great job with this novel, especially considering it is his first.

Like the Nici bond scheme, so central to the plot, there is little redeeming value to "Wall and Mean." The book suffers from a number literary flaws such as cartoonish characters, desultory dialog, and plodding plot. The twists and turns the author, Tom Bernard, presents are at best illogical, and at worst (to turn a title) just 'woeful and mean'.
What is successful in this book are the scenes involving stale trading floor antics, overstated trader debaucheries, and recycled Wall Street anecdotes. It is always fun to recall Wall Street excesses brought to literary light in "Liars Poker" and the rest of the Street tell-alls. Read those books instead.
This book breaks no new ground and if not for its one redeeming value, I would have demanded a refund. The author's proceeds are given to autism research, which is quite a worthy cause. But I cannot recommend the book for that reason alone, rather you should donate the entire cost of the book to autism research and cut out the middle-man.