Jay McInerney's latest work of fiction is the third in his "Brightness" trilogy that started with 1992's "Brightness Falls."
His second offering of the trilogy, "The Good Life" (2006) was an achingly beautiful work of fiction, set primarily in lower Manhattan in the immediate aftermath of 9/11.
While I believed "Good Life" was a spectacular literary achievement (and probably the best work of fiction that framed the zeitgeist of New York in those months and few years after the attack), I was troubled by the flat, ambiguous ending, that had the charity-minded lovers Luke and Corrinne going back to their lives instead of remaining together as romantics united by their devotion to doing good during the turbulent -- what was the point of their affair, it if was just a temporary dalliance?
The third book in the series, "Bright, Precious Days" picks up years later, a story that leads up to the great financial crash of 2007 (and secondarily, the election of Barack Obama). BPD differs in structure from "Good Life" in the sense that the Big Event occurs at the end of the former, rather than at the beginning of the latter. While I find McInerney's plots generally a slow burn (I've read every one of his novels), I'm always dazzled by his narrative. As a stylist, the way he puts together a sentence is exquisitely beautiful. It has been said that McInerney viewed himself in the early days of his career as a Fitzgerald, I look at him as more of an Updike of modern-day Manhattan. His powers of observation are among the very best of fiction writers, and it is a joy to read his wordplay, his exceptional way of nailing a character type in three sentences, and the sparkling wit of his dialogue.
It's no secret that McInerney is no indifferent bystander chronicling the Zeitgeist. He obviously lives the life of Russell (although Russell is the head of a boutique publishing house, not a novelist), and admires the life of the Wall Streeters he invents, such as Luke McGivock, Corinne's lover. Occasionally, the narrative annoys the reader with its show-offy cataloguing of obscure wines ordered by obscenely wealthy Goldman guys at a private club (about 6 pages), their Upper West Side worldviews that have severe contempt for anyone outside their bubble (especially those from Tennessee like the writer Jack, or anyone in "a rusted out 700-series Volvo with faded GIVE PEACE A CHANCE bumper stickers").
That's a small complaint, though. The high-wire acrobatics of McInerney's prose is awe-inspiring, and he is likely the great stylist of his generation of writers. The book was worth a second reading to truly appreciate the philosophical musings of the author. BPD is, at its core, the story of four couples whose lives are intertwined. Virtually every character has cheated or will be cheating on his/her married partner -- McInerney asks us to contemplate: what does it mean? Much of the story is from 50-year-old Corinne's perspective, who is thrilled by the secret relationship she has with Luke, while knowing she's flirting with disaster on the domestic front.
The story has a melancholy soft landing that is evocative, philosophical and life-affirming. It is a fitting conclusion to a trilogy that literally spans three decades in its narrative arc. This is a compelling summer read, and the latest news is that AMAZON STUDIOS will be turning the trilogy into a mini-series. Here's how they describe it: "An unforgettable New York story of glamour, sex, ambition, and heartbreak begins in the heady days before the financial crash. Russell and Corrine Calloway seem to be living the dream. But beneath the glossy surfaces, things are simmering — and the Calloways find themselves tested more severely than they ever could have imagined."
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Bright, Precious Days is a novel that is quite spectacular on locale. From the residential lofts of TriBeCa, the hard-to-get-into restaurants across the city, the charity galas of the Upper East Side, life on the Upper West Side, and on to the newly gentrified brownstones of Harlem, New York from 2006 to 2008 (the year in which Lehman Brothers collapsed and Obama was first elected President) really comes to life. Add in summers with the beautiful people in the Hamptons, and the picture is complete. You really feel immersed in the city and its environs as you read the book.Sadly, though, a great setting for a somewhat less than perfect story. I don’t know why, but it felt perfectly harmless, quite entertaining, but not enthralling. The characters seem at times to be almost caricatures of themselves (as if McInerney were not taking them seriously). It is close on being a parody – but I am not sure it is intended to be. Bright, Precious Days is McInerney’s third book featuring Russell and Corrine Calloway – and the first I have read. The others are Brightness Falls (when they are in their late 20s) and The Good Life (in their 40s). I doubt, sadly, I will rush to catch up. Not that they’re likely to be bad books, but life is too short. There are other titles queuing up that I would probably rather read.Russell and Corrine, and their friends and acquaintances (the top 1% of New Yorkers), inhabit a world of upper class marital infidelity fuelled by alcohol, money, and drugs – with the odd hooker, who becomes second wife, thrown in. Corrine (now in her 50s) has a steamy affair which involves sneaking off for weekends away – leaving her husband and teenage children behind. Russell (his business is that of an editor and publisher in a small company he part owns), gets ripped off by an author, and struggles to keep afloat and up with the high flying financiers he knows. The wife of Russell’s best friend works for Lehmans (and loses her job), and the whole city – or at least the part of it with which we are familiar – rejoices when Obama wins. They were momentous times, but the story lines are not so memorable.Honestly, a very difficult book to know whether to endorse or not. I would guess probably ‘yes’ for the descriptions of the city – among the best and most evocative I have read. And probably ‘no’ if you are looking for a good standalone read – although it will certainly appeal to some. As I said, perfectly harmless… but no more.
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3rd installment in a 30-year trilogy: McInerney's soaring story of glamour, sex, ambition, heartbreak before the Crash of 07
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 6, 2017Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 5, 2016
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Captain Pike
A Welcome Return
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Dreadful Italics. Thanks, Knopf
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I was looking for so much more, from the ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on April 9, 2018philippa ozarow
A disappointment
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on November 29, 2018
