Seven novels exploring the misdeeds of affluent individuals
If you find yourself captivated by stories of the rich and their questionable actions, you're not alone. With a seemingly insatiable appetite, society continues to flock towards tales exploring the extravagant lifestyles of the wealthy – often relishing in their misdeeds.
Authors alike feverishly delve into this theme, as evidenced in Lizzy Barber's psychological thriller, 'Out of her Depth.' The novel revolves around Rachel, a modest girl hailing from a London suburb, who lands a summer job in Florence, subsequently joining the inner circle of a group of privileged British young adults, whose behavior bruises emotions as recklessly as they handle their substantial wealth.
The allure of their lives is not just in the possessions they own or the destinations they visit; rather, it is the illusion of 'having it all' that captivates us. A novel portraying characters acting in an altruistic and morally upright manner may not hold the same allure, however – a lack of transgressions leaves little room for intrigue. Instead, we find ourselves drawn to their misdeeds, reassuring ourselves that, despite their wealth, they remain devoid of manners.
For a taste of this immoral condemnation, several novels offer a tantalizing voyage:
- The Talented Mr. Ripley, by Patricia Highsmith – Undeniably a major influence for 'Out of Her Depth,' Highsmith's novel tells the story of Tom Ripley, a fish-out-of-water character entangled in the world of the capricious Dickie Greenleaf and his girlfriend, Marge. Ripley's longing for their lifestyle eventually leads him down a dark path. However, Highsmith's use of a protagonist straddling both worlds allows her to critique their actions from a unique perspective.
- The Club, by Ellery Lloyd – As the husband-and-wife writing team of Collette Lyons and Paul Vlitos delve into the dark underbelly of lifestyle influencers in their debut novel, 'People Like Her,' their follow-up, 'The Club,' examines another facet of modern glamour: private member's clubs. Lyons, who draws on her own experiences working for Soho House, creates a multi-narrative plot populated with horrid individuals who are flush with cash but devoid of sense.
- The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald – Fitzgerald's Jazz Age tale pulses with glamour, yet scratches beneath the surface to uncover the emptiness that ultimately lies at its core. With Nick Carraway serving as the voyeur, the novel explores the notion that "money can't buy happiness."
- The Divines, by Ellie Eaton – A boarding school tale with a deeply adult perspective, 'The Divines' offers an exploration of the toxicity of female friendships and the consequences of adolescent choices that linger into adulthood.
- Our House, by Louise Candlish – While the subjects in this 'property porn' thriller may not possess the same extreme wealth as others on this list, their story presents a moralistic tale of the hold that wealth – in this case, high-value real estate – can exert, and the lengths to which some will go to maintain it.
- The Wife Between Us, by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen – This modern-day, reverse 'Rebecca' tells the story of Vanessa, the jilted ex-wife of a successful hedge fund manager, Richard. As she observes history repeating itself with his new partner, the narrative provides a carefully crafted, twisty thriller that showcases Richard as an embodiment of the 'all that glitters' trope.
- The Secret History, by Donna Tartt – In this novel, the characters' privilege is not just financial, but intellectual as well. Tartt's protagonist, Richard Papen, finds himself drawn into the eccentric, frivolous activities of his elite New England college classmates, ultimately leading him down a destructive path.
For those who find satisfaction in witnessing the moral takedown of the wealthy, these novels promise to scratch the itch.
- Those who enjoy psychological thrillers exploring the lifestyles of the wealthy might find solace in reading 'The Wife Between Us' by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, a modern-day, reverse 'Rebecca' that offers a twisty thriller, showcasing a successful hedge fund manager as an embodiment of the 'all that glitters' trope.
- For fashion and beauty enthusiasts seeking a moralistic tale within the world of lifestyle influencers, 'The Club' by Ellery Lloyd, a follow-up to 'People Like Her,' delves into this aspect, painting a horrifying picture of individuals who are flush with cash but devoid of sense.
