The Hazards of Good Fortune [Paperback]

Seth Greenlands witty, clear-eyed new novel is a story of interconnecting lives, in which generations, races, and religions converge and conflict.

Jay Gladstone was born to privilege. He is a civic leader and a generous philanthropist, as well as the owner of an NBA team. But in todays New York, even a wealthy mans life can spin out of control, no matter the money or influence he possesses.

Jay sees himself as a moral man, determined not to repeat his fathers mistakes. He would rather focus on his unstable second marriage and his daughter Aviva than worry about questions of race or privilege. However, he moves through a sensitive and aware world: that of Dag Maxwell, the black star forward, and white Officer Russell Plesko, who makes a decision that has resonating consequencesparticularly for DA Christine Lupo, whose hopes for a future in politics will rest on an explosive prosecution.

Set during Barack Obamas presidency, this artful novel illuminates contemporary America and does not shy away from our scalding social divide: why is conversation about race so fraught, to what degree is the justice system impartial, and does great wealth inoculate those who have it? At times shocking, but always recognizable, this captivating tale explores the aftermath of unforgivable errors and the unpredictability of the court of public opinion. With a brilliant eye for character, Greenland creates a story that mixes biting humor with uncomfortable truth.

Praise forThe Hazards of Good Fortune

... this is a book full of marvelous surprises that seem inevitable as soon as they happen.Daniel Akst,The Wall Street Journal

Greenlands main strength, beyond superb characterization, is his ability to weave different narrative threads together in order to maintain maximum tension and forward momentum. His plotting is masterful.& Greenland leaves no stone unturned in exploring his themes of racism, the privileges of race, and the intricacies andlC$