Mount Pleasant
Published on 25. February 2014
Book
Paperback/Softback
978-0-307-36073-1 (ISBN)
Description
In Don Gillmor's comedic new novel about a troubled marriage in our monetarily troubled times, the financial delusions of the middle class run smack into the orchestrators of our financial collapse.
In middle age, debt has become the most significant relationship in Harry Salter's life. He was born to wealthy parents in leafy and privileged Rosedale, at a time when the city was still defined by its WASP elite. But nothing in life has turned out the way Harry was led to expect. He's unsure of his place in society, his marriage is crumbling, his son is bordering on estranged, and on top of it all his father is dying.
As he sits at his father's bedside, Harry inevitably daydreams about his inheritance. A couple of his father's millions would rescue him from his ballooning debt--maybe even save his marriage. But when the will is read, all that's left for Harry is $4200. Dale Salter's money is gone. Out of desperation and disbelief, Harry starts to dig into what happened to the money. As he follows a trail strewn with family secrets and unsavory suspicions, he discovers not only that old money has lost its grip and new money taken on an ugly hue, but that his whole existence has been cast into shadow by the weight of his expectations.
In middle age, debt has become the most significant relationship in Harry Salter's life. He was born to wealthy parents in leafy and privileged Rosedale, at a time when the city was still defined by its WASP elite. But nothing in life has turned out the way Harry was led to expect. He's unsure of his place in society, his marriage is crumbling, his son is bordering on estranged, and on top of it all his father is dying.
As he sits at his father's bedside, Harry inevitably daydreams about his inheritance. A couple of his father's millions would rescue him from his ballooning debt--maybe even save his marriage. But when the will is read, all that's left for Harry is $4200. Dale Salter's money is gone. Out of desperation and disbelief, Harry starts to dig into what happened to the money. As he follows a trail strewn with family secrets and unsavory suspicions, he discovers not only that old money has lost its grip and new money taken on an ugly hue, but that his whole existence has been cast into shadow by the weight of his expectations.
More details
Person
DON GILLMOR is the author of the bestselling, award-winning 2-volume history of Canada, Canada: A People's History, and 2 other books of non-fiction, The Desire of Every Living Thing, a Globe and Mail Best Book, and I Swear by Apollo. His debut novel, Kanata, was published in 2010 to critical acclaim. He has also written 9 books for children, - of which were nominated for Governor General's Awards. He is one of Canada's most accomplished journalists, and has been a senior editor at The Walrus magazine and a contributing editor at both Saturday Night and Toronto Life. He has won 10 National Magazine Awards. He lives in Toronto with his wife and 2 children.