Bonfire of the Vanities (spoilers possible)

[susiebw]

Anyone read it and care to discuss?

I just finished this audiobook, and it's one of those where I'm left wondering where has this book been all my life?  I absolutely loved it. The narrator for the audiobook was phenomenal, which I think definitely helped with how into it I was.  The writing was so rich, and the scenery and characters so well-developed.  I loved Wolfe's use of different phrasing, like how McCoy's father was the "lion of Dunning Spongett," and that phrase would keep coming back like a hook.  The narrator had exactly the right timing and tone in every scene to really make the book shine.  There were some misogynistic undertones throughout that were definitely gratuitous and I could've done without, for sure, but I also think those attitudes helped develop the characters.  None of the characters are truly likeable, but they're all interesting. Also, I thought the ending felt a bit abrupt, with the epilogue narrative just sort of tying up the lose ends, but I'm not sure what I would've preferred.

I'm reserving the movie from the library to hopefully watch this weekend for comparison, but I'm struggling to picture Tom Hanks playing smarmy as Sherman McCoy.

I'd love to hear other people's takes.