In my quest to read two books a month for 2015, I agreed to read and "chatterbox" about Stephanie Clifford's book Everybody Rise. Knowing that it wasn't necessarily going to be my kind of book, I went into 2015 knowing full well that not everything I read would become a fast favorite. It's par for the course, right? Either way, I also went into the new year acknowledging that new reading material would expose me to new authors, new writing styles, and (hopefully) new vocabulary. Reading books, whether given to me for reviews or chosen off of my Amazon wishlist, would be good for me and enrich my life in a way that only books can. :)
With that being said…
Everybody Rise is the story of Evelyn Beegan's rise to the top of the social ladder. A new hire in NYC, she works for People Like Us and her job is to recruit as many of the elite class as she can. Along with a new wardrobe, she has to put on a facade to prove that she belongs – this means weekend trips to the Hamptons and many, many social events. While Evelyn finds herself more and more engrossed in this new lifestyle, her home life is crumbling. Her father is being investigated by the grand jury for stolen money. If he gets indicted, what will her friend's think? Will she still manage to be successful?
Stephanie Clifford provides a book
description for Everybody Rise.
I have to say that at first I was very turned off by Evelyn's lifestyle. Even the author seemed a little to posh for me to be reading. While I do love the idea of buying a beautiful dress for new social events every night of the week, I didn't like that Evelyn was pretending to be someone she clearly was not. Purchasing perfume so that you have a particular scent associated with you? Come on!
It became obvious as I continued reading that Evelyn had clearly learned many of her (bad) habits from her mother. For example, Evelyn and her mother convinced Evelyn's father that Evelyn needed money for rent so that she could move to a safer part of town when really she just wanted new clothes for a social event! Who does that? What 20-something goes out into the world, does all of the social events, and then comes home to ask daddy for money? Clearly Stephanie Clifford comes from a very different social class than myself…
All in all, by the end of the book, despite any outrage and anger caused by the book, I actually began to enjoy it. Without saying too much, I felt like Evelyn finally began to find her place in the world … and it wasn't necessarily where she thought it would be.
Stephanie Clifford reads from Everybody Rise.
While I'm not sure I would read any other books by Stephanie Clifford, Everybody Rise was definitely an interesting look at the American dream and what happens when a 20-something's dreams are fulfilled (imho – too soon). It is also a cautionary tale to remind us to carefully consider who our friends are.
So should you read it? Do I recommend it?
Yes and no. I don't agree that it is a must, but if you can get into it, go for it.
Let me put it this way: If you have the choice between buying it, borrowing it, or not reading it at all, I would put it in the borrow category. It's an ok read if you are bored or attempting a challenge (like me), but I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase and read it.
What are your thoughts? Have you read Everybody Rise yet? Is it on your must-read list? I'd love to hear what you think!
Buy Everybody Rise here.
* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.
