TheIndianBookworm

In the tumultuous political landscape of 2016, marked by seismic shifts and rising tensions, the world witnessed an era of unprecedented change and uncertainty. The year not only brought forth a polarizing election in the United States but also highlighted deep-seated societal and economic divides which we are still seeing today in the year that is 2024. This backdrop of political chaos and shifting power dynamics serves as the perfect setting for Harrison Lefferts’ debut novel, Ways and Means. Through a gripping narrative and complex characters, Lefferts captures the essence of a time that has left an indelible mark on the present.

Ways and Means introduces readers to Alistair McCabe, a young, ambitious finance student who moves to New York with dreams of escaping his Rust Belt poverty and providing a better life for his mother. Intelligent, handsome, and gay, Alistair’s initial optimism soon gives way to despair as he struggles to secure his dream job and becomes mired in student debt. Desperation leads him to work for a mysterious billionaire, whose dark ambitions force Alistair into a dangerous game of survival.

The novel skillfully explores the fine line between ambition and greed, set against the backdrop of the spring of 2016. Alistair’s journey is both a thrilling and cautionary tale, as he navigates the treacherous waters of high finance and uncovers his employer’s sinister secrets. His life becomes increasingly perilous, and he is ultimately forced to flee for his safety.

Parallel to Alistair’s story are the lives of his paramours, Mark and Elijah. Mark, an individual nearing the end of his trust fund, takes a job within his father’s mobile-home empire, confronting the unsavory foundations of his family’s wealth. Elijah, a failed painter, becomes entwined with an artist-provocateur whose latest project transforms the nation’s political chaos into a seductive yet amoral spectacle. Together, Alistair, Mark, and Elijah must navigate their moral and financial dilemmas, banding together as the nation teeters on the edge of collapse.

Lefferts’ writing is both propulsive and exuberant, providing a clear-eyed examination of class, ambition, sex, art, politics, and power in contemporary America. The novel’s rich, multidimensional characters and intricate plotlines offer readers a profound investigation into the societal and economic shifts that have shaped the modern era.

Ways and Means is more than just a political thriller; it is a vivid portrayal of the complex interplay between individual ambition and broader societal forces. Lefferts’ debut is a must-read for those seeking a thought-provoking and entertaining exploration of the world we live in today. As the characters grapple with their personal and collective struggles, readers are left to ponder the lasting impact of the tumultuous events of 2016 and the ongoing quest for power and identity in a rapidly changing world.