Genre: Historical fiction
Series: Benjamin Weaver #1
Page Count: 442
Publication Year: 2000
Publisher: Random House
Summary: A Jew runs afoul of the 18th century English stock market.
I picked this book off my library’s reject table. The dust jacket is missing and I decided to take it based on the title and first chapter.
Six years later…
Guys. GUYS. This is my new favorite book. The characters. The world. The plot. The writing style. I need more. But I’m glad I waited so long to read it otherwise I probably would’ve been lost. Even now, the plot is a little hazy for me, but I still had monstrous fun and learned a thing or two about the stock market.
The book opens when our protagonist, Benjamin Weaver, receives a visit from a gentleman saying that both of their fathers were murdered and their deaths are connected. Estranged from his father but intrigued, Weaver agrees to uncover the murderers and winds up delving into the world of stock-jobbers, bankers, thieves, and murderers. It’s a mystery wrapped in bank notes, covered in blood and stolen from your parlor. But will the dangers prove too much for our intrepid man?
I do love me some mysteries. And if it’s in a historical setting, all the better. I’m really bad at solving mysteries but I think this one fooled me because so much of the book is Weaver questioning various people and getting frustrated at the lack of concrete progress that I also got confused on who knew what and how they’re all connected. One of the common rules in mysteries is that everyone you meet has to somehow be involved in the main plot, so I knew the answer lay at one of these people’s feet, I just didn’t know who. I feel like there are some unanswered questions and maybe a plot hole or two. A second reading would prove most beneficial.
The stock market plays a prominent role in this story. I knew next to nothing about stocks, bonds, issues and whatever else, but after hearing it explained to Weaver (who’s also ignorant of such matters) I felt informed and now have a semi-clue as to what the market involves. I’m certainly not going to buy stocks, but if I heard someone talking about them I’d be more inclined to listen. To me, that’s an impressive accomplishment since I really have no interest in following the economy.
There are also some talks about the dangers of paper money. Even though this book takes place three hundred years ago, the repercussions of such currency can still be applied to today. Like, c’mon guys, it’s decorative paper. As they say in the book, “…these financial institutions are committed to divesting our money of value and replacing it with promises of value. For when they control the promise of value, they control all wealth itself.” Let us return to the age of coin.
Weaver is a fascinating protagonist. He’s a Jew, a famous/former pugilist, and led a questionable life of crime before turning to his business of “protector, guardian, bailiff, constable-for-hire, and thief-taker.” He’s built a reputation for honesty and trustworthiness while being humble enough to admit when he’s made mistakes. Recounting his tale years after the fact allows for what I call “retrospective first person.” He’ll address the reader and provide hints of things to come and express regret over the choices he made. (In light of modern book trends, I really appreciate that his being a Jew is important to the story and is not just random diversity.) He’s fallen away from Judaism but still feels a kinship with Jews and is offended when Jewish stock-jobbers are besmirched because of their Jewishness. But he always behaves as a gentleman and isn’t unnecessarily cruel or criminal. He does know when to throw a punch, which creates some excitement among all the questioning. Faults aside, he seems like a decent guy.
His friend Elias is one of the highlights. He’s a physician but he also writes plays, gambles, and loves money and pretty women. But most importantly, he is a good friend to Weaver and helps him solve the case. He’s not a fighter and yet he willingly steps into dangerous situations because his bro needs him. He reminds me a bit of Dandelion from The Witcher books, but Weaver has time for Elias and seeks his council, and their bond is better than Geralt’s is with Dandelion. Oh, and Elias is Scottish and hilarious and knows things Weaver doesn’t and I need more of him in the future books.
There’s a solid supporting cast too. Some of the characters were real people or composites. Most of them are scum looking to make a quick coin or hoodwink you into an unfortunate position. Since they all want something or are hiding their involvement in a scandal, I got confused trying to keep track of the motives and connections.
The city of London is itself a character. Dark, dangerous, dirty and full of other devils, its streets never run out of secrets or mischief. The rich live on one street and the villains on another. When asked why he ran from a stranger, Weaver replied, “This is London…Who that wishes to stay alive does not run from strangers?” It may not be any place I’d want to live, but it makes for a compelling backdrop.
The writing style and dialogue is where this book shines. In the historical note, the author says he “tried to suggest the rhythms of eighteenth-century prose, although I have made modifications in the interest of readability.” Apparently I love eighteenth-century prose because the way this book reads is so good. Here are some quotes:
It is always something of a disappointment for me when I learn that I have not the stomach for such villainy or calculation as might be in my best interest.
“You had better choose your words with care, sir, lest you know my wrath.”
“If I could gather together all the gentlemen of this city who would welcome the chance to know your wrath, they could hardly fit in the opera house. sir. What fear I of so hollow a promise as your wrath?”
I could scarce comprehend that he would lie thus, and the effrontery of it—the way in which he presumed me so easily deceived—filled me with outrage.
[She] had gathered some strength, and she produced a rather dazzling volley of curses that I should be ashamed to expose to my reader.
“…I trust the cards are treating you well.”
“You trust badly…I am cursed this evening.”
The fact that he changed his writing style to suit the century makes me love him even more. It’s archaic enough to stand out from other stories but is still readable, just like he wanted. I kinda wish every book was in this same style.
For me, the description of the clothes and people are perhaps a shade close to too much. I had no trouble visualizing either, but I easily forget most personal detailing so I’d prefer less. I still love his description and think it’s done well. He has no trouble vividly painting his world and making it alive.
In conclusion, this will be one of the best books I read this year. It’s fresh, exciting, well-written, and it has a great title. You can bet your biscuits I’m reading the next one very soon.
Check out my rating here.