The Ask - by Sam Lipsyte

The Ask - By Sam Libsyte

My most recent commuting partner has been The Ask, by Sam Libsyte.  This is his 3rd novel, but the first I have read.  A satirical, dark novel The Ask was a quick read (try 3 train rides).

In an era where estate and income taxes for the wealthiest Americans are being debated this timely novel that centers around the world of development for a smaller educational institution hits home.  The main character Milo is a lowly development officer in a world where there are still "the ruler and the ruled" in terms of economic power equaiting to societal value. In The Ask we follow Milo as he navigates the extremes that come between those that have and those that do not.

Milo is a self-hating dreamer who failed to achieve the dreams of his youth and is now in what comes across as a mediocre existence -- although to some his young son and wife would be "the dream" -- his additional trials are certainly something that many in today's environment of an astounding 9.3% unemployment rate will relate to.   He finds himself in the lowest of his low days only to be reunited with a college pal, who has made quite the fortune and needs Milo's help in a personal task.  Milo is quickly drawn into a world that does nothing to help him out of his depression.  In fact, he is surrounded by iconic figures which reach out to the reader and shake them into the fact that this is not just Milo's reality, but a conversation about the reality in which we all find ourselves today.

As Milo's world closes around him the reader is filled with a general sense of dread and bleakness that can only come from good writing. 

Here's a few other reviews of this book that might interest you from The NY Times  and my personal favorite, if for nothing else but the unique and equally depressing citations, The LA Times.

"According to Santa Fe Institute economist Samuel Bowles, roughly one out of every four Americans is now employed guarding the wealth of the rich."  

Sadly, if you, me and 2 other people were in a room...I'd be that one.

You see, I work for an organization that acts as servants to development officers that work to serve the wealthy...as such I can't help but be left with a bit of a depressive hang-over after completing this novel.

Overall, this is a well-crafted tale that keeps you interested until the last word.  Certainly worth your time, but make sure you've got something light and airy to act as dessert to this heavy intellectual meal.