Review of A Place Under the Sun
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Jaituni Sanghavi
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Review of A Place Under the Sun
[Following is a volunteer review of "A Place Under the Sun" by Luis Urtueta.]
Being an introvert is not easy. Being one myself, I understand how difficult it can get at times. And when you push an introvert into the corporate world that is filled with politics and blame games, the challenges only multiply. The constant need to engage in meetings, presentations, and social interactions can be overwhelming. Such is the case of Henry, the protagonist in A Place Under the Sun by Luis Urtueta. The author has perfectly captured Henry’s struggle, making it a relatable read for anyone who has faced similar challenges in their professional life.
The novel's structure, divided into chapters that each focus on different days or periods, offers a detailed snapshot of Henry’s life. It begins with him working at his eleventh-floor office of the Anthony Freckleman consulting firm, located by the sea, on a grim Monday morning, where the hot desk area overlooks a bare parking lot. Henry is anxious because he has to do the presentation at the meeting, and being the introvert that he is, he feels targeted. All thanks to Sophia Belvedere, who is responsible for the talent pool and strategically selects presenters to expose their weaknesses. She is the perfect example of someone who plays office politics.
The next day, Henry wakes up at 5:30 a.m. and is rather happy, as he has to travel to Riyadh for a meeting. This is a critical meeting led by Santiago, a highly driven individual whose life is a whirlwind of meetings, presentations, and constant travel. After the meeting, Henry gets back to the Ritz Carlton and chooses the comfort of his room over a dinner invitation from Lukas. All he needs is some personal space and a break from constant social interactions. He orders room service, a routine that provides him with a semblance of normalcy and control in an otherwise unpredictable schedule. Then, we see the novel transition a bit into Henry’s personal life and, even more specifically, his thoughts about Teresa, a woman he really likes and wants to win over. I enjoyed reading this part of the book the most. The way Henry feels about Teresa, followed by the desperation and contemplation, the philosophical reflections, and dealing with all the emotions that float on the surface, was something I found really well captured by the author.
I even liked the way every character is brought into the picture and has something to offer to the story. For instance, the character of Bernard! Like Henry also contemplated on his flight from Dubai to Munich, Bernard’s role in his career had been pivotal, and accepting his offer had provided Henry with financial stability and a path toward success, yet it also brought a sense of reliance and vulnerability.
Another aspect I liked about the book was Henry’s philosophical musings, inspired by Hegel, which illustrate his evolving understanding of desire and potential. I even enjoyed the part where he compares his life to Jung’s myth of Gilgamesh. The inner monologues were another thing I appreciated. One of my favorite lines from the book is, ‘People don’t want to be loved; they want to be known.’ Thus, considering how the book brings forth the cutthroat nature of the corporate world as well as talks about deep philosophical reflections, it compels me to rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. I liked the rawness in the writing style and the unique blending. There’s nothing I disliked about the book, though I would give one suggestion, which is to use a better font and space out the text more freely to provide a better reading experience.
I would recommend this book to all introverts working in the corporate world and those who like exploring unique stories.
******
A Place Under the Sun
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Being an introvert is not easy. Being one myself, I understand how difficult it can get at times. And when you push an introvert into the corporate world that is filled with politics and blame games, the challenges only multiply. The constant need to engage in meetings, presentations, and social interactions can be overwhelming. Such is the case of Henry, the protagonist in A Place Under the Sun by Luis Urtueta. The author has perfectly captured Henry’s struggle, making it a relatable read for anyone who has faced similar challenges in their professional life.
The novel's structure, divided into chapters that each focus on different days or periods, offers a detailed snapshot of Henry’s life. It begins with him working at his eleventh-floor office of the Anthony Freckleman consulting firm, located by the sea, on a grim Monday morning, where the hot desk area overlooks a bare parking lot. Henry is anxious because he has to do the presentation at the meeting, and being the introvert that he is, he feels targeted. All thanks to Sophia Belvedere, who is responsible for the talent pool and strategically selects presenters to expose their weaknesses. She is the perfect example of someone who plays office politics.
The next day, Henry wakes up at 5:30 a.m. and is rather happy, as he has to travel to Riyadh for a meeting. This is a critical meeting led by Santiago, a highly driven individual whose life is a whirlwind of meetings, presentations, and constant travel. After the meeting, Henry gets back to the Ritz Carlton and chooses the comfort of his room over a dinner invitation from Lukas. All he needs is some personal space and a break from constant social interactions. He orders room service, a routine that provides him with a semblance of normalcy and control in an otherwise unpredictable schedule. Then, we see the novel transition a bit into Henry’s personal life and, even more specifically, his thoughts about Teresa, a woman he really likes and wants to win over. I enjoyed reading this part of the book the most. The way Henry feels about Teresa, followed by the desperation and contemplation, the philosophical reflections, and dealing with all the emotions that float on the surface, was something I found really well captured by the author.
I even liked the way every character is brought into the picture and has something to offer to the story. For instance, the character of Bernard! Like Henry also contemplated on his flight from Dubai to Munich, Bernard’s role in his career had been pivotal, and accepting his offer had provided Henry with financial stability and a path toward success, yet it also brought a sense of reliance and vulnerability.
Another aspect I liked about the book was Henry’s philosophical musings, inspired by Hegel, which illustrate his evolving understanding of desire and potential. I even enjoyed the part where he compares his life to Jung’s myth of Gilgamesh. The inner monologues were another thing I appreciated. One of my favorite lines from the book is, ‘People don’t want to be loved; they want to be known.’ Thus, considering how the book brings forth the cutthroat nature of the corporate world as well as talks about deep philosophical reflections, it compels me to rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. I liked the rawness in the writing style and the unique blending. There’s nothing I disliked about the book, though I would give one suggestion, which is to use a better font and space out the text more freely to provide a better reading experience.
I would recommend this book to all introverts working in the corporate world and those who like exploring unique stories.
******
A Place Under the Sun
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Web of deceit by C J Carroll
