Official Review: Rise of an Oligarch
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Braktooth
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Official Review: Rise of an Oligarch
[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Rise of an Oligarch" by Carlito Sofer and Nik Krasno.]
3 out of 4 stars
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“Rise of an Oligarch” is a story about a man, Misha Vorotavich, and his country, Ukraine, from the tail end of the Cold War until just before the current difficulties between Ukraine and Russia. This book uses different voices, but it really focuses on Misha and his life, from the early childhood conflicts with the Soviet system, to his rise to power as a businessman. It also highlights the many, many ways politics and business are manipulated to steal money, lots of it. Sofer and Krasno, through Misha and other characters, make the point that there was so much corruption in the governance of the Eastern Block countries after the fall of the wall, that the oligarchical system that runs many countries in Eastern Europe today was basically inevitable.
There is a lot of drama and a lot of debauchery in this book, the first part of a series. It starts with an assassination attempt, which is a warning to readers about the violence in the book. Business in this part of the world, at this level, isn't for the weak of heart or stomach. There isn't much Misha doesn't do to get ahead, and he's probably a nicer man than most of his competition. People get tortured, shot, beaten and stabbed, all in the race for money. Morals aren't nearly as important as cold, hard cash. The attitude of the oligarchical society the authors describe can be summed up in one sentence: “I didn't think that anyone in Ukraine and Russia became really rich without being economical with the truth on his way up.”
The main characters work hard to get what they want, and they play hard as well. The parties include every major type of vice most people would want; after a few days of this, it's back to work. This cycle is fuelled by both an unending desire for more, as well as the fear of the other businessmen/politicians trying to get the same dollars. It's a game where failure could mean death if one isn't careful, and it's one Misha learns to play well. From poverty, Misha ends up being in a position to join the geopolitical game, and here the stakes get even higher. In this environment, knowing who to trust can be difficult. The correct answer would be “nobody”.
There were a few things that bothered me about the book. Unless you like anti-heroes, there is no one to really like in the book; everyone is corrupt, it's just a matter of degree. Every male character is a misogynist as well; women are more part of the prizes they're trying to win rather than actual participants in the game. Sometimes the phrasing is odd (I wouldn't describe someone as having a “quadratic head”) and there is the very occasional typo. Still, the flat, matter-of-fact style of writing tends to make things more immediate and grounded. They do a good job using dialogue to bring several of the characters to life.
I found that “Rise of an Oligarch” a mostly realistic, cynical tale made stronger by using real-world events throughout the book. The authors have either thought a lot about how business and politics in this region work, or have some experience in it themselves. Either way, they have managed to include interesting cultural information, thoughts on morality, and realistic depictions of how money is constantly gouged out of the system. If you have any interest in Eastern Europe, recent world history, geopolitics, or thrillers, there will definitely be something for you in “Rise of an Oligarch”. I rate this book three out of four stars; if the writing was slightly more polished, I would have given it a four. I am definitely interested in seeing what happens in book two.
******
Rise of an Oligarch
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3 out of 4 stars
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“Rise of an Oligarch” is a story about a man, Misha Vorotavich, and his country, Ukraine, from the tail end of the Cold War until just before the current difficulties between Ukraine and Russia. This book uses different voices, but it really focuses on Misha and his life, from the early childhood conflicts with the Soviet system, to his rise to power as a businessman. It also highlights the many, many ways politics and business are manipulated to steal money, lots of it. Sofer and Krasno, through Misha and other characters, make the point that there was so much corruption in the governance of the Eastern Block countries after the fall of the wall, that the oligarchical system that runs many countries in Eastern Europe today was basically inevitable.
There is a lot of drama and a lot of debauchery in this book, the first part of a series. It starts with an assassination attempt, which is a warning to readers about the violence in the book. Business in this part of the world, at this level, isn't for the weak of heart or stomach. There isn't much Misha doesn't do to get ahead, and he's probably a nicer man than most of his competition. People get tortured, shot, beaten and stabbed, all in the race for money. Morals aren't nearly as important as cold, hard cash. The attitude of the oligarchical society the authors describe can be summed up in one sentence: “I didn't think that anyone in Ukraine and Russia became really rich without being economical with the truth on his way up.”
The main characters work hard to get what they want, and they play hard as well. The parties include every major type of vice most people would want; after a few days of this, it's back to work. This cycle is fuelled by both an unending desire for more, as well as the fear of the other businessmen/politicians trying to get the same dollars. It's a game where failure could mean death if one isn't careful, and it's one Misha learns to play well. From poverty, Misha ends up being in a position to join the geopolitical game, and here the stakes get even higher. In this environment, knowing who to trust can be difficult. The correct answer would be “nobody”.
There were a few things that bothered me about the book. Unless you like anti-heroes, there is no one to really like in the book; everyone is corrupt, it's just a matter of degree. Every male character is a misogynist as well; women are more part of the prizes they're trying to win rather than actual participants in the game. Sometimes the phrasing is odd (I wouldn't describe someone as having a “quadratic head”) and there is the very occasional typo. Still, the flat, matter-of-fact style of writing tends to make things more immediate and grounded. They do a good job using dialogue to bring several of the characters to life.
I found that “Rise of an Oligarch” a mostly realistic, cynical tale made stronger by using real-world events throughout the book. The authors have either thought a lot about how business and politics in this region work, or have some experience in it themselves. Either way, they have managed to include interesting cultural information, thoughts on morality, and realistic depictions of how money is constantly gouged out of the system. If you have any interest in Eastern Europe, recent world history, geopolitics, or thrillers, there will definitely be something for you in “Rise of an Oligarch”. I rate this book three out of four stars; if the writing was slightly more polished, I would have given it a four. I am definitely interested in seeing what happens in book two.
******
Rise of an Oligarch
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on Barnes and Noble
Like Braktooth's review? Post a comment saying so!
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Nik Krasno
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Dear Braktooth, thanks a lot for reading the book and such a comprehensive review. Even if we wanted (well, I - I don't want to speak for Carlito), couldn't have described it better. I could tell that you are professional much more than we are. Thanks a lot about your critique, as well as for many good words. I think your critique is well grounded and what can I say - we'd try to improve.
The sequel hopefully would be ready soon.
Thanks a lot again for your interest , effort and encouragement.
Nik
-- 10 May 2015, 08:49 --
Hey Braktooth,
As I see that more and more people read your review, I thought I might clarify some of the issues that you've raised.
The book was designed in descending order: to be realistic, thought provoking and entertaining. Having those objectives in mind, the protagonist as well as others, referred by you as anti-heroes, possess both virtues and vices and are all controversial characters. From my experience working with lots of businessmen from different countries and business mentality for many years, rarely, if ever, they can boast being all positive and likeable. The naked truth is that in order to be successful, especially in that part of the world, you usually need to give up on some morality at least. While reading the book I hope everyone would ask him/herself what he/she would do in similar circumstances and whether moneymaking in general is worth it.
"All being misogynists" – like it or not, but that's how most of these people (businessmen) usually are in Ukraine/Russia - chauvinistic -:).
I read in one of your posts that you are a professional writer, journalist and editor. So when a pro like you states that the book still has "very occasional typo", I hope I can derive that it's so occasional that it doesn't undermine the overall reading experience. Neither I nor Carlito are native English speakers, that's why certain phrasing may be a bit odd. And therefore on top of combing everything by ourselves, we'd also hired an editor to edit and proofread the entire thing. I really hope that the typos are negligible at this stage.
Thanks again for your review and interest.
Nik
The sequel hopefully would be ready soon.
Thanks a lot again for your interest , effort and encouragement.
Nik
-- 10 May 2015, 08:49 --
Hey Braktooth,
As I see that more and more people read your review, I thought I might clarify some of the issues that you've raised.
The book was designed in descending order: to be realistic, thought provoking and entertaining. Having those objectives in mind, the protagonist as well as others, referred by you as anti-heroes, possess both virtues and vices and are all controversial characters. From my experience working with lots of businessmen from different countries and business mentality for many years, rarely, if ever, they can boast being all positive and likeable. The naked truth is that in order to be successful, especially in that part of the world, you usually need to give up on some morality at least. While reading the book I hope everyone would ask him/herself what he/she would do in similar circumstances and whether moneymaking in general is worth it.
"All being misogynists" – like it or not, but that's how most of these people (businessmen) usually are in Ukraine/Russia - chauvinistic -:).
I read in one of your posts that you are a professional writer, journalist and editor. So when a pro like you states that the book still has "very occasional typo", I hope I can derive that it's so occasional that it doesn't undermine the overall reading experience. Neither I nor Carlito are native English speakers, that's why certain phrasing may be a bit odd. And therefore on top of combing everything by ourselves, we'd also hired an editor to edit and proofread the entire thing. I really hope that the typos are negligible at this stage.
Thanks again for your review and interest.
Nik
