Book Review: Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson

I love debut novels with a touch of contemporary millenials. As a much expected, very much praised debut novel of 2023, Pineapple Street by succcessful publishing executive director of Alfred A. Knopf Jenny Jackson was a humorous, ironic and class-critically read.

The books features the young inheritors of a family of old (white) American money, the Stocktons. The trust funds of the grandparents was invested into real estate and other profitable businesses, so the youngsters can enjoy a priviledged life. The three women featured - out of each one, Sasha, called the ´gold digger´ by the other two, is married with Cord Stockton, the only son of the family, while the other two Georgiana and Darley are born into the family. Sasha comes from a middle class family, using to spent her vacation time in school working, nevertheless having enough money to graduate debt-free from university and having set her own business - do share their fragments of glamorous life, which involves taking part to oligarch chic parties (Georgiana) or trying to hide to her parents that her husband is unemployed. 

Pineapple Street, situated in Brooklyn Heights, NYC, is an address for the rich and glamorous.

The debate about what the 1% is spending their time and their money was relatively well translated into the literary language. From outside, one can understand the manners and habits, as well as the daily schedule. Rich millenials are also working, women do have careers although seem to be completely uninterested in increasing their wealth - as the world will end with them, by the way. 

There is no surprising revelation about the characters, extraordinary things that are happening to them - except the fire in the end that partially destroys the family house. The story mostly develops horizontally, and although there is an extensive development of the characters, there is nothing to expect in terms of the plot. 

If you may be interested in the transfer of wealth within the realm of 1%, I bet there are enough non-fiction books on the topic. 

Pineapple Street is a good try at getting into the 1% and their world, but relatively uninteresting from the literary point of view. The writing is enjoyable though and hopefully Jenny Jackson will keep writing.

Rating: 3 stars