Ghosts of Manhattan: A Novel(79)
3. Read through the headlines of a current publication like The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, or The Economist. How has the economy changed since 2005? In what ways does today’s economic climate echo the events in Ghosts of Manhattan? Discuss with fellow members of your book club.
A Conversation with Douglas Brunt
You are the former CEO of a private venture-backed Internet security company. What inspired you to start writing?
I’ve always loved literature. I was very shy as a kid and for shy people, literature is a great thing. It’s a safe place to go. I’m a bit less shy now, but still love to lose myself in both reading and writing. The writing has generally been something I did as a hobby. During a fairly stressful career as a CEO, sometimes in order to relax—usually on an airplane or on the weekend—I would choose to write rather than read. That’s how this novel began.
This is your debut novel. Can you describe this experience? What was the most challenging part of the process? The most rewarding?
I had a clear idea for the big picture of the novel from the beginning. Writing the first draft was a pleasure, and as I mentioned, became a way to relax. The hard stages were the many iterations of edits and refinements when I hadn’t yet made writing a career and didn’t have a clear path to anyone other than family ever reading it. The most rewarding part was seeing how much better the novel became after those many iterations.
Ghosts of Manhattan centers around the now-defunct Bear Stearns. What kind of research did you do before writing Ghosts of Manhattan ? Why did you choose to base Nick’s story in the year 2005?
I read a number of books about the financial crisis, including Too Big to Fail by Andrew Ross Sorkin and The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine by Michael Lewis, to name two. I worked as a money markets broker for two years in my first job out of college. I also have many friends and acquaintances who work in sales and trading in New York. Many of my friends sat with me to help create a credible backdrop for the novel.
I picked 2005 because the ensuing financial crisis allowed me to address the themes of greed and hypocrisy that I was so interested in. It also let me examine the ignorance of and disregard for the catastrophes that people with little apparent power can create.
How did you come to the title Ghosts of Manhattan ? Were there any other titles you considered?
It came to me while I was sitting on an airplane writing the second chapter, though at that time I had a vision for the complete novel. So, I knew the message I wanted to convey with the title. It was the only title I considered.
How closely are characters—like Jerry Cavanagh, Dale Brown, and Jack Wilson—modeled or inspired by people you’ve encountered in the financial world?
The characters are amalgamations of people I know, have read about, or have heard stories about from friends. Fortunately, or by subconscious design, none of my friends is a match for these characters, though every sales and trading floor has them.
The novel ends before the financial meltdown that Freddie predicts actually occurs. What do you think Nick’s reaction would have been?
When Bear collapsed, he may have briefly considered that Karma exists.
You evoke New York City vividly in this novel, and the particular time in which this book is set. How did writing about such a controversial, hot button current event influence your writing? Was it difficult to develop this fictional story within that accurate historical context?
Living in New York is a great advantage for a writer. For a person who naturally makes observations, there is no richer place. The financial crisis is also a great source of material to work with. Taken together, I had plenty of places to go.
Do you see any part of yourself in Nick’s character?
Had I continued to work in sales and trading as a career, I may have resembled Nick in some way. That’s all I’ll admit to.
What kind of conversations do you hope Ghosts of Manhattanwill spark?
Primarily, I hope it will spark a conversation about the choices we make with our lives. Happiness is one of those choices. Understanding what makes us happy, or unhappy, requires significant self-reflection.
What are you working on now? Do you think you’ll write more about the volatile world of Wall Street?
I’m working on a novel that is set in the world of politics. I may return to Wall Street some day.
Turn the page for a look at Douglas Brunt's next novel
THE MEANS
Available from Touchstone
1
“There’s been a plane crash.”
Samantha had expected the receptionist to ask her to wait a moment or to offer her coffee. People are running in all directions around them but the receptionist sits in place, redirecting phone calls.
“Where?” Samantha asks.
“In the ocean, just beyond Staten Island. About five minutes ago.”
“Passenger jet?”
“Yes, I think it was one of the big kind. International.”
“Oh, no.”
“I’m sorry, but Mr. Mueller is not going to be able to conduct your interview today. He’s heading to the newsroom now. I can try to reschedule you.”
“Of course, I’ll just call you later. I’m sure you’re all busy,” says Samantha.
“Erica, cancel everything for the rest of the day.” A man has come around the corner from behind the receptionist at the speed of an Olympic power walker. He looks about fifty and has extra weight around his middle and face. He has a cell phone and his jacket is flapping behind him from the other hand. His tie is on but loose with the top button of his shirt undone and his hair is brown and full and looks like it hasn’t been cut for some time.