The leading lady of these 12 interconnected old money/new money tales by the author of Beautiful Wasps Having Sex
is the tiny California town of Rancho Esperanza, home to a clutch of archetypes. From the grand old 1940s to the near-present, readers observe the “too good to be true” town filled with beautiful old-money Republicans as it changes over the decades ending with the Clinton years, when so many “New People” move in with their fancy German cars that a Democratic congresswoman is elected by a landslide. While the writing is rich and often funny, Carter doesn’t deliver any revelations—old money looks down on new money, everyone sleeps around, people are dishonest and self-centered, and neighbors traffic in shame and secrets. There are moments of slick character work, particularly with Jerry and Renee Green, who end up in a tricky relationship with town “relic” Delilah Porter, but the critique of the vapid and insular wealthy feels too safe. (Apr.)
