Well, I guess it's about time to get writing since I am way behind and currently reading 3 books, only one of which is listed on this blog thus far!
Primates of Park Avenue is a fascinating sociological/anthropological study/memoir of life on the upper east side of New York City. It is also a sad commentary on the values of many of the very rich and privileged in America. Martin and her husband decided to move to the Park Avenue area in order to have access to the best public schools in the area for their then-infant son. Culture-shock ensued as they dealt with snobbish real estate agents and co-op boards in their quest to find a new home. Eventually they did move, only to discover that the rigid social hierarchy and one-upsmanship were just as prevalent among the parents of preschoolers as in the real estate world. Getting your child into the right preschool ensured a recommendation for the best elementary school and so on. In other words, neglecting the quality of your child's education at the age of 3 could result in his or her inability to attend a prestigious college!
One of the most memorable episodes in Martin's memoir was her observation of "charging," not in department stores, but by well-dressed society women. Proving dominance and self-importance in the world of wealthy trophy wives apparently is accomplished in part by "charging" other, presumably lesser women, on public sidewalks, in effect forcing them to step aside because the dominant female refuses to relinquish any space, even if there is plenty available. It's pretty pathetic. Another characteristic of the successful and wealthy woman is her Berkin bags, which cost between $10,000 and $150,000! Check out Google images for "celebrities with Berkin bags" and you'll notice a LOT of Kardashians!
Social researcher Wednesday Martin, who holds a doctorate, has written a fascinating book and has created some controversy among those who live on Park Avenue. She has stated that she changed the chronology and identifying details in the book despite it being a memoir, but their have been some complaints, apparently. All I know is that I greatly enjoyed this bit of insight into how the other half lives and the author's commentary relating her observations to various social and anthropological studies of primates in the wild. Highly recommended!
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