I'm almost out of books by Vonnegut to read, and that makes me sad. Now, however, is not a time for sadness but a time to talk about this very entertaining book I just finished reading.
There are a few Mr. Rosewaters in this book, the first of which being Lister Ames Rosewater, a senator from Indiana who founded the Rosewater Foundation to aid his descendants and himself in not having to pay taxes on the family estate since it is a non profit organization. The foundation has millions upon millions of dollars that multiply thanks to investments made by the large New York City law firm that runs the foundation. The foundation also pays a $3.5 million a year pension to Lister's son Eliot.
Eliot Rosewater is thought by many to be insane, because he actually wants to help people, despite never having to lift a finger for the rest of his life. He opens an office and takes calls from people 24 hours a day who need help. Sometimes the callers just need someone to talk to, sometimes they need a little money, sometimes they need legal advice or how to get something done, like receiving VA benefits, etc. Eliot takes all their calls, 24/7. This takes place in Rosewater County, Indiana.
Meanwhile on the other side of the country, in Rhode Island to be exact, a distant cousin of Eliot's, who at first does not even know they are related, sells insurance and has a largely miserable life. A lawyer, Norman Mushari, finds that the loophole in the charter of the foundation is if the next in line to be chair of the foundation is found mentally incompetent, control will go to the next in line and Norman will collect a large sum of money for his help in the situation. It's not too hard to think that Eliot is crazy and many people do. I don't want to give any more of the story away so you're just going to have to read the book, and it is 220 pages well read. A great story, a great ending.
No comments:
Post a Comment