Carrie Sun’s memoir provides an insider’s perspective on the world of private equity, shedding light on the lives of Wall Street’s elite and the challenges faced by those working for them. In her book, Sun describes her experience as an executive assistant at Carbon, a secretive hedge fund, where she encountered the quiet intensity and opulence associated with high finance.
Sun, a former financial analyst, found herself at a crossroads in her life when she joined Carbon. Engaged to a man who prioritized his own career over hers, she sought a job to support herself and figure out her own path. Her role as an assistant to Carbon’s founder and billionaire, Boone Prescott, exposed her to the demands and expectations of the financial elite.
The memoir highlights the impossible demands placed on workers at the highest level of capitalism. Sun’s story reflects the millennial experience of navigating economic precarity and finding solace in work, only to realize its limitations. It also explores the narratives that justify and legitimize such work.
While Carbon may evoke images of Wall Street excess, Sun portrays it as a place of monastic discipline and familial values. Prescott, an enigmatic figure, emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the team over the individual. Sun reflects on how her Chinese immigrant upbringing taught her to subdue her emotions in pursuit of excellence, and how this mindset is perpetuated within the company.
However, Sun’s own state of mind remains somewhat elusive. She describes brutal working conditions and political unease, yet insists she loves her job without providing a clear explanation. The memoir concludes with Sun’s decision to become a writer, which contrasts with the preceding account of vast inequality.
In summary, Carrie Sun’s memoir offers a unique glimpse into the world of private equity, exposing the demands placed on those working for Wall Street’s elite. It explores the intersection of personal identity, familial values, and the pursuit of success within the high finance industry.
