North London writer’s historical warnings on greed
Added: (Tue Nov 24 2020)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
A buccaneering 18th century financier has been brought back to life by new novelist Paul Ver Bruggen as a timely warning against capitalism.
Scotsman John Law made fortunes from the gambling tables of France before talking his way into becoming the official banker of King Louis XV.
Law, who made then lost a fortune, features in Paul Ver Bruggen’s stunning new parallel-era novel, The Gaming Room.
Paul, who is a semi-retired television producer, believes Law’s story acts as a much-needed reminder from history of the destructive powers of greed.
He explained: “John Law was a real historical figure, a financier, economist and card-playing genius, who became financial controller of France in the 1720s and made himself the richest man in the world - and then lost it all.
“I’d been looking for a compelling historical subject to base a novel on and I was immediately hooked by Law’s incredible biography and its social and economic significance.
“It seemed he’d all but single-handedly invented the financial and economic system we live under today - he even coined the word, millionaire.
“I’ve had broad, global experience of the world of multinationals and seen first-hand the damage that the drive for profit above all else can do.
“If the rigged financial system that underpins it doesn’t change, our species faces a dark future.”
Paul, who lives in North-West London with his wife of 40 years, spent more than 35 years travelling the globe as a television and video producer.
Since last year, the 68-year-old father-of-one has concentrated mainly on his writing.
The Gaming Room is part historical fiction, part modern-day thriller as the parallel stories of John Law and his equally unscrupulous descendent, investment banker Theo Law, unfold.
Paul masterfully weaves together the two narratives of greed and corruption – and their unexpected consequences.
He added: “The Gaming Room explores the destructive power of capitalism, both on a systemic and a personal level, through the lives of two extraordinary moneymen.
“Both of them – John and Theo - are obsessed with winning the game at all costs, and as they start to lose it, their lives and relationships fall apart in catastrophic fashion.
“Both come to understand that they can only be redeemed if they’re prepared to give everything away, including their own lives.
“The Gaming Room is a timely and topical exploration of our society’s lethal obsession with making money and where it’s taking us.”
Since the release of The Gaming Room it has been described by reviewers as ‘an exceptional, beautifully written novel’, ‘a page turner with pedigree’ and ‘an amazing story’.
Fellow reviewer Carin von Drehle added: “Ver Bruggen is a natural storyteller, in the school of, perhaps, Robert Harris or Sarah Waters.”
Paul, who lists James Joyce as his greatest inspiration for writing, has not ruled out a sequel to The Gaming Room.
For more details, visit Amazon and search for Paul Ver Bruggen, where the paperback and Kindle formats of The Gaming Room are both available.
Notes to the editor
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