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The Winner
“Be prepared to fully lose yourself in The Winner—a book I started and then simply couldn’t stop reading. Teddy Wayne has written a timely, topical novel that still somehow feels like a classic.”—Liz Moore, New York Times bestselling author of Long Bright River
Conor O’Toole has never been anywhere as casually glamorous as Cutters Neck, a gated community near Cape Cod. It’s a sweet deal for the summer: free lodging in a guest cottage in exchange for tennis lessons, luxuriously far from the cramped Yonkers apartment he shares with his diabetic mother.
In this oceanfront paradise, however, new clients prove hard to come by, and Conor has bills to pay. Then a sharp-tongued divorcée appears, offering him double his usual rate. Soon he realizes Catherine is expecting additional, off-the-court services for her money, and Conor tumbles into a secret erotic affair unlike anything he’s experienced before.
Despite his steamy flings with a woman twice his age, he simultaneously finds himself falling for the artsy, outspoken girl he met on the beach. Conor somehow finds a way to manage this tangled web—until he makes one final, irreversible mistake.
A dark, explosive literary thriller that brilliantly skewers the elite, Whiting Award winner Teddy Wayne’s unputdownable novel is cinematic, shocking, and a psychological masterpiece.
Conor O’Toole has never been anywhere as casually glamorous as Cutters Neck, a gated community near Cape Cod. It’s a sweet deal for the summer: free lodging in a guest cottage in exchange for tennis lessons, luxuriously far from the cramped Yonkers apartment he shares with his diabetic mother.
In this oceanfront paradise, however, new clients prove hard to come by, and Conor has bills to pay. Then a sharp-tongued divorcée appears, offering him double his usual rate. Soon he realizes Catherine is expecting additional, off-the-court services for her money, and Conor tumbles into a secret erotic affair unlike anything he’s experienced before.
Despite his steamy flings with a woman twice his age, he simultaneously finds himself falling for the artsy, outspoken girl he met on the beach. Conor somehow finds a way to manage this tangled web—until he makes one final, irreversible mistake.
A dark, explosive literary thriller that brilliantly skewers the elite, Whiting Award winner Teddy Wayne’s unputdownable novel is cinematic, shocking, and a psychological masterpiece.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published May 28, 2024
About the author
Teddy Wayne
11 books399 followersTeddy Wayne is the author of the novels "The Winner" (2024), "The Great Man Theory" (2022), "Apartment" (2020), "Loner" (2016), "The Love Song of Jonny Valentine" (2013) and "Kapitoil" (2010) and is the recipient of a Whiting Writers' Award, an NEA Creative Writing Fellowship, the PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize runner-up, and a finalist for the Young Lions Fiction Award finalist and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 226 reviews
August 2, 2024
only a man could have written this
May 24, 2024
Weak people dwelled on the past, wallowed in their losses, leaned on the crutch of psychobabble to justify their defects. The strong forged ahead, forged themselves into whatever they wanted to be, and he was nothing if not strong. Mentally tough. Not a pusher; a rocket ship.
Conor O'Toole has nabbed a cushy summer job as a tennis instructor at an exclusive gated community by the sea. With lodging provided, he can send all his earnings to his diabetic mother in Yonkers, and spend his down time studying for his upcoming bar exam. Sounds like a plan, only within days of his arrival, he gets Mrs. Robinsoned, and, well . . . insert your favorite quote about making plans here. Reluctant to give up the "good life" he's rapidly become accustomed to, Conor is soon fighting to keep track of all his lies, and basically selling his soul to save his skin.
This was terrific. The book reminds me so much of those great seventies novels I've read by Philip Roth, Bruce J. Friedman, and, yes, Charles Webb, about young protagonists who may start out idealistic, but, you know, things change, and shit happens, and you gotta look out for number one. (They didn't call it the Me Decade for nothin'.) This one is set, not in the seventies, but during the summer of 2020. Covid-19 fears are still running rampant, and masks are worn by some, but not all. Our protagonist is paying close attention to the upcoming presidential election, though we never really find out which candidate Conor actually supports.
I'd say that by the end of the book we know the answer to that question.
Well done, Mr. Wayne. Well done.
Many thanks to Harper and NetGalley for sharing this one..
Conor O'Toole has nabbed a cushy summer job as a tennis instructor at an exclusive gated community by the sea. With lodging provided, he can send all his earnings to his diabetic mother in Yonkers, and spend his down time studying for his upcoming bar exam. Sounds like a plan, only within days of his arrival, he gets Mrs. Robinsoned, and, well . . . insert your favorite quote about making plans here. Reluctant to give up the "good life" he's rapidly become accustomed to, Conor is soon fighting to keep track of all his lies, and basically selling his soul to save his skin.
This was terrific. The book reminds me so much of those great seventies novels I've read by Philip Roth, Bruce J. Friedman, and, yes, Charles Webb, about young protagonists who may start out idealistic, but, you know, things change, and shit happens, and you gotta look out for number one. (They didn't call it the Me Decade for nothin'.) This one is set, not in the seventies, but during the summer of 2020. Covid-19 fears are still running rampant, and masks are worn by some, but not all. Our protagonist is paying close attention to the upcoming presidential election, though we never really find out which candidate Conor actually supports.
I'd say that by the end of the book we know the answer to that question.
Well done, Mr. Wayne. Well done.
Many thanks to Harper and NetGalley for sharing this one..
June 12, 2024
5 Stars
July 30, 2024
This read differently than the Teddy Wayne I'm used to. Without a doubt more salacious, it was also not quite pedestrian, but not the typical wordsmith fare that I was expecting. This is not necessarily a bad thing, and is likely right in keeping with the tenor of the story. Maybe I just need more time to sit with it. At the end of the day, it was a Teddy Wayne novel, so of course the MC is not what he thinks himself to be and that is a treat to read, as is the commentary on social class. Still, I couldn't help but feel some of it tied up too neatly. 4 stars
July 7, 2024
Conor O’Toole hasn’t had it easy. His father died when he was young, and his mother has struggled through illness - Type 1 Diabetes - and a general lack of money. Nevertheless, Conor has managed to battle through college (a lesser establishment than the author himself and also the protagonists he cast in his novels Loner and Apartment). So, desperate to scrape together some funds, he’s managed to secure a summer job teaching tennis to a group of rich, entitled people in gated community at place called Cutters Neck, close to Cape Cod.
The people he meets there seem friendly and accommodating, and even accepting of his Yonkers accent. Soon he’s settled into this place where he can earn money and enjoy the grand surroundings. Conor is a handsome lad and fit too. He’s never has a problem attracting members of the opposite sex, and soon he’s being tempted by a the mysterious Catherine – a woman double his age and who, despite paying him double the price he quoted for lessons, seems somewhat disengaged with the sport. Before long, we are to have a replay of the Mrs Robinson moment from The Graduate.
But then Conor meets Emily, someone his own age who he finds he can identify with and who he connects with in a completely different (largely non-sexual) way. He’s now conflicted: he’s attracted by his physical relationship with Catherine, but he also values his time with Emily. Is it going to be possible to maintain one relationship whilst also building another? What follows has an element of farce about it as he desperately tries to juggle his meetings with the pair, keen as he is to keep each from becoming aware of their rival for his affections.
To this point Conor has seemed like a good guy, a young man who is simply trying to get through the summer, earn some money, have some fun, and also study for an upcoming bar exam that will enable him to forge a future career in law. But it’s clear that he’s increasingly being drawn to this life of wealth and luxury. Well, that's human nature, isn’t it? We start to see a different side to Conor. And then it all kicks off, with a dramatic happening that changes everything. From this point on it’s a helter-skelter ride to the finish.
I’d really enjoyed a couple of Wayne’s previous novels (those I referenced above) and there are some similarities here: young ambitious men with college experience at the centre of events, a sense of class divide and conflict, and also a feeling that what you see isn’t necessarily what you get. I find the author to be skilled at getting under the skin of interesting characters, of developing intriguing stories that draw me in. This tale was another success for me. The question here is, what does being a winner mean? Does it mean staying true to your values and achieving success through hard work and ability? Or is it simply achieving success through any means possible? Well, the jury is out on that one.
The people he meets there seem friendly and accommodating, and even accepting of his Yonkers accent. Soon he’s settled into this place where he can earn money and enjoy the grand surroundings. Conor is a handsome lad and fit too. He’s never has a problem attracting members of the opposite sex, and soon he’s being tempted by a the mysterious Catherine – a woman double his age and who, despite paying him double the price he quoted for lessons, seems somewhat disengaged with the sport. Before long, we are to have a replay of the Mrs Robinson moment from The Graduate.
But then Conor meets Emily, someone his own age who he finds he can identify with and who he connects with in a completely different (largely non-sexual) way. He’s now conflicted: he’s attracted by his physical relationship with Catherine, but he also values his time with Emily. Is it going to be possible to maintain one relationship whilst also building another? What follows has an element of farce about it as he desperately tries to juggle his meetings with the pair, keen as he is to keep each from becoming aware of their rival for his affections.
To this point Conor has seemed like a good guy, a young man who is simply trying to get through the summer, earn some money, have some fun, and also study for an upcoming bar exam that will enable him to forge a future career in law. But it’s clear that he’s increasingly being drawn to this life of wealth and luxury. Well, that's human nature, isn’t it? We start to see a different side to Conor. And then it all kicks off, with a dramatic happening that changes everything. From this point on it’s a helter-skelter ride to the finish.
I’d really enjoyed a couple of Wayne’s previous novels (those I referenced above) and there are some similarities here: young ambitious men with college experience at the centre of events, a sense of class divide and conflict, and also a feeling that what you see isn’t necessarily what you get. I find the author to be skilled at getting under the skin of interesting characters, of developing intriguing stories that draw me in. This tale was another success for me. The question here is, what does being a winner mean? Does it mean staying true to your values and achieving success through hard work and ability? Or is it simply achieving success through any means possible? Well, the jury is out on that one.
July 18, 2024
4.5/5
When I saw the cover of The Winner by Teddy Wayne I totally thought it was going to be a thriller. The truth of the matter is that it was more literary fiction with a hint of mystery of the will he or won't he variety. I can't even remember where or why I saw this book, but I am so glad I did because I ended up completely devouring it. No one in the story is likable, and frankly, what Conor does is super gross, but I just could not look away. The plot was character-driven in my opinion which usually means the pacing is slower, but not this time! It moved at a very steady clip, and I was captured by the suspense that develops and holds fast to the end.
I did listen to the audiobook which is narrated by Charlie Thurston, and I thought he did an excellent job. He made me feel very connected to Conor's character and even though I should have hated him, I didn't. I am going to chalk that up to Thurston's expertise and performance. I was really worried about what kind of ending I would get from The Winner, and while I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about it, I'm not mad at it either. I felt a lot of emotions during this book, and it was completely wild at the same time. I've never read Wayne before and now I'm really curious about his other work which seems totally different!
When I saw the cover of The Winner by Teddy Wayne I totally thought it was going to be a thriller. The truth of the matter is that it was more literary fiction with a hint of mystery of the will he or won't he variety. I can't even remember where or why I saw this book, but I am so glad I did because I ended up completely devouring it. No one in the story is likable, and frankly, what Conor does is super gross, but I just could not look away. The plot was character-driven in my opinion which usually means the pacing is slower, but not this time! It moved at a very steady clip, and I was captured by the suspense that develops and holds fast to the end.
I did listen to the audiobook which is narrated by Charlie Thurston, and I thought he did an excellent job. He made me feel very connected to Conor's character and even though I should have hated him, I didn't. I am going to chalk that up to Thurston's expertise and performance. I was really worried about what kind of ending I would get from The Winner, and while I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about it, I'm not mad at it either. I felt a lot of emotions during this book, and it was completely wild at the same time. I've never read Wayne before and now I'm really curious about his other work which seems totally different!
June 13, 2024
I have had this on my most anticipated releases list almost all year long, so I'm bummed to say that it didn't live up to my expectations. It wants to be literary fiction, but the writing is pretty pedestrian and doesn't trust its readers to interpret or understand anything so like nothing is left implied. Everything is fully, thoroughly explained, which leaves no room for mystery or hidden agendas or surprises and also is just annoying, please trust us to get what you are saying.
Additionally, I don't think it's saying anything new about wealth or privilege or the people who want those things, so it's not even an interesting addition to that canon.
To make matters worse, it becomes at 60% through a kind of thriller that honestly doesn't make sense and makes the story even less interesting. I was baffled by this turn.
Add to this that the female characters are cardboard cutouts with no real inner depth and the changes to the main character don't feel like the motivation is very thoroughly built up such that his actions in the third act feel very shallow. If you want something half baked but dishy that skewers the rich and social climbers alike, I'd suggest watching Saltburn rather than reading this.
Rating for the audiobook narrator: 3 stars. Workmanlike.
Additionally, I don't think it's saying anything new about wealth or privilege or the people who want those things, so it's not even an interesting addition to that canon.
To make matters worse, it becomes at 60% through a kind of thriller that honestly doesn't make sense and makes the story even less interesting. I was baffled by this turn.
Add to this that the female characters are cardboard cutouts with no real inner depth and the changes to the main character don't feel like the motivation is very thoroughly built up such that his actions in the third act feel very shallow. If you want something half baked but dishy that skewers the rich and social climbers alike, I'd suggest watching Saltburn rather than reading this.
Rating for the audiobook narrator: 3 stars. Workmanlike.
February 2, 2024
Conor O’Toole is financially struggling young law school graduate who falls into a Tennis Pro job in a small gated community in the Cape Cod area. He works on drumming up business while he studies for the bar exam every night. He is a sympathetic character, charismatic and with a small chip on his shoulder about his upbringing. Every step he takes towards financial freedom lands him further in financial jail as he shoulders his law degree bill, his mother's diabetes medication and other bills that accumulated when he was a child. You are really enjoying his journey and rooting for him for sure! When his path crosses the very wealthy and very single Catherine, he makes a decision that will change the trajectory of his life.
The first half of this book was incredibly well written and I hung on every word. It seemed familiar though -like a story I had read before. BAM! What happens mid way and the rest of the story is literally a roller coaster off the rails. Teddy Wayne was able to shock me, convince me, and keep me captive until the very last page. If you like thrillers, this is a new one for you!
#harper #thewinner #teddywayne
The first half of this book was incredibly well written and I hung on every word. It seemed familiar though -like a story I had read before. BAM! What happens mid way and the rest of the story is literally a roller coaster off the rails. Teddy Wayne was able to shock me, convince me, and keep me captive until the very last page. If you like thrillers, this is a new one for you!
#harper #thewinner #teddywayne
July 22, 2024
You think you’re a good person, but you’re not. At one point in this novel, that’s the message a young woman texts to Conor, the book’s protagonist, after he’s sent her an ASAP-post-hookup breakup text shortly after basically kicking her out of bed. The message kicks him hard right back in the self-satisfaction: after all, he could have just ghosted her, right?
The woman’s message also echoes a common theme in Wayne’s novels and a common characteristic of his protagonists, who are often not nearly as good as they think they are and, in the case of Conor, also not quite as good at being bad as they may think they are either. The key question is who will win in the end, and in Wayne’s book as in life these days, that’s a complicated one since winning is often determined by a multitude of factors other than sheer merit, including luck and good fortune, who is going up against whom, what strategies are employed, and how various types and combinations of privilege battle out like a grotesque game of Rock, Scissors, Paper played between members of a corrupt oligarchy and a Trojan Horse-hiding outsider/insider.
Wayne’s books are constantly cringe-inducing psychological thrillers whose pages effortlessly turn as we watch all this unfold, wanting to see what happens while also knowing that nothing good will come of any of it and that there will be no true winners we can really get behind in the end. While his books usually entail more of a quiet and genteel violence, this one is more cinematic, sordid, and pulpy. I’m pretty sure all seven venal sins are prominently featured? It may turn off some readers, but it could and probably should be made into a movie.
In all, this is sort of like if Nick Carraway and Jay Gatsby somehow had a brother who was a total sociopath and making his grand debut into adulthood in the roaring 2020s. A fun and thought-provoking read even if it leaves you feeling dirty enough to want to jump off a dock and rinse off.
The woman’s message also echoes a common theme in Wayne’s novels and a common characteristic of his protagonists, who are often not nearly as good as they think they are and, in the case of Conor, also not quite as good at being bad as they may think they are either. The key question is who will win in the end, and in Wayne’s book as in life these days, that’s a complicated one since winning is often determined by a multitude of factors other than sheer merit, including luck and good fortune, who is going up against whom, what strategies are employed, and how various types and combinations of privilege battle out like a grotesque game of Rock, Scissors, Paper played between members of a corrupt oligarchy and a Trojan Horse-hiding outsider/insider.
Wayne’s books are constantly cringe-inducing psychological thrillers whose pages effortlessly turn as we watch all this unfold, wanting to see what happens while also knowing that nothing good will come of any of it and that there will be no true winners we can really get behind in the end. While his books usually entail more of a quiet and genteel violence, this one is more cinematic, sordid, and pulpy. I’m pretty sure all seven venal sins are prominently featured? It may turn off some readers, but it could and probably should be made into a movie.
In all, this is sort of like if Nick Carraway and Jay Gatsby somehow had a brother who was a total sociopath and making his grand debut into adulthood in the roaring 2020s. A fun and thought-provoking read even if it leaves you feeling dirty enough to want to jump off a dock and rinse off.
May 17, 2024
The first 1/4 of this book was too much tennis and not enough action. BUT once the action started??? Whew. This was a wild one. I devoured it. I vividly saw this play out as a lifetime suspense movie 😂
The conversation this provokes regarding class differentials is a great layer for a novel that seems just salacious on the surface.
The conversation this provokes regarding class differentials is a great layer for a novel that seems just salacious on the surface.
May 31, 2024
I’m president of the Teddy Wayne fan club. This was great. Keep writing forever Teddy Wayne.
July 2, 2024
I’m not sure if I read the same book that others are raving about. I found this book to be laden with misogyny, gross. The women “characters” were weak, pathetic and merely a vessel for the main characters sexual pleasure. After reading this book I even found the title to be repulsive.
June 17, 2024
Absolutely wild, just as I hoped & expected from Teddy Wayne. He has a way of creating these insufferable yet plain main characters who think they’re good guys, but it’s slowly revealed to you that they’re not. His books are like a trainwreck that you just can't look away from – seeing his supposedly "good guy" characters bury themselves in a deep, deep hole. His writing is just deliciously cringey and addictive and perfectly executed.
In The Winner, we're in very early COVID days on Cutters Neck, a very wealthy East Coast community. Enter Conor O'Toole, a recent New York Law School grad who grew up poor in Yonkers and needs a way of making money for the summer while he's studying for the bar. He's an incredible tennis player and has secured a gig living rent-free in the beautiful Cutters community offering lessons as a tennis pro. Soon enough, an older divorcée on the neck offers to pay him double for his lessons and he realizes she wants more than just tennis – he reluctantly agrees and embarks on a torrid love affair with her. But when another more age-appropriate crush emerges, Conor is left in an incredibly delicate situation that - as you can imagine - quickly devolves.
I adore Teddy Wayne's writing style, his characters, and his cringe-inducing plots. This one is simply no different - if you've liked his previous books, you'll love this one.
In The Winner, we're in very early COVID days on Cutters Neck, a very wealthy East Coast community. Enter Conor O'Toole, a recent New York Law School grad who grew up poor in Yonkers and needs a way of making money for the summer while he's studying for the bar. He's an incredible tennis player and has secured a gig living rent-free in the beautiful Cutters community offering lessons as a tennis pro. Soon enough, an older divorcée on the neck offers to pay him double for his lessons and he realizes she wants more than just tennis – he reluctantly agrees and embarks on a torrid love affair with her. But when another more age-appropriate crush emerges, Conor is left in an incredibly delicate situation that - as you can imagine - quickly devolves.
I adore Teddy Wayne's writing style, his characters, and his cringe-inducing plots. This one is simply no different - if you've liked his previous books, you'll love this one.
June 25, 2024
Wait, what?! Did this book really just end the way I think it did?? I am beyond baffled as to how this book could be published and getting decent ratings and being recommended by independent bookstores (that's how I found it). Connor, the main character, is literally a bumbling idiot: a reactive, self-loathing, completely unlikeable liar and sex & money addict. He has no redeeming qualities and Emily...let's not get started on her codependency issues. The plot was ridiculous and the ending...ugh the ending. I highly suggest you do not waste your time with this book- I regret doing it.
February 18, 2024
Overall I enjoyed the book. I wanted to DNF somewhere around 25% as it was super slow and wasn't keeping me focused. I stuck it out, and about halfway or so, it drew me back in and ended up being really good. It was set during the pandemic, and I don't really enjoy reading about that, but still found it an enjoyable book with twists and turns.
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper and Teddy Wayne for this e-ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper and Teddy Wayne for this e-ARC.
July 8, 2024
Conor O'Toole is een rechtenstudent en is bijna klaar met zijn studie waardoor hij eindelijk op zoek kan naar een baan. Conor krijgt het geregeld dat hij een zomer lang tennislessen mag geven aan de rijke bewoners van Cutters Neck. Hij krijgt een gratis verblijf en kan daarnaast mooi in de tussenliggende uren studeren. Conor heeft nog nooit zoveel luxe gezien als in Cutters Neck, een omheinde woonwijk vlakbij Cape Cod. Hierdoor heeft Conor ook de kans even weg te zijn uit het krappe appartement in Yonkers waar hij met zijn diabetes zieke moeder woont. Hij heeft moeite om deze rijke lui te strikken voor wat uurtjes tennisles, maar de rekeningen moeten wel betaald worden. Wanneer een divorcé hem dan een dubbel tarief biedt, kan hij haast niet weigeren. Naast de baan, vraagt de vrouw ook om andere diensten, waardoor Conor al snel verstrikt raakt in een erotische affaire. De situatie wordt voor Conor nog complexer wanneer hij verliefd wordt op een leuk en uitgesproken meisje dat hij op het strand ontmoet. Hij lijkt voor lange tijd zijn dubbele liefdesleven in stand te kunnen maken, tot Conor één grote en onherstelbare fout maakt.
Wat een mega originele, sterke en verrassende thriller. Het verhaal is zo anders dan de meeste thrillers, dat ik mega verrast ben en erg onder de indruk ben van het goede en actuele verhaal. Teddy Wayne heeft een levendige, pakkende en filmische schrijfstijl. Ik heb bij dit verhaal ook niet lang nodig voordat ik compleet door het verhaal wordt opgezogen en stoppen met lezen onmogelijk is.
We lezen het verhaal van rechtenstudent Conor O'Toole, die door zijn thuissituatie luxe, rijkdom, macht en status totaal niet gewend is. Hij is een realistisch en goed uitgewerkt personage en ook zijn gedachten en acties die hierop volgen Teddy Wayne zo weten te beschrijven dat je snapt waardoor hij tot de acties komt. Ook Emily en Catherine, de twee andere belangrijke personages, zijn uniek, sterk en erg goed uitgewerkt. Wat ik sterk vind aan dit hele verhaal, is dat de personages allemaal uniek en uitgesproken zijn, het zijn alles behalve doorsnee personages, waardoor hun handelingen en denkwijze soms erg verrassend zijn.
De verhaallijn wordt opgebouwd, vanaf het moment dat Conor in Cutters Neck bij het huisje arriveert waar hij deze zomer gratis mag verblijven. Aangezien het een nieuwe omgeving is waarin Conor terecht komt, worden de personages op natuurlijke wijze in het verhaal geïntroduceerd. Het eerste deel van het boek voelt meer aan als een roman, alhoewel het intrigerend, pakkend en een erg goed verhaal is over seks, macht en geld. Op het moment dat Conor dé grote fout maakt krijgt het verhaal een heftige en spannende wending. Teddy Wayne weet de intriges, leugens en gebeurtenissen mega goed te beschrijven. Hierbij versnelt Teddy Wayne dan ook de verhaallijn op perfecte wijze en weet hij meerdere plottwisten in het verhaal te brengen, waardoor je overrompeld en flabbergasted het verhaal uiteindelijk dichtslaat.
De winnaar is een originele, pakkende en mega sterke pageturner. Teddy Wayne heeft een filmische schrijfstijl en weet een verrassend goed verhaal over macht, seks en status neer te zetten die verrassende plottwisten kent. Het hoofdpersonage is realistisch en met finesse uitgewerkt waardoor je helemaal meegaat in zijn denk- en handelswijze. Een mega verrassende en ijzersterke thriller.
Wat een mega originele, sterke en verrassende thriller. Het verhaal is zo anders dan de meeste thrillers, dat ik mega verrast ben en erg onder de indruk ben van het goede en actuele verhaal. Teddy Wayne heeft een levendige, pakkende en filmische schrijfstijl. Ik heb bij dit verhaal ook niet lang nodig voordat ik compleet door het verhaal wordt opgezogen en stoppen met lezen onmogelijk is.
We lezen het verhaal van rechtenstudent Conor O'Toole, die door zijn thuissituatie luxe, rijkdom, macht en status totaal niet gewend is. Hij is een realistisch en goed uitgewerkt personage en ook zijn gedachten en acties die hierop volgen Teddy Wayne zo weten te beschrijven dat je snapt waardoor hij tot de acties komt. Ook Emily en Catherine, de twee andere belangrijke personages, zijn uniek, sterk en erg goed uitgewerkt. Wat ik sterk vind aan dit hele verhaal, is dat de personages allemaal uniek en uitgesproken zijn, het zijn alles behalve doorsnee personages, waardoor hun handelingen en denkwijze soms erg verrassend zijn.
De verhaallijn wordt opgebouwd, vanaf het moment dat Conor in Cutters Neck bij het huisje arriveert waar hij deze zomer gratis mag verblijven. Aangezien het een nieuwe omgeving is waarin Conor terecht komt, worden de personages op natuurlijke wijze in het verhaal geïntroduceerd. Het eerste deel van het boek voelt meer aan als een roman, alhoewel het intrigerend, pakkend en een erg goed verhaal is over seks, macht en geld. Op het moment dat Conor dé grote fout maakt krijgt het verhaal een heftige en spannende wending. Teddy Wayne weet de intriges, leugens en gebeurtenissen mega goed te beschrijven. Hierbij versnelt Teddy Wayne dan ook de verhaallijn op perfecte wijze en weet hij meerdere plottwisten in het verhaal te brengen, waardoor je overrompeld en flabbergasted het verhaal uiteindelijk dichtslaat.
De winnaar is een originele, pakkende en mega sterke pageturner. Teddy Wayne heeft een filmische schrijfstijl en weet een verrassend goed verhaal over macht, seks en status neer te zetten die verrassende plottwisten kent. Het hoofdpersonage is realistisch en met finesse uitgewerkt waardoor je helemaal meegaat in zijn denk- en handelswijze. Een mega verrassende en ijzersterke thriller.
June 28, 2024
Rechtenstudent Conor O’Toole heeft nog nooit zoveel luxe gezien als in Cutters Neck, een omheinde woonwijk vlak bij Cape Cod. Conor mag er de hele zomer gratis verblijven in ruil voor het geven van tennislessen aan de rijke bewoners.
Maar in dit paradijs aan zee is het moeilijk om nieuwe klanten te vinden, en Conor moet toch echt zijn rekeningen betalen. Dus als een divorcé hem het dubbele tarief aanbiedt, kan hij bijna niet weigeren. Maar de vrouw wil ook naast de baan gebruikmaken van zijn diensten, en het duurt niet lang of Conor raakt verstrikt in een erotische affaire.
De situatie wordt nog complexer wanneer Conor tegelijkertijd verliefd wordt op een leuk en uitgesproken meisje dat hij op het strand heeft ontmoet. Op de een of andere manier lijkt hij het dubbele liefdesleven in stand te kunnen houden. Maar dan maakt Conor een laatste, onherstelbare fout…
'De winnaar' speelt zich af in een wereld van rijke mensen. Conor, een rechtenstudent, komt daar terecht en geeft tennisles aan de rijke bewoners. Daar leert hij een hele knappe, maar veel oudere, vrouw kennen en ze voelen zich meteen tot elkaar aangetrokken...
Er volgen daarna behoorlijk wat erotische stukken, dus hier moet je wel van houden, en de relatie tussen Conor en deze mysterieuze vrouw worden steeds extremer. Dit vond ik heel erg interessant om te lezen.
Maar dan leert Conor een meisje kennen waar hij écht verliefd op wordt en vanaf dan raakt hij in een web vol moeilijkheden en leugens verstrikt...
Dit boek vond ik dus enorm boeiend om te lezen! De schrijfstijl is heel fijn en enorm interessant om te lezen. Eigenlijk al meteen vanaf de ontmoeting tussen Conor en de rijke vrouw. Je vraagt je de hele tijd af welke richting dit verhaal op gaat en hoe de relatie zich verder zal ontwikkelen.
Overigens denk ik niet dat je dit een echte thriller kunt noemen. Het bevat veel psychologische elementen en er is ook genoeg drama aanwezig. Het enige (min)puntje vond ik het einde. Dat gaf mij niet helemaal een bevredigend gevoel. Voor de rest was dit echt een heerlijk boek om te lezen!
Bedankt voor dit recensie-exemplaar @lsuitgeverij!
Beoordeling: 4,0 ⭐️
Maar in dit paradijs aan zee is het moeilijk om nieuwe klanten te vinden, en Conor moet toch echt zijn rekeningen betalen. Dus als een divorcé hem het dubbele tarief aanbiedt, kan hij bijna niet weigeren. Maar de vrouw wil ook naast de baan gebruikmaken van zijn diensten, en het duurt niet lang of Conor raakt verstrikt in een erotische affaire.
De situatie wordt nog complexer wanneer Conor tegelijkertijd verliefd wordt op een leuk en uitgesproken meisje dat hij op het strand heeft ontmoet. Op de een of andere manier lijkt hij het dubbele liefdesleven in stand te kunnen houden. Maar dan maakt Conor een laatste, onherstelbare fout…
'De winnaar' speelt zich af in een wereld van rijke mensen. Conor, een rechtenstudent, komt daar terecht en geeft tennisles aan de rijke bewoners. Daar leert hij een hele knappe, maar veel oudere, vrouw kennen en ze voelen zich meteen tot elkaar aangetrokken...
Er volgen daarna behoorlijk wat erotische stukken, dus hier moet je wel van houden, en de relatie tussen Conor en deze mysterieuze vrouw worden steeds extremer. Dit vond ik heel erg interessant om te lezen.
Maar dan leert Conor een meisje kennen waar hij écht verliefd op wordt en vanaf dan raakt hij in een web vol moeilijkheden en leugens verstrikt...
Dit boek vond ik dus enorm boeiend om te lezen! De schrijfstijl is heel fijn en enorm interessant om te lezen. Eigenlijk al meteen vanaf de ontmoeting tussen Conor en de rijke vrouw. Je vraagt je de hele tijd af welke richting dit verhaal op gaat en hoe de relatie zich verder zal ontwikkelen.
Overigens denk ik niet dat je dit een echte thriller kunt noemen. Het bevat veel psychologische elementen en er is ook genoeg drama aanwezig. Het enige (min)puntje vond ik het einde. Dat gaf mij niet helemaal een bevredigend gevoel. Voor de rest was dit echt een heerlijk boek om te lezen!
Bedankt voor dit recensie-exemplaar @lsuitgeverij!
Beoordeling: 4,0 ⭐️
June 22, 2024
This is a gripping literary thriller about Connor O'Toole, a recent law school graduate who finds himself jobless during the pandemic in the summer of 2020. He takes a summer job as a tennis pro at an exclusive, affluent community near Cape Cod. In return for tennis lessons, he gets free accommodation in a luxurious guest cottage. He starts giving lessons to a divorced woman twice his age, and she soon begins paying him for services beyond tennis.
As Connor becomes involved with an artsy and outspoken girl he meets on the beach, he struggles to balance both relationships, leading to major complications.
The book delves into socioeconomic inequality in America and explores the paranoia and anxiety caused by the pandemic. It examines themes of ambition, temptation, and the dark side of the elite. With its twists and turns, it's a top dark thriller of the summer.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://zibbymedia.com/blogs/transcri...
As Connor becomes involved with an artsy and outspoken girl he meets on the beach, he struggles to balance both relationships, leading to major complications.
The book delves into socioeconomic inequality in America and explores the paranoia and anxiety caused by the pandemic. It examines themes of ambition, temptation, and the dark side of the elite. With its twists and turns, it's a top dark thriller of the summer.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://zibbymedia.com/blogs/transcri...
June 23, 2024
I almost gave up on this book at about page 50, but thought maybe the protogonist will redeem himself or not be a total jackass. Unfortunately, as it went on it became clear that Conor O'Toole is a schmuck, in every possible connotation of the word (look it up in Yiddish if you need). For the first half of the book, that's what Conor thinks with.
I think he was going for a remake of Dreiser's "An American Tragedy" with the film "The Graduate" thrown in. Perhaps a twist of Highsmith's "Mr. Ripley." It didn't work for me; it's more like Levin's "A Kiss Before Dying" (that also ripped off Dreiser), but nowhere near as good. The only thing that kept me going was the hope that Conor would be discovered and suffer the consequences. Spoiler - he got caught and got away with it and even more.
For some reason, being lectured about income and class inequality over and over was supposed to make Conor's decisions justified. At the beginning he was motivated by trying to help pay for his mom's insulin and his student debt. He slept with a townie but she's not worthy of him - so much for class egalitarianism for Conor. He shouldn't have to care about people BELOW him in social status.
Apparently the rich are different. REALLY REALLY REALLY different. Several more pages on outrage because they have things Conor doesn't......they get away with crimes against each other for which he would have been jailed, etc.
But wait, what if he can become a criminal to get them? What if he can manipulate a 23 year old who has been institutionalized in a psych facility multiple times to become one of them? That's cool, right? Why shouldn't he do it?
But I'm skipping ahead. First, he becomes a whore/gigolo (pick your term) to a cougar who chases him blatantly and he eventually caves. (He didn't put up much of a fight). He is surprised at how debased that makes him feel; remember, Conor is supposed to be smart. Then, cue "The Graduate": he falls in love with her daughter - the psych patient - but the sex isn't good and he wants money so he keeps seeing mom. He can't make up his mind as to which relationship is more important. We wait for the payoff when one of them finds out and then we go into Ripley territory as he commits a crime to keep it quiet.
But we never find out HOW the mom learns about the daughter. And given the cover-up of the crime, wouldn't you think it would be important to know WHO ELSE knows about the mom relationship? Huge plot hole.
Conor isn't Ripley - I don't believe he could manage to be this lucky. In the only original plot thread, he wreaks emotional abuse on the daughter - every time she thinks of separating from him, Conor sets her up to be more dependent. Even Conor's mom doesn't seem to approve. Just because she's rich doesn't mean it's okay to manipulate the mentally ill.
A one word review: Yuck.
I think he was going for a remake of Dreiser's "An American Tragedy" with the film "The Graduate" thrown in. Perhaps a twist of Highsmith's "Mr. Ripley." It didn't work for me; it's more like Levin's "A Kiss Before Dying" (that also ripped off Dreiser), but nowhere near as good. The only thing that kept me going was the hope that Conor would be discovered and suffer the consequences. Spoiler - he got caught and got away with it and even more.
For some reason, being lectured about income and class inequality over and over was supposed to make Conor's decisions justified. At the beginning he was motivated by trying to help pay for his mom's insulin and his student debt. He slept with a townie but she's not worthy of him - so much for class egalitarianism for Conor. He shouldn't have to care about people BELOW him in social status.
Apparently the rich are different. REALLY REALLY REALLY different. Several more pages on outrage because they have things Conor doesn't......they get away with crimes against each other for which he would have been jailed, etc.
But wait, what if he can become a criminal to get them? What if he can manipulate a 23 year old who has been institutionalized in a psych facility multiple times to become one of them? That's cool, right? Why shouldn't he do it?
But I'm skipping ahead. First, he becomes a whore/gigolo (pick your term) to a cougar who chases him blatantly and he eventually caves. (He didn't put up much of a fight). He is surprised at how debased that makes him feel; remember, Conor is supposed to be smart. Then, cue "The Graduate": he falls in love with her daughter - the psych patient - but the sex isn't good and he wants money so he keeps seeing mom. He can't make up his mind as to which relationship is more important. We wait for the payoff when one of them finds out and then we go into Ripley territory as he commits a crime to keep it quiet.
But we never find out HOW the mom learns about the daughter. And given the cover-up of the crime, wouldn't you think it would be important to know WHO ELSE knows about the mom relationship? Huge plot hole.
Conor isn't Ripley - I don't believe he could manage to be this lucky. In the only original plot thread, he wreaks emotional abuse on the daughter - every time she thinks of separating from him, Conor sets her up to be more dependent. Even Conor's mom doesn't seem to approve. Just because she's rich doesn't mean it's okay to manipulate the mentally ill.
A one word review: Yuck.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2024
Ok. The two stars are for the last 100 pages. The deduction is for the first 200. This is an interesting premise especially in the post ‘Saltburn’ of it all. Conor is an interesting protagonist but the first two hundred pages felt like table setting and exposition and the “mystery” part of it wasn’t until the final 25% of the book. I flew through the last part but getting there was a slog.
Also, the first 200 pages felt like a straight white man writing about his sexual fantasies with two women. It was A LOT and overly steamy for my liking to be honest.
Writing was good. Plot was intriguing but overall the execution didn’t work for me.
Also, the first 200 pages felt like a straight white man writing about his sexual fantasies with two women. It was A LOT and overly steamy for my liking to be honest.
Writing was good. Plot was intriguing but overall the execution didn’t work for me.
July 13, 2024
At first, I was like, oh no, is this just going to be a straight up porno? Came and saw the top review which was one star and said "only a man could have written this." Groaned, worried I'd been tricked....but I loved Loner and there was just enough off that I could tell layers lurked under this seemingly sordid opening. So I took a deep breath and trusted Teddy Wayne to lead me down the twisted hallways of male psyche again, and I'm so glad I did. This was a WILD ride with an ending that left me with chills. No one does unlikable (but maybe...sympathetic underneath the pity...but maybe not? and humans are just pathetic by nature) male narrators like this.
May 26, 2024
The Winner is a story that focuses on the trappings of immense wealth and the people who have it, wielding it like a shield of power over those wish to have it.
The story shows young Conor O’Toole, fresh out of law school, studying for the bar exam and making some extra cash as a tennis pro at an exclusive gated community near Cape Cod.
Dangled like a carrot, divorcee, Catherine presents check after check for services rendered to Conor for “private” lessons that have zilch to do with tennis and more about the power of her money and what she can buy with it. Conor thinks he can stop these private lessons at any time, however, he’s been bitten by the money bug, telling himself it’s to aid his diabetic mother; he becomes the victim of his own greed.
Things ramp up to epic proportions when he falls for a local girl and wants to stop seeing Catherine.
Ultimatums rarely sit well with people who use greed and power to get their way.
A fun literary thriller that provides some very descriptive racy scenes, that were unexpected. Some hilarious moments of juggling women and somewhat predictable yet still jaw dropping push to the end.
Thank you Harper Collins for a fantastic read!
The story shows young Conor O’Toole, fresh out of law school, studying for the bar exam and making some extra cash as a tennis pro at an exclusive gated community near Cape Cod.
Dangled like a carrot, divorcee, Catherine presents check after check for services rendered to Conor for “private” lessons that have zilch to do with tennis and more about the power of her money and what she can buy with it. Conor thinks he can stop these private lessons at any time, however, he’s been bitten by the money bug, telling himself it’s to aid his diabetic mother; he becomes the victim of his own greed.
Things ramp up to epic proportions when he falls for a local girl and wants to stop seeing Catherine.
Ultimatums rarely sit well with people who use greed and power to get their way.
A fun literary thriller that provides some very descriptive racy scenes, that were unexpected. Some hilarious moments of juggling women and somewhat predictable yet still jaw dropping push to the end.
Thank you Harper Collins for a fantastic read!
June 24, 2024
Nope, sorry no!!! I was so engaged during the first few chapters when the main character was on his way to teach tennis lessons for the summer. The writing was great, I thought this would be a wonderful story, but it quickly became something else altogether.
Does anyone remember Dustin Hoffman in “The Graduate?” I’ve read the theme of this story before, but this was so ridiculous & disappointing. Nope!
The female characters??? Come on, seriously?
Does anyone remember Dustin Hoffman in “The Graduate?” I’ve read the theme of this story before, but this was so ridiculous & disappointing. Nope!
The female characters??? Come on, seriously?
June 11, 2024
The Winner is a good holiday read, a slow-burn psychological thriller that might remind you of the lockdown and the pandemic. The ending might seem frustrating rather than explanatory, but it fits the story. I enjoyed it, but I saw the twist and its fallback coming.
The plot is centred on Connor O’Toole, a young man who graduated from law school against the backdrop of the 2020 pandemic. With a mother suffering from diabetes who had lost her job (his father had died when Connor was a child), he is desperate to find work during a time when jobs are scarce. So, when a rich corporate lawyer invites him to live in a gated community for the rich by the ocean in New England, where he is to give tennis lessons to the residents, he says yes. Not only will he make some good bucks, but he will also meet potential prospects for his future as a lawyer.
As he enters the world of the rich, he is overwhelmed by the wealth of the place. As his clientele list is not enough to cover his mother’s medication and expenses, he gets more worried and anxious every day. Until he meets beautiful, wealthy Catherine, a 49-year-old divorcé who owns the biggest mansion in the compound. Catherine asks for more tennis lessons from Connor and is willing to pay for it. Connor is reluctant at first, but, pushed by his financial needs, he accepts and even enjoys the “lessons” with wild, creative Catherine, becoming more than willing to cater to her needs.
Later, he meets Emily, a young writer from a wealthy family. They fall in love, which complicates his relationship with Catherine. Connor has to navigate the world of the rich and find a way to deal with the two women without compromising his future and income. Things turn dark, a crime is committed, police get involved, and it all culminates in tragedy.
A light summer thriller, slightly predictable, the book is a good read for the beach. You will enjoy The Winner if you don’t expect a complex plot, likeable characters, or social commentary on the rich, which was quite thin (to my disappointment).
The plot is centred on Connor O’Toole, a young man who graduated from law school against the backdrop of the 2020 pandemic. With a mother suffering from diabetes who had lost her job (his father had died when Connor was a child), he is desperate to find work during a time when jobs are scarce. So, when a rich corporate lawyer invites him to live in a gated community for the rich by the ocean in New England, where he is to give tennis lessons to the residents, he says yes. Not only will he make some good bucks, but he will also meet potential prospects for his future as a lawyer.
As he enters the world of the rich, he is overwhelmed by the wealth of the place. As his clientele list is not enough to cover his mother’s medication and expenses, he gets more worried and anxious every day. Until he meets beautiful, wealthy Catherine, a 49-year-old divorcé who owns the biggest mansion in the compound. Catherine asks for more tennis lessons from Connor and is willing to pay for it. Connor is reluctant at first, but, pushed by his financial needs, he accepts and even enjoys the “lessons” with wild, creative Catherine, becoming more than willing to cater to her needs.
Later, he meets Emily, a young writer from a wealthy family. They fall in love, which complicates his relationship with Catherine. Connor has to navigate the world of the rich and find a way to deal with the two women without compromising his future and income. Things turn dark, a crime is committed, police get involved, and it all culminates in tragedy.
A light summer thriller, slightly predictable, the book is a good read for the beach. You will enjoy The Winner if you don’t expect a complex plot, likeable characters, or social commentary on the rich, which was quite thin (to my disappointment).
June 7, 2024
*whispers* I was totally rooting for the murderer.
This is a gem of a book and one of my favorite reads of 2024 so far. This one may not sit well with readers who have a very absolute sense of right and wrong, but I thought the messy morality of it was excellent.
I’ve been up and down on Teddy Wayne’s work. The writing is always exceptional, but my enjoyment of his plots has varied wildly. This one is probably my favorite to date, though I also greatly enjoyed Apartment.
This book is sort of an elevated version of the rich people behaving badly novel, and also an interesting and though-provoking look at how a hero evolves into an anti-hero. Though it’s largely easy to class as Literary Fiction, there’s a quiet intensity to much of the novel that achieves the simmering tension of the best thrillers. It’s almost gothic at times. Which is a very good thing.
In all, a terrific piece of fiction, and probably Wayne’s best work thus far.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
This is a gem of a book and one of my favorite reads of 2024 so far. This one may not sit well with readers who have a very absolute sense of right and wrong, but I thought the messy morality of it was excellent.
I’ve been up and down on Teddy Wayne’s work. The writing is always exceptional, but my enjoyment of his plots has varied wildly. This one is probably my favorite to date, though I also greatly enjoyed Apartment.
This book is sort of an elevated version of the rich people behaving badly novel, and also an interesting and though-provoking look at how a hero evolves into an anti-hero. Though it’s largely easy to class as Literary Fiction, there’s a quiet intensity to much of the novel that achieves the simmering tension of the best thrillers. It’s almost gothic at times. Which is a very good thing.
In all, a terrific piece of fiction, and probably Wayne’s best work thus far.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
February 6, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
OMFG--what a book. This is my first time reading Teddy Wayne and I'll now be going back to look at his backlist. The beginning of this novel is a bit of a slow burn, in terms of what you think the story is going to be about: young, working class kid spending time with the .01% during Covid, providing tennis lessons and starting up an illicit relationship with an older woman. And then, hang onto your hat because it becomes something so different--and terrifying. I think I was figuratively on the edge of my seat from halfway through until the end. Not sure how I feel about the ending--on the one hand, I just want to know more. But, on the other hand, it feels like the mark of a well told story that I didn't want it to end.
OMFG--what a book. This is my first time reading Teddy Wayne and I'll now be going back to look at his backlist. The beginning of this novel is a bit of a slow burn, in terms of what you think the story is going to be about: young, working class kid spending time with the .01% during Covid, providing tennis lessons and starting up an illicit relationship with an older woman. And then, hang onto your hat because it becomes something so different--and terrifying. I think I was figuratively on the edge of my seat from halfway through until the end. Not sure how I feel about the ending--on the one hand, I just want to know more. But, on the other hand, it feels like the mark of a well told story that I didn't want it to end.
April 28, 2024
Very interesting read. At first I wasn’t inclined to give this higher than a 1, but as the book FINALLY picked up I got into it. Definitely a slow burn, as I felt nothing really kept me engaged until page 180, so it took me a little longer to finish this book due to starting and stopping. However, once the twist start I could not put it down. Flew through the last like 125 pages in a couple hours once I hit the turning point. Would recommend this book only for this plot, but would warn to stick with it even when you wanna quit
February 7, 2024
I don't do too well with slow, slow, slow burn books, I realize. The cover and idea of this story drew me in, but it just didn't come together the way I had hoped. I found it boring for my personal taste. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
June 5, 2024
I honestly have no idea what to think of this. The MC is WILD but smart… I guess.
July 7, 2024
De winnaar gaat over Conor O'Toole die rechten studeert. In ruil voor tennislessen mag hij de zomer doorbrengen in Cutters Neck, een omheinde community met rijke bewoners. Als een gescheiden, oudere vrouw meer vraagt dan alleen tennisles en daar het dubbele voor wil geven, kan hij dit niet weigeren. Maar dan ontmoet hij een vrouw van zijn eigen leeftijd en moet hij beide vrouwen geheim houden. Dit lijkt hem aardig goed af te gaan, maar dan gebeurt er iets waardoor zijn dubbelleven in gevaar komt.
De winnaar wordt omschreven als een thriller, maar de eerste helft van het boek is er geen spanning te bekennen. Hierin leer je de personages kennen en draait het voornamelijk om geld en seks. Dit vond ik dan ook een moeilijk stuk om doorheen te komen. Wel zit er in dit stuk een kleine plottwist.
Zodra er halverwege een bepaalde gebeurtenis plaatsvindt word je als lezer nieuwsgierig naar hoe het gaat aflopen. De echte spanning van een thriller komt er niet, het blijft bij wat onderhuidse spanning. Maar het boek is wel moeilijker weg te leggen. Teddy Wayne heeft een vlotte schrijfstijl, ondanks dat de spanning miste las het boek wel vlot.
De winnaar speelt zich af tijdens de coronaperiode en hier wordt dan ook gebruik van gemaakt in het boek. Dit kan voor herkenning zorgen. Bij mij zorgde het juist voor wat frustratie, omdat ik liever niet over deze periode lees en ik was het ook niet met de denkwijze van de meeste personages eens, de manier waarop ze ermee om gingen. Wel waren er een paar dingen die nu makkelijker waren, doordat de personages in afzondering leefden, dus ik kan ergens wel begrijpen dat de auteur hiervoor heeft gekozen. Daarnaast was het ook tijdens de periode van de verkiezingen van Trump en Biden, wat vooral voor Amerikanen voor herkenning zal zorgen.
De winnaar van Teddy Wayne is een spannende roman die draait om macht, geld, seks en status.
De winnaar wordt omschreven als een thriller, maar de eerste helft van het boek is er geen spanning te bekennen. Hierin leer je de personages kennen en draait het voornamelijk om geld en seks. Dit vond ik dan ook een moeilijk stuk om doorheen te komen. Wel zit er in dit stuk een kleine plottwist.
Zodra er halverwege een bepaalde gebeurtenis plaatsvindt word je als lezer nieuwsgierig naar hoe het gaat aflopen. De echte spanning van een thriller komt er niet, het blijft bij wat onderhuidse spanning. Maar het boek is wel moeilijker weg te leggen. Teddy Wayne heeft een vlotte schrijfstijl, ondanks dat de spanning miste las het boek wel vlot.
De winnaar speelt zich af tijdens de coronaperiode en hier wordt dan ook gebruik van gemaakt in het boek. Dit kan voor herkenning zorgen. Bij mij zorgde het juist voor wat frustratie, omdat ik liever niet over deze periode lees en ik was het ook niet met de denkwijze van de meeste personages eens, de manier waarop ze ermee om gingen. Wel waren er een paar dingen die nu makkelijker waren, doordat de personages in afzondering leefden, dus ik kan ergens wel begrijpen dat de auteur hiervoor heeft gekozen. Daarnaast was het ook tijdens de periode van de verkiezingen van Trump en Biden, wat vooral voor Amerikanen voor herkenning zal zorgen.
De winnaar van Teddy Wayne is een spannende roman die draait om macht, geld, seks en status.
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