Jennifer has dedicated her entire adulthood to pursuing fortune. When she separates from Tony—even without having a baby—she is offered enough money to make her rich for the rest of her life. Why does she refuse the money Miriam offers her to have an abortion?

Anne is wealthy, independent, intelligent and successful, but she frequently makes poor decisions and gets herself into trouble. Why does she consistently ignore advice given to her by wiser friends?

Neely and Helen Lawson are very alike: talented, famous, overtly interested in men, and competitive. Helen is not necessarily aging gracefully, but she keeps in control of herself and her career. Neely relies on drugs and alcohol, and is mentally unstable. What differences in the two women, or their careers, contribute to these vastly different outcomes?

The novel paints a very unflattering portrait of wealthy...