The Man in the Rockefeller Suit: The Astonishing Rise and Spectacular Fall of a Serial Impostor by Mark Seal

The Man in the Rockefeller Suite: The Astonishing Rise and Spectacular Fall of a Serial Impostor by Mark Seal
Penguin Group Audio
9 hours

I’m so torn on how to tell you about this book, so I’m going to interview myself to make it easier…

WQ= Wallace’s Question
WA= Wallace’s Answer

***

WQ: Was this book interesting?
WA: Yes, it was.

WQ: Did it keep you engaged in the story of Clark Rockefeller, the man who convinced the Upper East Side of New York City and Beacon Hill (in Boston) that he was a Rockefeller.
WA: Interesting question, Wallace. Sometimes it did, but often it didn’t. In fact, since I was listening to this on my Audible app, I was able to adjust the speed. I decided to put the narrator on double time because I needed the book to go faster to retain my attention.

WQ: What was it that this story lacked?
WA: Nothing really. The author did a nice job of giving facts. The thing is there were too many facts. This book could have (and maybe should have) been an article in The New Yorker. Definitely a crazy concept (duping so many people, including a wife), but that’s pretty much the juice of the story right there; in that one phrase.

WQ: But didn’t you want to know the details of the how?
WA: I did, which is why I read the book. But honestly, I’m still not sure how he did it. I mean, I have the facts (thanks to the book) but I am incredulous about why people believed him. We all have know that person (you know, that person) who hyperbolize many or most of their claims (as you roll your eyes): “Oh, I totally am going to Mustique to hang with Kate and William – we’ve been besties forever.” Only really they’ve met Kate and William once, at a charity event, and Kate happened to say that their clothing looked nice. It’s really not hard to notice these kinds of people, and this is exactly who Clark Rockefeller is. I’m seriously dumbfounded that out of everyone the author spoke to, only one person thought to Google the guy… and we’re talking about a story that took place in this past decade — he was caught in 2008! Hello! People google their crushes/future employees/vets; why not google a dude who is chatting you up and says he’s a Rockefeller?!

WQ: So, do you recommend this book to others?
WA: If you want to read a book that will have your mouth hanging open most of the time (half in disbelief, half in annoyed frustration), then yes. I do think it would make a good book club choice… plenty to discuss (especially since he’ll be going through a murder trial in the near future).