History of a Pleasure Seeker

After reading and loving Rules of Civility, History of a Pleasure Seeker was recommended. Author Richard Mason gives us a glimpse of Amsterdam in the early 1900s through the eyes of Piet Barol. Piet is a shameless social climber. After living a modest life with his father on a college campus, Piet longs to have the finer things in his life. He takes the lessons that he has learned from the affluent college students and applies to be a tutor.

The Vermeulen-Sickerts are rich and powerful, but their son, Egbert, has a mix of agoraphobia and schizophrenia. He battles monsters daily that keep him inside and force him to follow a rigid schedule, denying himself any real pleasure in life. They hire Piet, hoping to break Egbert out of his shell.

Piet ensconces himself both with the family and with the household staff, enjoying the experiences of both worlds. He charms the Vermeulen-Sickerts sisters, he is taken into the confidences of Mr. Vermeulen-Sickerts. Eventually Piet cracks the code of Egbert's mind and as a reward, is given a large sum of money. As a result, he is finally able to buy his dream, only to find that nothing is what it seems.

This book was interesting and quick to read, but a little too sexual in nature for my comfort. :)