An American Novel

How much is a life worth? The Wall Street Tribune publishes an investigative series about the controversial life settlement industry, whose investors purchase life insurance policies, then wait for policyholders to die. Most examples in the articles are drawn from Destin Terrace, a tight-knit Florida community. Meet Bruce, the flight attendant, who sold his policy in the 80's when he was diagnosed with AIDS but is in no rush to die; or Steve, the dentist, who purchased Bruce's policy at the time and is waiting for his neighbor to "hold his end of the bargain"; or Brian, the doctor, who writes life expectancy reports in his basement; or Rhonda, the servicer, who makes phones calls to seniors who sold their policies to make sure they're still alive. Despite its unbelievable tragicomic potential, the life settlement business had never been the main subject of a novel before. Thoroughly documented, incredibly clever and entertaining, An American Novel confronts our taboos and explores the essence of capitalism.