I reviewed this debut novel last year and ended up in a minor tiff with the New York Times copy desk on how high up I had to identify the author as the son of somebody or other. The book, I thought, did not require a disclaimer.
I met the author later, and found him almost unbearably great, but no matter. The book’s still swell.
In short: Seymour Herson, 14, is adopted and groomed by the title character, a little monster with a lot of money. My Fair Lady, if Professor Higgins were Satan, the novel’s chief targets are the foibles and enormities of the ultra-wealthy, wrapped in an involving coming-of-age tale.
