 |
George Sistern, a forty-six-year-old pianist, is feeling depressed after being scammed out of money by a Las Vegas con artist known as the Poker Queen. Through an acquaintance named Francine, he begins therapy with Mildred Markowitz. During their sessions, George shares his struggles, including how his mother used to tell him that people could easily see what kind of person he was, which led them to take advantage of him. He recounts various scenarios in which he has been mistreated. Eventually, George manages to recover the money that the Poker Queen had stolen from him, thanks to Mildred's friend Tony. While this recovery significantly improves George's mood, Mildred believes they should continue their work together to focus on enhancing his self-esteem.
The author's book examines the various repercussions of scams on victims, particularly through the perspective of the character George. The author provides readers with an insightful exploration of George's emotional state after experiencing deception. This portrayal enables a profound understanding of his psychological turmoil, particularly for individuals who have encountered similar situations, as they may resonate with George's sense of betrayal. Furthermore, Devens emphasizes the detrimental effects of scamming schemes on the self-esteem of victims. For individuals who already contend with feelings of insecurity regarding their self-worth, being victimized can exacerbate these negative self-perceptions. Such repeated victimization can lead to significant detriment to one's self-esteem. The author articulately conveys these emotional experiences, enabling readers who have faced similar adversities to grasp the profound depth of the effects these scams can impose.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review
A 2025 Eric Hoffer Book Award Nominee