The Partner Track - by Helen Wan (Paperback)

About the Book

"First edition: September 2013"--Title page verso.

Book Synopsis

Ingrid Yung's life is full of firsts. A first-generation Chinese American, the first lawyer in her family, she's about to collect the holy grail of firsts and become the first minority woman to make partner at the venerable old law firm Parsons Valentine & Hunt.
Ingrid has perfected the art of passing and seamlessly blends into the old-boy corporate culture. She gamely banters in the corporate cafeteria, plays in the firm softball league, and earnestly racks up her billable hours. But when an offensive incident at the summer outing threatens the firm's reputation, Ingrid's outsider status is suddenly thrown into sharp relief. Scrambling to do damage control, Parsons Valentine announces a new Diversity and Inclusion Initiative, commanding Ingrid to spearhead the effort. Only she's about to close an enormous transaction that was to be her final step in securing partnership.
For the first time, Ingrid must question her place in the firm. Pitted against her colleagues, including her golden-boy boyfriend, Ingrid begins to wonder whether the prestige of partnership is worth breaching her ethics. But can she risk throwing away the American dream that is finally within her reach?

Review Quotes

"Smart, incisive, and fast-paced, THE PARTNER TRACK is a sparklingly readable look at the inner workings of a Wall Street law firm -- from the vantage point of a brainy, beautiful and self-doubting Asian-American associate. Wan has the remarkable ability to make you feel as if you are there" --inside the law firm, inside protagonist Ingrid Yung's head. I did not want to put this book down.

"Behind Helen Wan's wit and sparkling prose is a poignant and at times, painfully honest tale of loyalty, ambition and sacrifice. Funny, fragile, sometimes bold, often unsure, Ingrid Yung is one of those unforgettable heroines that you actually miss, like a dear friend, when the story's over." --Ann Leary, New York Times bestselling author of The Good House

"What a terrific debut novel. Ingrid Yung is a fresh, funny, and fearless heroine. Her razor-sharp wit and keen observations of gender, race and class politics in corporate America make THE PARTNER TRACK an entertaining, engrossing and ultimately deeply compelling read." --Cristina Alger, author of The Darlings

"A wholly engrossing behind-the-scenes look at real life behind the pomp, power and prestige of a high-powered law firm that wants to still play by a 1950s rule book." --Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus, co-authors of Citizen Girl and The Nanny Diaries

"The Partner Track is a marvelous story about female ambition and power, about betrayal, identity, and the conflict between self-interest and desire. In short: all the big, human stuff. Read it." --Alison Clement, author of Twenty Questions

"Hell hath no fury like Helen Wan's savvy heroine in this terrific debut. We all know women like Ingrid Yung: the well-educated over-achiever who does everything right to ensure a long, productive journey on a lucrative career path. But what happens when someone blows up the path? The Partner Track is a delicious, satisfying read for anyone who has fantasized about getting the better of the boss, the ex-lover, the corporate powers that be--or all three. Ingrid Yung has done it for all of us." --Kristin van Ogtrop, author of Just Let Me Lie Down and editor of Real Simple

"From lawyer-turned-author Helen Wan comes an illuminating look at the social and racial politics at a prestigious New York law firm." --Audrey Magazine

"A master storyteller...Wan paints a realistic and immersing portrait of the elite world of corporate law. She had me rooting for Ingrid's success and happiness from the first chapter." --Real Simple

"Engaging and suspenseful . . . She dissects the tokens of status in this world in a manner that's reminiscent of Tom Wolfe." --Wall Street Journal

"Wan succeeds in exploring and fictionalizing the timely topics of sexism and racism in workplace politics in a fluent, thought-provoking, and compelling tale." --Booklist

"Wan has written a sensitive story of discrimination faced in 'old boy' law firms in particular but also in the world in general . . . intriguing and entertaining. This reviewer is looking to Wan's next novel." --Library Journal

"THE PARTNER TRACK romances us with power, all the while revealing the betrayal, bigotry and illusion congealed inside of it." --Amherst Magazine

About the Author

HELEN WAN, a graduate of Amherst College and the University of Virginia School of Law, lived and worked as a lawyer in Manhattan before becoming a writer and speaker. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, The Daily Beast, and many other publications, and The Partner Track is often taught in law schools and colleges. Born in California and raised in Virginia, Helen now lives in New Jersey with her family. Please visit Helen at www.helenwan.com.