FICTION

Sophia of Silicon Valley

by Anna Yen
Morrow. Apr. 2018. 368p. SBN 9780062673015. $26.99; ebk. ISBN 9780062673039. F
COPY ISBN
This first novel is a fast-paced romp through the boom years of the tech industry. Sophia is the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants who have trained her from birth to get what she wants. In her case, it's landed her in the path of Scott Kraft, a tech visionary in the mold of Steve Jobs and Elon Musk. At age 25, she becomes Scott's right-hand woman, managing him as much as she manages his company. When she's hired by another company, Sophia wonders if being filthy rich is worth living in the wild boys' club that is Silicon Valley. Yen's brash and frenetically energetic novel leaves readers gasping in its wake as it sets a brutal pace through Sophia's life. She is bold, although her realizations and actions at times feel out of place, and possibly tone-deaf, in light of the burgeoning #MeToo movement.
VERDICT The author's experience in the tech industry lends authenticity to this novel, and fans of Lauren Weisberger's The Devil Wears Prada may appreciate the cutthroat atmosphere if not the lack of Prada. [See Prepub Alert, 10/22/17.]
Reviewed by Mara Dabrishus, Ursuline Coll. Lib., Pepper Pike, OH , Apr 15, 2018
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

FICTION

Heads Will Roll
by Winning, Josh
MEDIA

Finding Sophie
by Mahmood, Imran
FICTION

The Year of What If
by Patrick, Phaedra
FICTION

Not in Love
by Hazelwood, Ali
MEDIA

The Phoenix Bride
by Siegel, Natasha
FICTION

The Sky Was Ours
by Fassler, Joe
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?