Executive Suite

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“What’s she like, Don?”

“Like?  Clever woman—damned clever—mind like a man’s.”

This cringeworthy exchange from Cameron Hawley’s Executive Suite is one of many examples illustrating the contrast of American business culture in the 1950s with that of the 21^st century. 

Despite these occasional awkward comments, Executive Suite is an absorbing account about the sudden death of a corporate president and the scramble of his top executives to succeed him. 

Hawley’s narrative gracefully intertwines the various threads of the plot in a way the reader can easily follow.  And then he peppers the narrative with little subplots that have no substantial impact on the overall story.  Surprisingly, they are not distracting, but instead, serve to lighten and relieve the more intense and darker elements of the story.

After reading Executive Suite, take a look at the 2011 movie, Margin Call.  Towards the end of each story, the main characters have soliloquies explaining their approaches to business.  The differences are staggering as are the reactions of their listeners.  Despite both being fictional, they seem to accurately reflect their respective eras.

Executive Suite—though seriously dated—provides a compelling drama that is easy to sink yourself into.  And it may cheer you to see we have progressed in so many ways.  At the same time, though, it may make you wistful for the older ideal of pride, responsibility and service—values that seem less prominent in today’s corporate world.

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