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Alex PrestonBritish writer and journalist
Date of Birth: 18.01.1979
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
Alex Preston - British Writer and Journalist
Alex Preston is a renowned British writer and journalist known for his insightful works on the brilliance and destitution of financial markets. His first novel, "Bleeding City," was published in Russian by "Phantom Press" and has gained significant recognition.
Biography
Alex Preston visited Moscow as part of his book tour, where he engaged in various literary events. He conducted a masterclass for aspiring writers, participated in the "Book Market" festival, and attended an international writers' gathering in Yasnaya Polyana. During his visit, he also gave an interview to a correspondent from "Izvestia" newspaper.
Preston's debut novel, "Bleeding City," tells the story of a provincial university graduate longing to immerse himself in the glamorous and affluent lives of London City clerks. It is often speculated that the novel draws inspiration from his personal experiences. However, Preston clarifies that while the story is not autobiographical, he did surprise his family when he decided to work in a hedge fund. The protagonist, Charlie Wayz, is a composite character formed from Preston's observations, snippets of conversations, and interviews. Charlie serves as a symbol of Preston's generation, one that rushed into the City only to be chewed up and spat out by its relentless demands. While Preston acknowledges his luck in escaping that world, he emphasizes the challenges he faced while writing "Bleeding City."
Writing the novel was no easy task for Preston, who had a demanding schedule. He would come home from work, quickly have dinner, and then dedicate his nights to writing, often staying up until midnight. This routine changed when his son was born, prompting him to question the sacrifices he was making. Preston realized that he had barely spent time with his daughter during her early years and didn't want the same to happen with his son.
Coming from a literary family, with his grandfather, Samuel Haines, being a renowned literary critic and expert on British literature of the 1930s, Preston's decision to work in the City after studying at Oxford shocked his family. He had initially believed that he would earn a fortune and then travel to France to write his masterpiece. However, he found himself at the heart of something significant and crucial when the market started to collapse. Feeling compelled to write about it, Preston recognized the lack of books on the financial market written by someone with insider knowledge, which he possessed from his time in the industry.
When asked about his expectations for the success of "Bleeding City," Preston humbly admits that he didn't anticipate it. Initially, he was surprised to be interviewed and to know that people were reading his book. However, with the release of his second novel, "Revelations," Preston feels more confident in his writing.
In "Bleeding City," Preston refrains from passing judgment, despite not romanticizing the world he portrays. His colleagues, who are undoubtedly represented by the characters in the novel, are neither paragons of virtue nor monsters. Preston highlights the remarkable individuals he encountered, describing them as virtuosos of the market, almost like artists. However, through their hands flowed enormous sums of money, billions of dollars, rendering them intangible and concealed within the digits of their financial transactions. This surreal nature of the situation led people to live in an illusory world, forsaking their moral compass in exchange for material wealth and a sense of omnipotence. However, the financial crisis of five years ago shattered this illusion. Preston reveals that one of his bosses took his life, unable to bear the loss, not just financially but also in terms of status. Ultimately, "Bleeding City" is not just a story about finance but also a tale of love.
Preston's words evoke memories of a similar feeling experienced years ago after watching the film "Wall Street." He acknowledges the film's accuracy for its time and notes that its sequel fell significantly short. Additionally, he praises Theodore Dreiser's "The Financier," Sinclair Lewis' "The Money Changers," and the almost forgotten Frank Norris, an American writer from the early 20th century, particularly his work "The Pit," which resonated deeply with Preston.
Preston's knowledge and appreciation of these forgotten classics of realism might be surprising for a relatively young writer. Similarly, his unwavering belief in the primacy of moral criteria may also raise eyebrows. However, Preston argues that without moral guidelines, one is left feeling a sense of collapse and confusion. Looking in the mirror, one may realize that years have passed without a clear understanding of where they went. Those years vanished, dissolved into nothingness, despite significant events occurring. In such moments, one is left wondering, "Where is my life, dude?" Preston firmly believes that moral criteria are irreplaceable, and their loss leads to the total disintegration of everything.
