Slay the Dragon, by Laura Zubulake.

Slay the Dragon, by Laura Zubulake.  IndieReader In-store, 2018.

4 stars

A political story about a young man in a Latin American country torn by his desire to be personally honorable while helping those who were poverty-stricken.

Laura Zubulake worked on Wall Street for many years.  When she failed to get a raise that she believed she had earned, she sued her company.  In the process of making her case, she and her lawyer relied on emails that her company claimed no longer existed.  In the end, Zubulake was able to negotiate a favorable settlement with her company.  More importantly her case became a significant landmark determining the ways in which companies and lawyers are responsible for searching, preserving, and management of electronic records.  She has published her account of her case in her Zubulake’s e-Discovery: The Untold Story of my Quest for Justice. She has also published The Complete Guide to Convertible Securities Worldwide.

Slay the Dragon, Zubulake’s debut novel, reflects the author’s concern for justice and fair play. Her main character is Caesar; a man born in a poor village who was able to use his soccer skills and good looks to move into a position of power in an imaginary Latin American country.  His idealism sets him apart from the corruption and violence of those around him, in government and without. The situation in which he works is complex, however, and he is forced to choose between what he considers honorable and what well help those in need.

Zubulake has written a novel that is both exciting and thought-provoking. She begins her book with a series of short accounts about people with no obvious connections and builds her story to connect them. The book is set in public sphere, and appropriately the country she creates, about men in power.  Women and families are minor, but positively portrayed.  Some readers may find Slay the Dragon, too harsh and violent.  I recommend it to readers interested in looking squarely at the darkness of our world and not be judgmental.