Thirty

"Thirty" by Howard Vincent O'Brien is an insightful exploration into the lives of the Wynrod siblings, Roger and Judith, as they come to terms with familial duties and financial burdens against a landscape of affluence and social norms. The story takes off with Roger weighed down by serious gambling debts, causing him to lean heavily on Judith’s financial support. This is further intensified by their father's will, which complicates Judith's position as Roger's caretaker. The plot thickens when Brent Good, a persistent reporter, challenges Judith about her liability as a major shareholder in a mine. This forces Judith to confront the magnitude of her riches and its moral consequences which sets the scene for the siblings to address significant ethical and personal problems. The novel's beginning expertly sets up character connections and hints at the primary disputes that will shape the story.