When I first saw this cover I was immediately drawn to this book. It was the perfect mixture of haunting and intriguing and I needed to know what this book was about. I admit that the synopsis left me a bit confused but after reading some reviews I decided to pick it up and I'm so glad I did.

This book is a story within a story within a story within a story. I adore these metafiction types of narratives and with this one, it wasn't different. The author constructs things in carefully measured ways, only to surprise you at a later point. I think it's best to know as little as possible about this book so as not to spoil your experience of it, but basically, it opens with an account of the legendary financier Benjamin Rask and his wife Helen, for me, the early pages of the book were a little bit hard to get acclimated to, and I found myself thinking once "should I stop reading?" but the thing is, I could not. Not only I was already invested in the characters which is a feat in itself, but I was also eager to know what would come next.

This book is the type that obliges you to slow down to follow its pace, and I was more than glad to do it. Over the course of the next three sections, we have an unfinished manuscript, a novel within a novel, and a diary, that all together combined paint a picture for us drawing from the very first account in the book. There are layers upon layers and the reader is guided through them and the discoveries that come along and the play with what "trust"; "veracity" and "truth" mean. But there are also other motifs that present themselves throughout the novel, what does money really mean? A fiction created by our society in which we add meaning to dirty stacks of bills just to value our other commodities? What does that mean for finance capital, that it is a fiction of a fiction? Are we all complicit in the stories we create if the price is right? I found all of this to be done superbly in the story, yes there were a bit much of explanations about the stock value, Wall Street, and Math, but I found it to be adding to the story rather than making it dull (even though my poor brain has very little understanding of all of it) and it suits the overall vibe of the story, set in the 1920s mostly and the rising and crash of the New York stock market is a very important theme for the novel.

I think what mesmerized me the most was the writing, it was so beautifully readable and engaging that I just wanted to keep reading for the sake of the writing (if that makes sense) and it questioned the reader at all times in regards to what we think are facts, making us reflect that we can't trust a person (or a book) by its cover. This book also reminded me a lot of Hanya Yanagihara's To Paradise, both because of the format, the writing style, the character-driven story, and the depth in construction of the characters, and also it reminded me a bit of Taylor Jenkins Reid's The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, because of the construction of characters that seem real even though the book is fictional, the writing was so strong and carefully done I kept thinking what I was reading wasn't fictional and that's the same I felt with TJR, and also because most of Evelyn's story is set in the golden age of Hollywood and since Trust is set mostly in the 1920's there's this old feel to the narrative that reminded me of TJR book. And of course, the one book that I was also reminded of while I read was The Great Gatsby.

Overall, this was a phenomenal book. I am not sure it will be a book for everyone, but I am sure there is a type of reader out there exactly fit for this story. I hope they find it. I think part of why I liked this one so much is that it was for the most part very outside of my comfort zone, and what I've been reading lately and that was just what I needed to read. This is the type of novel that will stay in my mind for a long time, there is still so much to process from this thought-provoking novel, and I won't forget this experience so soon. The author's previous book was a finalist for the Pulitzer, I haven't read it, but in what concerns 'Trust' I think there is a very strong chance this one might win the prize.

What worked for me:
*I enjoyed the 3-part structure of book within a book within a story
*The discussion of the current events of the time (1920s)
*The explanation of the cyclical periods of boom or bust in our economy

What didn’t:
*The seemingly endless discussions of finance and stock market and mathematical strategies
*Characters that would benefit from more depth of personality

Thanks to NetGalley and Riverhead Books for the ARC to read and review.

4 stars

If you are also a chronic speed reader, I strongly suggest challenging yourself to slow down on this one. You'll be glad you did. Even as I write this review immediately after finishing the read, I know that my feelings about this book are already changing. There's a lot to process - in the best way.

What Diaz creates here is totally unique; the structure is impeccable. Readers go on a quest through varying perspectives on the same characters. It's difficult to be certain of what's true and what's misleading, and that factor highlights the importance of perception vs. reality - and how perception becomes reality - not only in the novel but in lived experience. What's most powerful (so far for me) is the unavoidable nature of the reader creating yet another narrative as they construct the pieces into some kind of whole. It's also fascinating to notice where one's biases lie. Who is most likely to be believed? Why?

Some readers may find the structure and the gaps more frustrating than rewarding, but those who stay for the whole ride will find this intriguing. I already feel like continuing to process this will be nearly as enjoyable as the read itself.

Trust, by Hernan Diaz, is a thought provoking, multilayered historical novel that is truly unique and will stay in the minds of readers long past 2022. This will be an excellent book club pick and will evoke lively discussion.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Interesting book, but I found the last half much more interesting and enjoyable than the first. The fact that by the end of the book the husband and wife had switched positions was unexpected .

This is a creative and insightful story. It starts out as a portrayal of the Rasks, Benjamin and Helen. From the 1920s through the 1930s, Benjamin is one of the most successful investors that Wall Street has ever seen. When he managed to grow his wealth even as the Depression hits, people began to question his methods and his impact. Helen has a dramatic backstory leading up to her marriage, but since then has seemed to largely confined herself to philanthropy. From this initial narrative, the book then offers three other perspectives, from different individuals and different times, that may be related to the truth behind the Rasks' story. Through each each part of the story, the book explores how facts can be manipulated, the role that people play in shaping their own stories, and how we are all prisoners, to different degrees, or our own perceptions.

The approach to storytelling in this book is creative and the unspooling of the mysteries at the center of the story (or is it stories?) kept me fully engaged.

Highly recommended!

While I think this is not a book for everyone, I enjoyed it. I particularly liked the structure--each layer revealed to add to the story. It's very original and well written. I think some readers may bog down in the financial narrative but the end is a reward for staying the course.

Really interesting book in the way it's crafted and structured. While I could predict where the last section was going to go by midway through the 3rd section, it still felt intensely GRATIFYING. As someone who typically snoozes when financial jargon appears, I had trouble with the 2nd section -- but realized later that this was sort of the point. I really love books with layers and multiple POVs and unreliability, that poke at what truth is, and so this did not disappoint.

This is just perfect. Stories within stories within stories, examining power and gender and capitalism. Completely compelling.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.

I saw a Twitter video of someone “unboxing” Trust by Hernan Diaz and the fancy cover opens to reveal four different title pages to the four distinct books contained within the novel. Having read a digital ARC, I did not get that fun, but I did enjoy the unusual format. It begins with a novel within the novel — Bonds — about Benjamin Rask, the scion of the wealthy financial family in New York, and his wife, Helen. Then Diaz gives readers an unfinished memoir of someone who resembles Rask, and finally another memoir that contains multiple stories that tie the parts together. Sound confusing? At times it is, but Diaz handles it all with a deft touch and fine writing that makes the convolutions feel effortless. Trust is a story about the relationship between memory, money, and history — and who controls these things. I highly recommend this book to readers not scared off by the intricate structure.

In The Distance is one of my favorite books, and I am glad to say Hernan Diaz wrote another complex beautiful book. I wasn’t sure what was happening at times, and that was exciting vs. frustrating (as one might expect). I plan to read it again as soon as I can get my hands on the physical book. I love ebooks but in this case I felt like I needed to do some flipping back and forth. Loved it!

Hernan Diaz is a masterful writer. This novel is a few novellas within a novel. His storytelling is confident and bold. The narrative follows the idea of wealth in early America. I'm reminded of Henry James, Edith Wharton and other classic American authors -but Diaz has his own voice. Grateful to Riverhead.

Beautiful story, but a little too much detail on finances for my taste. Those who enjoy trading in stocks and bonds and follow the market would probably not have this problem.

This a beautifully written novel. A story within story containing a novel, an unfinished autobiography, a memoir, and a diary. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire reading experience and I wish I could read it again for the first time.

Knocked me sideways. Twisted my senses and made me take constant new looks. I’m going to make people read this just so I can talk about it- it’s one of THOSE.