Beggarman, Thief by Irwin Shaw | Sequel to Rich Man, Poor Man

Beggarman, Thief by Irwin Shaw |  Sequel to Rich Man, Poor Man

By: a.d. elliott | Take the Back Roads - Art and Other Odd Adventures

A Rite of Fancy Book Recommendation and Review

Rich Man, Poor Man: The Next Generation.

A short summary:

Beggarman, Thief returns to the Jordache family decades after Rich Man, Poor Man, following a new generation shaped by inherited wealth, ambition, resentment, and unfinished business. Set against shifting social and economic landscapes, the novel explores how children live in the long shadows of their parents’ choices, and how difficult it is to escape expectations tied to family legacy. Shaw examines identity, moral responsibility, and the quiet consequences of success and failure as characters struggle to define themselves beyond the names and histories they were given.

My favorite quote from the book:

"I don't know where I am. Tomorrow, ask for me in the Lost and Found Department."

-Irwin Shaw, Beggarman, Thief

Questions to ponder while reading:

Do genetics truly dominate behavior?

What would tempt you into collaboration with the enemy?

My review:

Irwin Shaw has a sharp eye for generational patterns, and Beggarman, Thief excels at showing how family traits, both strengths and flaws, echo forward in subtle and sometimes painful ways. The novel offers a strong sense of closure while still acknowledging that not every story ends neatly, which feels honest rather than frustrating. Its emotional payoff explains why the story translated so well to the miniseries format: the characters feel lived-in, the conflicts are grounded, and the resolutions matter. This is a thoughtful continuation that deepens the Jordache saga rather than merely revisiting it.

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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life

She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.

You can also browse her online photography gallery at shop.takethebackroads.com.

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