Plot summary, “The Bonfire of the Vanities” by Tom Wolfe in 5 Minutes - Book Review

“The Bonfire of the Vanities“ is a novel by Tom Wolfe that was first published in 1987. The story is set in New York City during the 1980s and revolves around the lives of several characters whose paths intersect in unexpected ways. The main character is Sherman McCoy, a wealthy bond trader who gets involved in a hit-and-run accident in the Bronx. The incident sets off a chain of events that leads to McCoy’s downfall, as well as the downfall of other characters in the novel. The story is a satirical commentary on the excesses of the 1980s, including greed, racism, and social class divisions. The title of the novel is a reference to the historical event in which artworks and other luxury goods were burned in a public bonfire in Florence, Italy in the late 15th century.