Diksia.com - The Partner Track is a debut novel by Helen Wan, a former corporate lawyer who draws on her own experience to portray the challenges and dilemmas of a young Asian-American woman striving to make partner at a prestigious Wall Street law firm.
The novel is a compelling and realistic depiction of the corporate culture, the politics of diversity and inclusion, and the personal and professional trade-offs that Ingrid Yung, the protagonist, has to face in her quest for success.
Plot Summary
The novel begins with Ingrid, a first-generation Chinese-American and the first lawyer in her family, being on the verge of achieving the ultimate goal of partnership at Parsons Valentine & Hunt, a venerable old law firm that represents some of the most powerful clients in the world.
Ingrid has worked hard to fit in and prove herself, mastering the art of “passing” as one of the boys, playing in the firm softball league, schmoozing in the corporate cafeteria, and billing long hours. She is also dating Mark, a handsome and charming associate who is also a partner candidate.
However, Ingrid’s carefully constructed image and career are thrown into jeopardy when she witnesses a shocking and offensive incident at the firm’s annual summer outing, involving a senior partner and a junior associate of color.
The incident sparks a public relations crisis for the firm, which responds by launching a new Diversity and Inclusion Initiative, and appointing Ingrid as the head of the effort.
Ingrid is reluctant to take on the role, as it distracts her from closing a huge deal that would seal her partnership, and puts her at odds with her colleagues, especially Mark, who sees the initiative as a token gesture and a waste of time.
As Ingrid tries to balance her conflicting loyalties and interests, she begins to question her place in the firm and the values that she has adopted.
She also faces pressure from her immigrant parents, who have sacrificed a lot for her education and success, and who have different expectations and opinions about her career and personal life.
