The Trade Off

A Novel

By: Samantha Greene Woodruff

Narrated by: Helen Laser

A brilliant and ambitious young woman strives to find her place amid the promise and tumult of 1920s Wall Street in a captivating historical novel by the author of The Lobotomist’s Wife.

Bea Abramovitz has a gift for math and numbers. With her father, she studies the burgeoning Wall Street market’s stocks and patterns in the financial pages. After college she’s determined to parlay her talent for the prediction game into personal and professional success. But in the 1920s, in a Lower East Side tenement, opportunities for women don’t just come knocking. Bea will have to create them.

It’s easier for her golden-boy twin brother, Jake, who longs to reclaim all their parents lost after fleeing the pogroms in Russia to come to America. Well intentioned but undisciplined, Jake has a charm that can carry him only so far on Wall Street. So Bea devises a plan. They’ll be a secret team, and she’ll be the brains behind the broker. As Jake’s reputation, his heedless ego, and the family fortune soar, Bea foresees catastrophe: an impending crash that could destroy everything if she doesn’t finally take control.

Inspired by the true story of a pioneering investment legend, The Trade Off is a powerful novel about identity, sacrifice, family loyalties, and the complex morality of money.

©2024 by Samantha Greene Woodruff. (P)2024 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“A truly memorable novel raised to an impressive level of literary excellence, this edition of The Trade Off by author Samantha Greene Woodruff deftly incorporates the elements of identity, sacrifice, family loyalties, and the complex morality of money.”—Midwest Book Review

“This richly nuanced story, its fast pace, and Bea’s fiery character make The Trade Off an exciting read.”—Historical Novels Review

“The Trade Off paints a portrait of women finding their way in a man’s world…It’s notable how a book about extreme wealth, and the day-to-day struggle of the impoverished in New York City in the late 1920s, could just as easily take place today.”—Jewish Book Council

Loved the historical notes

This was such a great read from a woman’s perspective in the 1920s. Loved hearing her story and how she felt in the way the market worked in those days. Fantastic narrator!!

My 2024 favorite

This is the best book I have listened to this year. I appreciate the depth of research undertaken by the author to capture the exquisite details of the fashion, the neighborhood, the relationships, and market dynamics which were woven together beautifully. After a few chapters, I could envision this becoming a limited series or movie.

So engaging!

I loved learning about the crash from a woman’s perspective. The narrator made the story come to life.

The title doesn’t do it justice.

Captivating historical novel that I could stop listening to. Set in the time of my grandmother’s life!

Excellent narration and storyline

I was intrigued by a story based on a real person from this decade. The storyline and narration did not disappoint!

The story

I really like the story and content and the way the author followed the stock market all the way to the crash of 1930.

Excellent

Engaging audiobook that held my attention completely with a timely story and well developed characters. Loved it!

I hate stocks and books about Wall Street but…

This book completely captivated me! While I usually gravitate toward light, cheesy domestic thrillers, this novel's outstanding ratings and striking cover art piqued my interest, prompting me to try it.

What began as a casual decision quickly became a thrilling journey, and I couldn't be more grateful. Listening to the narrative was an exhilarating experience; it seamlessly blended suspense with a sense of realism that kept me on the edge of my seat. The writing was beautifully crafted, evoking deep emotions and vivid imagery. In some ways,

It subtly reminded me of "The Queen’s Gambit," with its rich storytelling, genius heroin, and intricate character development.

If you’re contemplating using your credit on this one, let me save you the deliberation—the answer is a resounding yes!

A heartfelt thank you to the author and thrilling narrator for dedicating their time and talent to creating such an extraordinary piece of literature.

I WISH IT WAS THE BOOK DESCRIBED IN THE SYNOPSIS

From the plot synopsis I thought this book would be about a woman defying the odds and succeeding in the male dominated world in Wall Street stock market. We do get that in the beginning and at the very end but the middle was filled mostly with her personal life, which was cool but not what I thought the book would mostly be about. I would have liked to know why the dow being at 260 points is bad. I only knew it was bad because of the countdown to the stock market crashing on Black Tuesday. Also, her happiness seemed too dependent on the men in her life and her character didn’t give that impression at the beginning, so it all felt one dimensional. I never fully connected to the plot or characters and the ending was too perfectly tied up.


I’ve listened to a few books narrated by Helen Laser and she really does elevate the material. Amazing job. She saved the book for me, honestly.