The Partner Track

A Novel

By: Helen Wan

Narrated by: Catherine Ho

Helen Wan's "engaging and suspenseful" (Wall Street Journal) debut novel, The Partner Track, is now a Netflix series!

Ingrid Yung's life is full of firsts. A first-generation Chinese American, the first lawyer in her family, she's about to collect the holy grail of "firsts" and become the first minority woman to make partner at the venerable old law firm Parsons Valentine & Hunt.

Ingrid has perfected the art of "passing" and seamlessly blends into the old-boy corporate culture. She gamely banters in the corporate cafeteria, plays in the firm softball league, and earnestly racks up her billable hours. But when an offensive incident at the summer outing threatens the firm's reputation, Ingrid's outsider status is suddenly thrown into sharp relief.

Scrambling to do damage control, Parsons Valentine announces a new Diversity and Inclusion Initiative, commanding Ingrid to spearhead the effort. Only she's about to close an enormous transaction that was to be her final step in securing partnership.

For the first time, Ingrid must question her place in the firm. Pitted against her colleagues, including her golden-boy boyfriend, Ingrid begins to wonder whether the prestige of partnership is worth breaching her ethics. But can she risk throwing away the American dream that is finally within her reach?

©2013 Helen Wan (P)2022 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Engaging and suspenseful . . . She dissects the tokens of status in this world in a manner that's reminiscent of Tom Wolfe.” —Wall Street Journal

“Wan succeeds in exploring and fictionalizing the timely topics of sexism and racism in workplace politics in a fluent, thought-provoking, and compelling tale.” —Booklist

“Wan has written a sensitive story of discrimination faced in ‘old boy' law firms in particular but also in the world in general . . . intriguing and entertaining. This reviewer is looking to Wan's next novel.” —Library Journal

Relatable story for corporate attorneys

I was once an M&A associate, so I loved reading about so many situations and hearing all of the corporate buzzwords I experienced. I’m glad Ingrid ultimately found satisfaction in her career, but the ending seemed rushed and ho-hum. The narration was fine, but I found the articulation of syllables a bit rat-a-tat-tat and almost robotic at times.

Lots of fun!

I chose this based on the fact that it was narrated by Catherine Ho and I was not disappointed. I loved this story. It’s a fun look at corporate law and the heroine’s experience as a woman of color in a notoriously white, male dominated “boys club.” Well done!

Loved it!

An entertaining story incorporating real world issues regarding encountering and overcoming sexism and racism in corporate America.

This was a ton of fun!

This book was exactly what I needed. I just graduated law school myself, and Ingrid inspired me. I thought about the story when I wasn’t listening and was pleased with how it ended. It was kind of predictable, but that didn’t bother me. Recommended!

Far more realistic than the Show

As someone in Big Law, I found this far more realistic than the show, and just as entertaining. The narrator does an exquisite job.