One can't portray the rich and prosperous as happy and productive people, you know.
Huh? No great novel is depressing. Besides The problem with Jay Gatsby wasn’t that he was rich but that he didn’t see it as anything but a status.
Depressing can have a reason, I said ridiculous and depressing because I think the plot is ridiculous.
IIRC, build an estate and hold parties hoping someone who lives nearby will show up? As opposed to knocking on the door, a letter, mutual acquaintance.