MEMBERSHIP
" Book Bar " Author Meet and Greet : Dan Schorr ' s " Final Table "
DOMINYKA PLUKAITE Troutman Pepper dominyka . plukaite @ troutman . com
I encourage everyone to join a future Book Bar , either to learn more about yourself , about others , or simply read a good book !
Earlier this year , the Atlanta Bar Association kicked off its first book club for lawyers , catchily named “ Book Bar .” Book Bar ’ s reading selections alternate between fiction and nonfiction works . In April 2022 , Book Bar explored the social , political , and ethical dilemmas in Dan Schorr ’ s fictional novel “ Final Table .” On May 3 , 2022 , members of Book Bar met author Dan Schorr .
“ Final Table ," an immersive political thriller about sexual misconduct in the # MeToo era , tells the story of one victim ’ s battle to recognize , acknowledge , cope with , and overcome trauma , and the power of news and social media in shaping people ’ s lives . The book draws upon Schorr ’ s firsthand experience as a New York City sex crimes prosecutor and sexual misconduct investigator to examine the current social , political , ethical , and media dysfunction . The primary protagonist is Maggie Raster , a former White House staffer growing her consulting firm after surviving her former boss ' s sexual assault ." Co-protagonist Kyler Dawson wrestles with personal , familial , and financial troubles brought on by his longlasting love for poker Dawson is desperate to play at a lucrative but politically controversial international poker tournament hosted by the Kingdom . The Kingdom faces widespread condemnation for the recent suspicious murder of a prominent American journalist , and a pending executive order to prohibit travel threatens Dawson ’ s last chance to “ fix ” his life . Raster and Dawson , in their uniquely challenging stages in life , find each other and are determined to win the big prize at the Kingdom ’ s poker tournament .
The members of Book Bar and Schorr discussed the many prevalent issues the characters face . While the book is a piece of fiction , the issues Schorr explores are very much real . As he reflected on his days at the DA ’ s Office during the meet-and-greet , Schorr explained that sexual assault is , unfortunately , common — in workplaces , on college campuses , between strangers and — notably — often between people who trust ( or trusted ) each other . Particularly , in such situations , the assault may feel confusing and surreal . In the book , Maggie Raster struggles with the same feelings : Did it really happen ? Am I exaggerating ? What do I do now ?
By drawing from his prosecutor and sexual misconduct investigator experience , Schorr captures perfectly not only the many different emotions Raster feels after the assault , but also the decisions she must
28 May 2022