Simon Putnam graduated from Harvard in 1953. He lives with his parents on Coney Island and he lands a job with a publishing house thanks to his Uncle. In The Vixen by Francine Prose, we learn how Simon's life goes off the rails at the publishing house where lunches have three martinis and office personnel are chosen because of their looks in a tight sweater set. The literary group are not above crime and sin. Simon is assigned to edit a book that misrepresents the facts about Ethel and Julius Rosenberg. The book is a bodice ripper and very much not in keeping with the other books published by this company. Poor Simon is between a rock and a hard place because he is the new guy in the office and has zero credibility. His dilemma is the crux of the story. Does he edit a book that is accurate or does he edit a book that will bring in loads of money because it is sensational?
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