Reviewed by Jessy Wu
Success in the Capitalist world of high finance brings dilemmas for the two chief characters in Jessy Wu’s superb first novel. Jake Sullivan and Nadia Kuan meet at University in Sydney, when they work as investigative reporters for the student newspaper, Rostra. Both are idealistic and uncompromising, dedicated to forensically presenting truths which may unearth facts that expose wrongdoing, even criminal behaviour.
One such case involves the vice-chancellor of the University, when they demonstrate that he has siphoned off funds from a building project, which constituted embezzlement.
Their paths are set firmly to head for a prized area of journalistic rigour but soon after graduation, Nadia has an irresistible offer to join Henderson, a New York conglomerate. Her acceptance of the new role in a Capitalistic giant shatters Jake. To him she has betrayed the world they both had fought to sustain in favour of the greed and ruthlessness of a gigantic company that was the very opposite to their journalistic code.
The book then explores the conflict of ideas which illumine the lives of the pair.
Their parting is painful, as they were not only bonded in their searches for flaws in the system, but were deeply caring of each other. They had become noted for their brilliant work and Jake, particularly, valued their partnership.
The pair subsequently learn that truth and the battles surrounding it are never black or white, but shades of grey.
Good Intentions then pursues a fine dissection of the ethical questions that Nadia and Jake fight in their opposing situations. This is a clever device Jessy Wu employs, by which the reader is forced to examine both sides of the story. Facts are clearly presented allowing both sides of a situation to be investigated and only then can an opinion or judgment be formed.
Disappointed, Jake believes she is now going to work in a way that ensures that the rich only get richer, while Nadia thinks he maintains being right more important than being happy. Before long she becomes aware that ‘power protects itself by making you complicit in its lives’. Sadly, her belief that ‘truth could fix anything if only you were brave enough to tell it’ has faded.
The seriousness of such a potentially dry subject is never dull in the hands of Jessy Wu. Her wit frequently brightens the page. Her hilarious description of Councillor Phillip Andrew’s exposing the mayor’s corruption is brilliant, particularly after a build-up where she describes the quiet, almost comatose councillor prior to his dramatic, completely unexpected announcement. In a novel which has multiple reasons to read and enjoy it, this is an outstanding gem.
Panacea with Majorie Ford as CEO becomes a scene for the confrontation between Jake, now highly regarded and feared as a journalist in his chosen field, and Nadia, returned to Sydney and fighting to reconcile who she is with what she does….
Undercurrents race in the crucial courtroom chapter, and the final touch referring to the cartoon on Jake’s coffee cup is a subtle and significantly powerful finale.
Jessy Wu’s credentials are excellent. Degrees in Philosophy and Literature from the ANU have honed skills that ensures Good Intentions is a joy to read in that style, ideas, and her characters are vibrant and exciting to follow in their ethical journeys. She has experience in the high finance world, big tech companies, and journalism. All contribute to her being able to present the world of her novel in a fascinating and enormously enjoyable way.
Good Intentions
[2026]
by Jessy Wu
Pan Macmillan
ISBN: 978 1 7617 7669 4
$34.99; 342pp