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Jennifer Government

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About this listen

 A wickedly satirical and outrageous thriller about globalization and marketing hype, Jennifer Government is the best novel in the world ever.

"Funny and clever.... A kind of ad-world version of Dr. Strangelove.... [Barry] unleashes enough wit and surprise to make his story a total blast." --The New York Times Book Review

"Wicked and wonderful.... [It] does just about everything right.... Fast-moving, funny, involving." --The Washington Post Book World

Taxation has been abolished, the government has been privatized, and employees take the surname of the company they work for. It's a brave new corporate world, but you don't want to be caught without a platinum credit card--as lowly Merchandising Officer Hack Nike is about to find out. Trapped into building street cred for a new line of $2500 sneakers by shooting customers, Hack attracts the barcode-tattooed eye of the legendary Jennifer Government. A stressed-out single mom, corporate watchdog, and government agent who has to rustle up funding before she's allowed to fight crime, Jennifer Government is holding a closing down sale--and everything must go.©2003 Max Barry; (P)2003 Books on Tape, Inc. Dystopian Fiction Genre Fiction Literature & Fiction Political Satire Science Fiction Comedy Witty Funny

Critic reviews

"Wicked and wonderful. . . . [It] does just about everything right. Fast-moving, funny and involving."—The Washington Post Book World

“Funny and clever. . . . A kind of ad-world version of Dr. Strangelove. [Barry] unleashes enough wit and surprise to make his story a total blast.” —The New York Times Book

 “May be the most fun you’ll find in a bookstore this year. . . . Full of wit, humor and imagination, Jennifer Government ultimately pulls off its over-the-top conceit.”—Time Out New York

“A riotous satirical rant. . . . [Its characters’] excesses . . . make Barry’s world of unregulated corporate greed and unrelenting consumerism so frightening and funny.”—Entertainment Weekly

“The plot rockets forward on hyperdrive . . . fresh and very clever.”—The Boston Globe

 “[A] devilish satire that made me laugh out loud.”—Dick Adler, The Chicago Tribune
All stars
Most relevant
Has some good ideas. Jennifer herself could have been an amazing character (Molly Millions-esque, maybe) but turned out not to be. The same goes for the story as a whole. Could have been really good but wasn't.

Good Ideas

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well paced and enjoyable found it when trying to look for the less known sci fi style books. Great characters and loved the concept of the different factions, corporations, government, policy, NRA all having their own agenda.

Corporate Dystopian world.

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What did you like most about Jennifer Government?

This tale is a logic-stretching view of a future where corporations vie with countries to run the world - a plausible premise writ large which may make you see the future direction of big business differently

What was one of the most memorable moments of Jennifer Government?

The action at the mall - various times. Sneaker marketing!

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Jennifer catching up with John...

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No - I listen to these audiobooks on my 90 minute commute. Makes the drive more bearable

Any additional comments?

I'm a big fan of Max Barry - I recommend you try Company too. It will make you think twice about things going on in the office!

Innovative, different and thought-provoking

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I first read this book when it came out and some 20 years later it suddenly feels worryingly possible. Max Barry was well ahead of the game.

superb satire that feels worryingly possible

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It is a great book. The book is about capitalism gone mad. Where people names are based on who they work for. And anything can be bought; or can it? This is where Jennifer comes in. She is a law enforcement person who thinks things should be done for the good of the people, not just for capital gain. Does she win out?

Great Read for Slightly Off the Wall Life

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