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Not Working

By: Lisa Owens
Narrated by: Tuppence Middleton
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Claire Flannery has quit her job in order to discover her true vocation - only to realize she has no idea how to go about finding it. Whilst everyone around her seems to have their lives entirely under control, Claire finds herself sinking under pressure and wondering where her own fell apart. 'It's fine,' her grandmother says. 'I remember what being your age was like - of course, I had four children under eight then, but modern life is different, you've got an awful lot on.'

Sharp, tender and funny, Lisa Owen's brilliantly observed debut Not Working is the story of a life unravelling and a novel that asks the questions we've never dared to say out loud.

 Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Urban Women's Fiction Comedy Funny
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Critic reviews

Lisa Owens is a comedy genius and a seriously skilful and beautiful writer. Not Working is so clever and original, pithy and poignant, capturing the voice of a bright, lost generation (Emma Jane Unsworth, author of ANIMALS)
I love Not Working. As close to the tenderness and funniness and uniqueness of real life as books get. It makes me feel like I did when I found Adrian Mole decades ago . . . It's really very rare, and very special (David Whitehouse, author of MOBILE LIBRARY)
Not Working is absolutely brilliant. Insanely funny but also moving and true. Lisa Owens is one of those writers on whom nothing is lost (Nathan Filer, author of THE SHOCK OF THE FALL)
Pin-sharp, utterly addictive
A deadpan comic debut for the procrastination generation
Full of crackling, voice-of-a-generation observations
Sharp and funny . . . exquisitely nails the sensation of being the only one in a group of friends who can't work out what life is supposed to be about
As insightful about the contemporary dilemmas facing young professionals as it is sharp, incisive and laugh-out-loud funny
Piercingly observant and funny
Agenda-setting . . . Combining the honesty of Bridget Jones with the bang-on social observation of early Sex and the City, this nails it (Sam Baker)
If you're not trapped in the 9-5 office routine this is the book for you. If you're trapped in the 9-5 office routine and fantasising about quitting, this is the book for you. Lisa Owens' heroine, Claire Flannery, has been described as a very modern Bridget Jones. It's not a man that she's after, it's a job! Claire is funny, endearing and self-deprecating and her job-hunting sagas will strike a chord. If you're looking for a new job Not Working won't help you, but it will make you laugh out loud along the way.
Get ready to LOL at Not Working, the dazzling debut from Lisa Owens
Very funny and very true, Owens totally nails that tricksy twentysomething period when you’re yet to work out what the hell to do with your life
All stars
Most relevant
Liked the story but abrupt ending n felt a bit rushed in last chapter. Quite a few one-liners were not necessary and I felt that these distracted the reader's focus.

pity about ending

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This book perfectly captures the middle class urban late twenties to thirties (of which I am regrettably one) who feel entitled to a greater purpose than they find in 9-5 and who whinge hopelessly about meaning and calling. Do not listen to this if you are inclined to shout 'stop it and grow up' at these people. Do listen if any of this rings a bell. This book made me howl with laughter throughout as so many elements of my life and my friends lives were laid bear. Stunningly observed. I also loved the style which is fragmented scenes - some long and coherent some short sentences creating a portrait of modern life. This was well performed and I couldn't stop listening. It won't be everyone's cup of tea but for those who recognize Claire and her friends far too well for comfort, it will be an absolute joy.

I LOVED this- though it will annoy some people!

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It was like being in someone else's head! I felt such empathy for the character and found myself drawing similarities from my own thoughts that whizz about. Was shocked and saddened to discover it was finished. Would definitely recommend

Very interesting and believable

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This book actually made me look differently at the 'small things' everyday. I was laughing along with Clare's experiences so why, when it came to my own take on these tasks, was there no humour to be found?!
One quip I have is that the ending seemed like a different style and it came too quick!

Amazing narration, so glad I waited for the audiobook and I'm going to search out Tuppence again!

Story of my life...

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a very monotone book no real scope of a story which was a shame

Bland and a little tedious

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