NSFW

A Novel

By: Isabel Kaplan

Narrated by: Stephanie Németh-Parker

Length: 7 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

2022 Amazon.com Best Books of the Year, Long-listed

Blisteringly sharp, hypersmart, and compulsively listenable—meet Isabel Kaplan’s searing debut novel about a young woman trying to succeed in Hollywood without selling her soul.

"The rare kind of read that made me giggle just as much as it left me gutted." —Zakiya Dalila Harris, New York Times bestselling author of The Other Black Girl

From the outside, the unnamed protagonist in NSFW appears to be the vision of success. She has landed an entry-level position at a leading TV network that thousands of college grads would kill for. And sure, she has much to learn. The daughter of a prominent feminist attorney, she grew up outside the industry. But she’s resourceful and hardworking. What could go wrong?

At first, the high adrenaline work environment motivates her. Yet as she climbs the ranks, she confronts the reality of creating change from the inside. Her points only get attention when echoed by male colleagues; she hears whispers of abuse and sexual misconduct. Her mother says to keep her head down until she’s the one in charge—a scenario that seems idealistic at best, morally questionable at worst. When her personal and professional lives collide, threatening both the network and her future, she must decide what to protect: the career she’s given everything for or the empowered woman she claims to be.

Fusing riveting prose with dark humor and riveting commentary on the truths of starting out professionally, Isabel Kaplan’s NSFW is an unflinching exploration of the gray area between empowerment and complicity. The result is a stunning portrait of what success costs in today’s patriarchal world, asking us: Is it ever worth it?

A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt and Company.

©2022 Isabel Kaplan (P)2022 Macmillan Audio

Had me wanting more!

The story was really good and so relevant to today. The narrator was wonderful. She had me laughing out loud at times. Such a great listen.

Fantastic book & important issues

I loved this book. First, the narration is top-notch.
The story itself is compelling, and the character development is great. The unnamed protagonist, the mother, co-workers, and boyfriend all come to life.
The underlying topics center on the complex issues surrounding workplace harassment and the burden and challenges of being female in the male-dominated entertainment industry (or probably any industry). I think this book should be required reading for males.

Insightful & Unflinching, Great Performance

This title is a hard look at gender and power, and explores the nuances of how women navigate the torrential downpour of misogyny in the workplace, or just survive if navigation isn't possible. Stephanie Nemeth-Parker makes this experience so absorbable with an excellent performance throughout that felt both seasoned and honest. I can see how this landed her a nomination for best female narrator of the year! This title deals extensively with sexual assault, and I'd urge listeners to keep that in mind. For me, this audiobook was an exploration of what it means for us to be responsible, or for something to be inevitable. Great listen, and can't wait to hear more from this narrator.

Good listen

But ended too abruptly. I liked the narrator and the characters were well described, but it needed an epilogue.

Five star narration!!

This book was truly glorious and Isabel Kaplan deserves all the accolades she has received for her debut novel, but since this is Audible, I’m here to talk about the narrator: Stephanie Németh-Parker. I got lost in this audiobook immediately, not only due to Németh-Parker’s mellifluous voice and seamless character transitions (even the non-human ones!), but her deep understanding of the material and the sensitivity with which she treated it. She brought the author’s words to life with such passion and clarity that I forgot there was even a narrator—it *was* the [unnamed] protagonist confiding her story to the listener; a seemingly effortless task that, in truth, requires enormous technical and acting skills. Németh-Parker is truly a master at the top of her game, and she is a narrator everyone should have on their radar in the future!

Stunning depiction of the architecture of sexism

This bulls-eye accurate tale goes way deeper than just the offences brought to light by the “Me Too” movement. Kaplan captures the struggles for self-worth, respect, independence, physical safety and happiness that define a woman’s coming of age in our still deeply sexist contemporary culture. Stephanie Németh-Parker’s narration is a tour-de-force of emotional impact. I felt seen in every moment.

Juvenile take on serious topics

Had the feel of a melodrama, which is unfortunate. There was a lot of opportunity here. Struggled through this one because I'd hoped the story's tone would improve.