Bitter Is the New Black

Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass, Or, Why You Should Never Carry A Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office

By: Jen Lancaster

Narrated by: Jamie Heinlein

Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

Jen Lancaster was living the sweet life - until real life kicked her to the curb. She had the perfect man, the perfect job-hell, she had the perfect life - and there was no reason to think it wouldn't last. Or maybe there was, but Jen Lancaster was too busy being manicured, pedicured, highlighted, and generally adored to notice.

This is the smart-mouthed, soul-searching story of a woman trying to figure out what happens next when she's gone from six figures to unemployment checks and she stops to reconsider some of the less-than-rosy attitudes and values she thought she'd never have to answer for when times were good. Filled with caustic wit and unusual insight, it's a rollicking listen as speedy and unpredictable as the trajectory of a burst balloon.

©2006 Jen Lancaster (P)2009 Penguin

Critic reviews

“Hilarious.” (InStyle)

“A humorous and inspiring approach to navigating middle age.” (Booklist)

Mixed Review

I was conflicted between 3 and 4 stars. I liked it, and thought Jen Lancaster put together a great autobiographical story, but I often asked myself, "What is the point of this?" Or, "Why do I care?" On the other hand, I couldn't stop listening, and want to hear more from her. Because of that, I gave in with the 4 stars.

Funny

Entertaining for sure! One liners are funny and she says things we all think at times but would never say.

I'd love to meet Jen!

Yes, right at first I was not sure I was going to like this book. Jen described herself as the type of person I might have little in common with, but someone I would be really good at imitating to amuse my friends. However, once I got a bit into the book and really started getting to know Jen, well, she's just hysterical and brutally honest. I laughed right out loud (and no, I will NOT use LOL here lest she read this!) and even listened to it twice. What a humbling path she traveled...and she's better for the journey.

Loved it!

I can read books again! All my wishes came true! The story was amazing and funny, at the same time very eye opening!
Amazing!

I Enjoyed This Book!

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed listening to this book! The main character evolved into a wonderful mature person by the end!

Loved it!

I loved this story. I have a long commute to and from work (300 miles a day) so I like to listen to audio books. I found myself wishing the drive was longer. I wanted to hear what was going to happen next. I loved Jen's sassy persona and I loved hearing how she went from materialistic to realistic. Age, unemployment, and marriage will do that to a person.

I can totally relate

What made the experience of listening to Bitter Is the New Black the most enjoyable?

Just the story itself , just reminds me of my life... I like the sassiness and how she got through it.

What does Jamie Heinlein bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her voice and they way she narrated it, is just very entertaining

Funny and Snarky

Loved it and it's what I imagine my life would sound like to others if they could hear my thoughts.

Better than I'd hoped.

After reading the other reviews I was a bit skeptical, but I really enjoyed this book. It was fun, irreverent and sarcastic - all the things I love in a book!

End is better than beginning

If you could sum up Bitter Is the New Black in three words, what would they be?

Post-9/11 Layoff Memoir

What did you like best about this story?

The character learns and grows a lot. She realizes her failings and grows up.

Which scene was your favorite?

When someone said

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

Yes, if I could have.

Any additional comments?

The narrator is great. I thought it was the author narrating. The voice and inflection are just right. The job market is even worse now than it was when this was written.