Jonathan Abernathy You Are Kind

By: Molly McGhee

Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews

Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

"Molly McGhee reminds me of absolutely no one. Here’s an original mind brimming over with invention and comic ferocity . . . [a] mad, hilarious writer.”

—Ben Marcus, author of The Flame Alphabet

✓ Jonathan Abernathy you are kind.

✓ You are competent.

✓ You are well respected and valued by your community.

✓ People, including your family, love you.

Jonathan Abernathy is a self-proclaimed loser . . . he’s behind on his debts, has no prospects, no friends, and no ambitions. But when a government loan forgiveness program offers him a literal dream job, he thinks he’s found his big break. If he can appear to be competent at his new job, entering the minds of middle-class workers while they sleep and removing the unsavory detritus of their waking lives from their unconscious, he might have a chance at a new life. As Abernathy finds his footing in this new role, reality and morality begin to warp around him. Soon, the lines between life and work, love and hate, right and wrong, even sleep and consciousness, begin to blur.

Molly McGhee touches on a theme most people know all too well—the relentlessly crushing weight of debt. A workplace novel, at once tender, startling, and deeply funny, Jonathan Abernathy You Are Kind is a stunning, critical work of surrealist fiction, a piercing critique of late-stage capitalism, and a reckoning with its true cost.

©2023 Molly McGhee (P)2023 Spotify Audiobooks

Dark, interesting ride

Molly McGhee’s debut novel is a dark, spellbinding ride into what humans are willing to do to to survive and fit into what they perceive for society. I suspect this is the first of many novels.

Andrew’s narration is excellent.

I refuse to return this audible credit

I listened to this while hiking around Calico Basin. It wasn't a perfectly buttoned up novel, but neither am I (nor my good friend Jonathan Abernathy).

I convinced a Feeld date to buy the book at Writer's Block just twenty five common minutes after meeting her at Mothership Coffee.

Then my mother asked if all of that firefighting could lift the weight of my college debt.

I don't know mom, I was a seasonal. I'm not in it anymore.

But I will try.

Middling novel

I liked the performance and the way the book was written, but it sagged in the middle and had an uncomfortable ending. I think a lot of the ideas introduced in the novel are fascinating, but parts were rushed. This is a good idea with a lot to think about, but could have benefitted from being drafted 1-2 more times.

Funny & Relatable

I love workplace novels and I love science fiction, so I was immediately drawn in by this premise! As someone who lives under the weight of a lot of student debt, I found this to be a great commentary that dismantles late stage capitalism in a way that felt comedically absurd and entertaining rather than tedious and self-righteously preachy.

I also found this author’s writing style to be a lot more humorous and funny than I thought it was going to be! It made me laugh out loud in several places throughout the book.

I think this plot is resonate for young gen-Z kids graduating college in 2023 who are desperately searching for a career that gives them financial security but also a sense of purpose in life! I feel that sums up Jonathan Abernathy in a nut shell!

Overall, great read! Highly highly recommend!!

lovely prose and narration, disappointing story

First, the prose in the story was wonderful, and the voice actor did a great job at reading the story. the inflection and dialogue was very enjoyable. that said, the story suffered. unreliable narrator aside, there were some inconsistencies throughout the story that were distracting and I don't think they were intentional. the dream aspects were not very engaging, and didn't quite feel dream like. the characters felt one-dimensional, and the main character in particular was frustrating. I know the author was going for low self-esteem and naivete, but it went too far to be enjoyable. frankly I found him unorganically obtuse. would probably read future books because the literary skill of the author is very evident, but this book just fell short for me.

Confusing story

Listened and was confused from start to finish. Narrator is excellent but sorry is so confusing