Jennifer Government

By: Max Barry

Narrated by: Michael Kramer

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.

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

Government's in the house!

Imagine a drama mixed with suspense; throw in a splash of action and a main character that looks good in a skirt and you have this novel. Jennifer Government makes you wonder who done it, and how did he do that. In addition, you will want to share this book with friends and family, but I highly recommend you tell them to buy their own, as you will never want to give up your copy. This book is a modern day classic and Max Berry deserves all the accolades we can give him.

Decent performance, anvilicious story.

It's 20XX and corporate consumerism is bad, mm'kay? In a world where government is reduced to funding by donation, private corporations beat innocent people over the head with shallow portrayals of the little guy being subjugated as their executive oppressors are systematically rewarded for their ruthlessness.

Just okay

I think the world created is fantastic, but the execution was just okay. I fully admit that the story felt a little close to home with everything happening in the world right now, especially in politics.

a world of possibilities that doesn't hit the mark

great world with lots more that I wanted to see but the main character didn't have a voice and the plot wasn't that engaging, but the world and setting makes for an engaging read.

What a world

It’s not far off from a reflection of today’s society. To imagine they were this far gone. Incredible story, I’ve been a growing fan of Max Berry. If you liked Lexicon You’ll love this as well. Otherwise check them both out!