Piece of Work

By: Laura Zigman

Narrated by: Emily Durante

Length: 7 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

Toddlers, Julia remembered hearing someone say, were like big tyrants of tiny countries. Demanding, insatiably needy, and all ego and id, her son was still by far the best boss she'd ever had.

Julia Einstein knew that being a stay-at-home mom had a lot in common with her former job as a celebrity publicist - endless, irrational demands, little to no appreciation, and constant hustle. But it isn't until her husband is laid off from his job and she's forced to go back to work and resurrect screen legend Mary Ford's career that Julia realizes how very much she prefers an actual child to a formerly famous client.

For example, her child doesn't steal $10,000 leather coats from photo shoots. Nor does he require a constant, fresh supply of a soda that is no longer in production. He doesn't curse at Julia, pronounce her name "Einstein" with a thick layer of disdainful irony, or incessantly poke at her with his index finger while reciting odd variations on childlike rhymes like a psych patient on day pass. With a mortgage looming and three years out of the business, however, Julia knows she has no choice but to make Mary's comeback a success. Even if it kills her.

Which, at this pace, is a possibility. But if there is one thing Julia has learned from her time off from the office, it's that sheer determination can solve almost everything. After all, if she can get through suburban living with its uncontrolled clutter and playground politics, how hard can it be to resuscitate the career of an aging, desperate has-been? And get over the fact that her husband is a better stay-at-home mom than Julia ever was?

©2007 Laura Zigman (P)2006 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Great story but too much Mommy stuff

Would you listen to Piece of Work again? Why?

I liked the PR stuff and the getting back into work aspect for once successful people.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

It was good.

What does Emily Durante bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

Her narration was great and she could do many voices. I am listening to another book by someone else right now and may stop because of the narration.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The first 90 minutes was a snooze with the Mommy and baby stuff. It then started to pick up and I am glad I continued.

Any additional comments?

If she has cut the mother and baby stuff, the book would have been much better. But I still really like the working story.

Great for women who need a little empathy

This is a great listen. From the interesting character descriptions given from the main character's perspective down to the nitty gritty of a mother's thoughts about career, family, and the outfits that used to fit 15 pounds ago. Julia is a refreshing and empowering voice for working women, full time homemakers, and those that juggle all of that and more. Some of the dialogue gets repetitious and (rarely but it happens) dull, which slows down the pace a bit more than I'd like. But for the most part I really enjoyed this one.