The Work Ahead

A Novel

By: Sameer Chopra

Narrated by: Jason Kirkover

What happens to the regular people during an alien invasion? What about after humanity gets it's butt kicked?

If you, like me, aren't a super soldier, trained assassin, billionaire playboy philanthropist, god or hulk, then you start working for your new alien overlords. And no, you don't get some cool "fly a spaceship around" job- you get to be a farmer! This fast paced, funny, book is an account of the time that I lost my office job- the one with the super chill boss, and went into farming with my new boss: a blood thirsty 8ft tall space lizard that was only interested in getting his next big promotion. Listen and witness how I use the only things I'm good at: 90s pop culture trivia and MS Excel to go from humble farmer to slightly more efficient farmer, to member of the secret society that runs all of EARTH!

Witness my ego growing so large that I fail to see the anonyms hackers I hired off the internet using Dogecoin might not actually have my best intrest at heart! You already know, having survived the invasion that humanity wins, but you DON'T know what happened behind the scenes. You don't know how THAT sausage was made! So here it is! You'll laugh at the absurdity of my life (hey!), you'll cry at the similarities of human and alien corporate culture, you'll join me in solemnly saluting my coworker's tragic loss of frequent eater points at his favorite sub sandwich shop, you'll remember the 90s, and most of all you won't be bored for a few hours!

©2022 Sameer Doshi (P)2025 Sameer Doshi

Quirky Sci Fi

If you like sci-fi and pop culture references, you'll really enjoy this book.
The narrator did an amazing job with all the characters and had a very pleasant voice. His reading cadence really kept the story moving. I very much enjoyed his narration style!

Perfect Match of Writing and Reading

Probably, for most Sci-Fi fans, there exists an instinctual appreciation for melodramatic nerdery. This book employs a truly impressive degree of purposeful hyper-nerd drama. It's one of those works of art which, if NOT done on purpose, might come across as "trying-too-hard" or cliche or hokey. But because it's clearly done on purpose, it somehow just hits the sweet spot and masterfully finds a way of keeping you enthralled and impressed while laughing hysterically at how goofy so many elements are. This isn't Dune, or Enders Game with a consistently serious tone. Nor is it Ready Player One or Independence Day, with a purposefully serious overall plot but with gags thrown in for comic relief. It's more the opposite of that second category. It's a purposeful attempt to have as much fun as humanly possible throwing every nerdy hilarious twist possible into the same story, but still maintains the necessary formal and serious elements to keep the plot moving at an enjoyable pace. I had never heard of Sameer Chopra prior to finding this book. I look forward to the sequel.

Significantly, beyond the writing itself, the author seems to have found the perfect narrator. Jason Kirkover employs obvious and significant voice talents while bringing the best nerd-drama intensity impossible to bring this perfect hilarious nerd sci-fy to life. Definitely recommend looking for this narrator just to experience true acting really n audio-format. My hat is off to both Author and Narrator.... And I'm bald.... So that's saying something 🤪

So many things I love come together!

What do you get when you mix Star Wars, Ready Player One, and The Office? The Work Ahead.

Sameer Chopra has created a workplace satire that’s as absurd as it is eerily accurate—which is odd in a world where aliens try to take over the planet and the narrator quotes Teen Witch like it’s sacred scripture. It’s hilarious, heartfelt, and just unhinged enough to feel entirely plausible.

What makes it soar, though, is Chopra’s gift for spotting the quiet hilarity in everyday moments—the panicked pre-meeting bathroom break, the too-long silence after someone says “synergy,” the unspoken dread of “circle back.” In the little moments, we meet his Indian parents, who are convinced everything in life is actually a game show.

Jason Kirkover’s narration is a perfect match: calm, steady, and layered with just enough warmth to let the absurdities shine without ever tipping into caricature.

New take on global takeover

Both fun and thought provoking, this is a new point of view on the alien apocalypse. Our narrator’s brand of survival is a constant surprise, but he’s still the most relatable sci fi hero you’re likely to encounter.