Workhorse

A Novel

De: Caroline Palmer

Narrado por: Helen Laser

"Fierce, funny and unflinching."—Coco Mellors, New York Times bestselling author of Blue Sisters

A richly drawn, unsettling, and wickedly funny story of envy and ambition set against the glamor and privilege of media and high society in New York City at its height.

At the turn of the millennium, Editorial Assistant Clodagh “Clo” Harmon wants nothing more than to rise through the ranks at the world’s most prestigious fashion magazine. There’s just one problem: she doesn’t have the right pedigree. Instead, Clo is a “workhorse” surrounded by beautiful, wealthy, impossibly well-connected “show horses” who get ahead without effort, including her beguiling cubicle-mate, Davis Lawrence, the daughter of a beloved but fading Broadway actress. Harry Wood, Davis’s boarding school classmate and a reporter with visions of his own media empire, might be Clo’s ally in gaming the system—or he might be the only thing standing between Clo and her rightful place at the top.

In a career punctuated by moments of high absurdity, sudden windfalls, and devastating reversals of fortune, Clo wades across boundaries, taking ever greater and more dangerous risks to become the important person she wants to be within the confines of a world where female ambition remains cloaked. But who really is Clo underneath all the borrowed designer clothes and studied manners—and who are we if we share her desires?

Hilariously observant and insightful, Workhorse is a brilliant listen about what it means to be in thrall to wealth, beauty, and influence, and the outrageous sacrifices women must make for the sake of success.

A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books

Yellowface meets Devil Wears Prada

A twisted story set in the world of NYC publishing world. Super long but SUPER ENTERTAINING! Outstanding audio narration made this book shine.

Magnificent and hilarious writing.

I don’t want this book to end! Caroline Palmer is a brilliant writer. She is witty and hilarious.

Twenty Something’s New York Story

Great characters and accurate telling of magazine publishing culture; and climbing toward something that one has imagined one wants. Very engaging but light fiction

Engrossing

This was a great listen! I really enjoyed the narrator and the storyline kept me intrigued.

a peek into the life and mind of a young career woman in NY

A character driven plot from the pov of a young career woman who moved to NY, coming from a middle class background with big dreams. what would you be willing to do to get ahead? apparently Cloda,Clo to her friends, will do anything though she makes excuses for her behavior usually. she's borderline psychotic... with very poor impulse control. desiring a high level career at a magazine publishing house, she works her way up from lowly assistant to editor on the backs of anyone standing in her way.

Worst main character

I just did not like or respect the main character at all. I really enjoyed the story but I wish I was told from anyone else’s point of view. She was honestly so terrible I did not care how she ended up or what happened to her so the grueling hours got tiresome.

fun and nostalgic with a twist

Could not put this down! If you were young in New York, this is a must read.

Such a predictable plot.

The author’s “voice” monotonous and banal. Way, way too long. Language uninspired, somehow plodding. Dull.

Really wanted to love it, but...

After reading a number of reviews I was excited to read this book. I loved the Devil Wears Prada and enjoy any good incite into NYC fashion world. The experience of an up and comer in NYC in the early aughts is without a doubt fraught with opportunities, however I found that the book really meandered between the work life of Clo Harmon (banal and unexciting) and her disaster of a personal life (sleezy and compromising) uninspired. Her constant self-doubt coupled with her total amoral personal compass made this a difficult book to enjoy. I kept seeking some level of redemption for her, personally or professionally, but it really never came to fruition. The supporting characters were pathetic at best and revolting at worst. No one would really want to spend time with any of these people. Even the ending, hoping for a level of comeuppance, was disappointing. I listened to this book and though the narrator was good, the book was just too long. I wish I could have endorsed this more enthusiasically.

Modern House of Mirth with a Twist

First, this well-written book is highly entertaining, kind of like candy that's actually good for you. It started out with a House of Mirth vibe but rapidly, you realize that Clo is no Lily Barth. Clo is not sympathetic. This book is populated with a lot of self-centered, superficial, and loathsome characters, which makes it interesting and very enjoyable. The book, like House of Mirth, is a study of the morally bankrupt upper class, --a timeless story.

My only beef is that the story dragged a smidge at a few points. Fortunately, it quickly picked up.

It's great that the author left the opportunity for a sequel (hint hint).