https://nwhyte.livejournal.com/3746279.html

Classic novel of corporate life in London, as expressed through the emails of Martin Lukes, both self-obsessed and utterly un-self-aware, working through hubris, nemesis, and just possibly catharsis. You can spot pretty early on what is going to happen - as soon as the attractive new PA comes on the scene, it basically writes itself (her surname is actually Tartt, in case you needed the obvious pointed out to you even more clearly) - but having said that I anticipated the middle part of the book, Kellaway brings in a couple of twists at the end that I admit I did not expect. ( )

A funny, quick read. ( )

I've read books before where the story is told via e-mail format, and I much preferred "e" by Matt Beaumont, which is the tale of an advertising agency's bid for the Coca Cola account, probably because the e-mails were between a group of people, not just to and from one person. "Who Moved My BlackBerry?" was quite funny, especially for those of us who work in offices and are exposed to management jargon all day long, but on the whole, I think it probably worked better as a newspaper column than a novel.

I did enjoy Pandora asking about Martin's 'Less Strong Strengths' in her life coaching e-mails. At least Martin wasn't quite so deluded as I had come to believe, since he referred to them as his weaknesses in his reply : ) ( )

A brilliant, brilliant book. It’s so good because it is so true. Anyone has worked within an office corporate setting will be able to identify with this book!

I really like that the book has been written as a sequence of emails. Many authors have tried to pull off this as a storytelling method - and failed miserably. But not this book! The fact that the plot is revealed via email not only makes you think about the story more but also highlights how much of modern life now relies on emailing! The main character even does his parenting via email!

I didn’t like that the end didn’t have any consequences for bad behaviour on the main character’s part. But this only goes to show much true to life the book really is. As well as a good read, there were many many pages that made me laugh. It’s safe to say I will be re-reading this book again in the future!

[Review written for my book blog at www.michelleamanda.co.uk] ( )

Cashing in on the Zeitgeist. It was the third choice on a 3 for 2 at Waterstone's.