Jennifer Government

Max Barry

Jan 2004 · Sold by Vintage

About this ebook

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.

Ratings and reviews

It was a poorly written, outlandish portrayal of capitalism. Plot was thin, and that is giving it too much credit. Chapters really reach for connection and the characters are given no character. Its just not a book worth reading, and definitely not worth paying for.

It's not going to be for everyone. I wish that there was a bit more substance and a little less gimmicks.

Of course, it's an extreme depiction of a future, but, i belive, not far enough from where we're heading atm. Read it and find the right words between the lines - what luck for rulers that men don't think.

About the author

Max Barry is an Australian, for which he apologizes. He is the author of the cult hit Syrup, although he spelled his name “Maxx” for that novel, “because it seemed like a funny joke about marketing, and I failed to realize everyone would assume I was a pretentious asshole.” He was born on March 18, 1973, and lives in Melbourne, Australia, where he writes full-time, the advantage being that he can do it while wearing boxer shorts.