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Russell Wiley Is Out to Lunch
Russell Wiley is in deep trouble. A media executive for the failing Daily Business Chronicle, his career is teetering on the brink of collapse, and his sexless marriage is fast approaching its expiration date. With his professional and personal lives floundering, it’s no wonder Russell is distracted, unhappy, and losing faith in himself. Making matters worse are his scheming boss, a hot-shot new consultant determined to see Russell ousted, and the beguiling colleague whose mere presence has a disconcerting effect on Russell’s starved libido. Disaster seems imminent…and that’s before he makes a careless mistake that could cost the paper millions. Russell realizes he must take drastic action if he is going to salvage his career, his love life, and what little remains of his self-respect. Sardonic, edgy, and true to life, this gripping novel offers an insider’s view into a newspaper's inner sanctum and the people who oil the wheels of the "old media" machine.
300 pages, Paperback
First published October 7, 2010
33 people are currently reading
701 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
December 11, 2013
Loved this office novel set during the dissolution of print media, symbolically paralleling Russell Wiley's existential digitization/scrambling of self into zeros and ones. Read much of it at first in manuscript way back when as the author set himself the goal of writing for ten minutes each morning. The pages he produced before he set off for the WSJ were crisp and devilishly clever, ripe for being made into a movie starring a bumbling Hugh Grant Colin Firth maybe. In published form, it's great to see the cumulative production of what Richard Hine's writerly endurance eeked out a little at a time over a very long time. So much humor mixed with equal amounts (not-always-so) quiet desperation and first-hand knowledge/insight into the #SMH machinations of office life anyone chronically exposed to it will nod/smile at. A must for fans of cubicle cinema and lit!
December 8, 2010
Funny, Humorous and Light..I dub thee 'chuck-lit'.
(Chuck-lit...chick-lit for men but manly.)
I'd love to say "If you loved Bridget Jones..." but I know the 'industry' would shake their head at that.
I don't care. I love Bridget Jones and now I love Russell Wiley.
From beginning to end, this had me laughing out loud. From office Unicorns to be-proud-of-me poopies there wasn't a TIC comic take on any of the office on-goings at the Daily Business Chronicle that I didn't get or that I didn't laugh at.
I'm not normally a fan of the tense and POV Mr. Hine adopts for this book, but I make an exception here. First person present was like being in a well-crafted reality show, without the hokieness of breakaways to 'confession' rooms.
Russel is a smart, likable character who's average enough for most of us to relate to. It's easy enjoying this book for that reason.
As I'm now a stay at home mom, I kept thinking of all the people I knew--still tethered to the business world--who'd get a warm fuzzy feeling from reading this book. I passed it along to my husband first(a staffing sales director), and as he sits next to me in bed at night reading it, I knew I was right: not three minutes can pass without an audible laugh.
I happened to purchase the Kindle version of this book which was GREAT, because I was able to read it on my Droid or my iPad or my Kindle, seamlessly (so long as there was enough time between syncing and switching devises).
Overall, if you appreciate smart, sexy satire, then you'll be down with this book.
(Chuck-lit...chick-lit for men but manly.)
I'd love to say "If you loved Bridget Jones..." but I know the 'industry' would shake their head at that.
I don't care. I love Bridget Jones and now I love Russell Wiley.
From beginning to end, this had me laughing out loud. From office Unicorns to be-proud-of-me poopies there wasn't a TIC comic take on any of the office on-goings at the Daily Business Chronicle that I didn't get or that I didn't laugh at.
I'm not normally a fan of the tense and POV Mr. Hine adopts for this book, but I make an exception here. First person present was like being in a well-crafted reality show, without the hokieness of breakaways to 'confession' rooms.
Russel is a smart, likable character who's average enough for most of us to relate to. It's easy enjoying this book for that reason.
As I'm now a stay at home mom, I kept thinking of all the people I knew--still tethered to the business world--who'd get a warm fuzzy feeling from reading this book. I passed it along to my husband first(a staffing sales director), and as he sits next to me in bed at night reading it, I knew I was right: not three minutes can pass without an audible laugh.
I happened to purchase the Kindle version of this book which was GREAT, because I was able to read it on my Droid or my iPad or my Kindle, seamlessly (so long as there was enough time between syncing and switching devises).
Overall, if you appreciate smart, sexy satire, then you'll be down with this book.
April 24, 2011
Russell Wiley is facing a crisis - at home and at work. At a time when the newspaper industry is struggling and declining, Russell is working hard to win back contracts and find ways to keep the old customers and bring in new ones. Meanwhile, his boss, Henry Moss is planning for more layoffs and is scheming to prove himself to the big players in the company without any regard to his own boss. Russell's team isn't perfect either, with one manipulative manager, one young intern whose attire is the topic of gossip among his women colleagues, and an over-enthusiastic new hire jumping with utopian ideas for improvement. Into this mess, Henry brings a consultant to find a way to give the company a much-needed growth opportunity. At home, Russell's life has become sexless. His wife is no longer as into him as in the early years of their relationship. And all this is making him think about one of his female colleagues in an inappropriate way.
Russell Wiley is Out to Lunch is set during the years of the decline of the print. While the online media becomes increasingly popular with the young generation, The Chronicle (a fictional newspaper for which Russell works) is clearly not increasing its reader base. I found this a very interesting setting, because I've always wondered how it is to be part of a declining industry - knowing that you could lose your job any time, and even though they know that the trends are changing, they work desperately hard to retain their jobs and clientele. In addition, it was nice to read a book set in the workplace, which although a large part of our lives, doesn't find much of an appreciation in fiction. I felt that this book delivered well on both counts.
In Russell, we have a protagonist that we can root for, though I have to admit that halfway through the book, I got frustrated with him. Every day as he got home, his one obsession was on how to get his wife to have sex with him. I never really saw or felt any bonding between him and his wife, because of which I could not sympathize with his problem. Affecting his credibility further is the inappropriate train of thoughts that keep running through his mind in the presence of his female colleagues. Of course, every married person is not "perfect", but it was very clear to me that Russell was also at fault in his marriage. Of the remaining characters, none of them stood out for me. Sometimes I forgot who was who. This does reflect a typical office environment, where each day you meet a blend of people only briefly, but I still wished that it didn't take me too long to get to know a character well.
In spite of the strong and interesting premise of this book, I felt that it lacked punch and grip. The events take some time to build up and it took me a long time to understand where the book might be heading. In a way, the pace is reflective of the environment where it is set - the most adventurous thing that happens in your typical workday might be you dropping a pen or jamming the paper in the printer or falling asleep at your desk. Otherwise, it is usually a slow monotonous passage of eight hours, during which you keep checking the clock praying for it to move faster, so that you can go home and watch a movie or read a book or play with your kids/pets. The purposeful build-up of the interesting plot-lines however led to a weak ending, in my opinion. There was so much I expected towards the end, and some of what actually happened felt too good or too unreal to be plausible.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has worked in an office environment and loves reading about the workplace politics (in a very loose sense of the word). It is a satirical look at what happens in an office - the challenges, the manipulations, the scheming, and also the male-female colleague interaction - both as colleagues and otherwise. There is quite a bit of humor in the book, but this is strictly not a laughter riot (which is what I expected it to be). Nevertheless, someone with a good knowledge of or interest in a workplace would delight in this novel. This book releases today, so make sure you check it out!
Russell Wiley is Out to Lunch is set during the years of the decline of the print. While the online media becomes increasingly popular with the young generation, The Chronicle (a fictional newspaper for which Russell works) is clearly not increasing its reader base. I found this a very interesting setting, because I've always wondered how it is to be part of a declining industry - knowing that you could lose your job any time, and even though they know that the trends are changing, they work desperately hard to retain their jobs and clientele. In addition, it was nice to read a book set in the workplace, which although a large part of our lives, doesn't find much of an appreciation in fiction. I felt that this book delivered well on both counts.
In Russell, we have a protagonist that we can root for, though I have to admit that halfway through the book, I got frustrated with him. Every day as he got home, his one obsession was on how to get his wife to have sex with him. I never really saw or felt any bonding between him and his wife, because of which I could not sympathize with his problem. Affecting his credibility further is the inappropriate train of thoughts that keep running through his mind in the presence of his female colleagues. Of course, every married person is not "perfect", but it was very clear to me that Russell was also at fault in his marriage. Of the remaining characters, none of them stood out for me. Sometimes I forgot who was who. This does reflect a typical office environment, where each day you meet a blend of people only briefly, but I still wished that it didn't take me too long to get to know a character well.
In spite of the strong and interesting premise of this book, I felt that it lacked punch and grip. The events take some time to build up and it took me a long time to understand where the book might be heading. In a way, the pace is reflective of the environment where it is set - the most adventurous thing that happens in your typical workday might be you dropping a pen or jamming the paper in the printer or falling asleep at your desk. Otherwise, it is usually a slow monotonous passage of eight hours, during which you keep checking the clock praying for it to move faster, so that you can go home and watch a movie or read a book or play with your kids/pets. The purposeful build-up of the interesting plot-lines however led to a weak ending, in my opinion. There was so much I expected towards the end, and some of what actually happened felt too good or too unreal to be plausible.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has worked in an office environment and loves reading about the workplace politics (in a very loose sense of the word). It is a satirical look at what happens in an office - the challenges, the manipulations, the scheming, and also the male-female colleague interaction - both as colleagues and otherwise. There is quite a bit of humor in the book, but this is strictly not a laughter riot (which is what I expected it to be). Nevertheless, someone with a good knowledge of or interest in a workplace would delight in this novel. This book releases today, so make sure you check it out!
August 5, 2010
Leaders are like Unicorns ...
As I quickly got sucked into this tale of woe, I had to stop myself several times and mentally think back and unscramble some of the references made and connect them to their real-life events. From Sam Zell to dead hikers in Oregon, my brain worked overtime to nail-down the news cycle of which this emanated. It's hard, to impossible, to not find yourself doing this as author Richard Hine does this throughout the book; not because it's cute, or an implement of his style, but because this is the business that he's writing about. Newspapers, newspaper men, journalism, corporate confinement, well-structured bureaucratic greed and career-breaking gamesmanship that has `desperation' written all over the faces of all the players, but one. Russell Wiley does his best throughout to hold a poker-face from power lunches where he gives nothing away to office interruptions where he coddles a few employees instead of saying: `You're Fired'. It's a tightrope for sure.
Russell Wiley is the quiet and calculated monitor caught up in a soul-crushing existence and his story has the ring of a Kitty Kelly tell-all biography, but this one covers the newsroom and not just a person. The sad truth of Russell Wiley though, is that he does exist -- and is the current profile of so many thirty / fourty something's caught too far gone in a business that's about to slip over a perimeter and disappear for good, taking all hands with them. The real-life edge and details make a person think about the message as much as the story.
Hine is definitely not the first person to tell us that the publishing world `has heard the chimes at midnight', but has done so in a very captivating but derisive manner. I couldn't help but catch glimpses of Bret Easton Ellis's `American Psycho' as I read this, but this is the book Mr. Ellis would've written if he was still serious about writing and not just dumping his trash on us.
Russell Wiley is the aged yuppie that has settled down and found his back against the wall and surrounded by hungry up-starts and buffoons rather than the sharks of yesteryear. He has become the larger, slow moving ageing shark in a tank full of docile and self-obsessed lesser life forms.
The action and pace of this book is the atmosphere, the reality and the true to life commentary like many other great novels of this type. This is not a whodunit, or a crime-scene investigation, so don't expect that.
Having recently re-read Atlas Shrugged, I couldn't help but see parallels with the story as Russell Wiley travels some of the same ground as the beloved Dagny Taggart. This is the search for self as well as a safe way out the door.
I look forward to a follow-up novel from Mr. Hine - and I don't say that about many writers these days.
As I quickly got sucked into this tale of woe, I had to stop myself several times and mentally think back and unscramble some of the references made and connect them to their real-life events. From Sam Zell to dead hikers in Oregon, my brain worked overtime to nail-down the news cycle of which this emanated. It's hard, to impossible, to not find yourself doing this as author Richard Hine does this throughout the book; not because it's cute, or an implement of his style, but because this is the business that he's writing about. Newspapers, newspaper men, journalism, corporate confinement, well-structured bureaucratic greed and career-breaking gamesmanship that has `desperation' written all over the faces of all the players, but one. Russell Wiley does his best throughout to hold a poker-face from power lunches where he gives nothing away to office interruptions where he coddles a few employees instead of saying: `You're Fired'. It's a tightrope for sure.
Russell Wiley is the quiet and calculated monitor caught up in a soul-crushing existence and his story has the ring of a Kitty Kelly tell-all biography, but this one covers the newsroom and not just a person. The sad truth of Russell Wiley though, is that he does exist -- and is the current profile of so many thirty / fourty something's caught too far gone in a business that's about to slip over a perimeter and disappear for good, taking all hands with them. The real-life edge and details make a person think about the message as much as the story.
Hine is definitely not the first person to tell us that the publishing world `has heard the chimes at midnight', but has done so in a very captivating but derisive manner. I couldn't help but catch glimpses of Bret Easton Ellis's `American Psycho' as I read this, but this is the book Mr. Ellis would've written if he was still serious about writing and not just dumping his trash on us.
Russell Wiley is the aged yuppie that has settled down and found his back against the wall and surrounded by hungry up-starts and buffoons rather than the sharks of yesteryear. He has become the larger, slow moving ageing shark in a tank full of docile and self-obsessed lesser life forms.
The action and pace of this book is the atmosphere, the reality and the true to life commentary like many other great novels of this type. This is not a whodunit, or a crime-scene investigation, so don't expect that.
Having recently re-read Atlas Shrugged, I couldn't help but see parallels with the story as Russell Wiley travels some of the same ground as the beloved Dagny Taggart. This is the search for self as well as a safe way out the door.
I look forward to a follow-up novel from Mr. Hine - and I don't say that about many writers these days.
October 26, 2010
Russell Wiley Is Out To Lunch made me laugh out loud. Reading the story of Russell Wiley, trying to survive the downward spiral that is the daily business paper that employs him, was almost like watching an episode of The Office.
Russell Wiley's daily paper is facing a do or die fight for survival. Politics run rampant through the office. Loyalty is tantamount. Russell's trying to keep his job, and the jobs of his team, safe. He's got a bit of a crush on a co-worker. And he's writing astute business articles under a pseudonym. On the home front, things aren't much better. He and his wife are in a dry spell, and no matter what he tries, Russell can't seem to connect with her. Add to this mix the arrival of the Process Consultant to save the day, and Russell feels as though he might drown. Until he comes up with his own fail proof plan for survival.
But I also have to tell you about what made me cringe in this story. And cringe in a good way. See, I've been that Process Consultant (capitalized here much like Superman might be). I've been perceived like this Judd has. And I've seen the political office game be played. The cringing comes from those situations that are so realistic, you know you've been in them, you know what's coming, and you're powerless to stop it, but you're still compelled to watch it unfold.
Like so many of us, Russell started out young and idealistic, intent on changing the world. Fast forward fifteen years, and Russell is like so many of us formerly young and idealistic kids- schlepping away in a middle management job that doesn't excite him. He's somewhat loath to change his circumstances- there's security, change is hard, and do we really have it in us once we hit our mid-thirties to still change the world?
But you can see in Russell's articles- written under a pen name, and often taking a scathing job at the failings of his own employer- that he has a real passion existing deep within him. He's frustrated with where his life is, both personally and professionally, and he's desperate for something, anything, to happen. He gets, in many ways, more than he bargained for.
I found Russell Wiley Is Out To Lunch to be witty and snarky. I recognized so many of the people and the circumstances as I read through the book, and I found myself cheering for Russell Wiley.
Russell Wiley's daily paper is facing a do or die fight for survival. Politics run rampant through the office. Loyalty is tantamount. Russell's trying to keep his job, and the jobs of his team, safe. He's got a bit of a crush on a co-worker. And he's writing astute business articles under a pseudonym. On the home front, things aren't much better. He and his wife are in a dry spell, and no matter what he tries, Russell can't seem to connect with her. Add to this mix the arrival of the Process Consultant to save the day, and Russell feels as though he might drown. Until he comes up with his own fail proof plan for survival.
But I also have to tell you about what made me cringe in this story. And cringe in a good way. See, I've been that Process Consultant (capitalized here much like Superman might be). I've been perceived like this Judd has. And I've seen the political office game be played. The cringing comes from those situations that are so realistic, you know you've been in them, you know what's coming, and you're powerless to stop it, but you're still compelled to watch it unfold.
Like so many of us, Russell started out young and idealistic, intent on changing the world. Fast forward fifteen years, and Russell is like so many of us formerly young and idealistic kids- schlepping away in a middle management job that doesn't excite him. He's somewhat loath to change his circumstances- there's security, change is hard, and do we really have it in us once we hit our mid-thirties to still change the world?
But you can see in Russell's articles- written under a pen name, and often taking a scathing job at the failings of his own employer- that he has a real passion existing deep within him. He's frustrated with where his life is, both personally and professionally, and he's desperate for something, anything, to happen. He gets, in many ways, more than he bargained for.
I found Russell Wiley Is Out To Lunch to be witty and snarky. I recognized so many of the people and the circumstances as I read through the book, and I found myself cheering for Russell Wiley.
September 21, 2010
Russell Wiley is a victim of the recession and modern times.
The author stated in an interview he conducted with himself (grin) that the book is set in 2006 because that's the official year that print died.
Russell is middle management for an almost-dead business daily that is No. 4 in a world where there's no room for more than three.
This amusing, yet poignant, story leads us through several months of Russell's life. At work, he's surrounded by people who've been living The Peter Principle (I'm dating myself with that reference, lol) At home, his difficult wife seems to be spending everything she makes while he counts off the days since they last had sex.
I startted laughing at page 5 and found reason for many chuckles throughout the book.
I haven't worked in journalism, or in any corporate environment for many years, but the experiences that the protaganist has still resonated with me.
I found the story to be well-written, clever and sardonic. The ending completely surprised me, I expected something far different to happen. I don't like to be able to predict the outcome of any book, so good one, Mr. Hines!
This is an entertaining and easy read. I highly recommend it.
The author stated in an interview he conducted with himself (grin) that the book is set in 2006 because that's the official year that print died.
Russell is middle management for an almost-dead business daily that is No. 4 in a world where there's no room for more than three.
This amusing, yet poignant, story leads us through several months of Russell's life. At work, he's surrounded by people who've been living The Peter Principle (I'm dating myself with that reference, lol) At home, his difficult wife seems to be spending everything she makes while he counts off the days since they last had sex.
I startted laughing at page 5 and found reason for many chuckles throughout the book.
I haven't worked in journalism, or in any corporate environment for many years, but the experiences that the protaganist has still resonated with me.
I found the story to be well-written, clever and sardonic. The ending completely surprised me, I expected something far different to happen. I don't like to be able to predict the outcome of any book, so good one, Mr. Hines!
This is an entertaining and easy read. I highly recommend it.
Read
January 7, 2016This novel of the woes of a middle manager in the faltering world of print business journalism (not only are things going badly at work but his wife has lost interest in sex) turned out to be both funny and sweet. At first I thought it was going to be a rather predictable satire about the corporate world--and I spent long enough working for corporations that I simultaneously want them satirized and don't want to read much more about them. Also, while I enjoy satire, I tire of the relentlessly bitter variety. This book, however, gradually won me over, in part because the suffering Russell is not merely a jaded hack but proves to be firmly on the side of those who work hard at their jobs. Russell can be scheming and devious, but he's not mean, and his schemes aren't petty. Both the character and the book proved very likable. Give it a read!
July 28, 2011
Ugh! I hated this book. I thought it was about the newspaper industry, but it's really about boring corporate shenanigans in the office and a guy who thinks about sex all the time and gets cheated on and dumped by his wife. I would dump him too. He's boring!!!! This book is boring. Don't waste your time. I usually bail on books that don't capture my interest by the fourth or fifth chapter, but since this book had an endorsement from Paul Steiger, editor and and chief of ProPublica.org I read it until the end. What I learned is not to trust book jacket endorsements. And the book jacket art is hideous. I was embarrassed to be seen reading it. Is it meant to look like a toilet bowl? Because that's where this book belongs.
July 18, 2012
Originally Reviewed at Novel Escapes
Russell Wiley is Out to Lunch is full of office politics, procrastination, passing the buck, workplace monotony, and keeping the status quo, and didn't just revolve around his office, but Russell's life at home where his wife is growing more distant. This novel was easy to read, frequently funny and I really enjoyed everything from Russell's character to the story.
Hine's character creation from a few simple scenes was fantastic. The empathy I felt for Russell from the very first scene stayed with me throughout the novel. I could relate to his being stuck and not moving forward and rooted for him to figure things out. His inability to take action had me wanting to shake him at times though and I had hoped he would figure out a few things on his own, rather than just reacting to what was thrown at him.
The end wasn't predictable in certain aspects and had me smiling as did much of the novels with Russell's wry observations of his situation. I've only been a minion in an office and never in management, but still enjoyed this book. It was interesting to have an inside view of how management can bumble things up and go with the safe route and I think anyone who has been stuck in an office will be able to relate to this novel.
Unfortunately I had a difficult time keeping track of Russell's co-workers. They moved in and out and at times I struggled to recall who they were when they reappeared. I had also hoped Russell would help his employee, Angela, more but think this was part of his character in that he wasn't entirely comfortable with the situation, and even with himself enough to do more to assist her. But I still found it disappointing it wasn't addressed further.
This novel was quoted on the back cover as being similar to Sophie Kinsella, but I just couldn't see this connection. There was humour in this story, and Russell's character is slightly bumbling and lacks a self confidence I've discovered in Kinsella's novels, but just didn't find it compared, so don't expect a male Becky Bloomwood here. Instead, you'll find something more akin to Office Space or The Office, equally satirical and humorous with it's observations of office politics.
Overall, I really enjoyed Russell Wiley is Out to Lunch, finding it easy to read with laugh our loud moments and an interesting premise. I look forward to more by Richard Hine.
Russell Wiley is Out to Lunch is full of office politics, procrastination, passing the buck, workplace monotony, and keeping the status quo, and didn't just revolve around his office, but Russell's life at home where his wife is growing more distant. This novel was easy to read, frequently funny and I really enjoyed everything from Russell's character to the story.
Hine's character creation from a few simple scenes was fantastic. The empathy I felt for Russell from the very first scene stayed with me throughout the novel. I could relate to his being stuck and not moving forward and rooted for him to figure things out. His inability to take action had me wanting to shake him at times though and I had hoped he would figure out a few things on his own, rather than just reacting to what was thrown at him.
The end wasn't predictable in certain aspects and had me smiling as did much of the novels with Russell's wry observations of his situation. I've only been a minion in an office and never in management, but still enjoyed this book. It was interesting to have an inside view of how management can bumble things up and go with the safe route and I think anyone who has been stuck in an office will be able to relate to this novel.
Unfortunately I had a difficult time keeping track of Russell's co-workers. They moved in and out and at times I struggled to recall who they were when they reappeared. I had also hoped Russell would help his employee, Angela, more but think this was part of his character in that he wasn't entirely comfortable with the situation, and even with himself enough to do more to assist her. But I still found it disappointing it wasn't addressed further.
This novel was quoted on the back cover as being similar to Sophie Kinsella, but I just couldn't see this connection. There was humour in this story, and Russell's character is slightly bumbling and lacks a self confidence I've discovered in Kinsella's novels, but just didn't find it compared, so don't expect a male Becky Bloomwood here. Instead, you'll find something more akin to Office Space or The Office, equally satirical and humorous with it's observations of office politics.
Overall, I really enjoyed Russell Wiley is Out to Lunch, finding it easy to read with laugh our loud moments and an interesting premise. I look forward to more by Richard Hine.
October 15, 2010
Russell Wiley is a media executive for the Daily Chronicle newspaper, the fourth largest newspaper in a world where there is only room for three. The newspaper is quickly going the way of paper money, and Russell is having problems getting new advertisers interested in placing ads. Meanwhile, his home life is going the same way as the newspaper. His wife, Sam, isn't interested in having sex with him and he obsessively counts the days between their infrequent carnal encounters. Add a whole lot of office drama into the mix, as well as a consultant who is more interested in passing others' work off as his own, and Russell Wiley has a recipe for disaster.
When Russell makes a multi-million dollar mistake at the office, he knows that it's just a matter of time before his ship sinks. He realizes that he needs to make some big changes if he is to salvage the remains of his career and his love life. Filled with witty observations and wry humour, Russell Wiley is Out To Lunch is a must-read for anyone who has ever wiled away hours in an office.
Russell Wiley is Out To Lunch is a delightful read, chronicling the decline of the newspaper industry with wit and charm. It was fun to reflect on things that used to play so prominently in our lives that have been replace by the bigger and better in the interest of progress. Newspapers used to be a fixture in our lives, delivered in the mornings and read over breakfast, and now we seem to get the majority of our news online and on our electronic devices. This book also offers commentary on office life- the drama that can surround us, not to mention the joys of working with people who are determined to pass others' work off as their own.
Russell Wiley was a thoroughly likable character. His marriage is rapidly going down the tubes, his work life is teetering on the brink of disaster, and yet he manages to conduct himself with dignity. When he develops a crush on his co-worker he doesn't cross the line into inappropriate behaviour and that endeared him to me even further.
Russell Wiley is Out To Lunch is a must-read for anyone who has ever worked in an office, had someone pass off your work as their own, or been discouraged by their company's inability to move forward into new technology. It is also a great read for anyone who is just looking for a laugh.
When Russell makes a multi-million dollar mistake at the office, he knows that it's just a matter of time before his ship sinks. He realizes that he needs to make some big changes if he is to salvage the remains of his career and his love life. Filled with witty observations and wry humour, Russell Wiley is Out To Lunch is a must-read for anyone who has ever wiled away hours in an office.
Russell Wiley is Out To Lunch is a delightful read, chronicling the decline of the newspaper industry with wit and charm. It was fun to reflect on things that used to play so prominently in our lives that have been replace by the bigger and better in the interest of progress. Newspapers used to be a fixture in our lives, delivered in the mornings and read over breakfast, and now we seem to get the majority of our news online and on our electronic devices. This book also offers commentary on office life- the drama that can surround us, not to mention the joys of working with people who are determined to pass others' work off as their own.
Russell Wiley was a thoroughly likable character. His marriage is rapidly going down the tubes, his work life is teetering on the brink of disaster, and yet he manages to conduct himself with dignity. When he develops a crush on his co-worker he doesn't cross the line into inappropriate behaviour and that endeared him to me even further.
Russell Wiley is Out To Lunch is a must-read for anyone who has ever worked in an office, had someone pass off your work as their own, or been discouraged by their company's inability to move forward into new technology. It is also a great read for anyone who is just looking for a laugh.
April 24, 2011
Thanks First Reads!
So, having finally read it - it's a fun read. Makes you laugh out loud at times, nod knowlingly at others, and shake your head in apprehension every now and then.
Even for someone with no involvement with the publishing industry, this book can be relevant - provided you've ever worked in an organisation, experienced an industry undergoing disruption, or had romantic feelings for another person. The office environment is brought to life by characters extreme enough to be memorable and interesting, yet consistently believable throughout the book; although most of the supporting cast feels flat in the first half, the end of the book sees them uncover much richer sides. The spirit of the social media era is captured as accurately as in any Web 2.0 evangelist's manifest. And romantic vagaries, from dead passions, to jealousy and unfulfilled desires are convincingly woven into the story, with even the filler of the protagonist's steamy scenes serving to put him in whatever mood makes the next chapter more interesting.
Is this a book one can learn anything from? Unless you're a consultant with a bad dress sense, probably not :)
Now, on to the writing itself... What I found best in this book was the protagonist's character - it's well developed, multi-dimensional and feels alive as it changes throughout the book. For example, his confession of his big error to his new boss is heart-wrenching, and the most emotional one I can think of since American Psycho. In some ways, the characters in this book remind me of those in Zeno's Conscience: stereotypically flawed in different dimensions, some redeeming themselves through change, others continuing to live with their flaws. The only shortcoming I saw was a few dialogue lines that read rather scripted (trying too hard to pull the corporate lingo), which cast a shadow on otherwise perfectly believable situations.
So, having finally read it - it's a fun read. Makes you laugh out loud at times, nod knowlingly at others, and shake your head in apprehension every now and then.
Even for someone with no involvement with the publishing industry, this book can be relevant - provided you've ever worked in an organisation, experienced an industry undergoing disruption, or had romantic feelings for another person. The office environment is brought to life by characters extreme enough to be memorable and interesting, yet consistently believable throughout the book; although most of the supporting cast feels flat in the first half, the end of the book sees them uncover much richer sides. The spirit of the social media era is captured as accurately as in any Web 2.0 evangelist's manifest. And romantic vagaries, from dead passions, to jealousy and unfulfilled desires are convincingly woven into the story, with even the filler of the protagonist's steamy scenes serving to put him in whatever mood makes the next chapter more interesting.
Is this a book one can learn anything from? Unless you're a consultant with a bad dress sense, probably not :)
Now, on to the writing itself... What I found best in this book was the protagonist's character - it's well developed, multi-dimensional and feels alive as it changes throughout the book. For example, his confession of his big error to his new boss is heart-wrenching, and the most emotional one I can think of since American Psycho. In some ways, the characters in this book remind me of those in Zeno's Conscience: stereotypically flawed in different dimensions, some redeeming themselves through change, others continuing to live with their flaws. The only shortcoming I saw was a few dialogue lines that read rather scripted (trying too hard to pull the corporate lingo), which cast a shadow on otherwise perfectly believable situations.
July 4, 2011
A humorous window into the world of newspaper advertising, this novel is a mocking view of the not so simple life of a media executive. In part analogous to the humour of Tom Holt in books such as, ‘You Don't Have to be Evil to Work Here, But it Helps’ and part the agonising absurdities of Helen Fielding’s ‘Bridgett Jones’s Diary’. ‘Russell Wiley is Out to Lunch’ is an enjoyable read for anyone who has ever worked in an office and is weary of corporate clichés and maxims.
Russell Wiley’s world is rapidly falling apart as the new owner of the Daily Business Chronicle seeks to spend less and achieve more. To supplement this, his nearly sexless marriage is on the rocks and his self confidence is at an all time low. Russell attempts to suck up to his scheming boss and stay away from the generic, yet highly dangerous, ‘hot-shot’ consultant with his business school project plans and templates. Simultaneously trying to keep his team on target, manage out the less able of them and not think too much about the lovely Erika Fallon. At which point Russell makes the worst mistake of his career and needs to work fast to mitigate this disaster and save his paper millions.
This book is a great and very funny read and the pace definitely keeps the pages turning. I look forward to the Richard Hine’s next offering.
Russell Wiley’s world is rapidly falling apart as the new owner of the Daily Business Chronicle seeks to spend less and achieve more. To supplement this, his nearly sexless marriage is on the rocks and his self confidence is at an all time low. Russell attempts to suck up to his scheming boss and stay away from the generic, yet highly dangerous, ‘hot-shot’ consultant with his business school project plans and templates. Simultaneously trying to keep his team on target, manage out the less able of them and not think too much about the lovely Erika Fallon. At which point Russell makes the worst mistake of his career and needs to work fast to mitigate this disaster and save his paper millions.
This book is a great and very funny read and the pace definitely keeps the pages turning. I look forward to the Richard Hine’s next offering.
June 15, 2013
Although most novelists hate comparisons, I can't resist the temptation to compare Richard Hine's character Russell Wiley to Joseph Heller's Bob Slocum (Something Happened). Both characters live their lives of quiet desperation, unable to find solace either at work or at home. I prefer Hine's pace, however, and "Russell Wiley is out to Lunch" moves us briskly through a tormented tale of corporate greed, politics, lust and incompetence that many of us can relate to and have experienced at one time or another, regardless of the field.
In Russell Wiley's case the field is publishing-at a newspaper that is quickly going under-with Russell's help, as it turns out.
Meanwhile, there are those who are out to get him, like the ambitious new consultant, and there are those that Russell would like to get (if you know what I mean), like the sexy employee who makes his knees buckle whenever she comes within ten feet.
If summarized in a sentence or two, "Russell Wiley is out to Lunch" would necessarily touch upon the melancholy and angst that embodies the novel. Lost in the summary, though, would be the wit, irreverence, belly laughs and obvious understanding of life that Hine displays.
You just have to read it.
In Russell Wiley's case the field is publishing-at a newspaper that is quickly going under-with Russell's help, as it turns out.
Meanwhile, there are those who are out to get him, like the ambitious new consultant, and there are those that Russell would like to get (if you know what I mean), like the sexy employee who makes his knees buckle whenever she comes within ten feet.
If summarized in a sentence or two, "Russell Wiley is out to Lunch" would necessarily touch upon the melancholy and angst that embodies the novel. Lost in the summary, though, would be the wit, irreverence, belly laughs and obvious understanding of life that Hine displays.
You just have to read it.
September 5, 2011
RWIOTL was extremely well written, however, I felt that at least 3-4 occasions, I thought to myself, well, what is exactly happening here. It dulled out particularly at the start.
At one point at the start I was going to give up. I'm glad I didnt because it got increasingly more humorous and Office-esque.
On one hand, I didnt really understand some bits. I felt that you needed to have worked in the newspaper industry to actually get some parts.
That said, it did give you some insight.
I was a little irritated at the consant repetition that Russells life is in turmoil and that his marriage was on the rocks but equally, I felt frustrated for him as he seemed to be getting it from all angles! If I felt for him, then it meant I got attached to his character and ultimately the book.
It's a promising start for Richard Hine and I am extremely grateful for winning this book on First Reads. I wanted to give this 4 stars but it just lacked a good enough start and I could see some folk giving up on it too early. Of course, they wouldnt know what they are missing but unless they read the reviews (I am not the only one who has said this) it could be curtains.
Because it picked up greatly and I got inside the characters lifestyle, I am giving it 3 stars. Good effort.
At one point at the start I was going to give up. I'm glad I didnt because it got increasingly more humorous and Office-esque.
On one hand, I didnt really understand some bits. I felt that you needed to have worked in the newspaper industry to actually get some parts.
That said, it did give you some insight.
I was a little irritated at the consant repetition that Russells life is in turmoil and that his marriage was on the rocks but equally, I felt frustrated for him as he seemed to be getting it from all angles! If I felt for him, then it meant I got attached to his character and ultimately the book.
It's a promising start for Richard Hine and I am extremely grateful for winning this book on First Reads. I wanted to give this 4 stars but it just lacked a good enough start and I could see some folk giving up on it too early. Of course, they wouldnt know what they are missing but unless they read the reviews (I am not the only one who has said this) it could be curtains.
Because it picked up greatly and I got inside the characters lifestyle, I am giving it 3 stars. Good effort.
April 14, 2011
This book was received through First Reads, review will follow shortly.
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It's been two years since I waved goodbye to the corporate world and with this book those years just vanished.
It's a true to life telling of both the lethargy and continual outmaneuvering that comes with the brave new business world. It tells with humour the re-presentation of old ideas under a new title or spin that has everyone jumping through hoops (yet again) on top of an already hectic schedule until new management or consultants come along with up to date buzzwords and shiny new processes that impress other senior managers and consultants while the minions realise them for the same old same old.
The only down side was the ending of the book, it was remarkably upbeat in the style of a Hollywood film where everything has to come good in the end. This part just didn't seem "real" and so didn't fit with my jaded views. Long live cynicism!
That aside, I enjoyed this book and the writing was such that it made for a flowing read. I'm not sure how much this would fit with a non-corporate reader as a lot of the pleasure was in the "I've been there, done that" reaction to much of the novel.
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It's been two years since I waved goodbye to the corporate world and with this book those years just vanished.
It's a true to life telling of both the lethargy and continual outmaneuvering that comes with the brave new business world. It tells with humour the re-presentation of old ideas under a new title or spin that has everyone jumping through hoops (yet again) on top of an already hectic schedule until new management or consultants come along with up to date buzzwords and shiny new processes that impress other senior managers and consultants while the minions realise them for the same old same old.
The only down side was the ending of the book, it was remarkably upbeat in the style of a Hollywood film where everything has to come good in the end. This part just didn't seem "real" and so didn't fit with my jaded views. Long live cynicism!
That aside, I enjoyed this book and the writing was such that it made for a flowing read. I'm not sure how much this would fit with a non-corporate reader as a lot of the pleasure was in the "I've been there, done that" reaction to much of the novel.
September 4, 2010
This is the latest in what has become a subgenre of novels I call Recessionary Fables in which a Man On The Verge is employed at a company that is either forced to change or go out of business altogether. "Wiley" contains humor as biting as in The Ask, a hero as perplexed as in The Unnamed, and while the writing is not as sharp or the structure as intriguing as And Then We Came to The End, the conflict is compelling. There is a lot of humor here, and the denoument may be a bit facile, but it was an enjoyable book, a welcome insider's look at the world of publishing and how it is coping with the attempt to capture of a younger audience it needs in order to survive. Making the segue to digital presentation while retaining its dignity can be hazardous, and the fact that Wiley's marriage is foundering doesn't help his frame of mind. In all these books, the personal lives of their protagonists are remarkably similar which means that these parts can be skimmed without losing the bite of the original intent of the basic story.
June 7, 2011
This book is a satire set during the decline of a newspaper which is in the process of being bought by a big corporation.
In the face of a re-structure, all the newspaper's employees are scared of being in the firing line, including Russell. And just to top it up, his marriage is not going well.
I found quite clever the way that, unable to address his concerns and ideas to his co-workers, Russell had to do it through a monthly column in his friend magazine. Showing the article and defending the point of view, was his way of saying what he had to say.
Another good point in the book was what his friend brought it up about having a job that you care about, doing something according to your beliefs instead of choosing a big pay check.
I did found though that the narrative was a bit disconnected with the themes in the book, there's definitely a pace problem in the beginning. I felt whether some interesting points were not developed enough some others main points were just all of a sudden dropped (like his wife for example).
All in all, it's quite a fun read.
In the face of a re-structure, all the newspaper's employees are scared of being in the firing line, including Russell. And just to top it up, his marriage is not going well.
I found quite clever the way that, unable to address his concerns and ideas to his co-workers, Russell had to do it through a monthly column in his friend magazine. Showing the article and defending the point of view, was his way of saying what he had to say.
Another good point in the book was what his friend brought it up about having a job that you care about, doing something according to your beliefs instead of choosing a big pay check.
I did found though that the narrative was a bit disconnected with the themes in the book, there's definitely a pace problem in the beginning. I felt whether some interesting points were not developed enough some others main points were just all of a sudden dropped (like his wife for example).
All in all, it's quite a fun read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2012
Starts slowly as the story of a sadsack middle management publications exec with an unsatisfactory home life, but picks up as the book progresses. It winds up rather nicely as Russell Wiley, the lead protagonist shucks off his frustrations as an unappreciated talent who has lost his ability to give his full energy to the job and decides to take on the role of a "unicorn," adopting the image of a successful executive, delegating the detail work to his staff. He begins dealing with his peers and superiors through adopting a somewhat cynical attitude that he has everything under control, while manipulating personnel decisions to his benefit. This leads to a conclusion that, without revealing plot spoilers, might best be described as a middle management fantasy outcome.
The novel is amusing in a low key manner that captures a good amount of reality of office life in a struggling enterprise and the humor improves as the story progresses. While the main character is not especially sympathetic at the outset, he becomes more so toward the finish. I enjoyed the read.
The novel is amusing in a low key manner that captures a good amount of reality of office life in a struggling enterprise and the humor improves as the story progresses. While the main character is not especially sympathetic at the outset, he becomes more so toward the finish. I enjoyed the read.
November 28, 2010
Russell Wiley is Out to Lunch is simply a humorous look at a middle manager in a dying industry and a sexless marriage who is looking to reinvent himself. It is a clever, if not brilliant, book so long as one does not take it too seriously. I laughed out loud on several occasions with Hine's use of psuedo-business acronyms and jargon, such as "Unicorns" - as opposed to "horses." Other clichés such as "Let's not get too granular" made me wonder if this was my workplace. Truth is, this is pretty much anyone's workplace. In between laughing, one may even pick up a few business tips. The fictional piece is not autobiographical in the strictest sense. But, Hine seems to draw enough from his own experience in the periodical world to make the situations, and the humor, quite plausible.
This is Mr. Hine's freshman effort, if I understand correct. And, yes, Mr. Hine, "you did good poopie (read the book)."
This is Mr. Hine's freshman effort, if I understand correct. And, yes, Mr. Hine, "you did good poopie (read the book)."
January 29, 2011
I loved Russell Wiley the character and I love Russell Wiley the book. It's laugh out loud funny without being trite and there were a number of observations about the current corporate workplace that could have come from the Harvard Business Review, if it were only written by honest, smart employees rather than consultants, academics and MBA's.
Russell's workplace includes "Rainbow Painters whose job is to keep management's hopes alive, to convince them that the pot of gold exists. Legitimate facts to the contrary will not be admitted into evidence." Leaders are Unicorns. They need to think big and articulate a vision for their team, but Unicorns are not Horses. They don't get into the weeds or do any real work. It is entirely possible that I enjoyed this book so much because it resembles my workplace so much. Every stereotypical co-worker, manager and assistant is represented and they all are accurately portrayed.
Russell's workplace includes "Rainbow Painters whose job is to keep management's hopes alive, to convince them that the pot of gold exists. Legitimate facts to the contrary will not be admitted into evidence." Leaders are Unicorns. They need to think big and articulate a vision for their team, but Unicorns are not Horses. They don't get into the weeds or do any real work. It is entirely possible that I enjoyed this book so much because it resembles my workplace so much. Every stereotypical co-worker, manager and assistant is represented and they all are accurately portrayed.
April 26, 2011
Richard Hine has managed to capture office life with a skill and sharp wit that has only been matched by Matthew Weiner who penned the hit drama Mad Men.
Russell Wiley's journey through the perils of life on a newspaper as he juggles office politics, family life and the threat of impending redundancies is real, robust and very, very funny.
Hine's detailed and fast-paced writing style is on a par with Brett Easton Ellis (minus the blood and gore) and he captures the feel of working in such a doomed profession perfectly.
Comparisons have been made to Rickey Gervais' classic Brit drama The Office which translated so well for American audiences.
Some here in the UK say our Stateside cousins don't quite do comedy sarcasm as well as us Brits, but Hine has proved that's just not the case at all.
Russell Wiley's Out to Lunch is a must read for anyone who has to don a shirt and tie for the daily grind of working in an office.
Russell Wiley's journey through the perils of life on a newspaper as he juggles office politics, family life and the threat of impending redundancies is real, robust and very, very funny.
Hine's detailed and fast-paced writing style is on a par with Brett Easton Ellis (minus the blood and gore) and he captures the feel of working in such a doomed profession perfectly.
Comparisons have been made to Rickey Gervais' classic Brit drama The Office which translated so well for American audiences.
Some here in the UK say our Stateside cousins don't quite do comedy sarcasm as well as us Brits, but Hine has proved that's just not the case at all.
Russell Wiley's Out to Lunch is a must read for anyone who has to don a shirt and tie for the daily grind of working in an office.
August 18, 2011
I was the lucky recipient of a Goodread’s giveaway and even luckier that the novel ‘Russell Wiley Is Out To Lunch’ proved to be a truly good read.
Everyone who has survived, succeeded or failed in a working environment such as the one described by Richard Hine will recognise the office politics, positioning and back-stabbing that are characteristic of a competitive organisation especially if the enterprise is on the brink of disaster.
It is common in perilous times to resort to drastic measures: outsourcing in the hope of cutting costs and reduction in personnel through redundancies. At the same time vast amounts of money are spent on consultants who in the end will come up with ineffectual solutions.
This is the background to Russell Wiley’s struggle in trying to remain positive against all odds. Things are not made easier by trouble on the domestic front.
It is fun navigating through the narrative to see how the situation is resolved.
Everyone who has survived, succeeded or failed in a working environment such as the one described by Richard Hine will recognise the office politics, positioning and back-stabbing that are characteristic of a competitive organisation especially if the enterprise is on the brink of disaster.
It is common in perilous times to resort to drastic measures: outsourcing in the hope of cutting costs and reduction in personnel through redundancies. At the same time vast amounts of money are spent on consultants who in the end will come up with ineffectual solutions.
This is the background to Russell Wiley’s struggle in trying to remain positive against all odds. Things are not made easier by trouble on the domestic front.
It is fun navigating through the narrative to see how the situation is resolved.
July 7, 2011
I loved this book. I was immediately pulled into Russell Wiley’s so-so world, rooting for him to find some solitude somewhere. I admire the realistic truths contained within this story. And Richard Hine brings these truths to us by showing us that there is humor in the mundane day to day, there is humor in the desire to be something more. I can relate to Russell Wiley’s woes. His career is in jeopardy, his marriage is on the rocks … it makes for an unpleasant “one foot in front of the other”, “keep on moving on” desperate attempt to try and keep it all together… Russell Wiley attempts to do this, not only for himself, but the people around him, and things are bound to get messed up.
I highly recommend this cleaver and witty “must read”.
I highly recommend this cleaver and witty “must read”.
December 17, 2010
If, like me, you can't get enough satirical novels about the workplace, you'll want to delve into this insightful, funny tale. While many of his colleagues at the PR firm are being 'downsized' around him, Russell, a mid-level manager, tries to find his equilibrium relative to career success, a failing marriage, and unrelenting lustful thoughts toward a certain co-worker. With the help of 'happy cat'; an anonymous employee in a neighboring building spied upon through his window; and various workplace rules such as that no employee shall have a better quality birthday cake than another, things might just work out, despite looming catastrophe.
September 5, 2011
I won this book in the Goodreads giveaways contest and I was looking forward to learning about a world that I knew very little about, that being one of a media executive. The story delivered on this and then some, as I found myself caught up from the start in Russell Wiley's life and seeing things through his very observant eyes and relishing in his dry-humored point of view. It was a very good satire on the daily working lives of the people in this corporation and how they each cope with their different roles that make the newspaper publishing industry tick. By the way, where can I get one of those lucky cats?
March 24, 2012
Entertaining and quick read told from the point of view of the main character. Russell works at a barely-keeping-its-head-above-water newspaper in the advertising department. Every day at the office he struggles through procrastination, deals with ever-bitching members of his staff and wades through office politics. Waiting at home is his wife who always has some new item from work that she's spent her paycheck on and has a never ending list of excuses to avoid sex. Richard Hine has taken the simple life of a simple man and given the story humor and relatability that keeps you hooked through the trials and tribulations of becoming a unicorn - you'll get it when you read it.
October 4, 2010
Hine's a fine author with a well-tuned ear for dialogue, a gift for satire, and a way with eminently likable characters. They're so likable, in fact, that one gets the sense Hine doesn't want to see anything really bad happen to them; as a result, "Russell Wiley Is Out to Lunch" is a funny, sweet, thoroughly readable novel, but not a particularly gripping book.
A few less punches pulled, and this might have been one for the ages; as it is, it points the way to bigger and better things for its obviously talented author.
A few less punches pulled, and this might have been one for the ages; as it is, it points the way to bigger and better things for its obviously talented author.
August 30, 2011
I was very pleased to receive my copy of Russell Wiley is Out to Lunch.
It took some time to get to know the main character, at first he seemed to be a shallow and whiny person however as the story unfolded I felt I understood him more and actually wanted him to succeed!
This book has a dry sarcastic humour and is written in a short sharp style which flowed well. It gave an insight into the intricate links and need for communication within the newspaper business, voicing fears for the written word as technology advances.
I enjoyed this book and would recommend reading it!
It took some time to get to know the main character, at first he seemed to be a shallow and whiny person however as the story unfolded I felt I understood him more and actually wanted him to succeed!
This book has a dry sarcastic humour and is written in a short sharp style which flowed well. It gave an insight into the intricate links and need for communication within the newspaper business, voicing fears for the written word as technology advances.
I enjoyed this book and would recommend reading it!
February 21, 2011
Anyone who has worked in a cubicle before will be able to relate to what goes on inside this company. There really wasn't anything that reached out and grabbed me, making me say "wow, this was a great book", but on the flip side, it was so interesting that I couldn't put it down until I had finished reading it. So while I wouldn't say it was an amazing book, I would say it is an entertaining read.
March 10, 2011
Horrible cover art aside, I really liked this book. Hine's behind-the-scenes knowledge of the journalism industry and office politics is evident but he keeps the details and the tone light. Russell Wiley is a wholly realistic character, a middle manager with a better understanding of the company and what it needs than his supervisors, but also obsessed with how long it's been since he and his wife had sex. Very readable and funny.
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