saltysiren's review
2.0
Overall Lim nails the call center dynamic.
The flaws of this book are definitely in the writing. Her mentions of sex are juvenile, and the last chapter becomes a rant against selling and lack of humanity.
Lim needs to stop while she is even remotely ahead, but the rant went on much longer than necessary.
The flaws of this book are definitely in the writing. Her mentions of sex are juvenile, and the last chapter becomes a rant against selling and lack of humanity.
Lim needs to stop while she is even remotely ahead, but the rant went on much longer than necessary.
wellreadblkgirl's review against another edition
5.0
Confessions of a Call Center Gal is a humorous (and politically incorrect) novel about complex friendships and the stress and stigmas associated with bad jobs. Maddie and Karsynn (how FAB is her name) are your typical 20-somethings, fresh out of college and searching for a job. Instead of sulking and going into debt they decide to work in a call center. What follows is a hilarious adventure with EXTREMELY realistic characters and life lessons.
I've personally worked in a call center for 5 years (I know how am I still alive.) Maddie's coworkers and rude customers actually left a huge grin on my face. See all this time I thought I was the crazy one, I was the one with the problem, hating my job just wasn't justified. *side eye* But now thanks to Maddie, Karsynn, and Mika I know that customer service representatives (such a fancy title for such a crappy job) everywhere feel the EXACT same way.
I recommend Confessions to anyone who has ever worked in a call center, had a relative that worked in a call center, or has ever called a call center (that should cover just about the entire global population.) Now I can't end this review without warning the prude to stay far far away from this book. There are several culturally and politically sensitive jokes throughout Confessions. If you are easily offend than this is not the book for you
I've personally worked in a call center for 5 years (I know how am I still alive.) Maddie's coworkers and rude customers actually left a huge grin on my face. See all this time I thought I was the crazy one, I was the one with the problem, hating my job just wasn't justified. *side eye* But now thanks to Maddie, Karsynn, and Mika I know that customer service representatives (such a fancy title for such a crappy job) everywhere feel the EXACT same way.
I recommend Confessions to anyone who has ever worked in a call center, had a relative that worked in a call center, or has ever called a call center (that should cover just about the entire global population.) Now I can't end this review without warning the prude to stay far far away from this book. There are several culturally and politically sensitive jokes throughout Confessions. If you are easily offend than this is not the book for you
erikawastaken's review against another edition
1.0
Finally, it's over. But only after the unnecessary wrap-up chapter.
This book was the epitome of "telling" rather than showing. It's rare for me to give a book one star, but the writing was that bad. It was like the author went "let me throw in as many pop-culture references as possible," and then spent the next two paragraphs explaining the jokes and remarks. She even had a scene on Michigan Ave at Thanksgiving that failed to evoke any emotion. Chicago is an amazing city and after they light Michigan Ave, the area is so vibrant. We were told there were lights but weren't put into the scene at all.
It could have started with "Dear Diary," because it was like reading someone's enhanced journal entries -- you know, when the bones of the incident are the same but the journaler puts down how they wish they would have handled it rather than the truth.
This book was the epitome of "telling" rather than showing. It's rare for me to give a book one star, but the writing was that bad. It was like the author went "let me throw in as many pop-culture references as possible," and then spent the next two paragraphs explaining the jokes and remarks. She even had a scene on Michigan Ave at Thanksgiving that failed to evoke any emotion. Chicago is an amazing city and after they light Michigan Ave, the area is so vibrant. We were told there were lights but weren't put into the scene at all.
It could have started with "Dear Diary," because it was like reading someone's enhanced journal entries -- you know, when the bones of the incident are the same but the journaler puts down how they wish they would have handled it rather than the truth.
amandacl's review
3.0
I read this so long ago, and I can't remember many details, but I do remember loving how much the main character hated her job. I worked in a call center for 2 years and I absolutely hated every second...I totally understood the crazy, ridiculous and utterly frustrating things that happen in a call center and Lisa made it funny.
michb's review
5.0
"How on earth did I wind up stuck here in Pocatello, Idaho?!?"
With that opening line I was hooked on Lisa Lim's debut novel. As a former resident of Idaho and a former call center employee, I knew from the synopsis that this book was going to appeal to me. I'm happy to say it did not disappoint. The lead character, Maddy, was completely likable and easy to relate to with what she was going through, both in her personal life and her professional life. The full cast of supporting characters are interesting and help bring the book together. It is definitely a fun read and I can't recommend it enough to anyone that has worked in a call center.
With that opening line I was hooked on Lisa Lim's debut novel. As a former resident of Idaho and a former call center employee, I knew from the synopsis that this book was going to appeal to me. I'm happy to say it did not disappoint. The lead character, Maddy, was completely likable and easy to relate to with what she was going through, both in her personal life and her professional life. The full cast of supporting characters are interesting and help bring the book together. It is definitely a fun read and I can't recommend it enough to anyone that has worked in a call center.
christineyen's review
3.0
total fluff. an accidental kindle buy on amazon, vaguely enjoyable, entirely fluffy chick lit.
kgnorris's review
2.0
Meh. Saw this on one of those "best books to read" or whatever lists. Maybe it's better if you've worked in a call center, but I ended up skipping some at the end because it got repetitive.
wulfwyn's review
5.0
Maddy and her friend Karsynn get jobs in a call center. They did not set out to be one of those annoying people who you rarely understand and who aren't very helpful. They just needed a job. Maddy takes us from training to floor in a snarky fun way. Along the way we meet her coworkers , who are from different cultures, which provides more entertainment. We also get to peek inside Maddy and Kars private lives. We are privy to some of the calls which range from hilarious to heartbreaking. We learn about supervisor and Q&A who have no other goal than call turnover and selling of some product regardless of what is happening during the call. We learn about the stress that is placed on the call center employees and we hear the fun. I was entertained and was laughing out loud throughout the book.
Author Lisa Lim has managed to change my perception of call center employees somewhat. I believe I may be kinder to the next ones I deal with, unless they have that annoying automated system that they force me to go through first. Then all bets are off and I am cranky.
* I received this book for review by the author. No promise of a good review was given. No compensation was offered or received. The opinions expressed are my honest feelings about the book*
Author Lisa Lim has managed to change my perception of call center employees somewhat. I believe I may be kinder to the next ones I deal with, unless they have that annoying automated system that they force me to go through first. Then all bets are off and I am cranky.
* I received this book for review by the author. No promise of a good review was given. No compensation was offered or received. The opinions expressed are my honest feelings about the book*