Nice Work
Nice Work
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1988
Book Brief
277
Novel • Fiction
Rummidge, England • 1980s
1988
YA
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Nice Work by David Lodge takes place in the fictional city of Rummidge and follows Robyn Penrose, a temporary lecturer focusing on women writers and industrial novels, who is reluctantly assigned to shadow factory manager Vic Wilcox as part of an industry scheme. Their opposing academic and industrial perspectives clash, revealing personal and societal conflicts shaped by Thatcher-era changes in England.
Humorous
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Romantic
Reviews & Readership
6,049 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
David Lodge's Nice Work cleverly intertwines an academic satire with a critique of the industrial world. Readers appreciate its witty humor and sharp social commentary. Some find the pacing uneven and the characters stereotypical, yet Lodge’s exploration of class dynamics and literary themes remains engaging and insightful for most.
Who Should Read Nice Work?
Readers who appreciate David Lodge's Nice Work typically enjoy witty, satirical explorations of academia and industry. If you relish the intellectual humor found in Kingsley Amis's Lucky Jim or the cultural critiques in Tom Wolfe's The Bonfire of the Vanities, this novel will captivate you with its sharp insights and engaging narrative.
6,049 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
277
Novel • Fiction
Rummidge, England • 1980s
1988
YA
18+ years
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