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Book Reviews Title The
Temp Fiction-Net
Rating Buy It
From Amazon.co.uk - BUY
NOW! Cover
Story This is how it
works: school, university - and then Real Life.
Real Life is about a boss who trusts you, a
wardrobe that suits you, friends who support you
and a fabulous relationship. Unfortunately,
Real Life isn't working out that way for The Temp.
School and university were fine. But now? A series
of jobs ranging from the numbingly mindless to the
downright silly to the simply weird! Something
isn't right. Who cares about a boss who trusts you?
The Temp would settle for a boss who knows her
name. This can't be
Real Life, can it? We
Say I admit I perhaps
looked forward to this book more than I should. I
remember all too well my days as a Temp and
wondered how Serena Mackesy had handled the
subject. After all, there is plenty you can do with
the scenario. Lot's of ammunition
available. The Temp in
question goes by the name of Sasha and goes from
one lousy assignment to the next whilst living with
a number of flatmates. The first chapter
of The Temp kicks off well with a lively and
inspired introduction. If you're waiting
for the good part, you've just had it. Is The Temp
the worst book I've read for many years? Put it
this way: if it's a choice between The Temp and a
cigarette packet then I'd rather read about
nicotine levels. I struggle to
recall a book with characters more annoying and
unrealistic. From the second chapter the dialogue
becomes laughable to the point of being ludicrous
and the text becomes a real effort to read. The
Temp drags the reader from one situation of
'temping' to another. Not one assignment is
realistic nor the manner in which it is portrayed.
I grant the author that temping is not the greatest
occupation but Serena Mackesy has the industry
completely misjudged. There is little
to say about the other characters in this book
because they are simply so over-acted and
unrealistic. I reached the ending (which is
probably the most ludicrous 'climax' you're likely
to see this side of the next Millennium) with a
huge sigh of relief. Serena Mackesy
writes regularly in the Independent. I believe that
without her connections, this effort would never
have reached publication. If there is one good
comment I can make about The Temp, it is that any
struggling author should take a look simply to
convince themself that they have hope of being
published yet. Review by: Rob
Cook |
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