What do you think?
Rate this book
Joy
‘Did she jump? Did she fall? Will she wake?’
On an ordinary Friday afternoon in the office, talented young lawyer Joy Stephens plummets forty feet onto a marble floor.
In the shadow of this baffling event, the lives of those closest to her begin to collide and change in dangerous ways. There is Dennis, her disgraced husband, who finds consolation in books; her colleague Peter, whose refuge is a mix of hedonism and hard work; Barbara, Joy's PA, who'd be content if only she could get away to New York; and Samir, Joy's hygiene-obsessed personal trainer, who escapes into exercise routines and other, stranger rituals.
In a sparkling glass office in London's Square Mile - a place bursting with flirtations, water cooler confrontations and dangerous amounts of abject boredom - each of them is forced to question what they've witnessed, and to confront past moments that have defined Joy's life, as well as their own.
On an ordinary Friday afternoon in the office, talented young lawyer Joy Stephens plummets forty feet onto a marble floor.
In the shadow of this baffling event, the lives of those closest to her begin to collide and change in dangerous ways. There is Dennis, her disgraced husband, who finds consolation in books; her colleague Peter, whose refuge is a mix of hedonism and hard work; Barbara, Joy's PA, who'd be content if only she could get away to New York; and Samir, Joy's hygiene-obsessed personal trainer, who escapes into exercise routines and other, stranger rituals.
In a sparkling glass office in London's Square Mile - a place bursting with flirtations, water cooler confrontations and dangerous amounts of abject boredom - each of them is forced to question what they've witnessed, and to confront past moments that have defined Joy's life, as well as their own.
308 pages, Paperback
First published June 7, 2012
16 people are currently reading
179 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Lee
63 books178 followers“THE GREAT MISTAKE is a great New York story.” —Entertainment Weekly
“The best American novel of the year.” —The Guardian
“Seriously entertaining...The detective work is ingenious.” —The Sunday Times (London)
JONATHAN LEE's new novel, THE GREAT MISTAKE (June 2021) dramatizes the mysterious life and murder of a real historical figure — Andrew Haswell Green — who was central to the creation of Central Park, The Met, The New York Public Library, and much more.
Jonathan's previous book HIGH DIVE was named a best book of the year in publications including The New York Times, The Guardian, and The New Yorker.
Jonathan is also editor in chief of the indie publishing house Catapult in NYC, publishing work he loves by authors like Chelsea Bieker, Jon McGregor, Jokha Alharthi, Chloe Aridjis and more.
“The best American novel of the year.” —The Guardian
“Seriously entertaining...The detective work is ingenious.” —The Sunday Times (London)
JONATHAN LEE's new novel, THE GREAT MISTAKE (June 2021) dramatizes the mysterious life and murder of a real historical figure — Andrew Haswell Green — who was central to the creation of Central Park, The Met, The New York Public Library, and much more.
Jonathan's previous book HIGH DIVE was named a best book of the year in publications including The New York Times, The Guardian, and The New Yorker.
Jonathan is also editor in chief of the indie publishing house Catapult in NYC, publishing work he loves by authors like Chelsea Bieker, Jon McGregor, Jokha Alharthi, Chloe Aridjis and more.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 22, 2016
Having enjoyed Jonathan Lee’s, “High Dive,” I was keen to read his earlier books and came across this one. Joy is the name of the central character of this novel; a successful lawyer who, from the very beginning of this book, we are aware has just plummeted forty foot from a viewing platform in her Central London office block to land on the marble floor in front of the assembled staff…
It took me a little while to get comfortable with the style of this novel. Some of the chapters are told directly from the point of view of Joy herself, taking us through the day of the accident and looking back on events in her past. After her traumatic fall, there is also a counsellor brought into the company to offer support, and other characters address their stories to this unnamed person. There is Dennis, Joy’s husband, Peter, her colleague and husband of her friend, Christine, Samir, who works in the office gym and suffers from OCD and Joy’s irascible, resentful PA, Barbara.
As the book unfolds, we hear of the office politics in the firm of solicitors that is Hanger, Slyde and Stein. Of successful careers accompanied by suffering private lives, of affairs, work fatigue, impossibly long hours, office gossip, personal ambition and, over all, the tragedy in Joy’s life which has led to an estrangement with her sister, Annie and the guilt that consumes her.
This is an intelligent, well written and interesting novel, which I enjoyed greatly. I look forward to reading Lee’s first novel, “Who is Mr Satoshi?” and to reading any future work of his. I was very impressed with this and with, “High Dive,” and recommend both novels highly.
It took me a little while to get comfortable with the style of this novel. Some of the chapters are told directly from the point of view of Joy herself, taking us through the day of the accident and looking back on events in her past. After her traumatic fall, there is also a counsellor brought into the company to offer support, and other characters address their stories to this unnamed person. There is Dennis, Joy’s husband, Peter, her colleague and husband of her friend, Christine, Samir, who works in the office gym and suffers from OCD and Joy’s irascible, resentful PA, Barbara.
As the book unfolds, we hear of the office politics in the firm of solicitors that is Hanger, Slyde and Stein. Of successful careers accompanied by suffering private lives, of affairs, work fatigue, impossibly long hours, office gossip, personal ambition and, over all, the tragedy in Joy’s life which has led to an estrangement with her sister, Annie and the guilt that consumes her.
This is an intelligent, well written and interesting novel, which I enjoyed greatly. I look forward to reading Lee’s first novel, “Who is Mr Satoshi?” and to reading any future work of his. I was very impressed with this and with, “High Dive,” and recommend both novels highly.
July 5, 2023
I did enjoy the overall format of this book. Showcasing Joy’s thoughts and encounters in the last twelve hours or so before she died alongside the discussions with a counselor that were being had between all the people that were close to her, was a great way to write this story. The weird part was with the way the author decided to layout the appointment conversations.
First, there were no quotation marks throughout those chapters or any ‘breaks’ in the speech to explain actions the characters were doing. This would have been one thing if it was like we were listening to the recordings of these conversations, but we didn’t get anything about what the counselor was saying. It was like they were talking to themselves about Joy and what they thought happened. It was kind of eerie.
The synopsis sounded so enticing, but this was not executed in a way to make it engrossing to read. I found this to be pretty boring.
First, there were no quotation marks throughout those chapters or any ‘breaks’ in the speech to explain actions the characters were doing. This would have been one thing if it was like we were listening to the recordings of these conversations, but we didn’t get anything about what the counselor was saying. It was like they were talking to themselves about Joy and what they thought happened. It was kind of eerie.
The synopsis sounded so enticing, but this was not executed in a way to make it engrossing to read. I found this to be pretty boring.
October 7, 2012
As well as the title of the book, Joy is also the name of the main character in this London based novel. She’s a successful lawyer who one day plummets forty feet to a marble floor.
Joy’s story is told from several perspectives and two time-frames. We follow the final 24 hours in Joy’s joyless life before she falls. Her story is interspersed by monologues of the people close to Joy, who – on the insistence of the City Law Firm Joy works for – afterwards talk to a therapist about the incident they had to witness. These people include Peter, Joy’s flirtatious and ruthless colleague, her secretary Barbara whose only aim in life is to retire and fly to New York to visit her daughter, Joy’s academic husband, the hapless Dennis and Joy’s personal trainer, Samir.
This method of not telling the story in a traditional way, but rather like a uncompleted puzzle, made me think that the story wasn't strong enough in itself to be told simply.
The strapline of the novel is, ‘Did she jump? Did she fall? Will she wake?’
I’m afraid half way along the novel I really couldn’t give a monkeys whether Joy jumped, fell or will wake up. I just couldn’t convince myself that Joy or the other characters actually existed. And if they did exist, would all these things really happen to them? There is so much kinky sex, violence, ruthlessness, tragedy and ridiculousness in this one story that I just couldn’t suspend disbelief.
So when the not at all surprising end was revealed, I was just glad I’d come to the end of the book.
Joy’s story is told from several perspectives and two time-frames. We follow the final 24 hours in Joy’s joyless life before she falls. Her story is interspersed by monologues of the people close to Joy, who – on the insistence of the City Law Firm Joy works for – afterwards talk to a therapist about the incident they had to witness. These people include Peter, Joy’s flirtatious and ruthless colleague, her secretary Barbara whose only aim in life is to retire and fly to New York to visit her daughter, Joy’s academic husband, the hapless Dennis and Joy’s personal trainer, Samir.
This method of not telling the story in a traditional way, but rather like a uncompleted puzzle, made me think that the story wasn't strong enough in itself to be told simply.
The strapline of the novel is, ‘Did she jump? Did she fall? Will she wake?’
I’m afraid half way along the novel I really couldn’t give a monkeys whether Joy jumped, fell or will wake up. I just couldn’t convince myself that Joy or the other characters actually existed. And if they did exist, would all these things really happen to them? There is so much kinky sex, violence, ruthlessness, tragedy and ridiculousness in this one story that I just couldn’t suspend disbelief.
So when the not at all surprising end was revealed, I was just glad I’d come to the end of the book.
January 21, 2016
Pewnego dnia Joy, ambitna prawniczka pracująca w korporacji, spada z biurowego tarasu widokowego na nie mniej biurową posadzkę. Co doprowadziło do tak nieszczęśliwego wypadku? Czy istnieją choć najmniejsze szanse na happy end?
Książka była szumnie reklamowana jako „satyra na współczesne życie w biurze prawniczym, z kilkunastogodzinnym dniem pracy, olbrzymim stresem, tragikomicznymi rytuałami, flirtami i konfliktami, ale również do bólu prawdziwy obraz życia współczesnych trzydziestokilkulatków.” I ten właśnie opis sprawił, że po nią sięgnęłam. Cóż, głupia ja. Stara a głupia (strach pomyśleć, że lepiej już nie będzie ;)). Bardzo mało w tej książkowej korporacji klimatu korporacyjnego. Może się nie znam, może nie powinnam się wypowiadać, bo korporacji unikam bardziej uparcie niż owoców morza na talerzu, ale po prostu nie tego oczekiwałam. Choć eventy, meetingi i asapy przewijają się w tle, to nie są one głównym tematem książki.
Może co bystrzejsi już się domyślili, że głównym tematem książki pt. „Joy” jest.. prawniczka Joy! Spryciarze z was. ;) Otóż imię naszej bohaterki jest nieco przewrotne, bo radości w niej niewiele. Życie jej nie oszczędzało, ale sama też znacznie przyczyniła się do tego, że jej historia jest… nazywajmy rzeczy po imieniu – jest strasznie popieprzona. Joy ma wystarczająco wiele powodów, by skończyć ze sobą z własnej woli. Pikanterii dodaje fakt, że wiele osób miałoby ochotę jej w tym pomóc. I choć w tym momencie większość z was pomyślała pewnie, że pomysł na historię świetnie się broni, więc i treść musi być wciągająca, wyprowadzę was z błędu. Treść jest mocno przeciętna, a „Joy” to jedna z tych niewielu powieści, w której to forma zasługuje na słowa uznania.
Autor zaszalał i porwał się na „przeplatankę”. Rozdziały, w których opisywany jest świat z punktu widzenia Joy, przeplatają się ze świetnymi rozmowami Doktora Odd z pracownikami korporacji. Doktor jest terapeutą, który po traumatycznym wypadku Joy został zatrudniony przez korporację po to, by wspierać pozostałych korpobraci i korposiostry. I tu znów autor zasługuje na brawa – rozdziały z sesjami terapeutycznymi przypominają formę zapisków lub nagrań doktora. O jego istnieniu wiemy tylko z wypowiedzi rozmówców. Choć zwracają się do niego, jego wypowiedzi nigdy nie zostają przedstawione czytelnikowi.
Podsumowując: forma – super (i wcale nie mówimy o jej przeroście nad treścią). Szkoda jednak, że sama historia średnio zapada w pamięć.
Książka była szumnie reklamowana jako „satyra na współczesne życie w biurze prawniczym, z kilkunastogodzinnym dniem pracy, olbrzymim stresem, tragikomicznymi rytuałami, flirtami i konfliktami, ale również do bólu prawdziwy obraz życia współczesnych trzydziestokilkulatków.” I ten właśnie opis sprawił, że po nią sięgnęłam. Cóż, głupia ja. Stara a głupia (strach pomyśleć, że lepiej już nie będzie ;)). Bardzo mało w tej książkowej korporacji klimatu korporacyjnego. Może się nie znam, może nie powinnam się wypowiadać, bo korporacji unikam bardziej uparcie niż owoców morza na talerzu, ale po prostu nie tego oczekiwałam. Choć eventy, meetingi i asapy przewijają się w tle, to nie są one głównym tematem książki.
Może co bystrzejsi już się domyślili, że głównym tematem książki pt. „Joy” jest.. prawniczka Joy! Spryciarze z was. ;) Otóż imię naszej bohaterki jest nieco przewrotne, bo radości w niej niewiele. Życie jej nie oszczędzało, ale sama też znacznie przyczyniła się do tego, że jej historia jest… nazywajmy rzeczy po imieniu – jest strasznie popieprzona. Joy ma wystarczająco wiele powodów, by skończyć ze sobą z własnej woli. Pikanterii dodaje fakt, że wiele osób miałoby ochotę jej w tym pomóc. I choć w tym momencie większość z was pomyślała pewnie, że pomysł na historię świetnie się broni, więc i treść musi być wciągająca, wyprowadzę was z błędu. Treść jest mocno przeciętna, a „Joy” to jedna z tych niewielu powieści, w której to forma zasługuje na słowa uznania.
Autor zaszalał i porwał się na „przeplatankę”. Rozdziały, w których opisywany jest świat z punktu widzenia Joy, przeplatają się ze świetnymi rozmowami Doktora Odd z pracownikami korporacji. Doktor jest terapeutą, który po traumatycznym wypadku Joy został zatrudniony przez korporację po to, by wspierać pozostałych korpobraci i korposiostry. I tu znów autor zasługuje na brawa – rozdziały z sesjami terapeutycznymi przypominają formę zapisków lub nagrań doktora. O jego istnieniu wiemy tylko z wypowiedzi rozmówców. Choć zwracają się do niego, jego wypowiedzi nigdy nie zostają przedstawione czytelnikowi.
Podsumowując: forma – super (i wcale nie mówimy o jej przeroście nad treścią). Szkoda jednak, że sama historia średnio zapada w pamięć.
June 5, 2016
This was picked as our May book for book club. In an office in London's square mile a talented young lawyer falls forty feet to her death. In the shadow of this event, the lives of those closest to her begin to collide and change as her life & death are examined. A good strong story, humour, intriguing characters and twists and turns make this a page turner.
July 29, 2024
Manchmal wünschte ich mir, dass ich nicht bereits hunderte Bücher gelesen und rezensiert habe. Manchmal wäre es schön Bücher zu lesen, dessen Ideen oder Gedankenansätze nicht anderen Büchern ähneln (nicht negativ gemeint). Es wird über die Jahre immer schwieriger Bücher zu finden, die wirklich absolut frischen Wind in die Gehirnzellen bringen, oder die einen wirklich mit neuen Ideen erstaunen.
An sich finde ich "Joy" von Jonathan Lee in Ordnung. Aber manchmal ist "in Ordnung" nicht genug um heutzutage in Bücherläden oder Bibliotheken zu überleben.
Joy und die Probleme einer modernen Karrierefrau wurden zwar aufgezeigt, aber es wurde nicht tief genug gebohrt. Auch das Ende wirkt etwas oberflächlich ohne wirklich das Herz und das Hirn zu berühren. Das Problem bei diesem Buch war es auch, dass ich das Gefühl hatte, dass die Schicksalsschläge und Probleme von Joy und den Nebencharakteren bereits bekannt sind. Sei es in Kolumnen, Zeitungsartikeln oder Dokumentationen, es fühlte sich nicht neu an. Die Idee von wechselnden Charakteren, die im Dialog mit einem fiktiven Jemand sprechen, wo man aber nur die einseitigen Wörter des Charakters hört, war zwar schön, aber zu wenig um das ganze Buch aufzuwerten. Ich finde das wirklich schade, weil ich die Erzählweise an sich ganz clever fand. Auch wenn ich diesem Buch 3 Sterne gebe, würde ich mir trotzdem das nächste Buch von Jonathan Lee schnappen um zu sehen, was aus seinem Potential gemacht werden kann.
** Dieses Buch wurde mir über NetGalley als E-Book zur Verfügung gestellt **
An sich finde ich "Joy" von Jonathan Lee in Ordnung. Aber manchmal ist "in Ordnung" nicht genug um heutzutage in Bücherläden oder Bibliotheken zu überleben.
Joy und die Probleme einer modernen Karrierefrau wurden zwar aufgezeigt, aber es wurde nicht tief genug gebohrt. Auch das Ende wirkt etwas oberflächlich ohne wirklich das Herz und das Hirn zu berühren. Das Problem bei diesem Buch war es auch, dass ich das Gefühl hatte, dass die Schicksalsschläge und Probleme von Joy und den Nebencharakteren bereits bekannt sind. Sei es in Kolumnen, Zeitungsartikeln oder Dokumentationen, es fühlte sich nicht neu an. Die Idee von wechselnden Charakteren, die im Dialog mit einem fiktiven Jemand sprechen, wo man aber nur die einseitigen Wörter des Charakters hört, war zwar schön, aber zu wenig um das ganze Buch aufzuwerten. Ich finde das wirklich schade, weil ich die Erzählweise an sich ganz clever fand. Auch wenn ich diesem Buch 3 Sterne gebe, würde ich mir trotzdem das nächste Buch von Jonathan Lee schnappen um zu sehen, was aus seinem Potential gemacht werden kann.
** Dieses Buch wurde mir über NetGalley als E-Book zur Verfügung gestellt **
October 22, 2025
Der Klappentext hat mich neugierig gemacht. Die erfolgreiche Anwältin Joy stürzt bei einer Feier anlässlich ihrer Beförderung 10 m ab und das Buch beschreibt einen Dialog eines Ermittlers mit den Personen in ihrem Umfeld und Ihre letzten 36 Stunden vor dem Ereignis. Ihr Mann Dennis , ihr Ex Peter , ihre Sekretärin Barbara, ihr Trainer Samir, ihre Freundin Christine sprechen mit dem imaginären Gegenüber und legen das Innere hinter der Erfolgsfassade frei und führen zu dem hin, was letztendlich zu ihrem Sturz geführt hat. Joy als Synonym für Freude und Erfolg wird Seite für Seite demontiert und zeigt ihre verletzlichen Seiten. Am sich hätte das Buch das Potential für 4 bis 5 Sterne gehabt- aber leider hat der Autor die Monologe überspannt und Redeflüsse voller Klischees mit für mich zu viel sexuellen Elementen gestaltet, die für mich zu langwierig waren und langweilig wurden. Ich habe viele Seiten überflogen. Auch die Story an sich, als Demaskierung des Mythos der nur für die Arbeit lebenden workaholics angelegt, entpuppte sich für mich als schnödes Beziehungsdrama , überspitzt mit dem Verschwinden des Neffen der Protagonistin. Etwas weniger Drama und etwas mehr Tiefgang hätte dieser Idee gutgetan.
May 16, 2024
Picked this up randomly from a second hand book store and really enjoyed it! I liked the unique way it was writing, was intrigued by each of the character's stories, felt deep empathy with the main character joy and was desperate to find out what happened. There were some beautifully written poetic pieces woven in that I enjoyed, and I thought the characterisation was strong with each individual person in the book. I wanted to get to the end to find out what happened!
December 8, 2021
I can see why people might find this self-indulgent: a take on the author's previous life as a city lawyer. It is satire and very dark comedy. But I fear even its most extreme moments are grounded in truth. Everyone is damaged by working in the pressure-cooker and by the fundamental dishonesty of their work.
January 30, 2022
I struggled to really get into this book in the beginning but by the end I couldn’t put it down.
It’s a testament to the writer that he managed to combine so many unlikeable characters and yet I really wanted to know how the story ended for them all!
A strange narrative but one I really enjoyed.
It’s a testament to the writer that he managed to combine so many unlikeable characters and yet I really wanted to know how the story ended for them all!
A strange narrative but one I really enjoyed.
October 28, 2018
I picked this up in a charity shop because of the title (!) But it was just too weird and strangely written for my taste and so I could not finish it.
October 16, 2020
Clever, funny and very human
June 9, 2025
Just read Joy by Jonathan Lee (4/5 ⭐) – a quiet, haunting novel about a woman’s mysterious death and the life she left behind.
Not a thriller, but a slow unraveling of grief, ambition & hidden truths.
Elegant, subtle, and quietly devastating.
Not a thriller, but a slow unraveling of grief, ambition & hidden truths.
Elegant, subtle, and quietly devastating.
October 12, 2016
The characters are vividly developed; the writing is talented and engaging; but overall I found this book quite depressing: I guess, the author goes too deep into small-ish thoughts and motives of his people, and while it's a great skill and an overall plus, it left a very downing impression on me. I enjoyed the unconventional ending. I almost want to give it four stars, although, initially, I settled for three.
September 26, 2012
Joy Stephens would appear to have everything to live for – she’s a successful City lawyer, about to be made a partner at the age of 33 – but she is planning to commit suicide before the day is out. When we first meet her, we get an insight into the sorts of fractures that riddle Joy’s ostensibly perfect life, as she arrives home in the early hours to find Dennis, her husband of five years, with the couple’s regular Thursday-night call girl, whom Dennis was supposed to cancel this week.
It soon becomes clear that Joy fell from the platform at that evening’s ceremony announcing her promotion, and now lies in a coma. The novel alternates between chapters following Joy through her final day, and the first-person interviews given to the law firm’s counsellor by four other characters: Joy’s colleague Peter; her academic husband, Dennis; personal trainer Samir; and Joy’s PA, Barbara.
Joy is Jonathan Lee’s second novel (following 2010’s Who Is Mr Satoshi?), and it’s a quite superb piece of work. Take the characterisation, for example: Lee uses four first-person voices, and sharply differentiates them all; their respective owners come right off the page (as does Joy herself). Moreover, though they may seem easy enough to categorise at first, all the main characters reveal a subtle complexity as the novel goes on: Dennis may come across as just a long-winded eccentric, but his reaction to Joy’s fall suggests a steelier side; Barbara may be an unpleasant gossip-monger, but we also see how she has been frustrated by circumstance. Even the loathsome Peter, who has very few redeeming qualities, elicits a certain amount of empathy as Lee portrays a man who found his niche and then has it taken away.
Lee’s book is also simply a great pleasure to read: its prose is a finely-tuned instrument, discursive and sharp by turns, but always with an irresistible flow. Its plot takes unexpected turns which undermine some of the assumptions one has likely been forming about what is going to happen and why. As a result, the pages turn ever more furiously, no matter how much the ending is supposedly pre-ordained.
Perhaps more than anything else, Joy strikes me as a novel about ambition, finding a place in life, and dealing with what happens when that place proves unstable. So, Joy has achieved success, but not without sacrifice; and now various factors combine to make her question whether everything has been worth it. Peter might be said to have played the career game more cannily than Joy, but even he is insufficiently prepared when life moves on. Samir has tried to make something of himself, but ends up caught in his own ritualistic behaviour patterns. The book’s title becomes a pun, as joy proves a quality as elusive (though nonetheless glimpsed occasionally) as Joy the person is to the other characters considering her personality. But the strengths of Joy the novel are far from elusive, and this fascinating patchwork character study signals that Jonathan Lee is a name to follow.
It soon becomes clear that Joy fell from the platform at that evening’s ceremony announcing her promotion, and now lies in a coma. The novel alternates between chapters following Joy through her final day, and the first-person interviews given to the law firm’s counsellor by four other characters: Joy’s colleague Peter; her academic husband, Dennis; personal trainer Samir; and Joy’s PA, Barbara.
Joy is Jonathan Lee’s second novel (following 2010’s Who Is Mr Satoshi?), and it’s a quite superb piece of work. Take the characterisation, for example: Lee uses four first-person voices, and sharply differentiates them all; their respective owners come right off the page (as does Joy herself). Moreover, though they may seem easy enough to categorise at first, all the main characters reveal a subtle complexity as the novel goes on: Dennis may come across as just a long-winded eccentric, but his reaction to Joy’s fall suggests a steelier side; Barbara may be an unpleasant gossip-monger, but we also see how she has been frustrated by circumstance. Even the loathsome Peter, who has very few redeeming qualities, elicits a certain amount of empathy as Lee portrays a man who found his niche and then has it taken away.
Lee’s book is also simply a great pleasure to read: its prose is a finely-tuned instrument, discursive and sharp by turns, but always with an irresistible flow. Its plot takes unexpected turns which undermine some of the assumptions one has likely been forming about what is going to happen and why. As a result, the pages turn ever more furiously, no matter how much the ending is supposedly pre-ordained.
Perhaps more than anything else, Joy strikes me as a novel about ambition, finding a place in life, and dealing with what happens when that place proves unstable. So, Joy has achieved success, but not without sacrifice; and now various factors combine to make her question whether everything has been worth it. Peter might be said to have played the career game more cannily than Joy, but even he is insufficiently prepared when life moves on. Samir has tried to make something of himself, but ends up caught in his own ritualistic behaviour patterns. The book’s title becomes a pun, as joy proves a quality as elusive (though nonetheless glimpsed occasionally) as Joy the person is to the other characters considering her personality. But the strengths of Joy the novel are far from elusive, and this fascinating patchwork character study signals that Jonathan Lee is a name to follow.
June 13, 2013
Kat's Review
Reading this book was like watching a train wreck happen in slow motion, in the sense that the storyline jumps from Joy's story to the narratives of several others, drawing out the telling of Joy's tale. We know from the start that Joy is suicidal, and that in fact she intends to take her life the following day, the day of her promotion to make partner in the law firm where she works. The novel takes the reader through that day in a manner that some will love, and others will hate. The chapters that follow Joy on what she intends to be her last day are interspersed with chapters featuring people from Joy's life, during their sessions with a counsellor who has been called in to help her coworkers (and her husband) cope with the aftermath of her fall. While the chronological account of Joy's day is interesting, I would argue that the real story is the one revealed in fits and starts through the counsellor sessions.
Although the storyline is quite different, the feel of this book reminded me a bit of The Casual Vacancy. Selfish, self-absorbed adults are the norm, each unable to muster much concern for anyone else, with a few surprising exceptions. The almost overwhelming dullness of the day to day lives of most of the characters is perhaps why the comparison comes to mind.
The web of secrets and lies runs deep, and it is in their unraveling that the real reasons for Joy's attempted suicide come to the surface. The reader learns much about the true nature of the characters through their one-sided conversations with the counsellor.
There's no doubt that the author is a talented writer. The story is well crafted and leaves very little undone, but I found it difficult to truly connect with any of the main characters, particularly Joy. At first I felt sympathy for her, but as time goes on, she becomes less likeable, making it more and more difficult for me to become invested in the outcome of her fall. Although most of her coworkers were a bit tough to empathize with, her husband Dennis perhaps was the most difficult of all. There was a malicious undercurrent to his personality that came through from the start. Certain characters brought some levity to the book, but it was always in that cringe worthy way that occurs when someone has put their foot in their mouth without even knowing it.
Rating: A Good Read
I wavered on the rating because while I can't say that I connected well with any of the characters, I was still interested enough in the story to keep reading, even when I had a pretty good idea of how things were going to work out. Recommended for someone looking to read something well written and just a little different from the usual. Certainly an author to watch.
Reading this book was like watching a train wreck happen in slow motion, in the sense that the storyline jumps from Joy's story to the narratives of several others, drawing out the telling of Joy's tale. We know from the start that Joy is suicidal, and that in fact she intends to take her life the following day, the day of her promotion to make partner in the law firm where she works. The novel takes the reader through that day in a manner that some will love, and others will hate. The chapters that follow Joy on what she intends to be her last day are interspersed with chapters featuring people from Joy's life, during their sessions with a counsellor who has been called in to help her coworkers (and her husband) cope with the aftermath of her fall. While the chronological account of Joy's day is interesting, I would argue that the real story is the one revealed in fits and starts through the counsellor sessions.
Although the storyline is quite different, the feel of this book reminded me a bit of The Casual Vacancy. Selfish, self-absorbed adults are the norm, each unable to muster much concern for anyone else, with a few surprising exceptions. The almost overwhelming dullness of the day to day lives of most of the characters is perhaps why the comparison comes to mind.
The web of secrets and lies runs deep, and it is in their unraveling that the real reasons for Joy's attempted suicide come to the surface. The reader learns much about the true nature of the characters through their one-sided conversations with the counsellor.
There's no doubt that the author is a talented writer. The story is well crafted and leaves very little undone, but I found it difficult to truly connect with any of the main characters, particularly Joy. At first I felt sympathy for her, but as time goes on, she becomes less likeable, making it more and more difficult for me to become invested in the outcome of her fall. Although most of her coworkers were a bit tough to empathize with, her husband Dennis perhaps was the most difficult of all. There was a malicious undercurrent to his personality that came through from the start. Certain characters brought some levity to the book, but it was always in that cringe worthy way that occurs when someone has put their foot in their mouth without even knowing it.
Rating: A Good Read
I wavered on the rating because while I can't say that I connected well with any of the characters, I was still interested enough in the story to keep reading, even when I had a pretty good idea of how things were going to work out. Recommended for someone looking to read something well written and just a little different from the usual. Certainly an author to watch.
June 15, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. Jonathan Lee adopts quite a brave prose style of different characters talking to a counsellor with the counsellor's voice edited out and/or internal monologues. This prose style takes a while to get used to, but ultimately I think it works very well. The perspective of each character shifts over time as does the reader's perception of each character. Considering that the novel is only 308 pages long and it is only Jonathan Lee's second published novel, I am very impressed by the skill and confidence with which Jonathan Lee manages to orchestrate his cast of characters and peel back the layers of their personalities, perspectives, memories, betrayals, and regrets. A number of the characters are like caricatures of people who I have worked with over the years (although I won't say which people!!), and elements of the novel and the law firm at which it is set are disturbingly familiar to me. This is probably because I used to work at the same law firm in the City of London as the author, Jonathan Lee, at the same time (although it was a huge law firm and we did not cross paths, as far as I remember). Although Joy is clearly a work of fiction and some elements are exaggerated (grossly exaggerated, in some cases), there are definitely some kernels of truth and fact, and some similarities or parallels with the law firm at which we used to work and some of the characters who worked there. Some parts of the novel are shocking and disturbing, and a few parts are in poor taste in my opinion, but I think that is designed to show the variety of characters and how complex some people can be compared to how simple some other people can be. Life is often ugly, and Joy shows us the uglier side of life in the City of London. But it is not a depressing read. There is a vein of black humour running through the book and many passages are very witty. I even laughed out loud in some places. There are also some positive moments and messages in Joy, and an ending for some of the characters that is positive and redemptive.
It is difficult to describe Joy much further without including spoilers or psychoanalysing the characters (neither of which I wish to do), but you should read it and experience it for yourself. I highly recommend this intelligent, well-written, witty and complex novel. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did.
It is difficult to describe Joy much further without including spoilers or psychoanalysing the characters (neither of which I wish to do), but you should read it and experience it for yourself. I highly recommend this intelligent, well-written, witty and complex novel. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did.
June 21, 2012
Excellent novel by Jonathan Lee. Wasn't really sure where the book was taking me at first as it seemed to be laid out like a script but I soon recognized my role as a reader. The characters flip from talking to a counsellor and talking diary entry form. It sounds confusing but it truly does work and honestly, I can't see the book written any other way.
Joy is a complicated character that has issues from the start. Peter (Joy's husband) was a bit .. well I didn't quite get him at first but then found myself waiting to hear his voice again.
The premises is related to Joy's death at her promotion announcement at her the law firm she works out. You know from the start (almost) that she is a troubled soul but you're never quite sure why. You're dripped fed the characters only when they are needed. (I *love* Barbara... think anyone who has ever worked in a office has worked with a Barbara).
Fabulous, skillful writing. A must read for 2012.
Joy is a complicated character that has issues from the start. Peter (Joy's husband) was a bit .. well I didn't quite get him at first but then found myself waiting to hear his voice again.
The premises is related to Joy's death at her promotion announcement at her the law firm she works out. You know from the start (almost) that she is a troubled soul but you're never quite sure why. You're dripped fed the characters only when they are needed. (I *love* Barbara... think anyone who has ever worked in a office has worked with a Barbara).
Fabulous, skillful writing. A must read for 2012.
January 13, 2013
Joy, simply said, was a joy to read. Jonathan Lee had taken great pains in etching out the characters. He had nicely brought to the fore the psyche of a person with suicidal tendency. The book moves in a melodramatic ways, exploring the external environment (including the people with whom the protagonist works) of a suicidal mind. In doing so, the novel moves lacks the 'unputdownable effect' that we've come to expect from novels of this genre.
However, the novel does move in a brisk pace in order to keep its readers glued. The final nail in the coffin, though on the expected lines, is worth reading for, thanks to the compulsive narration of its author, Lee.
While the protagonist remains veiled in mist even after the end, just like the London fog, the city where this novel is set, the reader is made to ponder over the metaphysical questions of his/her life.
However, the novel does move in a brisk pace in order to keep its readers glued. The final nail in the coffin, though on the expected lines, is worth reading for, thanks to the compulsive narration of its author, Lee.
While the protagonist remains veiled in mist even after the end, just like the London fog, the city where this novel is set, the reader is made to ponder over the metaphysical questions of his/her life.
August 21, 2012
A novel set in a law firm, where no one actually appears to do any work and where everyone is consumed by the past. From its first page we learn of Joy's discontentment. The reasons why this beautiful young woman is so unhappy and whether this is connected with her fall, form the backbone of this novel, told from the various viewpoints of its characters. The reason for Joy’s fall are answered, although not until the end of the novel. However, it's the last few pages of the novel which come as a real shock, and which I had to read twice.
A moving read, which engages the emotions, and which, despite its subject matter, still manages to be funny in parts.
A moving read, which engages the emotions, and which, despite its subject matter, still manages to be funny in parts.
March 15, 2017
Usually I'm not terribly fond of books that change points of view multiple times but in this case, it worked really well. Joy tells the story of well, Joy Stephens and the events leading up to her fall from a higher floor after giving a big work speech. Told from the point of view of her co-workers, her husband, and herself, the author did a great job switching characters from chapter to chapter. It was almost as if you were watching each person on television retelling their version of the events to someone. I wasn't expecting a HEA with this book given the subject matter but I certainly wasn't expecting the ending we were given. I look forward to more from this author.
July 31, 2016
Does Joy jump, fall or was she pushed?
There were plenty of witnesses and the story of Joy unfolds partly through them talking to a counsellor, with their accounts interspersed with Joy's own story. We find out what happened, what people think happened and the background leading up to and following on from that day.
The construction of the novel works very well and all the characters are realistic, if not particularly likeable. This is more character driven than plot driven, but there is enough plot and pace to keep up some tension and interest in how everything comes together. It is a very accomplished book and better than most billed as 'literary thrillers'.
There were plenty of witnesses and the story of Joy unfolds partly through them talking to a counsellor, with their accounts interspersed with Joy's own story. We find out what happened, what people think happened and the background leading up to and following on from that day.
The construction of the novel works very well and all the characters are realistic, if not particularly likeable. This is more character driven than plot driven, but there is enough plot and pace to keep up some tension and interest in how everything comes together. It is a very accomplished book and better than most billed as 'literary thrillers'.
July 9, 2012
I settled down with this yesterday and then ended up needing to finish it before I could go to bed. The structure is quirky, but not clunky and the story is allowed to unfold beautifully through the course of the novel. It is well written and by turns comical, satirical, honest, heart rending and horrifying. Every reader will recognise parts of themselves and their work colleagues here. Admitting which one you might most closely resemble is a whole different ball game though. But trust me, never again will I allow a rubber band ball near my desk!!!
July 16, 2012
I read this book largely because it was written by a friend of a friend.
I loved it. The setting in a large City law firm intrigued me because that's been my life for a while. It was over-exaggerated but spot on and so humorous in so many ways.
The book is written from a number of different perspectives and the voices of each perspective were so well developed. I couldn't help but find the voice of Dennis annoying but suspect that you were meant to.
A clever book and a very engaging story, sometimes even a bit close to the bone.
I loved it. The setting in a large City law firm intrigued me because that's been my life for a while. It was over-exaggerated but spot on and so humorous in so many ways.
The book is written from a number of different perspectives and the voices of each perspective were so well developed. I couldn't help but find the voice of Dennis annoying but suspect that you were meant to.
A clever book and a very engaging story, sometimes even a bit close to the bone.
July 25, 2016
Stunning. A wonderfully written, completely absorbing story of Joy, a high-flying young partner about to made a partner. Her near fatal accident at her promotion ceremony is the vehicle for bringing together the voices of the characters closest to her. The story is told through them and Joy’s own voice. A story of love and loss; interwoven with unexpected changes of perspective and meaning. Excellent.
May 11, 2013
Way too long.
The writing is good, he is a great stylist but the story just didnt engage me.
I feel this hangs on me as i reckon the book will be loved by many people. I will try him again as he can write just not this
The writing is good, he is a great stylist but the story just didnt engage me.
I feel this hangs on me as i reckon the book will be loved by many people. I will try him again as he can write just not this
January 11, 2015
Joy. that's what I felt after reading this book. Yes. the subject matter isn't exactly cheery but the way the author handles it is perfect.
I picked it up because of its blurb but love it because of its unusual and fantastic content.
Wonderful.
I picked it up because of its blurb but love it because of its unusual and fantastic content.
Wonderful.
June 19, 2012
Great story, excellent characterisation. Some slightly self-indulgent literary devices used, but no worse for it.
September 26, 2013
I do like different/original story-lines - very good book
November 3, 2013
It's a beautifully written book. Loved the story. It's so believable, I think in the end I'd picked a bit of Joy's desperation. (For a short period of time, though)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews