A Misguided Work Life a memoir and imaginings Part 1

by Marie L. Chopper

Marie has worked at a photocopy shop laminating pictures of young women for a paedophile, in a fish factory nearly losing her will to live, and in offices where the constant use of buzzwords meant learning another language.

Marie L Chopper’s memoirs and imaginings begin at twelve-years-old gluing apple boxes in her despotic parents’ shed. While the box glue dried she stood and brooded, resenting her predicament and working herself into a state of disgruntlement from which she never quite recovered.

During her somewhat idealistic twenties and thirties working overseas and in New Zealand, Marie gained clarity seeing the absurdity of work life, people, and everything in between.

"Children pressed their faces against the ice-cream cabinet glass and stared, their eyes and mouths wide like guppies, drooling at the multitude of ice-cream flavours, stabbing their snot-encrusted fingers into the glass to indicate their flavours of choice."

Meet her co-workers, bosses, family and friends; from the unquestioning, intelligent and blissfully unaware to the bitter, institutionalised and unreasonable slow learners.

Marie’s is a haphazard and amusing quest for a not boring job often teetering on personal defeat. Her ever-present conflict for purpose in her work keeps her asking: is a job “just a job”?

www.amisguidedworklife.com
Twitter @MarieLChopper

232 pages, Unknown Binding

Published April 28, 2017

About the author

If satire, self-depreciating humor and a touch of idealism is your thing, then we could be friends. And if you lament for the human race while suffering the delusion that reasonable people will win in the end, you should read A Misguided Work Life.

Growing up in New Zealand in the nineteen eighties my first job was gluing apple boxes for my despotic parents. During the riotous period that was my teenage years I watched The Simpsons which provided guidance yet little direction and confirmed my suspicions about people and life in general. I decided a tertiary education was the answer. In my twenties I worked at a photocopy shop laminating pictures of young women for a paedophile while avoiding responsibility and career decisions; I believed I would find a better way to do life and career yet ended up working in a fish factory.

My mostly-true stories about my haphazard search for a job I like are not politically correct and perhaps too-judgmental of people I've met. I have experienced a lot of absurdity at work and laughed along the way.

Reviews

[Ms. Smartarse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marie is a first rate cynic, from the Republic of Cynicism... alternately, just a regular New Zealander. With quite a flair for storytelling, she easily manages to take her readers on a thoroughly fascinating journey through the first 23 years of her life.

Part of an ordinary working-class family, Marie's family's eccentricities provide a seemingly endless source of exasperation for the young girl, and an equally limitless source of fascination for her readers. Starting with a (relatively) rose-colored childhood filled with career possibilities, we journey through an apparently endless amount of changing directions, together with Marie, we end up chasing an increasingly vague idea of happiness.



For whatever reason, the author's remark that I seem enjoy similar books, somehow ended up translating to "this could have been you, if circumstances had been different" in my mind. As such, I would often find myself unreasonably stressed by the main character's actions. Things like: repeatedly dissing people for their physical appearance, complaining about a painfully boring job to the OWNER of the company, not to mention brazenly lying about sick days when 'caught' by the boss, would cause me actual physical discomfort. Which is not to say that I don't do any of the above...

There were some instances where I could definitely agree with Marie's view, such as: enjoying being cut off from the news while working at a French ski resort, carefully planning the daily 'commute' to avoid an angry goat, and even the numerous snarky mental observation about the job and coworkers ring a definite bell.



On the whole, I wouldn't necessarily call it a pleasant read, nor even an easy one, but there was a definite addictive quality to it. I just had to know where things went. On the one hand I wanted to finally read about the happily-ever-after, but on the other hand I would often find it fulfilling to read about the journey that would get her there. I mean... I'm assuming, there's a happy ending to be had, right? How about in part 2?

Score: 3.5/5 stars

Based solely on the numerous breaks I took from reading, I would be tempted to consider the book closer to a 3-star rating. At the same time however, it reminds me a lot of my relationship with my uncle. Even though he is a generally unpleasant person, with a rather annoying tendency of painting himself superior to everyone around him, he is an excellent storyteller. I may hate his derogatory comments about people, but will give the stink-eye to anyone foolish enough to interrupt him before he finishes telling a story.

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I have received a free copy from the author, for reviewing purposes.

[Jay Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very timely book, given the general global acclaim being afforded David Graeber's book Bullshit Jobs. Marie L. Chopper's curriculum vitae, if this book is anything to go by, features bullshit jobs, horseshit jobs, apeshit jobs, and just plain shit jobs. From her initiation into the world of work, packing apples into boxes for her parents, Chopper's trajectory is downhill all the way, notwithstanding the accidental perks and distractions she encounters or conceives along the route.

The crass thoughtlessness and dehumanizing effects of the menial tasks that comprise Chopper's lot meet with resistance in the form of skiving off, sneaking out, wry subversion, and other strategies for making the most of the bad situation that her work unfailingly is. It helps that Chopper's descriptions and anecdotes are told in a dry, sharp, and acerbic voice - I was frequently reminded of David Sedaris by her bemused observations and understated horror. In the absence of strong union representation or organized workers' resistance to workplace exploitation, employees are wont to resort to any other means possible to make their working lives bearable. Chopper assiduously recounts her own attempts at improving her circumtances, even if they sometimes involve little more than daydreaming or quitting without notice in the belief that something better surely must be around the corner.

English teacher in Japan, photographer's assistant, admin temp, photocopier and porn laminater extraordinaire, credit card processor on an industrial estate outside London, sunglass symmetry checker, exam-paper marker, temping receptionist and secretary, Canary Wharf dogsbody, golf course factotum, smoked salmon packer: Marie Chopper has been all of these and more - this is only the first volume of her work-related memoir. She knows whereof she speaks when she describes the soul-destroying nature of meaningless and unrewarding work. That she speaks in such an entertaining and engaging way is testimony to her resilience. Oscar Wilde referred to disobedience as humanity's original virtue: Chopper demonstrates why Wilde's assertion still holds.

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I dove into this memoir because of the story in the preview about Marie gluing together apple boxes as a kid. Sometimes you're just sucked in by the way a writer tells a tale. I enjoyed Marie's style and her account of a string of adventures working temp and seasonal jobs.

This is a memoir of fun-to-read anecdotes. You'll find reasons to smile, grimace, and cringe. It doesn't presume to teach course-altering life lessons but it does entertain.

Marie is from New Zealand so there's a little extra adventure for readers elsewhere to parse out the meaning of some words and phrases. Check out the preview—if you like it, you’ll enjoy the rest of the book. I received a review copy of this book in exchange for a review.

[Els · Rating 4 out of 5]

Normally this is not my kind of book, but hey sometimes you have to take a plunge and go for something out of your comfort zone. After reading the blurb, I was convinced it would be right up my alley after all.

So, I gave it a go and indeed, I truely enjoyed it. I saw some things of me in the author's story and it made me feel more connected.

How many times do you hear the question : What are you going to do when you grow up? As if you have the slightest idea when you are around 12 years old. But society pushes us already, at an age you should only think about playing and enjoying life, to start making choices.

Often when parents have a business, children are asked (or forced) to help and to convince them they get paid peanuts.

Your first 'job' was not very satisfactory and you know you have to find somehing you really like. But what kind of job is that? You will only know what the job is once you have started doing it and realize you have made the right or more often the wrong decision.

The author and her partner take us on a journey from New-Zealand, to England, France and Japan and back to New-Zealand. We are treated to her work experiences and meet some colleagues.

It's full of fun, but makes you also remember your own work life and the (wrong) choices you made because the job did (not) bring the joy you were expecting.

I loved the names the author invented for some collegues, bosses or people she met. She could avoid using their real names and in the meantime you got the exact picture of the persons, no descriptions needed.

If I have to choose a favorite parte, I would say the one about Japan because it's a country I don't know a lot about and it's was nice you learn some facts.

Thank you, Marie L. Chopper for giving me the chance to read and review your book.

https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com

[Lauren Sapala · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the funniest books I’ve read in a long time, and by “funny” I mean the sort of intelligent (and even cutting at times), yet also thoughtful and compassionate humor that I enjoy the most. Somehow the narrator manages to show people at their most absurd and ridiculous, while also making us appreciate them for the crazy people they are and delight in HOW absolutely absurd and ridiculous they can be. The writing reminded me a lot of two of my favorite authors, Saki (aka H.H. Munro) and Oscar Wilde. It’s humor that is wildly hilarious, but also mentally engaging—something that is quite difficult to pull off well, but which Marie L. Chopper does admirably.

I was also impressed with the fact that even though humor is such a large part of this book, I came away from it also thinking about deeper issues that have to do with work and money. For instance (and I don’t think this counts as a spoiler), at one point the narrator is working in a smoked salmon factory and between the smell and the mundane repetitive activity, she’s in hell. She ends up breaking down to her manager, crying and asking, “But why? WHY do people work here?” It’s funny, but as you’re reading it you can’t help but see her point and why she’s so distraught over it. The reader reaches the same conclusion at the exact same time as the narrator: People usually work there because they have little other choice.

Another section which I really delighted in was when the narrator goes to work in an office and observes that everyone around her speaks almost purely in “buzzword” slang in order to fit in to the office culture. One of my favorite quotes was: “Some go-getters regurgitated the magniloquent rhetoric like little soldiers, without resistance or questions, career progression at the forefront of their minds…It was popular to finish sentence with ‘moving forward,’ like a compulsive disorder, tic or some other kind of psychopathy.” And if you’ve ever worked in an office, you know how freakishly accurate this quote is.

Overall, this is an awesome book that will make you laugh, and will also make you think. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes good memoir, satire, or intelligent creative nonfiction.

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

“A Misguided Work Life” is an interesting memoir about the work life of Marie L. Chopper. I found this to be an intriguing read. Chopper’s work life starts in New Zealand, and I found work and life there fascinating because I live in the states and know hardly anything about New Zealand. I was amazed at the similarities between our two countries. Chopper’s work is polished and moves along in a logical progression. It was good to read a memoir with an obvious start and middle, however I was a little upset that it’s not ended yet. When the narration leaves off, I was left wanting for more. I do think this book could use a catchier title, maybe something about disillusionment. As another criticism, I felt that the beginning needed to drag the reader in more. However, those are the only complaints about the book. I found the various jobs Chopper did both interesting and enlightening. And a little spoiler, I was really intrigued to find out about Chopper’s work in different countries. I really want to know if she eventually gets on a path that she enjoys. Perhaps this writing venture is going to be her new work, and she does it well. I recommend anyone thinking about work to read this book and find out what it is really like.

[Amy Lyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It reminded me of all of the ridiculous jobs I had to endure before finding the first "Real Job." the book has the right amount of comedy and heart. I can't wait to read Part 2.

[Violette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you remember as a kid, you know where you were 12 and you finally got paid for doing work? How grown-up you felt?
Growing up, I never had an allowance. My parents always thought that chores were something you were expected to do so "why would I pay you for that?" was a common conversation ender. Despite my repetitive efforts to change their minds. But that's beyond the point, Marie experiences the job side of being 12 and I can totally relate.
Let me start with a quote from the author herself, "It's nonfiction, satirical and funny pitched at 20-something's" was how it was explained when Marie asked me to review her book. This book is a memoir, based off of the adventurous life of Marie herself (names and some details have been altered) and her partner Ellie. They go round and round to multiple places in Europe looking for jobs that are both mentally stimulating and don't make them want to claw their eyes out. Along the way, they meet many 'interesting' people that stuck in Marie's head enough to write about them.
The story starts in New Zealand, Marie is still a child but has the drive to equal an adult's in the working world. She wants to do something she loves, and get paid well for it. Can anyone relate to that? I totally can. But of course, life gets in the way and has everything to say when it comes to Marie and Ellie finding a job that pays well enough to live out of more than gross hotels and cottages with no electricity.
As a young adult out of high school and thinking about school and careers and what I want to with my life. Whether I want adventure or repetitive routine. This book speaks volumes. I definitely understand Marie's drive for something better, I also understand the fullness of the everyday routine that people can get stuck in. If you can understand this, you might want to check out this book.
Also as a young adult, I think a few things missed me, I'm not at a place in my life where I am searching around for the jobs that are all mentally stimulating. As a person who has to truly enter the world of work, this is not the best thing to read seeing as it seems to focus on a lot of negatives. But for someone who has already had their share of jobs here and there? Totally! This book is for you, you will understand and empathize and laugh at all the right moments. For the complete experience, I would suggest you read this in your later 20s to get the full effect of Marie's humour and social viewpoint.
However, this book is captivating and has an unexpected job and event on every new page. It's told in a way that keeps you on your toes, waiting for the next thing to go wrong and wondering when they are going to give up. And every time they don't, it gets worse for them and better for us. This entire book definitely owns up to the satirical categorization its been given.

www.oneinviolette.com

[Lisa Stapleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A witty recollection that'll make you laugh and sympathise

Not usually one to read a memoir (she says, with a few more in her TBR) but this was my first. Full of acerbic wit, it's a blunt and accurate peek into the working world and it's highs and lows. Loved the names for people, which really helped you to imagine them. Miss Eggy-weggy is one that sticks with me. And being an English native, it was interesting to see it through someone else's eyes.
Read this over the course of three days, would recommend to anyone who's ever wondered what it's like to temp your way to your goals.

[Marie Chopper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marie's thoughts and feelings are like my own! Naturally, as author of this timeless and profound witty read I give myself 5 stars.