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Maggie’s Going Nowhere
Maggie Cotton’s life is a hot mess.
In one day, she’s dumped by her boyfriend, disinherited by her mum, and kicked off the three-year degree she’d stretched to a decade. And that was before she received the letter saying she owed the government $70,000.
But that’s no reason to grow up, is it?
With a decrepit 1960s caravan to call home, Maggie has to prove to her mother she can survive without a safety net, stop her loyal best friend Jen from marrying a scumbag, and convince her sexy workmate Rueben that she’s not a walking disaster. For someone who’s spent her life avoiding hard work, she sure can move mountains when she’s got a little motivation – just don’t ask her to move the caravan.
In one day, she’s dumped by her boyfriend, disinherited by her mum, and kicked off the three-year degree she’d stretched to a decade. And that was before she received the letter saying she owed the government $70,000.
But that’s no reason to grow up, is it?
With a decrepit 1960s caravan to call home, Maggie has to prove to her mother she can survive without a safety net, stop her loyal best friend Jen from marrying a scumbag, and convince her sexy workmate Rueben that she’s not a walking disaster. For someone who’s spent her life avoiding hard work, she sure can move mountains when she’s got a little motivation – just don’t ask her to move the caravan.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 7, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews
January 6, 2020
Maggie's life is a train wreck, she has no job, has been dumped by her boyfriend, and been disinherited by her mother for being a no-hoper. So with the last of her mother's money she buys an old caravan so she doesn't have to live on the street, and gets a volunteer job in a charity shop through Centrelink. The job has perks in the form of Reuben, hot ex-crim guitarist and IT expert, and Maggie spends most of her time trying to seduce him instead of trying to get her life back on track...
While this book doesn't have a lot of substance it's light and easy to read, and I found myself chuckling, and cringing, at Maggie's antics all the way through. As she plummets further and further, you can't help but admire her optimism, and uselessness, while she rides roughshod over everyone around her. Will she get back into her mother's will? Will she pay off her debts? Will she get the guy? I'm not going to tell you, you'll have to read this book yourself to find out. Recommended for all lovers of chick lit and women's fiction.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
My thanks to Better Reading Preview and Penguin Random House Australia for an uncorrected proof to read and review. The opinions are entirely my own.
While this book doesn't have a lot of substance it's light and easy to read, and I found myself chuckling, and cringing, at Maggie's antics all the way through. As she plummets further and further, you can't help but admire her optimism, and uselessness, while she rides roughshod over everyone around her. Will she get back into her mother's will? Will she pay off her debts? Will she get the guy? I'm not going to tell you, you'll have to read this book yourself to find out. Recommended for all lovers of chick lit and women's fiction.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
My thanks to Better Reading Preview and Penguin Random House Australia for an uncorrected proof to read and review. The opinions are entirely my own.
October 22, 2019
4.5★s
Maggie’s Going Nowhere is the first novel by Australian author, Rose Hartley. The worst thing in Maggie Cotton’s life is that her best friend, Jen is planning to wed a take-her-for-granted FIFO mine rigger named Jono: she knows Jen deserves better. But then, in the space of a few days, it all turns upside down for Maggie: kicked out of her commerce degree course, dropped by her boyfriend, disinherited by her mum, and homeless. Looks like (shock, horror!!) she’ll have to get a job because, on top of all that, Centrelink has decided she owes them money.
The interim plan is a volunteer position, twenty hours a week at a local charity, so her Centrelink payments will continue. She can put up with a bit of religion, surely, if it means she can eat. And look at luscious, tattooed Reuben. She’s used her last monetary endowment from her heretofore generous mother to buy a little caravan: a 1962 hand-built Periwinkle ten-footer with seafoam-green racing stripe (just like her 1970 Holden panel van), beautifully made but boasting absolutely no mod cons at all. It has no bathroom, the pump tap doesn’t work and one window is broken. It’s parked on the street, with no electricity.
Initially, Maggie doesn’t present well: she’s lazy, rude to her mother, uses foul language, seems to have the morals of an alley-cat and comes across as an entitled twenty-nine-going-on-fifteen-year-old. She does seem to care about her best friend, yet abuses her generosity; she’s quite selfish and self-centred, and rationalises her poor behaviour and lifestyle choices as “eschewing materialism”.
Maggie’s usual practice is to use her creative energy figuring out ways to take advantage of family and friends (freeloading), energy that would surely be better spent finding and doing paid work. As her life spirals ever downward, she somehow adjusts. After more setbacks, and at rock bottom, the reader will be wondering if she will finally begin to take responsibility for her own life, to finally redeem herself.
Despite the fact that Maggie is not all that likeable (frankly, she’s sometimes a bit obnoxious), it’s hard not to hope she will miraculously turn her life around, mature a bit, and perhaps have a meaningful relationship with a man. Does she get there? Read it and see…
Hartley gives Maggie a great cast of support characters, some of whom are nasty, some pathetic, while others are sweet and good and wise; at least one is utterly hilarious. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments that include climbing through windows, a pavlova revenge and spring rolls used as missiles. A gorgeous cover encloses this brilliantly funny and moving debut novel.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Better Reading Preview and Penguin/Michael Joseph Australia.
Maggie’s Going Nowhere is the first novel by Australian author, Rose Hartley. The worst thing in Maggie Cotton’s life is that her best friend, Jen is planning to wed a take-her-for-granted FIFO mine rigger named Jono: she knows Jen deserves better. But then, in the space of a few days, it all turns upside down for Maggie: kicked out of her commerce degree course, dropped by her boyfriend, disinherited by her mum, and homeless. Looks like (shock, horror!!) she’ll have to get a job because, on top of all that, Centrelink has decided she owes them money.
The interim plan is a volunteer position, twenty hours a week at a local charity, so her Centrelink payments will continue. She can put up with a bit of religion, surely, if it means she can eat. And look at luscious, tattooed Reuben. She’s used her last monetary endowment from her heretofore generous mother to buy a little caravan: a 1962 hand-built Periwinkle ten-footer with seafoam-green racing stripe (just like her 1970 Holden panel van), beautifully made but boasting absolutely no mod cons at all. It has no bathroom, the pump tap doesn’t work and one window is broken. It’s parked on the street, with no electricity.
Initially, Maggie doesn’t present well: she’s lazy, rude to her mother, uses foul language, seems to have the morals of an alley-cat and comes across as an entitled twenty-nine-going-on-fifteen-year-old. She does seem to care about her best friend, yet abuses her generosity; she’s quite selfish and self-centred, and rationalises her poor behaviour and lifestyle choices as “eschewing materialism”.
Maggie’s usual practice is to use her creative energy figuring out ways to take advantage of family and friends (freeloading), energy that would surely be better spent finding and doing paid work. As her life spirals ever downward, she somehow adjusts. After more setbacks, and at rock bottom, the reader will be wondering if she will finally begin to take responsibility for her own life, to finally redeem herself.
Despite the fact that Maggie is not all that likeable (frankly, she’s sometimes a bit obnoxious), it’s hard not to hope she will miraculously turn her life around, mature a bit, and perhaps have a meaningful relationship with a man. Does she get there? Read it and see…
Hartley gives Maggie a great cast of support characters, some of whom are nasty, some pathetic, while others are sweet and good and wise; at least one is utterly hilarious. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments that include climbing through windows, a pavlova revenge and spring rolls used as missiles. A gorgeous cover encloses this brilliantly funny and moving debut novel.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Better Reading Preview and Penguin/Michael Joseph Australia.
March 17, 2020
*www.onewomansbbr.wordpress.com
*www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr
Maggie's Going Nowhere by Rose Hartley. (2020).
Maggie's life is a hot mess. In one day she's dumped by her boyfriend, disinherited by her mum and kicked out of the 3 year degree it's so far taken her 10 years to do. And that was before she found out she owed Centrelink $70,000. With a decrepit 1960s caravan, Maggie has to prove to her mum she can survive without a safety net, stop her best friend Jen from marrying a scumbag, and convince her sexy workmate Rueben she's not a walking disaster...She's got a lot to do but just don't ask her to move the caravan...
Oh Maggie. If you looked up trainwreck, I'm pretty sure there would be a picture of Maggie! Maggie is so ridiculous that you certainly wouldn't want to be her best friend (Jen has the patience of an angel between Maggie and Jen's fiancee Jono), but my gosh does she grow on you so you end up just hoping she sorts everything out haha. There were so many moments I just cringed on behalf of Maggie but it sure did make super entertaining reading. At the same time you can't help laughing at Maggie's antics and I think I ended up on a crush on Rueben as well haha!
This is a fab debut from this author that I'd highly recommend; it's a light, engaging and really easy read that you'll fly through wondering what Maggie is going to say or do next.
*www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr
Maggie's Going Nowhere by Rose Hartley. (2020).
Maggie's life is a hot mess. In one day she's dumped by her boyfriend, disinherited by her mum and kicked out of the 3 year degree it's so far taken her 10 years to do. And that was before she found out she owed Centrelink $70,000. With a decrepit 1960s caravan, Maggie has to prove to her mum she can survive without a safety net, stop her best friend Jen from marrying a scumbag, and convince her sexy workmate Rueben she's not a walking disaster...She's got a lot to do but just don't ask her to move the caravan...
Oh Maggie. If you looked up trainwreck, I'm pretty sure there would be a picture of Maggie! Maggie is so ridiculous that you certainly wouldn't want to be her best friend (Jen has the patience of an angel between Maggie and Jen's fiancee Jono), but my gosh does she grow on you so you end up just hoping she sorts everything out haha. There were so many moments I just cringed on behalf of Maggie but it sure did make super entertaining reading. At the same time you can't help laughing at Maggie's antics and I think I ended up on a crush on Rueben as well haha!
This is a fab debut from this author that I'd highly recommend; it's a light, engaging and really easy read that you'll fly through wondering what Maggie is going to say or do next.
April 8, 2022
2.5 Stars
Generally, I think this was a case of ‘it’s not the book, it’s me.’
What I didn’t like:
None of the characters stood out to me as particularly likeable. I’d go one further and say I strongly disliked Maggie, essentially from page one, where she was shown trying to actively cheat on her boyfriend while he was close by. From that moment, the uphill battle to be won over by her was probably never going to happen for me.
I get writing flawed characters—we’re all human and we make mistakes—but I just didn’t find anything personally relatable or moderately redeemable about Maggie. The truth is, I related to her mum for cutting her off, I related to her boyfriend for dumping her and kicking her out for cheating, and I particularly related to her best friend for feeling used and mistreated across a lifetime of friendship. These actions made sense to me. Maggie was the embodiment of an entitled, lazy, ungracious millennial, and I wasn’t impressed by her ultimate character arc, because, frankly, I didn’t think she grew enough to warrant all the good things that came to her in the end, including the forgiveness and acceptance of her family and friends.
I’m a grump, what can I say!? But this wasn’t all doom and gloom, though, so bear with me.
What I did like:
The writing quality. Hartley is a decent storyteller. For a debut, I’m particularly impressed. Disagreeable characters aside—which could still be ‘a me thing’—I enjoyed the pacing, the general themes and simple plot, and the ease and accessibility of the writing itself.
I also appreciated the immersive Australian vibe and Melbourne setting. As a Melbourne girl myself, I always take a keen interest in the rare stories I pick up that feature places I personally know, and Hartley’s story was authentically Australian in this respect, without ever becoming overbearing with colloquial slang—I mean, just because we’re Aussie’s doesn’t mean we’re all running around, speaking like Crocodile Dundee, guys.
My last positive note has to do with the fantastic narration by Australian actress Miranda Tapsell. She did a bang-up job bringing Maggie and the other characters to life. Even though the story itself wasn’t a huge win for me personally, the narration definitely added points to the experience.
Generally, I think this was a case of ‘it’s not the book, it’s me.’
What I didn’t like:
None of the characters stood out to me as particularly likeable. I’d go one further and say I strongly disliked Maggie, essentially from page one, where she was shown trying to actively cheat on her boyfriend while he was close by. From that moment, the uphill battle to be won over by her was probably never going to happen for me.
I get writing flawed characters—we’re all human and we make mistakes—but I just didn’t find anything personally relatable or moderately redeemable about Maggie. The truth is, I related to her mum for cutting her off, I related to her boyfriend for dumping her and kicking her out for cheating, and I particularly related to her best friend for feeling used and mistreated across a lifetime of friendship. These actions made sense to me. Maggie was the embodiment of an entitled, lazy, ungracious millennial, and I wasn’t impressed by her ultimate character arc, because, frankly, I didn’t think she grew enough to warrant all the good things that came to her in the end, including the forgiveness and acceptance of her family and friends.
I’m a grump, what can I say!? But this wasn’t all doom and gloom, though, so bear with me.
What I did like:
The writing quality. Hartley is a decent storyteller. For a debut, I’m particularly impressed. Disagreeable characters aside—which could still be ‘a me thing’—I enjoyed the pacing, the general themes and simple plot, and the ease and accessibility of the writing itself.
I also appreciated the immersive Australian vibe and Melbourne setting. As a Melbourne girl myself, I always take a keen interest in the rare stories I pick up that feature places I personally know, and Hartley’s story was authentically Australian in this respect, without ever becoming overbearing with colloquial slang—I mean, just because we’re Aussie’s doesn’t mean we’re all running around, speaking like Crocodile Dundee, guys.
My last positive note has to do with the fantastic narration by Australian actress Miranda Tapsell. She did a bang-up job bringing Maggie and the other characters to life. Even though the story itself wasn’t a huge win for me personally, the narration definitely added points to the experience.
December 26, 2019
*https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogsp...
In Maggie’s Going Nowhere Hartley has taken a character that would normally be unlikeable and given her endearing qualities.
Maggie doesn’t like to conform to societal standards. She has been living off her mother, her boyfriend and Centrelink for the past ten years whilst she idles her way through what should be a three year Uni course.
When she gets kicked out by her boyfriend and kicked off her Uni course she is disinherited by her mother until she can prove that she is capable of supporting herself.
Maggie is a brazen no hoper but it is hard not to love her. She knows how to laugh at herself and doesn’t take life too seriously. She is assertive and always speaks her mind assuming her friends would prefer the truth no matter how objectionable. She says she doesn’t care what people think of her but deep down we can see that she does.
I thoroughly enjoyed Maggies Going Nowhere. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments as Maggie fumbles her way through this belated coming-of-age story.
*I received a copy from the publisher to read and review
In Maggie’s Going Nowhere Hartley has taken a character that would normally be unlikeable and given her endearing qualities.
Maggie doesn’t like to conform to societal standards. She has been living off her mother, her boyfriend and Centrelink for the past ten years whilst she idles her way through what should be a three year Uni course.
When she gets kicked out by her boyfriend and kicked off her Uni course she is disinherited by her mother until she can prove that she is capable of supporting herself.
Maggie is a brazen no hoper but it is hard not to love her. She knows how to laugh at herself and doesn’t take life too seriously. She is assertive and always speaks her mind assuming her friends would prefer the truth no matter how objectionable. She says she doesn’t care what people think of her but deep down we can see that she does.
I thoroughly enjoyed Maggies Going Nowhere. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments as Maggie fumbles her way through this belated coming-of-age story.
*I received a copy from the publisher to read and review
October 25, 2019
Maggie’s Going Nowhere
A hilarious, laugh out loud and engaging story that touches on the struggles of someone trying to find work when they have no skills, are almost homeless and the frustrations of dealing with Centrelink.
Maggie is a little rough around the edges, she’s a freeloader and has the morals of an alley cat. Most of Maggie’s energy is spent avoiding hard work, her life is an utter and shameful mess and she’s a no-hoper. She’s been doing the same three year commerce degree for a decade and is no closer to graduating. Her boyfriend Sean has just dumped her and she finds herself homeless and broke. Not long after she receives a letter from Centrelink claiming she owes them $70,000.
With the last of her mothers hand outs and threats of being wrote out of her mother’s will Maggie purchases a decrepit second hand caravan, a 1962 aluminium hand-built ten footer called the Periwinkle which she intends to live in.
Maggie finds herself in a job, volunteering in a charity shop so she can still be paid by Centrelink. Here she spends her time trying to seduce one of her workmates, sexy ex-con and guitarist Reuben.
Her best friend Jen is about to marry the ‘King of Arseholes’ can Maggie stop her before it’s too late or will she destroy her friendship?
You can’t help but warm to Maggie’s likeable character, with all her personality flaws, underneath there is a good and caring person.
Can Maggie turn her life around and stop depending on everyone around her? You’ll have to read this entertaining and hilarious book with a cast of fascinating characters to find out, it’s well worth a read!
A wonderful debut novel from South Australian author Rose Hartley.
Thank you to Better Reading & Penguin Random House Australia for an advanced copy of the book in return for an honest review
A hilarious, laugh out loud and engaging story that touches on the struggles of someone trying to find work when they have no skills, are almost homeless and the frustrations of dealing with Centrelink.
Maggie is a little rough around the edges, she’s a freeloader and has the morals of an alley cat. Most of Maggie’s energy is spent avoiding hard work, her life is an utter and shameful mess and she’s a no-hoper. She’s been doing the same three year commerce degree for a decade and is no closer to graduating. Her boyfriend Sean has just dumped her and she finds herself homeless and broke. Not long after she receives a letter from Centrelink claiming she owes them $70,000.
With the last of her mothers hand outs and threats of being wrote out of her mother’s will Maggie purchases a decrepit second hand caravan, a 1962 aluminium hand-built ten footer called the Periwinkle which she intends to live in.
Maggie finds herself in a job, volunteering in a charity shop so she can still be paid by Centrelink. Here she spends her time trying to seduce one of her workmates, sexy ex-con and guitarist Reuben.
Her best friend Jen is about to marry the ‘King of Arseholes’ can Maggie stop her before it’s too late or will she destroy her friendship?
You can’t help but warm to Maggie’s likeable character, with all her personality flaws, underneath there is a good and caring person.
Can Maggie turn her life around and stop depending on everyone around her? You’ll have to read this entertaining and hilarious book with a cast of fascinating characters to find out, it’s well worth a read!
A wonderful debut novel from South Australian author Rose Hartley.
Thank you to Better Reading & Penguin Random House Australia for an advanced copy of the book in return for an honest review
January 18, 2023
4.5 stars
Oh, Maggie, Maggie, Maggie…
How I disliked you at first.
Maggie is self-centred.
Maggie is annoying.
Maggie is obnoxious.
Maggie doesn’t give two hoots about anything.
Our Maggie does have appealing qualities though (thank heavens)
Maggie is unemployed.
Maggie is a bludger.
Maggie’s boyfriend ditched her.
Maggie is kicked out of home.
Maggie is cut out of her mother’s will.
Maggie lives in a retro van.
Maggie is entertaining.
She’s a dinky-di Aussie.
She’s slap-happy.
Maggie’s Going Nowhere is breezy, fun and kind of hilarious.
Bonzer read, mates!
Hats off to Miranda Tapsell for her flawless narration.
Oh, Maggie, Maggie, Maggie…
How I disliked you at first.
Maggie is self-centred.
Maggie is annoying.
Maggie is obnoxious.
Maggie doesn’t give two hoots about anything.
Our Maggie does have appealing qualities though (thank heavens)
Maggie is unemployed.
Maggie is a bludger.
Maggie’s boyfriend ditched her.
Maggie is kicked out of home.
Maggie is cut out of her mother’s will.
Maggie lives in a retro van.
Maggie is entertaining.
She’s a dinky-di Aussie.
She’s slap-happy.
Maggie’s Going Nowhere is breezy, fun and kind of hilarious.
Bonzer read, mates!
Hats off to Miranda Tapsell for her flawless narration.
January 27, 2020
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
4.5 stars
South Australian writer Rose Hartley’s debut novel Maggie’s Going Nowhere, is an on point novel, capturing the life and times of her underdog lead, Maggie Cotton. An inviting, comical and life affirming tale, this is one summer blockbuster read you will not want to miss!
What do you do when your life is in a state of utter chaos? You purchase a 1960s caravan! On one rough day, Maggie realises she must put on her big girl shoes when she is dumped by her boyfriend, written out of her mother’s will, kicked out of home and issued a final notice by her university. She has also acquired a hefty bill from the government to top it all off. But Maggie handles it as she always has, in her own unique way. She splashes out on a 1960s caravan, which is now her home. Maggie must work to prove herself to her mother, save her best friend from committing to marriage hell and make a difference in her new volunteer role. This is the story of Maggie, the ultimate walking disaster, who is about to shake things up and prove to the world she is worth it! One step at a time though…
After a succession of heavy reads lately, I thought it was high time that I selected a happy go lucky, fun and zesty summer read. Maggie’s Going Nowhere was exactly the type of novel I wanted and needed. It was undemanding and comical, but also very well written and in touch with modern day issues. Underlying this light and snappy read, is the story of a young Australian woman struggling against the system, a battler of sorts, who is incredibly connective. I took Maggie’s Going Nowhere with me to the beach a couple of days ago and before I knew it I had quickly knocked off a third of the book. I followed it up with another couple of sittings at home and I was done! This is a fast paced and expeditious page turner!
I’m sure many readers will immediately find Maggie quite unlikeable. Initially, I disagreed with Maggie’s choices, movements and outbursts. I thought she was immature and ungrateful. I cringed whenever she opened her mouth and interacted with anyone – from her best friend, to her parents and even her boyfriend. I had almost zero care for Maggie’s predicament! But then the book took a diversion at some point and suddenly I did care for Maggie. I felt sorry for Maggie and her plight began to highlight some common issues faced by many Australians. The struggle for a higher education, reliance on parents for financial support, the lack of opportunity in the workforce, homelessness and our flawed government benefits system. Maggie’s story also highlights the stigma faced by those who have been incarcerated and the lack of second chances given to these people. I also had more respect and insight into charity organisations, who are constantly trying to keep their heads above water by relying on volunteers. There are some serious issues covered by Hartley in Maggie’s Going Nowhere.
Hartley is a debut novelist, but her writing shows a great deal of maturity and refinement. Her characterisation was fabulous. Maggie is extremely well presented and I felt like I knew her all over, which was aided by the style of narration adopted by the author. Likewise, Maggie’s mother, father, best friend, love interest and even her fellow co-workers were rendered perfectly on the page. I enjoyed the friendship difficulties, relationship challenges, banter and romance issues that entered the pages of this novel from these characters. However, I must make mention of two special characters that took this book over the line for me. Firstly, Maggie’s dear cat Dot stole the show and as a non-cat lover, I developed quite an affection for Maggie’s feline companion. When the trusty caravan Maggie purchases enters the story, things get very interesting! The caravan definitely becomes a character it its own right.
‘On Nicholson Street, I saw the caravan for sale. It was small and squat and sat low to the ground, shaped like a triangle with the tip cut off. It was made of corrugated aluminum, silver with a green speed stripe all the way around. Sea-foam green, in fact. The same colour as my car. The hand-written sign leaning against one tyre was asking for $1100. And I had $1200 cash in my pocket.’
Maggie’s Going Nowhere is an inspirational and a universal story about a non-standard Aussie battler. I’m sure many of us have faced similar situations that Maggie confronts. We may know, or have known someone a lot like Maggie. Either way, this shameless woman will win you over by the close of the novel. Maggie Cotton is an unlikely heroine, a dark horse who wins the race by the end. In Maggie’s Going Nowhere, Rose Hartley presents us with a lively and alternative contemporary life affirming story, with an Australian twang!
*I wish to thank Penguin Books Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Maggie’s Going Nowhere is book #7 of the 2020 Australian Women Writers Challenge
4.5 stars
South Australian writer Rose Hartley’s debut novel Maggie’s Going Nowhere, is an on point novel, capturing the life and times of her underdog lead, Maggie Cotton. An inviting, comical and life affirming tale, this is one summer blockbuster read you will not want to miss!
What do you do when your life is in a state of utter chaos? You purchase a 1960s caravan! On one rough day, Maggie realises she must put on her big girl shoes when she is dumped by her boyfriend, written out of her mother’s will, kicked out of home and issued a final notice by her university. She has also acquired a hefty bill from the government to top it all off. But Maggie handles it as she always has, in her own unique way. She splashes out on a 1960s caravan, which is now her home. Maggie must work to prove herself to her mother, save her best friend from committing to marriage hell and make a difference in her new volunteer role. This is the story of Maggie, the ultimate walking disaster, who is about to shake things up and prove to the world she is worth it! One step at a time though…
After a succession of heavy reads lately, I thought it was high time that I selected a happy go lucky, fun and zesty summer read. Maggie’s Going Nowhere was exactly the type of novel I wanted and needed. It was undemanding and comical, but also very well written and in touch with modern day issues. Underlying this light and snappy read, is the story of a young Australian woman struggling against the system, a battler of sorts, who is incredibly connective. I took Maggie’s Going Nowhere with me to the beach a couple of days ago and before I knew it I had quickly knocked off a third of the book. I followed it up with another couple of sittings at home and I was done! This is a fast paced and expeditious page turner!
I’m sure many readers will immediately find Maggie quite unlikeable. Initially, I disagreed with Maggie’s choices, movements and outbursts. I thought she was immature and ungrateful. I cringed whenever she opened her mouth and interacted with anyone – from her best friend, to her parents and even her boyfriend. I had almost zero care for Maggie’s predicament! But then the book took a diversion at some point and suddenly I did care for Maggie. I felt sorry for Maggie and her plight began to highlight some common issues faced by many Australians. The struggle for a higher education, reliance on parents for financial support, the lack of opportunity in the workforce, homelessness and our flawed government benefits system. Maggie’s story also highlights the stigma faced by those who have been incarcerated and the lack of second chances given to these people. I also had more respect and insight into charity organisations, who are constantly trying to keep their heads above water by relying on volunteers. There are some serious issues covered by Hartley in Maggie’s Going Nowhere.
Hartley is a debut novelist, but her writing shows a great deal of maturity and refinement. Her characterisation was fabulous. Maggie is extremely well presented and I felt like I knew her all over, which was aided by the style of narration adopted by the author. Likewise, Maggie’s mother, father, best friend, love interest and even her fellow co-workers were rendered perfectly on the page. I enjoyed the friendship difficulties, relationship challenges, banter and romance issues that entered the pages of this novel from these characters. However, I must make mention of two special characters that took this book over the line for me. Firstly, Maggie’s dear cat Dot stole the show and as a non-cat lover, I developed quite an affection for Maggie’s feline companion. When the trusty caravan Maggie purchases enters the story, things get very interesting! The caravan definitely becomes a character it its own right.
‘On Nicholson Street, I saw the caravan for sale. It was small and squat and sat low to the ground, shaped like a triangle with the tip cut off. It was made of corrugated aluminum, silver with a green speed stripe all the way around. Sea-foam green, in fact. The same colour as my car. The hand-written sign leaning against one tyre was asking for $1100. And I had $1200 cash in my pocket.’
Maggie’s Going Nowhere is an inspirational and a universal story about a non-standard Aussie battler. I’m sure many of us have faced similar situations that Maggie confronts. We may know, or have known someone a lot like Maggie. Either way, this shameless woman will win you over by the close of the novel. Maggie Cotton is an unlikely heroine, a dark horse who wins the race by the end. In Maggie’s Going Nowhere, Rose Hartley presents us with a lively and alternative contemporary life affirming story, with an Australian twang!
*I wish to thank Penguin Books Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Maggie’s Going Nowhere is book #7 of the 2020 Australian Women Writers Challenge
January 10, 2020
Maggie’s Going Nowhere is a charming and hilarious debut from Rose Hartley.
Devoted to avoiding hard work and responsibility, twenty-nine year old Maggie Cotton may finally have to grow up when she is dumped by her boyfriend, loses her place at University, disinherited by her mother, and slapped with an outrageous debt by Centerlink.
Forced to take her first steps towards independence, Maggie moves into a shabby 1960’s caravan with no running water, electricity, or toilet facilities, that she parks out the front of her best friend’s house, and grudgingly takes a volunteer position at a charity in order to keep her Newstart payments.
Maggie’s Going Nowhere feels like a coming-of-age tale for the millennial generation, some of whom seem determined to extend adolescence by a decade.
In truth, Maggie is the sort of character that I would despair of in real life, and that I usually find frustrating in fiction. She’s entitled, irresponsible, insensitive, and unapologetic, so it’s to Hartley’s credit that I actually found her likeable, and even somewhat endearing. Maggie’s confidence is appealing, her lack of tact is refreshing, and her loyalty to her best friend Jen is sincere.
Jen has the patience of a saint, not only with Maggie, but also with her own fiancé Johnno, whom Maggie refers to as ‘The King of Arseholes’. I liked the author’s depiction of these relationships, and the acknowledgement that even having it all- a home of your own, a steady job, and committed relationship - is no guarantee of a happy ever after.
Given her history of sabotaging her romantic relationships, (in the worst way possible), Maggie’s crush on fellow volunteer Rueben, a sexy ex-con focused on taking responsibility for himself, seems destined for failure, but convincing him otherwise proves to be surprising motivation for her, and I couldn’t help but hope that Maggie would finally get everything she wants, even if it’s nothing she perhaps deserves.
Fast paced and thoroughly entertaining, I really enjoyed Maggie’s Going Nowhere, and I’m happy to recommend it.
Devoted to avoiding hard work and responsibility, twenty-nine year old Maggie Cotton may finally have to grow up when she is dumped by her boyfriend, loses her place at University, disinherited by her mother, and slapped with an outrageous debt by Centerlink.
Forced to take her first steps towards independence, Maggie moves into a shabby 1960’s caravan with no running water, electricity, or toilet facilities, that she parks out the front of her best friend’s house, and grudgingly takes a volunteer position at a charity in order to keep her Newstart payments.
Maggie’s Going Nowhere feels like a coming-of-age tale for the millennial generation, some of whom seem determined to extend adolescence by a decade.
In truth, Maggie is the sort of character that I would despair of in real life, and that I usually find frustrating in fiction. She’s entitled, irresponsible, insensitive, and unapologetic, so it’s to Hartley’s credit that I actually found her likeable, and even somewhat endearing. Maggie’s confidence is appealing, her lack of tact is refreshing, and her loyalty to her best friend Jen is sincere.
Jen has the patience of a saint, not only with Maggie, but also with her own fiancé Johnno, whom Maggie refers to as ‘The King of Arseholes’. I liked the author’s depiction of these relationships, and the acknowledgement that even having it all- a home of your own, a steady job, and committed relationship - is no guarantee of a happy ever after.
Given her history of sabotaging her romantic relationships, (in the worst way possible), Maggie’s crush on fellow volunteer Rueben, a sexy ex-con focused on taking responsibility for himself, seems destined for failure, but convincing him otherwise proves to be surprising motivation for her, and I couldn’t help but hope that Maggie would finally get everything she wants, even if it’s nothing she perhaps deserves.
Fast paced and thoroughly entertaining, I really enjoyed Maggie’s Going Nowhere, and I’m happy to recommend it.
February 19, 2021
Maggie’s Going Nowhere is a book about having a quarter life crisis. Maggie is 29. She is ten years into an accounting degree, she’s been dumped by her boyfriend after she cheated on him, forced out of mother’s home, unemployed and owes the government a lot of money after wrongly claiming study allowance.
To avoid homelessness, she buys an old caravan. She still needs to rely on parking it at someone’s house to use their amenities. This was a good insight into one aspect of homelessness - how everything can change in an instant. It also was great to see a character who didn’t have her life together, no matter how hard she tried.
Maggie takes part in a semi work for the dole program - volunteering at a religious charity. Here, Maggie meets many lively characters, including Ruben, whom she falls for.
An interesting sub plot is her best friend Jen - also a 29 year old who had bought her own house at 24, waiting to be married. Only her fiancé is a terrible man. Her roasting of him is gold.
At times there are a few ableist slurs - mostly relating to mental health, but also some intellectual disability slurs. The line about a character’s brother having Down syndrome and also has a job - so Maggie should definitely be able to get a job was very inspiration porn! And Maggie made some jibes about her mum’s temporary disability. There was also fat phobia at the start.
I thought the topic of sexually transmitted illnesses was covered reasonably well while shame was shown, this might help remove some stigma around them.
I also really enjoyed the references to Melbourne - especially Maggie’s love of the north side. I picked up on the Hainanese chicken from Raffles on the corner of Johnston and Wellington Streets.
I listened to the audiobook - and I’m glad I did. Miranda Tapsell narrates it and she’s so wonderful - capturing all the characters’ voices and emotions. I think her narration adds to the book so much. It increased my enjoyment a lot.
This was a light and quick read after some heavy books.
To avoid homelessness, she buys an old caravan. She still needs to rely on parking it at someone’s house to use their amenities. This was a good insight into one aspect of homelessness - how everything can change in an instant. It also was great to see a character who didn’t have her life together, no matter how hard she tried.
Maggie takes part in a semi work for the dole program - volunteering at a religious charity. Here, Maggie meets many lively characters, including Ruben, whom she falls for.
An interesting sub plot is her best friend Jen - also a 29 year old who had bought her own house at 24, waiting to be married. Only her fiancé is a terrible man. Her roasting of him is gold.
At times there are a few ableist slurs - mostly relating to mental health, but also some intellectual disability slurs. The line about a character’s brother having Down syndrome and also has a job - so Maggie should definitely be able to get a job was very inspiration porn! And Maggie made some jibes about her mum’s temporary disability. There was also fat phobia at the start.
I thought the topic of sexually transmitted illnesses was covered reasonably well while shame was shown, this might help remove some stigma around them.
I also really enjoyed the references to Melbourne - especially Maggie’s love of the north side. I picked up on the Hainanese chicken from Raffles on the corner of Johnston and Wellington Streets.
I listened to the audiobook - and I’m glad I did. Miranda Tapsell narrates it and she’s so wonderful - capturing all the characters’ voices and emotions. I think her narration adds to the book so much. It increased my enjoyment a lot.
This was a light and quick read after some heavy books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2019
I’m not usually one to like a character who typifies the very definition of a no-hoper, much less one who is an over-entitled bludger with zero tact and no ambition whatsoever to improve their lot in life, preferring instead to blame others for her problems whilst holding out a hand for a spare fifty. Nevertheless, every now and again, I am utterly surprised and delighted by a book and enjoy every single sentence of it, as was the case with Maggie’s Going Nowhere.
In essence, this novel is about Maggie’s coming of age – very late coming of age – but it also touches on some Australian contemporary themes of importance: homelessness, the struggle to find work if you have no skills or a prison record, and the utter ridiculousness of dealing with Centrelink – Maggie’s experiences sure brought back some memories from my own student days of dealing with that organisation. Maggie’s Going Nowhere is addictive and entertaining, I read it in a day, laughing and shaking my head all the way through. Who would have thought that this would end up a five star read for me? Highly recommended and I sincerely hope this one gets adapted for film or TV.
Thanks is extended to Penguin Random House Australia via Better Reading for providing me with a copy of Maggie’s Going Nowhere for #BRPreview.
In essence, this novel is about Maggie’s coming of age – very late coming of age – but it also touches on some Australian contemporary themes of importance: homelessness, the struggle to find work if you have no skills or a prison record, and the utter ridiculousness of dealing with Centrelink – Maggie’s experiences sure brought back some memories from my own student days of dealing with that organisation. Maggie’s Going Nowhere is addictive and entertaining, I read it in a day, laughing and shaking my head all the way through. Who would have thought that this would end up a five star read for me? Highly recommended and I sincerely hope this one gets adapted for film or TV.
Thanks is extended to Penguin Random House Australia via Better Reading for providing me with a copy of Maggie’s Going Nowhere for #BRPreview.
April 26, 2024
I listened to this lighthearted novel in audio form, which helped to bring it up from 3 to 4 stars. Miranda Tapsell is an accomplished First Nations actor and narrates this quirky tale with welcome animation.
If you're not from Australia, you mightn't get a lot of the references. The comedy is fairly niche, a niche I'm familiar with, and therefore funny to me.
Not a huge amount of substance in this novel, but the author took a noble risk of writing about being unemployed and on welfare payments in your 20s - making it fun territory to play in.
If you're not from Australia, you mightn't get a lot of the references. The comedy is fairly niche, a niche I'm familiar with, and therefore funny to me.
Not a huge amount of substance in this novel, but the author took a noble risk of writing about being unemployed and on welfare payments in your 20s - making it fun territory to play in.
August 1, 2024
This read is my favourite book of 2020 thus far! It made me laugh out loud multiple times and I’ve recommended to so many people already! It’s set in Melbourne, so locals will appreciate the references to their city and Aussie readers can enjoy the colloquial banter between the characters. Our main girl Maggie was hilarious and her character development/ redemption was fantastic. Her best mate Jen was a true gem and I really felt for her throughout the story. I liked Maggies love interest, Rueben, who didn’t take Maggie’s nonsense, but also supported the heck out of her. This book is crude in parts but I wouldn’t have had in any other way, Rose Hartley kept Maggie real and I particularly loved how she summarised half of the Australian male population up in one paragraph towards the end
November 10, 2019
This book is fucking delightful. Maggie is a wonderful protagonist, the quintessential jackass with a heart of gold, outrageously charming while also being outrageously terrible. Absolutely couldn't put it down.
June 6, 2020
DNF after about 100 pages. The writing is alright but the main character is so completely selfish and odious with no redeeming qualities that I couldn’t bear spending any more time with her.
May 7, 2020
Easy to read and characters who are so easy to fall in love with. I really enjoyed this light hearted read with my book club!
January 7, 2020
The eponymous character in Rose Hartley’s debut is introduced in the blurb as thoroughly relatable and a counterpart to Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag. While the comparison to Fleabag feels true on the surface – both characters not only eschew, but actively renounce any kind of responsibility under the guise of ‘not being boring’ Fleabag presents a more complicated, nuanced view of a character navigating trauma where our titular character Maggie is just...immature. This bleeds into the first claim – that of relatability – and it is here that I respectfully disagree. There are few women who find themselves as privileged as Maggie and thus few who would be able to wallow in as many problems of their own making.
That’s not to say that she’s not compelling, and the narration choices show strength here. First person is notoriously hard to do well, but Hartley succeeds in engaging the reader where a third person narration may have created enough distance for the reader to judge Maggie, rather than empathise with her.
There should only be surface satisfaction in the tale of a woman-child landing on her feet through very little work and with very little emotional growth, but the writing is dynamic and the tone is spot-on. Hartley never shies from Maggie’s faults, and while the book is undemanding, Maggie’s story is undeniably enjoyable.
3.5 stars
That’s not to say that she’s not compelling, and the narration choices show strength here. First person is notoriously hard to do well, but Hartley succeeds in engaging the reader where a third person narration may have created enough distance for the reader to judge Maggie, rather than empathise with her.
There should only be surface satisfaction in the tale of a woman-child landing on her feet through very little work and with very little emotional growth, but the writing is dynamic and the tone is spot-on. Hartley never shies from Maggie’s faults, and while the book is undemanding, Maggie’s story is undeniably enjoyable.
3.5 stars
April 20, 2020
Maggie (the character) was kind of annoying but the book was a bit of funny fun, which I raced through in 24 hours and I'd say it successfully achieved its purpose! 3.5 stars.
April 30, 2020
DNF Only a few pages in, I knew this over privileged, selfish, spoilt brat, story, was not for me.
November 9, 2019
Just the right amount wry, funny, human, and heartwarming. Maggie’s the friend we all have, and the caravan as good as a character too—a character with lessons about home and self-sufficiency and how hard it is to be happy outside of a system that whirlpools you in and down, but how important it is to try. I found myself hanging on Maggie’s love interest, the popcorn in hand. A true romantic comedy for millennials! A chewy, fast-paced, and feel-good debut.
November 1, 2019
Raw and uncensored, Maggie Cotton burps, farts, swears and spits all the hard truths about genitals and breasts every buttoned up private school girl has thought but never voiced. In this way, Maggie was a breath of fresh air. With each page turn, I cackled, I cried, I *facepalmed* and eventually wanted to stand up and shout huzzah while hitching up my skirt and throwing off the literal and metaphorical bra I’ve been wearing all my life.
So, if you’re into a female protagonist that’s bushy in all the right places and shaved in all the wrong, or a book that contains a purrfectly timed cat joke every now and then, and a road trip that doesn’t actually go anywhere, then Maggie’s Going Nowhere will rock your socks...
Oh, but don’t forget: ‘If the caravan’s a rockin, don’t come a knockin’. 😂💃🎉🤣
So, if you’re into a female protagonist that’s bushy in all the right places and shaved in all the wrong, or a book that contains a purrfectly timed cat joke every now and then, and a road trip that doesn’t actually go anywhere, then Maggie’s Going Nowhere will rock your socks...
Oh, but don’t forget: ‘If the caravan’s a rockin, don’t come a knockin’. 😂💃🎉🤣
February 17, 2020
Light, funny, feel-good Aussie story.
Maggie is everything I hope to never be - a lazy, entitled, selfish millennial - and it was uncomfortable being inside her head. However, there is a fine line between love and hate and I just couldn’t help but cheer for her. Maggie has SO many opportunities to change, to improve, to look beyond her own nose and reading those moments I found myself tensing up like cmon cmon cmon Maggie!!!
This book challenged me - I related more to other characters who were struggling to deal with a toxic friend than I did to Maggie. I cringed, I gasped, I laughed a lot. I have never read anything quite like this before, where the hero is also her own villain.
I definitely recommend Maggie’s Going Nowhere if you’d like a fun, light read, or would just like to give yourself a pat on the back for how well you’re doing in life by comparison.
Maggie is everything I hope to never be - a lazy, entitled, selfish millennial - and it was uncomfortable being inside her head. However, there is a fine line between love and hate and I just couldn’t help but cheer for her. Maggie has SO many opportunities to change, to improve, to look beyond her own nose and reading those moments I found myself tensing up like cmon cmon cmon Maggie!!!
This book challenged me - I related more to other characters who were struggling to deal with a toxic friend than I did to Maggie. I cringed, I gasped, I laughed a lot. I have never read anything quite like this before, where the hero is also her own villain.
I definitely recommend Maggie’s Going Nowhere if you’d like a fun, light read, or would just like to give yourself a pat on the back for how well you’re doing in life by comparison.
October 20, 2019
If you enjoy chick lit books like the Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella, or While You Were Reading by Ali Berg & Michelle Kalus, you will enjoy this book. I finished it in a couple of days and giggled throughout. It was the perfect holiday read to take with me to Vanuatu.
That being said, I really didn’t identify with or like Maggie and probably wouldn’t have finished it if not for having to write a review.
Thanks to Better Reading and Penguin Random House for this advanced copy of Maggie Going Nowhere.
That being said, I really didn’t identify with or like Maggie and probably wouldn’t have finished it if not for having to write a review.
Thanks to Better Reading and Penguin Random House for this advanced copy of Maggie Going Nowhere.
April 20, 2023
Ok this book took me by surprise what a great debut. Maggie was actually hilarious and albeit sometimes a little frustrating but I was rooting for her to get it together.
Whilst some parts of the story were a little outlandish (I’m looking at you rehearsal dinner) it was an overall fun and easy read and I really had fun with this one. I loved reading about her messy chaotic life and all the people that somehow put up with her. I can’t wait to read more from Rose Hartley especially if they’re this fun
Whilst some parts of the story were a little outlandish (I’m looking at you rehearsal dinner) it was an overall fun and easy read and I really had fun with this one. I loved reading about her messy chaotic life and all the people that somehow put up with her. I can’t wait to read more from Rose Hartley especially if they’re this fun
February 10, 2021
I loved this book. It's not easy to make a female anti-hero likeable in our world, but Rose has done it brilliantly. A really charming read.
March 1, 2020
Such a fun book to read! Maggie was a fun and quirky character and you couldn't help but root for her.
February 8, 2020
**4.5 stars**
Throughly enjoyable
Throughly enjoyable
June 7, 2020
An incredibly frustrating protagonist that goes on a mediocre journey of self-discovery, but quite an enjoyable read. A few plot points created but not really given their due diligence.
As someone from Melbourne, it was great to read about locations that I recognised. As someone from the private school ring, some of the chapters hit very close to home - the engagement party chapter had me cringing!
This is Rose Hartley’s debut novel and it was a fun read! Maggie is a real pain in the arse haha
As someone from Melbourne, it was great to read about locations that I recognised. As someone from the private school ring, some of the chapters hit very close to home - the engagement party chapter had me cringing!
This is Rose Hartley’s debut novel and it was a fun read! Maggie is a real pain in the arse haha
November 4, 2019
What a fantastically fun read! Maggie is refreshingly flawed, tactless and self-absorbed, and I loved every hilarious second of her.
January 16, 2020
This is a breezy read.
I did not like the main character Maggie because I found her actions disrespectful and entitled. None of the other characters are memorable either. However, the narration is commendable, and it kept me till the end.
I did not like the main character Maggie because I found her actions disrespectful and entitled. None of the other characters are memorable either. However, the narration is commendable, and it kept me till the end.
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