Where's My Money?

by Mike Manson

Mike Manson's brilliant first novel is back in print after being chosen by the BBC for its programme The Books That Made Bristol. Where's my Money? is set against the background of slacker culture in Bristol in the long, hot summer of 1976. Much of the action is set in an around the infamous Nelson Street Dole Office. 'Extremely witty and beautifully written,' says one reader.

232 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[sharon cove · Rating 4 out of 5]

I laughed out loud

Coming from Bristol and having my self worked for the old dhss (not job centre) I found this really funny! I'm about the same age as the main character and well remember 1976! A great entertaining read

[Lucienne Boyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, the 1970s, when everything was grim in beige and brown and there were strikes, unemployment and drought. Max is working in a dole office, which means he's witnessing the cutting edge of poverty, homelessness, and mental illness. He also runs into some eccentric and frankly dysfunctional characters, lusts after a co-worker, and plots his escape. Will he get the girl? Will he leave the civil service before it pulls him in for life? And will he survive the office Christmas party? A hilarious tale, highly recommended.

Disclosure: the author is known to me personally but this is my honest opinion and rating of the book.

[Nancy Stein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Follow along with Max as the guide in the 1970s British city of Bristol. This is a fun read, full of earth shaking queries about work, love, and what to eat. I enjoyed Manson’s light touch and humorous pathway through those tricky years. We readers are presented with questions many of us face as we transition from school into the unknown and/or work life.
Definitely recommend this story for a read that keeps you there in the main character’s day to day while also
Prodding you to remember back or look ahead to your own.

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Bristol and the very hot summer of 1976 this is a very funny novel which is set in a office environment(dole office) with the main character working their during this time, and having to deal with fellow colleagues and claimants alike, and at the same time not having enthusiastic attitude to the clerical work he has to process.

Lots of laugh out moments with references to news and music of the time.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me straight back to the 1970s and my first job in a grim office block in London. Great characters and a really engaging story as well as a slice of social history. Bristol is interwoven as key part of the book as well.

[Chelsea T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book about a less than glamorous aspect about 70s Britain with characters who felt believable. My main gripe is that I wish some of the characters (particularly claimants) had been fleshed out some more.

[Catherine O'Sé · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very witty and entertaining! Bristol in the 70s

[Angie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A laugh out loud trip down memory lane.