What do readers think of Help Wanted by Adelle Waldman? Write your own review.

Very interesting and timely fiction book about working in a big box store and what that implies. Arriving in the early morning to begin unpacking, sorting and shelving new merchandise a small counter revolutionary plot is hatched to bring extra hours, more benefits, and if you can imagine this more dignity and empowerment to those who work in these grand canyon environs of retail 2024. The humor is obvious, at times sly, but a very enjoyable book to read and savor. I loved reading this book, and think it will be a break out "book to read" for 2024.

HELP WANTED (W.W.Norton) captures what it's like to work in a big box store, like a Target or Walmart. It probably won't be everyone's cup of tea, but give it a chance. HELP WANTED reminded me of Seinfeld in the way that it's about ordinary people doing ordinary things and providing laughs. There are plenty of characters working together in ridiculous situations to deliver comedy.

Because HELP WANTED is about workers working long hours, and being treated unfairly by mean bosses, I'm sure many readers will relate. The numerous diverse group of characters are well-developed, complex, and each has their own baggage …more and mishegas.

HELPED WANTED will be published March 5th by W.W.Norton.

Thank you BookBrowse for providing an early copy to review. (less)

I loved this book. I just finished and wish I could spend more time with these characters. I thought about them when I wasn't reading the book, and I imagine they'll stay with me for a long time.

I feel the book does an excellent job of showing some of the complex circumstances people have to negotiate just to start their workday, many of which higher income people likely never consider, or the schedules/people/transportation that economically disadvantaged people need to take into account when having to cobble together multiple jobs to earn enough to (just) get by, and how mentally taxing it is to be constantly …more juggling.

I also feel it does an excellent job of highlighting what we as a community have accepted as a trade-off for cheaper goods, in terms of workplace conditions and corporations holding all the power as they're beholden to their shareholders to make decisions based on bottom line profitability. It isn't just retail, of course. And this is just one (albeit major) contributing factor in income disparity.

None of this information is new or especially eye-opening to me, but I imagine it will be to some people, and I still find the inequitableness infuriating and heart wrenching. I appreciate the mention of the importance of generational wealth even in circumstances one doesn't think of as wealthy - I think I tended to think of rich people and estate taxes and trust fund babies when I hear generational wealth, but it's critically important at all economic levels, as demonstrated through these characters' lives.

I found the writing style to be interesting - at points almost factual or documentary in tone, but I felt it fit the subject matter and it didn't prevent me from feeling close to the characters or having empathy for them.

I am probably making this sound like a rather dull economic analysis, and it's nothing of the sort. The characters all have full, interesting lives and back stories peopled with a cast of family and friends, just as we all do. They were people I'd like to know in real life. The plot was solid and engaging.

I'll be recommending this to others upon publication.

Thank you to BookBrowse and W.W. Norton & Company for the advanced reading copy. Now I'm off to read what other BookBrowsers thought of the book! (less)

After reading HELP WANTED, you won't look at the humans working in retail the same, especially the people working behind the scenes -- unpacking, shelving, cleaning. The book details the dreams, expectations, hopes, motivations of the (pretty much unseen by the public) workers in a big box store who unpack the daily truck and get the merchandise to relevant parts of the store. These individuals want what we want: a step up, recognition, meaning, love -- but it's harder for them. The story revolves around hopes for promotions when a new store manager is going to be named. Some funny parts and some heart breaking. …more Really, you have no soul if you remain oblivious to these people after reading this book. It was VERY hard to put down. (less)

Adelle Waldman has written a book with a pulse on what is happening to retail/warehouse workers in this country. Low wages, cut hours, and a lack of benefits combine to make it impossible for people in these positions to make ends meet, let alone have opportunities to advance. Despite these miserable conditions, the author has created characters that are doing their best to survive and to maintain some degree of hope to find a place in this world. They are not stereotypes - each one has individuality, humanity, and a desire to be acknowledged and respected. This was a book of compassion, and a reminder that " …more There but for fortune, go I." (less)

I really enjoyed this book,it's been awhile that I've laughed while reading,great cast of characters that you can relate to,especially if you're ever worked in retail.just a real fun read,thanks bookbrowse for another author that's new to me. I've put her on my watchlist.if you want a funny,bittersweet read pick this one up!

I am a sucker for good character development and especially, quirky characters. Help Wanted has both. Beyond the characters, this book looks at a portion of the American population that is often overlooked, both in real life as well as in print. People who work behind the scenes in big box retail stores are a struggling, backbone of life in this country. I don't claim to have a firsthand knowledge of their life, but it seems to be depicted here with accuracy, often with humor and compassion. They are all heroes as well as tragic characters, to themselves and to each other, as every day yields new disappointments …more but sometimes successes. I wanted to get to know them all, even the people I didn't like much; they were all so interesting. (less)

Someone is going to be promoted at Town Square. When that happens, other positions will undoubtedly open in whichever department spawns the new store manager. In the warehouse department known as Movement the smart guess among team members is their manager, Meredith, will get the coveted spot. The question is, who from the team will then replace Meredith?

Adelle Waldman knowledgeably sets the scene behind the sleek sales floor of a major corporate retail chain. From the moment the doors hiss open revealing the gritty backside of the store we are in another realm entirely. Over four days leading up to the …more corporate visit to select the new store manager, we meet the members of the disparate backroom team: the old guys, the lead workers on the conveyer, the thrower, the newbies, and lower-level supervisors, all looking for a lucky break. They keep the sales flowing by unloading goods and stocking shelves in the early hours leading up to store opening. As Meredith positions herself to gain the coveted promotion, she pressures team members to complete each unload on tight time limitations. Tension mounts as they learn they will be interviewed by the corporate reps about their boss. Do they support Meredith or undermine her?

The opportunity to advance doesn't come along often. Chapter by chapter Waldman introduces the lead workers grappling with their individual hardships, hopes and dreams. The golden ticket of promotion could mean new stability in the lives of a lucky few. Workers become allies encouraging and coaching one another, while scheming for their own ends. Can they succeed?

Contemporary economic realities of profit and loss play out on multiple levels in Waldman's insightful novel. In her compassionate rendering, each character's desperation and motivation are foregrounded in contrast with that of the others. The formerly faceless workers behind the scenes become individuals we can invest in. Who will win promotion?

Suspense mounts as the decision day approaches. The numbers in columns on a spread sheet have become human chess pieces. Who will advance and who will be sacrificed? Waldman shows us how "making ends meet" for workers in the retail economy depends on more than hard work alone. Global market fluctuations, downturns that limit hiring and layoffs that bleed the remaining employees add up to business practices that impact individual workers and families every day.

If Town Square sounds like a national brand in your town, you are on target. Reminiscent of Last Night at the Lobster, Stewart O'Nan's 2008 novel of employees at the closing of a Red Lobster restaurant, Help Wanted depicts the emotional life of a retail community that will rise or fall on the resilience of its members. (less)