Search - Cubicles : A Novel (Strivers Row)

This is a review of the Books On Tape Audio version of Cubicles. The book is narrated by a full cast (a different person narrating the three main characters). The narration is spectacular. All three characters, Joyce, Margaret and Faulkner have very separate voices, personalities, and ages. The actresses who do the narration are not listed on the jacket but if you can get a copy of the audio version of this book, you will not be dissapointed.

I would not necessarily have chosen this book (as it is a Griot book which is targeted to an African-American audience, which I am not) but picked it up because the premise was one I could relate to. Once I started listening to the story, I couldn't wait to get back into the car to hear more.

3 different women work for a phone company in Texas - all in customer service. Margaret, an older woman in her 50's, is still in the same job she's held her entire career; Joyce has risen the corporate ladder to executive and Faulkner is a rising star and on her way to take over Joyce's job.

Margaret is actually the most interesting character of the three women. She has health problems and children problems and doesn't really put herself first, which does cause even more problems for her.

Faulkner is bright and likeable and ambitious but in a "good" way - she's not too ambitious - she's not cutthroat or devious. She is a good daughter, a good worker, probably every parent's dream.

Joyce is the villian of the novel - she is portrayed as manipulative, evil, and aggressively bitchy - however, she does have a deep dark secret (that actually is relatively easy to figure out earlier in the book). There is one relationship that comes with Joyce's story that did take me by surprise but the wrap up of her ending is why I've given the book only 4 stars instead of 5. Didn't ring quite true.

If you've not been able to get through the written book, try the audio version. Highly recommended.